Leos Car Rentals

About Cyprus

Welcome to Cyprus, an island of legends that basks year-round in the light of the warm Mediterranean sun. A storied past 10,000 years long has seen civilizations come and go and the likes of everyone from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra stake their claim here - but then, people do tend to get possessive when faced with such beauty. Aphrodite made her home on Cyprus, and travellers throughout antiquity came here just to pay her tribute.
Today Cyprus is a modern country that effortlessly marries European culture with ancient enchantment. Here you will discover a compact world of alluring beaches and fragrant mountain peaks, vineyards studded with olive trees and ancient ruins that stir the imagination, citrus groves and old stone villages where sweet wine flows as freely as conversations at the local café. A carefree place where a sense of timelessness is magnified by the kindness of the people. This official website of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation is designed to be your electronic entry to the quiet beauty of Cyprus in all its dimensions. Step inside for an in-depth look at an island that is as exotic as you imagine - and more accessible than you might think.

Cyprus: a quick guide

Even if you’ve been here before, there’s always a new world to discover. Cyprus lies at the crossroads of three continents, where East meets West and a new experience awaits for you under the sun every day. Where Championship Golf courses, inviting beaches, and breathtaking mountain trails lie around
luxurious hotels. Enjoy the island’s beauty once more.

In general, and as a member of the European Union, Cyprus follows European norms and standards. English is widely spoken, as are other European languages, especially in the resort areas.

Check out various facts and figures, such as entry requirements, currency, electricity voltage and time zone, to help you get organised and keep red tape to a minimum. Find out what the average temperatures for all the months of the year are, to get an idea of when to come and what clothes to bring. Discover how easy is to get around in our compact world using the efficient road network and the variety of transportation options available. Don’t get caught out by local holidays or shop closing times. You’ll find all the information you need at your fingertips.

Entry Requirements

Travelling Documents

Travelling to Cyprus is very easy. The documentation required varies, depending on your nationality. A valid passport is required for a stay of up to 90 days for all bonafide tourists except citizens of European Union countries, Switzerland , Iceland , Liechtenstein and Norway who may enter Cyprus with their national identity card provided it bears a photo. Some non-EU third country nationals require a visa. Further detailed information can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Legal Points of Entry

The legal ports of entry into the Republic of Cyprus are the airports of Larnaka (Larnaca) and Pafos (Paphos) and the ports of Larnaka (Larnaca), Lemesos (Limassol), Latsi and Pafos (Paphos), which are situated in the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus via any other port or airport in which the Government of the Republic does not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied areas) is illegal.

Languages and Religions

Languages

Greek and Turkish are the main languages spoken by the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities respectively. English is widely spoken. French and German are also well spoken within the tourist industry.

Religions

Cyprus enjoys an exceedingly high level of freedom of worship. While the majority of Greek-Cypriots are Greek-Orthodox Christians, other denominations are represented on the island, including Armenians, Maronites and Roman Catholics.The Turkish-Cypriot community is predominantly Muslim.

Entry Requirements

Travelling Documents

Legal Points of Entry

Money and Currency

Currency

The currency of the Republic used to be the Cyprus pound - CY£. As from 1st January 2008 the Cyprus pound has been replaced by the Euro as the legal tender money of Cyprus at the irrevocable fixed exchange rate € 1 = CY£ 0,585274.

There are seven denominations in Euro banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro. They all have different colour and size, the higher the denomination, the bigger the size. One euro is divided into 100 cent. There are eight euro coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, €1 and €2. The designs on one side of the coins are common to all the countries of the euro area, while the other side reflects national identities. All euro coins can be used in all euro area countries, irrespective of their national side.

Forms of Payment

Hotels, large shops and restaurants accept credit cards, travellers' cheques, Eurocheques and banknotes of major foreign currencies.

V.A.T. Refund

Foreign visitors from countries outside the EU can claim back V.A.T. on goods exported in their hand luggage. Visitors are eligible for a V.A.T. refund if:

- They are not holders of a passport or other form of identification from an EU Member State.

- They have not resided in Cyprus for more than 365 days in the two years immediately prior to the date of purchase of the goods,

- The total purchased from one store or a chain or stores is more than 171 Euro and less than 17 100 Euro.

