With an illustrious history seen in its ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, castles and temples plus excellent beaches, thriving cities and spectacular natural scenery, Cyprus offers visitors a plethora of opportunities at every turn to get their teeth into. However, for those that want to get the most from their visit by travelling about will discover that its public transport infrastructure is notoriously limited. For example, although there are intercity buses, services tend to be infrequent and at times unreliable and a rail network is completely non-existent. On Sunday’s you will also find that many bus services don’t run, meaning you will have to hire a taxi at further cost. Therefore the majority of visitors opt for car hire to get them from point to point around the island.
The island is served by two major airports: Paphos on the West coast; ideal if you are staying or beginning your holiday near Limassol and the capital city Nicosia. Larnaca Airport to the East coast is where to book your flight to if you plan on visiting the city itself and also the popular resorts of Ayia Napa and also Pernera and Kapparis.
Taxis are also an option when making your transfer from the airports, although it is easier to kill two birds with one stone by simply arranging car hire in Cyprus when booking your flights/package etc online. It is also advisable you use a car hire company that has the cars ready to pick up at the airport rather than agents who typically pile holidaymakers on to a coach and then to the pickup location away from the airport which often involves queuing and wasting time.
Once you have your hire car sorted, a wealth of sightseeing opportunities are yours to discover at your own pace and not that of limited bus schedules or organised tours from a holiday operator (which often incur further costs).
The Trodos Mountains are one such example and should definitely be considered. Rising at up at 1950 metres above sea level you will find some fantastic walking trails and pretty villages throughout such as Phini, Platres and Kakopetria and in the not too distant future; ski resorts in the winter months. The island is also in possession of a number of formidable archaeological sites which date from the Stone Age and the time of the Roman Empire, however simply driving around Cyprus’s dramatic coastline can be a rewarding activity in its own right. Also be sure to take in the unspoilt natural environment of Akamas National Park where you will see the famous rare Loggerhead Turtles at Lara Bay.
Those who are coming to Cyprus to enjoy its wonderful beaches can also benefit from hiring a car. Staying in the one place would simply be criminal, with Cyprus offering some of the Mediterranean’s finest stretches of coastline, with formidable beaches to be had all the way from Ayia Napa right the way along the coast to Limassol, with many relatively uncrowded beaches to be found away from the hustle and bustle so-associated with Cypriot beaches in peak months.
23 Nov
