Holiday Accommodation Options in Cyprus

Tourism and overseas visitors play a major role in the Cyprus economy. Holiday makers are well catered for with a variety of accommodation options to chose from. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO)  

Cyprus has been a popular tourist destination since the 1960s and is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia. The Cyprus government's aim to improve Cyprus as a holiday destination and are keeping up with the ever changing industry. The Strategic Plan for Tourism was set up in 2003 and will run until 2010 focusing on improving tourism for:

• conferences
• cultural tourism
• athletic tourism
• walking and cycling tourism
• cruises
• marine sports and yachting
• nature
• weddings and honeymoons

Rates and Seasons

July and August are seen as the peak season for holiday makers with prices for accommodation at peak rate from June to September, at Easter (both Greek Orthodox and non-Orthodox Easter) and the two weeks around Christmas and New Year.

Hotels

The coastal resorts of Cyprus have numerous hotels, many high-rise, which are often available as part of package deals to overseas tourists. Many of these hotels are holiday complexes with a choice of swimming pools and restaurants.

All of the modern hotels have air conditioning and are well equipped. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation classify hotels with a star system. The most basic hotels are awarded one or two stars with the luxury high end hotels being awarded four or five stars.

Some of the larger hotel complexes have hotel apartments, a self-catered property with access to the hotel facilities.

• See the AngloFILE for Hotels in Cyprus

Self-catering Accommodation

• See The AngloFILE Villa Rentals & Self Catering Holidays

Agrotourism

These are traditional characteristic countryside properties which have been restored to enable tourists to experience traditional village life and to explore the nature away from the busy coastal resorts. The houses and villas are classified as hotel class or hotel apartment class. The village houses usually have modern kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms (although the rural locations mean they may be subject to water and electricity supply cuts).

• Official website of the Cyprus Agrotourism Company

Hostels

Budget hostel accommodation in Cyprus is available in the main resorts and in the Troodos Mountains.

The Cyprus Youth Hostel Association runs the basic hostel accommodation on the island. Further information on youth travel in Europe is available on the European Youth Portal.

Camping

There are a few licensed camp-sites run by the CTO which target mostly local holiday makers. The sites range in facilities with some having restaurants, bars and wash rooms. "Free camping" is allowed although lighting fires in forest areas is illegal.

• See The AngloFILE for Campsites & Caravan Parks 

Further Information

• Information on tourism from the Cyprus Government
• Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) (local and international contact details on the website)
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Public Holidays in Cyprus 
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page School Holidays in Cyprus