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Green Transportation Options in Cyprus

Green Transportation Options in Cyprus

Cyprus faces a unique transportation challenge. With 658 automobiles per 1,000 people, the island holds one of the highest car ownership rates globally. Only 3% of journeys in Greater Nicosia use public transport, while cycling accounts for just 2%.  i-ytimg-com This heavy reliance on private vehicles contributes to traffic congestion, air pollution, and carbon emissions. However, the island is actively developing sustainable alternatives through government initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and European Union support. Building a Greener Transport Network Cyprus has committed to ambitious environmental targets. The National Energy and Climate Plan aims to increase renewable energy sources to 23% of total consumption and 14% in the transport sector by 2030.  sb-cyprus The government launched Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans for Limassol and Larnaca, with a combined investment of over €100 million. These plans include 62 kilometers of improved transport corridors, dedicated bus lanes, cycling paths, three central bus stations, and four park-and-ride facilities. Larnaca began implementing its plan in late 2025, delivering new cycling lanes, redesigned bus corridors, improved pavements, and upgraded traffic systems through January 2027. dom-com-cy Cyprus Public Transport introduced the island's first electric buses in 2023. These Yutong buses measure 12 meters long, accommodate up to 80 passengers, and feature accessible seating with designated wheelchair areas. The company is developing an advanced energy management system that integrates solar photovoltaic…

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Ancient Terraces and Orchards in Cyprus Mountains

Ancient Terraces and Orchards in Cyprus Mountains

The mountains of Cyprus hold secrets carved into their slopes. For thousands of years, people built stone terraces across steep hillsides, creating agricultural systems that still influence the landscape today. These terraces supported orchards and crops in places where farming seemed impossible, showing the remarkable skill of ancient communities in managing their environment. chooseyourcyprus.com Recent archaeological work reveals that terrace farming on Cyprus dates back at least 3,000 years. The Bronze Age settlement of Politiko-Troullia, occupied between 2050 and 1850 BCE, provides clear evidence of this practice. Located in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, this village sat at the interface between the fertile Mesaoria Plain and the copper-rich mountains, making it an ideal location for both agriculture and metal production. Historical Background The terraces at Politiko-Troullia were not simple structures. Archaeological surveys identified 168 ancient terrace walls in the study area, constructed with local stone and designed to serve multiple purposes. Longer terrace walls created level plots for agriculture, while shorter walls focused on erosion control and supporting fruit trees. These ancient farmers understood their environment well. They built terraces on slopes with specific geological features, particularly near pillow lavas and limestone deposits where sediment availability and water drainage were optimal. Surface geology played a crucial role in determining where to construct terraces, as the walls needed both stable…

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The Cyprus Golden Oak

The Cyprus Golden Oak

In the high, rocky landscapes of Cyprus's central mountains, one tree shines with a quiet golden glow. The Cyprus Golden Oak, an evergreen species found nowhere else on Earth, earns its name from the shimmering underside of its leaves. Walking through its groves offers a peaceful encounter with one of the island's most enduring natural wonders. Early history and naming The Cyprus Golden Oak, Quercus alnifolia, was first described in 1754 as a member of the genus Alnus (alders), hence the scientific epithet. Its local name, latzia (λατζιά), derives from Hylates — a title attributed by ancient Cypriots to the god Apollo. Hylates comes from the Greek word hyle (ὕλη), meaning forest. It’s an evergreen oak that grows only in Cyprus on basaltic and ultramafic rocks of Troodos ophiolite. Its most distinctive feature is the golden-coloured underside of its leaves, which gives the tree its common name. Notably, specimens cultivated outside their native habitat—such as those found in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew— fail to develop this characteristic golden coloration. Golden Oak ancestry and ecological role The Golden Oak branched off from its Turkish relatives to make a home on the volcanic rocks of the Troodos Mountains. It plays a crucial role on the mountain’s steep slopes, where its roots act as a natural anchor to stabilize the soil. Over…

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