Why you would love Cyprus in winter

It comes as no surprise that Cyprus probably has the warmest winters of the European Union, with average temperatures of 22–23 °C during the day and 12–14 °C at night. The temperature in the open sea is around 16° or 17° C in winter, which is really not too bad in comparison to elsewhere in Europe. You will probably even see people swimming in the sea during winter!

Escape the crowd

From December to February, you won’t find the usual tourist crowds as you would in peak summer season. According to the Cyprus tourism market report, the number of tourist arrivals in Cyprus drop from around 350,000 in summer to 50,000 per month in winter. From June to August, it can get packed with holidaymakers who are just out to party. In winter, you won’t find such tourists around and instead you’ll find more travelers who are keen on getting active or exploring the cultural and historical aspects of the country.

So much to do…

Cyprus is so much more than just a coastal destination. It is multilayered, not only in its history, but also its rich traditions, cuisine and landscape that few other countries can rival.

Regardless of the time of the year, you’ll find plenty to things to see and experience beyond the beaches: from exploring impressive archaeological ruins to hiking its many trails and wandering through its mountain villages and feasting on some of the best cuisines in the world.

Go hiking in the Troodos Mountains

Away from the touristy developed beach towns, Cyprus brims with empty hiking trails and challenging biking paths further inland. The Troodos Mountains are one of the best regions to pull your hiking boots on. If you are novice, you can chose to hike the Kaledonia Nature Trail, an easy 3-km gradual uphill hike through pine forests, running streams and ending at the Kaledonia waterfalls.

There are many other hiking trails to choose from in this area, with many recommending the Asinou–Agios Theodoros trail. It begins at the Byzantine Panagia Forviotissa church.

Wander through the cute rural villages and traditional wineries

One of the best ways to get to a feel for real Cyprus is to spend time in the island’s traditional villages. They seem to exist in a cobblestoned time-warp where life slows down to snail’s pace. And if you love wine, the best wineries of the island are located in mountain villages, also known as Wine Villages, or “krasochoria”!

Take a Road Trip around Cyprus

By far the best thing to do during winter in Cyprus is to rent a car and drive all around the island. You will really enjoy the many scenic drives on the island, especially the route between Limassol and Troodos. It twists, dips and climbs through up to the Troodos Mountains and you’re guaranteed some spectacular landscapes. Another impressive scenic drive is from Paphos to Petra tou Romiou – also known as Aphrodite’s Rock. The road and beach can get busy in peak season but it’s perfect in winter.

After all, that is why Cyprus is called the island of all seasons!