What makes Cyprus so special?

Experience Hikes
May 23
3 min read

Some places surprise you when you least expect it. Cyprus is one of those places.

At first glance, it seems like a classic island for sun-seekers: Mediterranean charm, turquoise sea, a cuisine full of olive oil and fresh herbs.But if you look a little closer, you’ll soon discover there are many more layers.

Its position between Europe, Asia and Africa has shaped Cyprus into a unique blend of cultures. In the villages, Byzantine churches stand side by side with Ottoman influences. On the streets, you hear Greek, English and a touch of Turkish. The scents and flavours are a mix of familiar and exotic, making the island not just surprisingly diverse, but also hard to label.

Where three continents almost meet

Cyprus lies in the eastern Mediterranean. Right at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. Geographically, it belongs to Asia but culturally and politically it’s often seen as part of Europe. It’s an independent country and the third-largest island in the Mediterranean. Since 2004, Cyprus has also been a member of the EU, so it’s easy to travel here – you can simply pay with euros.

This unique position has made Cyprus a place where cultures have mixed for centuries. You notice it in the language, the food, the architecture. Greek Orthodox churches stand beside Ottoman mosques. And in the market, you hear several languages blending together. Cyprus feels both familiar and different. An island between continents, where the world seems to come together in miniature.

Ancient paths and divine landscapes

On Cyprus, you walk trails that are much older than Christianity. Take the wild western coast, where you can hike along the rugged cliffs of the Akamas Peninsula. This is the place where, according to legend, Aphrodite rose from the sea foam. Myth or not—when you stand there, looking out over the bay, it suddenly makes sense why such stories were born in places like this.

Or descend into the Avakas Gorge. A canyon so narrow the sunlight filters in like stripes. No signs. No crowds. Just rock, water, silence. You don’t have to walk far to feel like you’ve stepped into another world entirely.

Mountains filled with scent, space… and snow

The Troodos Mountains might just be Cyprus’s biggest surprise. Tucked inland, this is the greenest part of the island. In summer, it’s a cool escape from the heat. In spring, everything blooms. And in autumn, the air is filled with the scent of pine and damp moss.

But what many people don’t know is that it snows here in winter. You can even go skiing, on an island where you might sit on the beach the very same day. Cypress trees, pines, and wild herbs line the trails that wind through the slopes.

And if you’re lucky—and very quiet—you might spot the Cypriot mouflon: a wild mountain sheep found nowhere else on earth. Like the island’s unofficial mascot, with big horns and excellent climbing skills.

An island full of traces from the past

Cyprus is one of the oldest inhabited places in Europe. Here, history isn’t kept behind glass—it’s under your feet, along your trail, carved into the hills.

From Roman villas with detailed mosaics to ancient monasteries hidden among the trees, the traces of thousands of years are still clearly visible. Some hikes literally take you past temples, tombs and villages that existed long before there was even a map of Europe.

These layers of history give the landscape a deeper meaning. The longer you stay, the more it seems to reveal.

Cyprus doesn’t fit into a box

There are plenty of destinations with beautiful hikes, ancient ruins or turquoise seas. But Cyprus brings all those things together in a way that feels natural. It’s not an island of grand gestures. Not a place for checking off highlights. It’s somewhere you simply are.

Where you slowly realise that the magic lies in the small things. A wild path that leads to a forgotten chapel. A mountain lake that suddenly appears between the pines. A spontaneous conversation with a winemaker that sticks with you long after.

That’s what makes Cyprus so special. Not because it tries to impress—but because it doesn’t have to.