In the spring of 2022, we managed to visit all three cities. In February, we spent 2 days in Paphos, and in April, we spent 4 days on the eastern coast.
Many people said I was crazy for traveling abroad for just 2 days with my 3-year-old son – but in my view, less is more than nothing.
I was really happy to spend one day sitting on the beautiful beach, and on the second day, we visited the city’s main attractions. Paphos isn’t too big, so you can see the sights in 1-2 days.
One of the main attractions is the Paphos Fortress, which was built in the 13th century. It’s located in the harbor, and from the upper floor, you can enjoy a unique panoramic view. On one side, you can see the city, while the other side is surrounded by the sea. It was originally built to protect Paphos, but over time, it was also used as a prison and for salt storage. In the end, it was declared a monument in 1935.
Another major attraction in the city is the Agia Solomoni Catacombs, located halfway between the Kato Paphos harbor and the Paphos shopping center. It’s just a short ten-minute walk from the harbor.
Paphos’ largest church, the Agioi Anargyroi Church, is located near the Kings Avenue shopping center and is easily recognizable by its red roof.
But what I enjoyed the most was the long seaside promenade, with beautiful hotels on one side and the roaring sea on the other.
In April, we traveled to the eastern coast for 4 days, spending two days in Agia Napa and two days in Larnaca. It was an interesting experience to return to the place where I had lived for 3 years, after 9 years. I walked past the apartment where I used to live, and a series of memories flashed through my mind. After all these years, an old colleague greeted me on the street as if they had last seen me just yesterday, which felt really great.
As a child, I grew up in a village, and I could hardly imagine ever traveling abroad, let alone living in multiple countries.
It’s a perfect reminder that you should never say never!
In Cyprus, I managed to “get burned” even in April because my little one and I spent 5 hours “enjoying” the beach. That’s why I recommend sunscreen even for spring trips.
What did we manage to fit into those 4 days?
We took a pre-booked minibus from Larnaca airport to Agia Napa, where we visited the harbor that same evening. We also took a lot of bunny and egg pictures since it was Orthodox Easter at the time.
The next morning, we went to see the ruins of the monastery, the beautiful fountain next to it, and the new church. We couldn’t miss the small playground next to the church either. After that, I showed Liam the bar district, where his mommy used to party. It’s worth walking there with a little one before the parties begin, because there are some really interesting bars in the area: Castle Club, Titanic, Pirates Dance Bar, Bedrock, Senior Frog’s, Jungle Bar, and Hollywood Boulevard Dance Bar.
In the afternoon, we went for a swim near the harbor, but if someone has more time, it’s definitely worth visiting the beautiful sandy Nissi Beach.
In the evening, when everything is lit up, Luna Park offers great entertainment for both kids and adults. There’s a giant wheel, a roller coaster, and all kinds of spinning, swinging, and shooting rides.
Walking down the street, you’ll find numerous restaurants, ice cream parlors, and souvenir shops. If you’re looking for a grocery store, it’s worth visiting Plust and Best Buy.
From Agia Napa, you can easily take a bus to the neighboring, beautiful Protaras, but there are also many boat tours to choose from at the harbor (ranging from 1 to 4 hours). The little ones will definitely enjoy the Yellow Submarine, Nemo, or the pirate ship. Young people can party on the party boat for 4 hours, while adults can opt for comfortable 4-hour boat trips.
If someone stays in Agia Napa for several days, it’s worth signing up for the Famagusta Ghost Town tour. Famagusta was the largest port city in Cyprus, but since 1974, the port has been inactive. The city is located in the territory of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, within the Turkish-occupied zone.
But why is it a ghost town?
The Greek Cypriots fled during the Turkish invasion in 1974, when the city of Famagusta came under Turkish control, and the city has remained abandoned ever since. Cyprus was divided into two parts: the northern, Turkish side and the southern, Greek side.
One might wonder if it’s worth vacationing in Larnaca when everything is in Agia Napa.
My answer is: yes.
Nine years ago, I lived in this city for half a year. I was curious to see how much it had changed, but I could say it hasn’t changed at all. In fact, we even got to know the café owners at the famous Finikoudes, which is none other than Larnaca’s famous palm-lined promenade, where numerous restaurants, bars, tavernas, and cafés await visitors.
At the beginning of the promenade, we can admire the city’s marina, and if we want to go on a boat trip, there are plenty of options to choose from here. At the end of the promenade, we find the seaside fortress, which was begun by the Ottomans in the 16th century and today houses Larnaca’s Medieval Museum.
If we turn right off the promenade and walk a few streets up, we’ll find the magnificent Saint Lazarus Church. In the surrounding area, we can see truly charming old-style houses.
Near Larnaca, it’s worth visiting the salt lake, which is a breeding ground for five different species of waterfowl, as Larnaca lies on one of Cyprus’s most significant migratory routes. Every year, around 5,000-12,000 flamingos spend the winter here.
I highly recommend Larnaca to families with young children who want to relax, splash around, or play with their little ones on the golden sandy beach near the hotels. The beach has soft sand, and the sea gradually deepens.
It’s perfect for a long weekend if you enjoy swimming in the sea or if you’d like to try freshly caught fish or seafood.
You can visit the city’s sights in 1-2 days, but from here, you can easily reach Agia Napa, Nicosia, and Limassol by intercity buses for just a few euros.
The airport bus departs from Finikoudes, the journey takes about 20 minutes, and the ticket costs 3 euros. We had a great time here with my little son, and if you’re longing for a Mediterranean island, you should definitely visit here too, as the weather is fantastic from April to the end of October.
