Cyprus Holiday Entertainment – 3 Great Places to visit in Cyprus
November 11th, 2008 by Tim Martins, under Vacations. No Comments
Paphos Harbour and Castle – The harbour at Paphos attracts visitors all year round, who take the opportunity to walk along the quay and maybe visit one of the fish restaurants, tavernas or cafes. The view is superb, with lots of colourful fishing boats bobbing in the harbour. The castle is in fact all that remains of a much earlier castle dating from 1391, which was demolished by the Venetians.
The Ottomans used it for dungeons and the Brits as a warehouse for salt! It is accessible by a little bridge over a moat and should be visited if only for the incredible view from the top. Opening hours – Low Season Mon – Sun 9am to 5pm – High Season Mon – Sun 9am to 6pm – tel 26932841 (Paphos Tourism Office) North Cyprus. The Paphos Harbour is also the ideal place for a boat tour of the surrounding North Cyprus beaches and coastline.
Kourion/Kolossi Castle – Ancient Kourion and the castle at Kolossi are both situated in the Limassol area and can be visited together in a day. They are just two examples of the wealth of history to be found in Cyprus – the Kourion sites dating back to the 2nd century AD and Kolossi from the 13th century.
The ruins at Kourion are to be found in breathtaking scenery overlooking the Mediterranean – this is probably the most spectacular archaeological site in Cyprus. There are actually two sites, the ancient city of Kolossi and the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates – they are just a few kilometers apart. There is also a museum in the neighboring village of Episkopi. As it is one of the most popular Cyprus tourist attractions, it’s worth arriving early in high Mediterranean.
Kolossi castle was the fortified headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers – This name was later given to the Commanderia dessert wine and it is absolutely delicious and well worth a glass before dinner. Although they have been a number of changes of ownership, the castle is inseparable from both the Hospitallers and the wine making industry. Both Kourion and Kolossi are well signposted from the Limassol-Paphos main road. Kourion borders the Episkopi village, Kolossi to the village of the same name.
Opening hours Ancient Kourion winter daily 8am to 5pm – summer 8am to 7.30pm – tel 25995048. Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates October to April daily 9am to 5pm – summer 9am to 7.30pm – tel 25995049. Kourion Museum September to June Monday to Friday 9am to 2.30pm – Thursday only 3pm to 5pm – summer 9am to 7.30pm – tel 25934907.
Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke – For anybody arriving at the Larnaca airport, one of North Cyprus’ outstanding places to see and is right next to the airport installations! As you turn left out of the airport you will find the road running along a causeway. On each side you will either see two lakes, or two salt flats, depending on season – Discover the Larnaca Salt Lake and site of the mosque or Tekke of Hala Sultan.
Salt has been taken from the lake ever since ancient times and is sill an ongoing business. If you should be visiting North Cyprus in the Low Season or early spring, you should visit the flamingos and other migratory birds. Another salt lake is situated further along the coast of Akrotiri. Look across the lake and you will envisage the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque surrounded by palm trees. This is a memorable place to visit. Opening hours Hala Sultan Tekke Low Season 9am – 5pm – High Season 7.30am to 7.30pm.
