The 7 Best Places To Live In Cyprus | Leptos Estates (2024)

Discover the 7 best places to live in the Republic of Cyprus – a complete review of Cyprus’ most popular expat destinations.

If you are looking for a vibrant, dynamic and urban way of living,Cyprusis the perfect destination.Wondering where exactly in Cyprus can you call home? Let us introduce the best places to live in the Republic of Cyprus to help you choose one.

1.Limassol

Limassol combines local nightlife with a family-friendly atmosphere, creating an excellent destination for parents who want to let their hair down a little after the little ones go to bed. One of the island’s largest cities, it also has waterparks, restaurants, beaches and historical attractions, especially the ruins of Amathus to the east. Most of the hotels and tourist facilities are around the eastern part of the city, too.

If you want to enjoy a drink with the locals, it’s best to hit the town on Friday or Saturday. Weekend evenings are when most of the locals can safely party without having to worry about working through a hangover the next morning and most tourists take the opportunity to head further east to Ayia Napa. If you want a great coffee the next morning, head to the marina, which is surrounded by trendy boutiques and cafés.

Limassol villages

A. Pissouri, a traditional Cypriot resort for older families and couples

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Cyprus, that offers all the attractions oftraditional Cypriot village life, with minimum invasion by tourists, thenPissouri village, and the beachit overlooks of the same name, could be right up your street.

Pissouri village sits 500 metres above sea levelon the Cape Aspro Ridge.Three kilometres from the beach, and mid-waybetween Paphos and Limassol, the village is a step back in time to the 1950s.

Yes, there has been a little adapting, with a few carefully monitored hotels and complexes going up, but the local council is fiercely protective of itstraditional lifestyle. Out of season, the resident population is a mix of Cypriots and a few British expats.

Most of the locals still make the majority of their money from farming and cultivating grapes. Pissouri village is made up ofpretty, windy, narrow alleyways, and pots of geraniums can be seen everywhere around the village and the village square.

Nonetheless, if your preference is self-catering, the village has plenty of local shops for all your day-to-day needs including grocers, bakery, mini-marts, banks, and hire-car agents as well as a good variety of restaurants and bars.

As the hub of the evening entertainment,the village squarecomes alive with locals and visitors wining and dining on the terraces, as they enjoy the view out to sea, and join in with the many festivals and traditional Cypriot nights of dining, dancing, music – and drinking.

There are alsosome fabulous nature trailswhich can be walked, or covered on bicycles.

If your type of laid-back holidayis to be up with the sun, and on your sunbed before breakfast, then maybePissouri Beachis the better option.

The sand and shingle beach is 1500 metres long, and 90 metres wide with the tide out. A selection ofwater-sportsis available including wind-surfing, water-skiing, and paragliding.

As with the village, Pissouri Beach has managed to keep much of the commercialisation at bay, with the exception ofa couple of all-inclusive complexesat either end.

There are a few beach shacks and bars, toilets and showers along the front, and lifeguards are on duty through high season. The beach is also well equipped for disabled visitors.

If either Pissouri Village, or Pissouri Beach sound like your favourite place to stay in Cyprus, a selection of all-inclusive hotels, private lets, and tour operator hotels and apartments are available.

If you decide to stay at the beach, try to haveat least one evening spent in the village.

B. Souni – Zanatzia Villageis an area of open countryside dotted with majestic pines with exceptional natural beauty, yet it is just 8 – 10 minutes drive from the beach and Limassol town. It is far from the noise and traffic of the city, above the humidity of the coast where relaxation and silence is guaranteed.

2. Paphos

Paphos is a lovely coastal city in the southwest of Cyprus and, as legends say, the birthplace of Aphrodite.

The town has good infrastructure and amenities – from shopping malls and shops to modern hospitals and decent road connections. Paphos International Airport is just 15 minutes’ drive from the town centre and a modern highway links the Paphos district to the whole of Cyprus.

Paphos District is full of picturesque villages and is quite loved by British expats. There is a lot of lush green countryside in the area, lovely villages and beautiful beaches, including the famous Coral Bay.

The harbour embankment view Paphos – Cyprus

The great thing about Paphos District is that you’ve got the sea and great beaches with hills, forests and mountains inland. The Akamas is a delight if you like the unspoilt countryside.

Paphos city is a popular tourist resort. It is also famous for its charming fishing harbour. The main residential district in Paphos is Ktima.

Kato Paphos, built by the sea around the medieval port, is where most of the luxury hotels and the entertainment infrastructure of the city is located.

There’s a lot going on in Paphos itself to sustain life there. It’s also only 45 minutes along the motorway to Limassol.

Living In Paphos– the pros and cons and other things you need to know about Paphos of you are planning to move there.

3. Peyia and Tala

Paphos district has quite a few lovely towns and villages dotted around. Lots of Brits live there, especially in places like Peyia and Tala. That means no language problems. If you venture further into the hills, a few words of Greek will be very helpful to get by.

Peyia and Tala are very popular for full time living among expats. There are plenty of restaurants and tavernas in both places, and they are close to Coral Bay.

Peyia is a bit overbuilt. The nice areas of Peyia can mostly be found on the outskirts. It’s also quite a drive to Paphos. Tala is closer to Paphos but has fewer facilities.

If you want to be fairly close to town and live somewhere within walking distance to a decent supermarket, pharmacy, doctor, butcher etc., Chloraka is possibly a good place to consider as it is just 3 km north of Paphos.

