Family vacations must be well thought out and planned. The location and accommodation needs good facilities and activities for children to keep the days busy, as well as making it nice and convenient for parents. At the gates of Europe lies the beautiful sun-kissed island of Cyprus, with an abundance of long sandy beaches, child-friendly attractions and excellent 5-star family accommodation. Cyprus could well be your next holiday destination.
Cyprus sits at the crossroads of three continents, where east meets west and new experiences await around every corner. The island is located in the idyllic Mediterranean Sea, so it already offers a variety of water activities for you and your family. Low cost airlines from most UK airports fly to Cyprus and a flight of just four and a half hours will leave you in the sun (so hopefully the kids won’t get too fussed). The cost of flights starts from £150 return per person at the start of the summer season in May, some airlines may offer family packages so be sure to shop around to get the best deal. With all that Cyprus has to offer, you won’t be disappointed.
paphos
When trying to choose the exact location for your family holiday in Cyprus, you’ll find that Paphos, a charming little port city in the west of the island, has the best reviews. Paphos hotels welcome families with open arms and offer a number of special offers and activities for children. Paphos has a rich historical background, hosting many interesting archaeological sites, including the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, the Tombs of the Kings, the baths of Aphrodite, the very famous House of Dionysus Mosaics (under the protection UNESCO) and Paphos Fort. Cyprus is well known for its year-round warm weather, but for families it may be best to visit a bit before or after the peak summer season. Consider booking your holidays between March and May, which fits in nicely with the Easter school holidays. The maximum temperature between these months ranges between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, so remember to pack the sun cream!
Family activities
With any family vacation, they should be kept entertained and the kids. Having a daily itinerary of activities before you arrive is a good way to plan your vacation. Paphos has some fantastic family activities on offer, here are some suggestions:
Amusement parks and water parks are a great family day out, an activity that both adults and children can enjoy. Aphrodite Water Park, situated at the eastern end of the Kato Paphos Coastal Road, is close to many of the Paphos hotels and is a short journey away if you are staying nearby. There is a wide and varied selection of rides and attractions. Spacious changing rooms and secure changing rooms are among the good facilities available in the park. One particularly nice feature is that any purchases made within the park are charged to your individual wristband, meaning you don’t have to carry cash, which in some busy adventure parks can be a security risk. A day in a water park for an adult (12 years and older) will cost 29 euros, children from 3 to 11 years are 16 euros and babies under 3 are free. If you think you may want to visit the park a second time during your vacation, you can get a two-day pass, adult tickets 46 euros each and children 26 euros.
If the hectic atmosphere of a water park isn’t for you and your family, but you still enjoy the water, then a Paphos shoreline boat tour may be a better option. With a number of scheduled boat trips leaving from Paphos Harbour, visitors can choose between half or full day trips, depending on how packed the rest of their holiday schedule looks! There is also a wide selection of glass bottom boats – they usually depart from Paphos and sail along the coast to the famous Vera K shipwreck, giving you the chance to admire the hidden treasures of the Mediterranean, spot fish tropical and intriguing marine life without getting drenched. Journeys only take an hour and leave Paphos port several times throughout the day.
If the kids are craving a little more entertainment, a ship called the Jolly Roger is the ship for them. It is an old pirate ship that offers a fantastic day out for all the family. Sail from Paphos along Coral Bay and then anchor to swim and snorkel. You can have a buffet-style lunch while taking in the scenery and experiencing fantastic family entertainment like limbo, face painting, acrobat shows and pirate acrobatics, so hopefully there won’t be any bored kids or adults!
Wildlife
Cyprus is located in the easternmost part of the Mediterranean basin and right in the middle of the migratory routes of millions of birds. Cyprus has a bird list of 374 species, making it a great destination for wildlife lovers. Luckily, Paphos is home to some truly spectacular birds at the Paphos Bird and Animal Park. When visiting the park you will come across parrots, cockatoos, emus, ostrich, toucans and even doves, among many other species. Some of the animals that you will see in the park will be camels, deer, giraffes, zebras, primates, snakes and many more. Park facilities include a restaurant and snack bar and a children’s farm where children can get up close and personal with rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and goats. If this is something you know you and your family will love, the park is open to the public from October to March (winter season) and from April to September (summer season), the adult fee is 15.50 euros and that of children of 8.50.
Where to eat
With all the sightseeing and adventures you’ll have, you need to keep your energy up. Cypriot cuisine is full of lovely warm Mediterranean flavours, there are many restaurants and cafes to choose from serving a variety of Cypriot, Middle Eastern and British influenced cuisine. There is a selection of restaurants around the Old Port offering a variety of culinary styles with fantastic views. In most places you will find a children’s menu due to Paphos’ popularity as a more family friendly destination. Paphos hotels have a wide gastronomic offer in their restaurants/bars. Many large resorts have complimentary kids’ meals, including a buffet-style lunch and dinner with a selection of kid-friendly dishes; In addition to food, a selection of free drinks will also be served. That will help keep costs down and allow the adults to have a little fun!
hotels in Paphos
Paphos clearly has a lot to offer tourists on a family holiday, but there is still one more thing you need to keep in mind. Some of the Paphos hotels have a variety of activities and programs throughout the day and evening to keep you and your children entertained. These activities may include organized Wii competitions, painting and T-shirt design, table tennis, and other sports. While the children participate in organized activities, well looked after by the hotel staff, adults can relax in the pool or book a Greek course, cooking class or exercise class. You may not even need to leave your hotel with all the activities on offer, but be sure to head out to see all the local historical attractions Paphos has to offer!
If you have never been to Cyprus before and do not know the language, here is a short guide with some key phrases that children and parents may find useful.
Where is the nearest beach?
Pou ine i pio kontini paralia?
Που είναι η πιο κοντινή παραλία?
Where is the nearest bathroom?
Pou ine i pio kontini toualeta?
Που είναι η πιο κοντινή τουαλÎτα?
Where is the tourist information?
Pou ine i Touristikes plirofories?
What’s new?
Do you have any baby changing tables?
Ehete diefkolinseis peripiisis vrefon?
Έχετε διευκολÏ νσεις περιποίησης βρεφÏŽν?
Do you have any high chairs?
Ehete pedika kathismata?
Έχετε παιδικά καθίσματα?
Do you have a children’s menu?
Ehete pediko menou?
Έχετε παιδικÏŒ μενοÏ?
How far is the airport?
I pose makria ine to the aerodrome?
ΠÏŒσο μακριά είναι το αεροδρÏŒμιο?
good day
Kalimera
ΚαλημÎρα
good night
Kalinikta
ΚαληνÏ κτα
I want ice cream
thelo ena pagoto
ΘÎλω Îνα παγωτÏŒ
Lastly, here are some tips on transportation. Paphos has a recently renovated airport which can now be used in place of Larnaca Airport (The Maingate of Cyprus). New Paphos Airport is approximately a 10-15 minute drive from most hotels, while Larnaca is over an hour away. Airport transfers should be available as part of your accommodation, if not there are many airport car rental options that are open 24 hours a day. If you want to move easily with the family, the best option would be a rental car, but remember that you drive on the left. If you prefer to rely on public transportation, it can be cheap and convenient, but not the best idea if you’re traveling with small children. Buses can be cheap, but you need patience, they don’t have a regular schedule and they only run on certain roads. Why not hire some bikes to get around Paphos, this way it’s cheap and you can see the sights in your own time.
Paphos is a great family destination full of lively activities, historical sites, exotic wildlife and friendly people. If you book flights in advance, accommodations that can meet all your needs, and explore activities that are family-friendly, then it will be a fruitful and affordable experience that everyone will enjoy.