Recreation and Nightlife

Eating out is a local habit and is part of entertainment in Cyprus. There is a wide variety of restaurants, catering for all tastes. Along with taverns, which provide local and Greek dishes, there are restaurants that offer international cuisine such as French, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Lebanese, Japanese, Russian, Mexican and other. Prices vary but in general one may quote CY£24-CY£30 for two persons at a good restaurant for a three-course meal with wine and afters, whereas at taverns this is reduced to approximately CY£14-CY£16 for two persons. Night-clubs with good live music, discos and a variety of bars are some of the entertainment choices in all towns and tourist resorts.

In summer, tourists and regular business visitors may visit the island’s sandy beaches and enjoy sunbathing, swimming and water sports (water skiing, windsurfing, sailing etc). In the winter months, snow skiing facilities are available at the Troodos mountain resorts. Horse racing takes place in Lefkosia and a number of sporting clubs exist which one can easily join.

Sport Clubs include tennis, squash, bowling, archery, shooting, sailing (all kinds of sea sports) etc. In addition, there are three international standard golf courses. Tsada Golf Club, Secret Valley Golf Club and Aphrodite Hills Golf Club. The Secret Valley Golf Club is located 18km east of Pafos and 49km west of Lemesos. It lies in a scenic valley with grand trees and natural rock formations. It plays to a par 72 and measures 6.120 meters. The Tsada Golf Club is also situated near Pafos and plays to a par 72 and measures 6.060 meters.

The clubhouses have a restaurant, bar, shop with golfing accessories, changing rooms and showers. In addition they provide a tennis court school and outdoor swimming pools.

There are many sites of historic and legendary interest on the island. The Venetian Walls, The Cyprus Museum and the Folk Art Museum are the major attractions in Lefkosia, while the Lemesos and Pafos districts are well known for the ancient theatre at Curium, the Temple of Apollo and the Roman Mosaic Floors at Kato Pafos. The Troodos Mountains are rich in Byzantine monasteries and churches, many of which contain exquisite frescoes.

Festivals and fairs take place all the year round. Visitors who happen to be in Cyprus in May are suggested to visit the International (State) Fair, while the Lemesos Wine Festival (September) offers visitors an opportunity to try all sorts of Cyprus wines and food, free of charge or at very low prices. Other festivals include the Carnival (February), the Flower Shows, the Snow Ski games etc. In addition there are regular horse racing competitions at the Lefkosia race course, shooting clubs, aeronautics, sailing, diving, motorcar rallies (including the Cyprus International Rally, the Troodos Mountains International Rally and the Antique Car Rally), tennis, football games etc.

There are also various international associations and cultural societies which include the Lions and the Rotary Clubs, Round Table, Toastmasters International, Armenian Centre, British Council, French Cultural Centre the Goethe Institute etc.

There are five public international T.V. channels and numerous local radio stations. Approximately 50% of the TV programmes are British and American and all foreign films are broadcast in their original language. Availability of satellite dishes can provide international television connections.

The radio programmes are mainly in Greek or English. In addition there is a British Forces Radio in Cyprus, which broadcasts on a 24-hour basis. There are three local English language newspapers, a number of local magazines, which are printed in English and almost all main national papers and well known international magazines are available on the island (usually with one day delay from their day of issue).