Explore Cyprus with Our Interactive Map

Featured Articles

Explore our top stories and discover ideas worth your time.

View all articles
Makronissos Beach

Makronissos Beach

The Makronissos beach takes its name from the small peninsula where it sits. The word Makronissos comes from Greek and means "long island," a reference to the tail-shaped landmass that was once separated from the mainland. The main beach stretches westward, while two smaller bays branch off toward the southwest and southeast. These natural formations create protected swimming areas with calm waters throughout most of the season. The golden sand is fine and soft, without the pebbles or coarse grains common at many Mediterranean beaches. The waters remain shallow for a considerable distance from shore, which allows children to wade and play safely. Parents can relax knowing that the gentle slope of the seabed means their kids can walk quite far out while still touching bottom. The southwestern section falls within a Natura 2000 protected area, part of a European network of conservation sites. This designation reflects the ecological importance of the coastal environment and ensures that development balances tourism with environmental protection. Historical Background The Makronissos Necropolis sits just behind the beach and contains 19 rock-cut tombs from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The Municipality of Ayia Napa sponsored intensive excavations between November 1989 and January 1990. These tombs had been targets of illegal digging since 1872, which damaged many of the burial chambers and removed valuable artifacts before…

Read more
Byzantine Frescoes & Iconography

Byzantine Frescoes & Iconography

The Troodos Mountains of Cyprus contain one of the most significant collections of medieval mural painting in the Eastern Mediterranean. Ten churches and monastic buildings, all listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, preserve a continuous tradition of wall painting that spans from the 11th to the 16th centuries. These mountain structures are valued not only for their artistic content but also for their exceptional state of preservation. Their remote location helped protect them from destruction during periods of coastal instability and repeated invasions in earlier centuries. In addition, the characteristic steep-pitched wooden roofs—added to many structures over time—helped shield interior wall surfaces from heavy snowfall and seasonal rainfall. The result is a rare survival of complete interior decorative programs, where painted surfaces remain visible across domes, walls, and arches, offering insight into medieval visual culture in Cyprus. Historical Background Cyprus became integrated into the Byzantine administrative and cultural sphere in the early medieval period, adopting artistic traditions that combined Greco-Roman visual heritage with evolving regional styles. Over time, local workshops developed a distinct mural painting tradition that reflected both imperial influences and island-based interpretations. The earliest major phase of mural decoration in Cyprus dates broadly from the 4th to the 7th centuries. During this period, large basilica-style structures were constructed, often featuring painted or mosaic decoration in apsidal areas. One…

Read more
Elevated Cyprus Viewpoints

Elevated Cyprus Viewpoints

Cyprus offers some of the Mediterranean's most spectacular coastal viewpoints where limestone cliffs tower above turquoise waters, creating panoramic scenes that have inspired mythology and attracted visitors for millennia. Cape Greco National Park on the southeastern tip provides dramatic limestone cliffs plunging into emerald water, with hiking trails leading to viewpoints where ancient Greeks believed gods walked. The Cape Greco viewpoint, located on a hill in the west, offers wonderful views of the entire cape, including the Blue Lagoon where meter-high waves crash against rocks when wind blows. These elevated perspectives reveal the island's geological drama while connecting visitors to landscapes that shaped Cyprus's cultural identity. The Legendary Rock of Aphrodite Petra tou Romiou, known as Aphrodite's Rock, represents Cyprus's most iconic coastal landmark where mythology meets natural beauty. The rugged coastline features striking rock formations emerging majestically from turquoise Mediterranean waters, creating dramatic and awe-inspiring panoramas. The main rock, a towering limestone stack, is surrounded by smaller rocks and a pebble beach, all set against the backdrop of rolling hills. According to ancient Greek mythology, the goddess Aphrodite emerged from sea foam at this exact location. The tale suggests that Chronos castrated his father Uranus and threw his genitals into the sea. From the resulting foam, Aphrodite was born, carried to shore on a scallop shell. This mythical connection…

Read more