My Cyprus road trip, day by day

Cyprus is made for a road trip, and for British drivers it’s one of the easiest in Europe, because traffic keeps left. There’s no railway, buses don’t reach everywhere often, and the best of the island is up in the mountains and in villages you can only reach by road. This is the route I’d drive in a week, with straight-line distances worked out from OpenStreetMap and no journey times I can’t back up. The basics of getting around are in getting around Cyprus.

Days 1 and 2, Larnaca to Limassol

On day one I’d collect the car at Larnaca Airport and stay in Larnaca, about 6 km away, to settle in. On day two I’d head for Choirokoitia, the Neolithic settlement on the World Heritage List since 1998, about 29 km away as the crow flies. Lefkara, the lace village whose lacework UNESCO listed as intangible heritage in 2009, is about 8 km further, and from there I’d drop down to Limassol for the night.

Day 3, west of Limassol

This is the archaeology day. Leaving Limassol, Kolossi Castle is about 9 km away on the map and Kourion around 14. Something few people realise is that OpenStreetMap places Kourion inside the British Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri. Then I’d follow the coast to Aphrodite’s Rock and spend the night in Paphos, about 23 km further on. Why I rate Kourion so highly is in places to visit in Cyprus.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Kakopetria for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.

Day 4, Paphos and the north of the district

Mornings are for the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, World Heritage since 1980. In the afternoon I’d head north to Polis, about 29 km in a straight line, and the Baths of Aphrodite, about 8 km beyond. If you’ve time for more coast, my most beautiful places in Cyprus has ideas.

Day 5, how do you cross the Troodos?

Slowly. It’s the most beautiful day and the slowest. I’d climb from Paphos to Kykkos Monastery, about 37 km in a straight line, and carry on to Kakopetria, about 15 km further, to sleep in the Solea valley. As the crow flies it looks like nothing, but the mountain road multiplies both distance and time. To choose a village, see the prettiest villages in Cyprus.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Kakopetria on GetYourGuide.

Day 6, painted churches and Nicosia

Next to Kakopetria you’ll find Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, one of the painted churches on the 1985 list. Then I’d drive down to Nicosia, about 48 km in a straight line, and sleep inside the walls for an evening stroll.

Day 7, Cape Greco and home

On the last day I’d head east to Cape Greco, about 70 km from Nicosia as the crow flies and 9 km from Ayia Napa, and then back to Larnaca Airport, about 45 km from the cape. If your flight’s early, swap this day for a quiet morning in Larnaca.

The route works all year, but in July and August I’d drive early, and in winter I’d allow for snow on Olympus. To pick the month, read the best time to visit Cyprus, with temperatures in Cyprus weather.

If you would rather go at your own pace, see the car hire deals in Limassol: the earlier you book, the more cars are left to choose from.

Before you set off

You drive on the left within the limits the European Commission lists, and gov.uk isn’t flattering about local driving. The north isn’t on this route, because the Republic’s insurance doesn’t apply there. For the rules, see driving in Cyprus, and for the full table of kilometres, distances in Cyprus. If you’d rather not drive, my one week in Cyprus works with two bases and buses, and with more time, 10 days in Cyprus loops right round the south.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Kakopetria for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.