4. Akamas Peninsula/Polis, a base for lovers of nature

Situated on the west coast of the island,The Akamas National Parkis an area of over 200 square kilometres of unspoilt natural parkland.

With over 160 varieties of birds, different species of snakes, lizards, and other reptiles, a variety of mammals including hedgehogs and foxes, and an extensive range of butterflies and plant life, including cyclamen and Cyprus tulip, it is a naturalist’s heaven.

The coastal area of the park also has some of the mostamazing natural sandy bays and beachesyou will find on the island.

Two that stand out are the pristine Blue Lagoon and its crystal-clear waters, andLara Bay, a major breeding ground for theHawk’s Bill and Green turtle, both endangered species.

Although there are plenty ofhiking and cycling trailsavailable to explore this beautiful area, booking an organised tour is well worth the cost.

Two-hundred square kilometres is a lot of ground to cover, and your tour guide will know all the best areas to head for the best views, and where to go if your particular interests are flora or fauna.

For those wishing to spend more than just a couple of hours exploring the interior of Akamas Park, consider booking a stay in thePolis area.It is becoming a popular base with visitors wanting to study the natural history of the island in greater detail, as well as enjoying time on less crowded beaches.

Situated on the north-west coast, some 25km from Paphos, Polis is a town and municipality that liesin the centre of Chrysochous Bay,on the edge of Akamas Park, and encompasses a number of holiday resorts.

A pleasant 45-minute stroll (10 minutes by bus) from Polis town will get you to the little coastalvillage of Latchi, home to Polis’s harbour and its nearest sandy beach. Along the pretty promenade you will find bars, shops, and some ofthe best fish restaurants on the island.

A little further along the coast, as you reach the edge of Akamas Park, you will find the Baths of Aphrodite, while heading inland you can explore thecharming villages of Droushia, Inia, Argaka, Pomas and Kato Pyrgos.

If Polis sounds like the best area to stay in Cyprus for your needs, the municipality has a good selection of both private and package self-catering, half-board, and all-inclusive accommodations, as well as a popular campsite.

5. Coral Bay, great place to stay in Cyprus for everyone

Just 12km from the city of Paphos, and still in the Paphos area, Coral Bay is apopular destination with the 18-30s, and young families.Coral Beach is a Blue Flag, long stretch of sandy beach and shallow water, and close to most of the accommodation.

There are numerous access points along the front, and the beach is equipped with sunbeds and parasols, lifeguards during high season, beach shops, restaurants, and bars. Agood selection of water-sportsequipment is also available.

Coralia Beachis a few hundred metres further along the main street. A smaller sand and rock beach, with similar amenities, both it, and Coral Beach, can get very busy during high season.

The main street in the resort isCoral Bay Avenue, which leads to the beaches. Along the avenue and beach areas you will find plenty of local shops, roadside stalls, high street brands like Pandora, car hire agents, pharmacies, and a walk-in health clinic, as well as plenty of excellent local and international restaurants and bars.

Although not as well endowed as Paphos for its archaeological sites, Coral Bay does have two of interest at the end of the main beach.The Maa Palaiokastro Archaeological Site, andthe Maa Palaiokastro Museumare well worth a visit if you want a little time away from the heat of the midday sun.

Evenings are generally busy, lively affairs. Coral Bay has an excellent selection ofclassical Cypriot restaurants,many of which include traditional Greek music for their guests.

International eateriesinclude both Italian and Chinese restaurants, and a lot of the bars put on live music and karaoke.

Most of thebars around the beach areaarelate night/early morning venues,and through the summer months, all night beach parties are popular.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Cyprus for alively party atmosphere, Coral Bay should fit the bill, and has an excellent selection of all types of self-catering accommodation, low and mid-range hotels, and villas.

6. Nicosia

Discover the 10 best places to live in the Republic of Cyprus – a complete review of Cyprus’ most popular expat destinations.

If you are looking for a vibrant, dynamic and urban way of life, Cyprus may be your best bet. Wondering where exactly in Cyprus can you call home? Let us introduce the best places to live in the Republic of Cyprus to help you choose one.

Nicosia lies inland and therefore it can get hotter than the seaside in summer. However, the bliss of it is that as a consequence tourist don’t think much of the place, instead preferring the seaside resorts and towns. This not only keeps the place from becoming overcrowded but helps to preserve a truly Cypriot feel and character of the place.

Nicosia, Cyprus’s capital city is modern and developing rapidly

Nicosia is the business and financial centre of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the administrative heart. The city offers great entertainment, vibrant nightlife, excellent shopping and a choice of leisure activities.

As in any city, there are enough districts and types of property to choose from in Nicosia. The choice depends on whether you want to live in an apartment or a modern villa, in the quiet outskirts or in a luxurious part of the city near all the major embassies where the properties are superb, both in style and price.

Living in the south-east, for example, gives you easy access to Athalassa National Forest Park, which is 840 hectares of greenery. Its network of trails – covering 20 kilometres – makes it a popular place for cycling, walking, dog walking and picnics.

7. Larnaca

Most visitors to Cyprus will see Larnaca, even if it’s just from the plane landing at the island’s main airport. However, it’s got a lot going for it as a destination in its own right, including one of the finest city beaches in Europe – Finikoudes. Further inland, a vast Salt Lake is well worth seeing from the ground as well as on final approach to the airport.

Also spelt as Larnaka, the city is a popular destination as a mooring spot for luxury yachts. The harbour is surrounded by chic cafés and stylish boutiques. The city is also home to some of the most historic religious sites in Cyprus, including theHala Sultan Tekke mosqueand theChurch of St Lazarus.