Sightseeing in Cyprus
Including Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement, Famagusta Walled City, and Hala Sultan Tekke. On the map.
The vibe
Walking through these ancient layers feels like navigating a living museum where Roman mosaics sit just steps away from modern village life. Spring is the ideal time to explore before the midday heat turns the ruins into a sun-baked challenge. You will find a mix of well-marked heritage sites that draw organized groups and quiet, crumbling stone paths where you can wander entirely on your own.
Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement
Cyprus
Klaus D. Peter, Wiehl, Germany / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0 de)
Rising from a hillside valley between Larnaca and Limassol, Choirokoitia is one of the best-preserved prehistoric sites in the Eastern Mediterranean. Sightseers walk among the stone foundations of circular prehistoric dwellings and view reconstructed huts that showcase early human architecture dating back to the 7th millennium BC.
Access. Directly accessible via the main highway linking Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca with a short walk from the parking area.
Notes. Exposed site with steep steps up to the reconstructed dwellings.
Famagusta Walled City
Northern Cyprus
Twips / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Encircling a dense concentration of medieval Gothic ruins, the historic walled city of Famagusta is famous for its massive Venetian fortifications and the striking Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, formerly the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. Travelers explore the atmospheric streets filled with remnants of Lusignan palaces and ancient churches.
Access. Reached via road crossings from the south or as part of a regional tour of Northern Cyprus.
Notes. Bring passport/ID for border crossing if approaching from the Republic of Cyprus side.
Hala Sultan Tekke, Larnaca
Cyprus
Arnold Schott / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Situated on the tranquil banks of the Larnaca Salt Lake, Hala Sultan Tekke is a revered Muslim shrine complex surrounded by palm trees and lush gardens. Visitors come to experience this peaceful sanctuary, which holds immense spiritual significance and provides picturesque reflections across the seasonal salt flats.
Access. Easily reached by taxi or local bus from Larnaca city center.
Notes. Dress modestly as it is an active and sacred religious site.
Painted Churches in the Troodos Mountains
Cyprus
Tech bro / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nestled within the pine-forested peaks of the Troodos range, this collection of ten Byzantine-era churches and monasteries features stunning post-Byzantine and Venetian fresco cycles. Travelers traverse the winding mountain roads to discover these architectural gems, which offer a profound glimpse into medieval Orthodox art and monastic life.
Access. Best accessed by rental car or guided day tours from Limassol or Nicosia, as public transport to remote mountain villages is limited.
Notes. Some churches have restricted opening hours or require a keyholder to unlock them; modest dress is required.
Paphos Archaeological Park, Paphos
Cyprus
Stefan Bellini / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Situated on the southwest coast of Cyprus, the Paphos Archaeological Park encompasses extensive ruins from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages. Visitors come to admire the remarkably preserved mosaic floors of Roman villas depicting classical mythological scenes, alongside the imposing Odeon theatre and the enigmatic Tombs of the Kings.
Access. Easily reached on foot from the Paphos harbor area or via local buses from the city center.
Notes. Sun protection and sturdy walking shoes are essential due to the lack of shade and expansive open-air terrain.
St. Hilarion Castle, Kyrenia
Girne Belediyesi
Josef Moser / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Clinging precariously to a craggy peak in the Kyrenia Mountains, St. Hilarion Castle is a fairy-tale fortress steeped in royal history and medieval folklore. Visitors climb its steep stone staircases through multiple tiers of royal apartments and defensive towers, rewarded with sweeping views across the northern coastline of Cyprus.
Access. Reached via a scenic mountain drive from Kyrenia; rental car or taxi is required.
Notes. Strenuous uphill walking with many uneven stone steps; wear supportive footwear.