A CYPRUS beach holiday is one of the most popular in the Mediterranean. With more than 300 days of sunshine annually most Cyprus beaches are a major magnet for UK holidaymakers who fly out annually in their thousands..
Cyprus lies just off the southern coast of Turkey at what, in ancient times, was the seafaring crossroads of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. This strategic position made it much fought over and there have been long occupations by Greeks, Turks and the British.
As the third largest island in the Med after Sicily and Sardinia, there is plenty of room for everyone and with plenty of cheap flights to Cyprus it is easy to get to at any time of the year.
Cyprus has a large central plain - the Mesaoria - and majestic mountain ranges that separate north and south. The climate is typical south Mediterranean - long, hot summers and very mild winters, although winter snow can fall in the Troodos mountains.
The capital city, Nicosia, sits slap in the centre but all the other major cities are coastal. Cyprus beaches at Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca are on the south coast, Famagusta is to the east and Kyrenia in the north.
Since 1960 Cyprus has been a sovereign republic. A Turkish invasion in 1974 split north and south and the political situation is still a hot potato but relations are now more relaxed and Northern Cyprus is a fast growing beach holiday destination.
Whichever resort you choose Cyprus beach holidays remain one of the most popular in the Mediterranean.
