- You might see Aphrodite. Legend says Aphrodite, goddess of love, is a Cypriot. Aphrodite was born and rose from the foam (“afros,” in Greek) near a rock off what’s now Aphrodite’s Beach. Waves breaking over the rock create pillars of foam that islanders say look just like the goddess herself.
- Cyprus has beaches with Blue Flag (the cleanest in the world) to stretch out on. With a wealth of beaches to choose from, you’re bound to find one that suits your taste. From the quiet backwaters of the western peninsula, to the lively resorts in the east, the island has something for everyone.
- The whole Island has World Heritage status. Cyprus is a small island with a vast amount of history, there you can find historically unique heritage: the remains of ancient tombs, fortresses, old monasters and churches.
- Cyprushas the world’s oldest wine label. The Cypriot dessert wine commandaria is recognized as the world’s oldest named wine. Produced in the fertile high-altitude slopes in the southwest of Cyprus, it has a sweet, herby taste that evokes the island’s aromas.
- Carnival is a Dionysian blend. Carnival in Cyprus is a unique blend of ancient Greek and later traditions. It’s believed to have begun under Venetian rule in the 16th century, involving masked balls and fancy dress. Earlier celebrations of Dionysus probably lent it a wild edge. In recent times it’s been held in the days preceding Lent and is mainly associated with the city of Limassol. It retains an untamed spirit, kicking off with the gaudily dressed Carnival King riding through town on his carriage.
- The ancient tombs are rock solid. The Tombs of the Kings are Paphos’s main tourist attraction and an important reasons for the site’s World Heritage listing. Called “monumental” and “magnificent” by the UN, the 4th-century-BC resting places are carved from solid rock, complete with Doric pillars. They’re unique in Cyprus because of their peristyle court structure, influenced by Egyptian architecture.
- Cyprus national symbol is a (very shy) sheep. It’s the national symbol, but you may never see it. Cyprus’s mouflon is one shy sheep. It was once considered vermin, so you can’t entirely blame hunters for its demise. By the 1930s there were only 15 mouflon, technically a subspecies of wild sheep, left on the island. But conservation programs mean there are now thousands — somewhere. A couple of small herds are kept under protection.
- Cyprus haloumi is the real deal! Eat it raw and it squeaks in your teeth, grill or fry it and it’s crispy and gooey — haloumi cheese is served almost everywhere on Cyprus. It’s typically made from goat’s or sheep’s milk — sometimes both — that’s been soaked in brine and mint. Many Cypriot families make it themselves. The United States and the EU have recognized haloumi as a traditional Cypriot product, so officially haloumi is only haloumi if it’s made in Cyprus.
- The Roman mosaics are among the world’s best. Discovered by accident in 1962,Paphos‘s mosaics once decorated the houses of the island’s most wealthy Roman colonists. Described by the UN as “extremely rare and rank(ing) among the best examples in the world,” they show great artistic skill but also tell compelling stories. The Four Seasons mosaic in the House of Dionysus (the god of wine) shows winter as a gray-haired old man warming himself up with a drop of vino.
- The diving is world class. Cyprus has one of the world’s widely acknowledged top 10 wreck diving sites. It’s the wreck of the Zenobia, off the coast of Larnaca. The cargo ship sunk in the 1980s and is still largely intact, with carpets and vending machines rotting on her decks. It’s said the owners never claimed on the insurance. Barracuda and tuna have now made it their home.