This is a collaborative post
With the average flight time from the UK to Cyprus being around 4 and a half hours, you may be thinking that you are better off sticking to Spain for your annual family holiday, but you might be missing a trick!
Cyprus has so much to offer for families and children of all ages; from multiple stunning family-friendly locations such as Protaras and Coral Bay to guaranteed all year round sunshine. What’s more, how can you not mention the plethora of stunning beaches, many of which offer a wide range of water sports and activities that will keep the kids occupied for hours on end?
So, whether you are considering Cyprus for your next family holiday and need some ideas about where to go and what to do, or even if you are still unsure whether or not this Eastern Mediterranean island is the right destination for you, keep reading to discover the top six reasons why Cyprus is the ideal island for UK families.
1. The famous blue flag beaches
Cyprus is famous for its beautiful beaches, with its golden, soft fine sand and calm turquoise waters. Perfect for a spot of sunbathing or building a sandcastle or two.
Some of the best blue flag beaches that Cyprus has to offer include:
- Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa
- Fig Tree Bay in Protaras
- Coral Bay in Paphos
- Aphrodite Beach in Limassol
- Mackenzi Beach in Larnaca
2. The stunning private villas for rent
Most parents will know only too well how difficult it can be taking children on holiday. You envisage 2 weeks of fun in the sun, a bit of tanning, too much local food, and maybe the odd activity thrown in for good measure. However, the reality of holidays with children can be somewhat different.
Boredom, tantrums and endless requests for ice creams are all issues that parents on holiday with their children face on a daily (hourly if you are honest) basis. However, if you choose to stay in one of the many stunning private villas available on the island for your Cyprus holidays, then you could save yourself a lot of hassle and stress.
You are self-catering, so your children can help themselves to food, drinks and ice creams from your own kitchen. You don’t need to worry about a babysitter as once your children are asleep, you can simply sit beside the pool, sipping a nice cold glass of Chardonnay.
You can come and go as you please, with no structured activities or mealtimes. In a nutshell, you can do as much or as little as you want, and all on your own schedule!
3. There are so many attractions/activities and days out available
If you have the type of children who need to be occupied at all times, then Cyprus is the ideal location for your next family holiday. Put simply, there is just so much to do.
From the brilliant Parko Paliatso Fun Fair in the heart of Ayia Napa to the Ocean Aquarium in Protaras, to the Eagle Mountain Horse Riding Range in Paphos, your children will certainly never be bored if you bring them to Cyprus in 2020.
Other great days out include:
- Aphrodite Waterpark in Paphos
- George’s Fun Bus in Paphos (an educational and fun tour for children)
- Dinosaur Park in Ayia Napa
- Looney Land in Paphos (an indoor & outdoor playground)
- Star Leisure Mini Golf in Protaras
- Coral Bay Watersports (hire of paragliding equipment, jet skis and inflatables such as banana boat and crazy shark)
4. The weather is good all year round
Cyprus receives an average of 2,700 to 3,500 hours of sunshine each year. To put that into perspective, in the UK, there are around 1,400 hours of sunshine annually. A significantly less amount.
Plus, the glorious summer weather in Cyprus lasts from around June until October, meaning that if you are able to take your children out of school, or if you have very young children, you are not restricted to the peak summer holidays dates that can often be expensive and overcrowded.
January and February are really the only colder months when you can expect the temperatures to be around 17 degrees – not exactly chilly anyway!
5. There are many different cuisines on offer
Even the fussiest eater will be catered for if you book a family holiday to Cyprus. Of course, you can expect to find lots of traditional Cypriot foods such as meat kebabs, olives, halloumi cheese, pitta bread and rabbit stews. However, most of the popular tourist destinations such as Coral Bay, Protaras and Ayia Napa will all have a wide variety of eateries including traditional British fare, Chinese and Indian options.
6. There are plenty of opportunities for learning
Of course, you don’t want to make your whole family holiday educational, but if you can fit in a few fun cultural days out, then all the better.
Luckily, there is a multitude of cultural and historical attractions in Cyprus, from the Byzantine castles in Paphos to the National Park of Akamas near the Polis region which is home to many different wildlife species including 168 species of birds.
Other must-see cultural attractions include:
- Karpas Peninsula region
- Kolossi Castle near Limassol
- Cape Greco, just east of Ayia Napa
- House of Dionysus in Pathos
- Nissi beach (yes, this is a beach, but it so incredibly beautiful that it should be considered a place of cultural beauty on the island)
- The Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Hopefully, this has helped convince you to book a holiday in Cyprus for your next family getaway, if only to experience something a bit different from your usual sunny getaway.
In case, you need a quick recap – this is what Cyprus can offer your family:
- Sensational, family friendly beaches
- Interesting cultural hotspots and historical landmarks
- 5 star accommodation
- All year-round sunshine
- Fun family days out
- Food for everyone
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning for making memories today!
