Three Misconceptions About Cyprus
Looking Beyond the Postcards
If you think of Cyprus as just a sun-soaked tourist destination with pristine beaches, party towns, and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, you’re not alone – and you’re not wrong, Cyprus is most certainly all of those things, but it’s also a place of contrasts and complexities, shaped by its rich history, diverse landscapes, and unique blend of cultural influences.
Nobody likes to be misunderstood, so I thought I’d take the first step of changing the island’s identity in the popular imagination by sharing three of what I think are the biggest misconceptions about Cyprus.
Cyprus is a winter sun destination
This one is a bit of a bugbear for me because, as a sun-seeker who could think of nothing better than escaping the grey skies of the UK in the winter months, I would steer clear of Cyprus. I think the phrase ‘winter sun’ is at fault here because, it’s true, Cyprus does enjoy around 340 days of sun each year but, sadly, bright skies don’t always bring warmth.
If, like me, you crave that wave of heat that hits you when you step off the airplane, you won’t find it on this island until the summer months. During the winter, most beachside hotels are closed, the party towns look more like long-forgotten ghost towns, temperatures drop below ten degrees Celsius, and the beautiful Troodos mountains are blanketed in snow.
This is not to say that Cyprus isn’t a great destination for winter travel, and I’m sure many people would rather explore a bright Mediterranean island than endure the bleak winter weather in the UK, but the experience will look a little different to sun-beds and cocktails by the pool.
Cyprus is all about the beach
Golden beaches and holiday resorts might be the kind of images that come to mind when you hear the word Cyprus - and you’re not wrong; tourists visit the island for the beautiful beaches and, maybe if you’re under the age of twenty, a reckless night out in Agia Napa. What is celebrated less often is the snow-capped mountain range that sprawls across the island, the scenic wine region, and the lesser explored cities and towns.
When I was about twelve years old and visiting family in Cyprus, I remember my uncle looking disappointed when I declared that London was the best place in the world, not Cyprus. He smirked, looked at me in the eyes, and said, ‘Where else can you eat incredible food, go to the beach in the morning, and ski in the afternoon?’ Turns out, he had a point.
Cyprus is a Greek island
The relationship between Cyprus and Greece is a complex one that spans thousands of years, but Cyprus has never been one of the Greek islands. It’s an independent country and – while I’m up here on my high horse – Halloumi is Cypriot, not Greek.
Like any two countries with entwined histories and cultures, there are many similarities and differences but even geographically, Cyprus is much, much closer to Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Turkey than it is to Greece. With influences from the Middle East, Greece, and Europe, this little island isn’t just an auxiliary to one country – it’s a melting pot of many, many ingredients.