Cyprus for Backpackers | Kantara Castle in North Cyprus |
While Cyprus has long been a favourite of British holidaymakers looking for sun, sand, and fish and chips all in one place, it is not often a destination for backpackers. And, whether it's cause or effect or a little of both, Cyprus is not a country that could be described as backpacker-friendly. Prices are high, public transport is minimal, and accommodation is aimed at the package tour market, meaning that budget hotels can be hard to find, and many hotels you do find will not be used to people just walking in off the street. Having said that, it is entirely possible to visit and enjoy Cyprus on a budget of about $40 a day; hopefully these pages will help anyone who decides to try it.
Like many other island destinations, one of the reasons Cyprus is not so popular with backpackers is probably that, unless you take a ferry from Turkey to North Cyprus, you will have to pay for a flight to get there, and this may seem like a big investment just to visit such a small island. So is Cyprus worth it? I guess each traveller will have to answer that for himself. Cyprus does have quite a few historic and cultural sights, though the only one that I found to be truly world-class was the ancient Roman mosaics in Paphos. The beaches, oddly enough, are decidedly mediocre, even though they have somehow become Cyprus' number one attraction.
In my opinion, the northern part of the island (known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) is much more interesting than the South. Apart from the Paphos mosaics, it has the most beautiful sights, both historic (such as the ruins of Salamis and the medieval castles of St. Hilarion and Kantara) and natural (the Karpaz peninsula), and the cities of North Nicosia (Lefkosa), Kyrenia, and Famagusta are all appealing in different ways. The cities of the South are much less attractive, and the development along the coasts is a bit out of control. |
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