Cyprus is an island located in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, a short distance from the coasts of Turkey and Syria. It is a great place for summer rest, with wonderful beaches and very interesting ancient and Byzantine monuments.
The island has been divided since 1974 into the independent state of Cyprus which is a member of the European Union and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus not recognized by the international community. The island's largest city, Nicosia, is also divided into two parts, northern and southern, which are separated by a demilitarized zone. Communication between both parts of the island and Nicosia is possible through designated border crossings.
Touristically a much better developed part of the island is its south. The most important resort in this area is Limassol, which in addition to beaches also offers ancient and medieval monuments and numerous vineyards and wineries. Many tourists also relax in Agia Napa, near which are the coastal grottoes of Cavo Greco, famous for its sandy beaches and clear sea Protaras and Larnaca. An extremely popular place on the coast is Paphos, which in addition to beaches also has an archaeological complex on the UNESCO list. Nearby is the famous Petra Tou Romiou, a rock at the foot of which, according to mythology, Aphrodite emerged from the sea foam.
The northern part of Cyprus has a much less developed tourist infrastructure, but it can be a great destination for people who are looking for places that are not obvious and distant from the main tourist traffic. In addition to the Turkish part of Nicosia, with the Middle East bazaar and mosques, you can see the city of Famagusta with a medieval fortress, the ruins of ancient Salamis and the mountain castles of St. Hilarion, Kantara and Buffavento.