- The goods are exported in visitors' hand luggage by the last day of the third month following the month in which the goods were purchased.

In order to claim your V.A.T. refund you will have to:

- Make your purchases from shops that display a tax-free shopping sign and simply ask for your tax-free document.

- When leaving Cyprus show your purchases and passport to customs officials and have your tax-free document stamped.

- Receive your refund in the method of your choice.

More detailed information can be obtained from the V.A.T. Service of the Customs and Excise Department

Holiday Budget

The price of products and services in Cyprus varies depending on the season and the location. Below is an indicative list in Euro:

- A single bus ticket costs around € 1

- A glass of beer costs between € 3.50 and € 5

- A ticket to the cinema costs around € 7 for adults and €5 for children

- A ticket to the theatre costs between € 17 and € 25

- A ticket to a concert or opera can cost between € 25 and € 77

- Continental breakfast costs between € 3.40 and € 6

- Lunch – a fixed menu costs between € 10 and € 13.50

- Dinner at a local tavern (meze, including beer or cold drink) costs around € 20

Tipping

Since a 10% service charge is levied in hotels and restaurants, tipping is not obligatory but is always welcome and appreciated.

Time, Working Hours and Holidays

Local Time

Cyprus Time is GMT +2.

Working Hours

Public service working hours during the period September 1st – June 30th are 07:30 – 14:30 from Monday to Friday and on Thursday from 15:00 – 18:00. During the period July 1st – August 31st working hours are 07:30 – 14:30 from Monday to Friday. Private sector working hours are 08:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 18:00 Monday to Friday for the period September 15th - May 31st and 08:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 19:00 Monday to Friday, for the period June 1st - September 14th .

Shop opening times vary depending on their type and location, though shops normally open between 07:00 and 09:00. During the period November 1st - March 31st shops close at 19:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, at 15:00 on Wednesday, and at 19:00 on Saturday. For the period April 1st – October 31st shops close at to 20:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, at 15:00 on Wednesday and, at 19:30 on Saturday. During the period June 15th – August 31st there is an optional three hour afternoon break from14:00 - 17:00.

Special shopping hours apply for Christmas and Easter. From December 1st to December 31st , shops may remain open until 20:00 throughout the week, but must close by 18:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Shops can also remain open until 20:00 10 days before Easter Sunday, but must close by 18:00 on Good Friday.

Eating Hours

Breakfast is usually served between 07:00 and 10:00 in the morning. Lunch is served in restaurants between 12:00 and 15:00. Dinner is served from 19:00 till late in the evening.

Public Holidays

The days listed below are public holidays in Cyprus. All public services, private enterprises, banks and shops are closed on public holidays though many shops and certain services remain open in resorts and coastal areas. Banks are closed on Easter Tuesday but not on Christmas Eve.

- January 1st - New Year's Day

- January 6th - Epiphany Day

- March 25th - Greek National Day

- April 1st - National Anniversary Day

- May 1st - Labour Day

- August 15th - Assumption of the Virgin Mary

- October 1st - Cyprus Independence Day

- October 28th - Greek National Anniversary Day

- December 24th - Christmas Eve

- December 25th - Christmas Day

- December 26th - Boxing Day

- Variable - Green Monday (50 Days before Greek Orthodox Easter)

- Variable - Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church)

- Variable - Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church)

- Variable - Pentecost - Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood)

Health and Safety

Health Care System

Medical treatment and assistance in Cyprus is offered free of charge to international tourists in cases of emergency at the Accident and Emergency Department of Government Hospitals and Health Institutions. EU citizens must produce an E111 form or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by their country's health care authorities to obtain additional health care. Holiday makers can also use their health insurance towards their medical expenses, provided the policy covers the length of their stay on the island. More detailed information can be obtained from the Cyprus Ministry of Health

Vaccinations

Cyprus has no dangerous infectious diseases. Visitors do not require any vaccinations to travel to Cyprus.

Using your Car

Visitors who wish to bring their car to Cyprus can do so for a period up to three months provided the vehicle has a valid registration licence from its country of origin. This period may be extended, provided the motorist is considered to be a visitor by the Department of Customs and Excise.

Visitors from any of the European Union Member States, Switzerland, Croatia, Iceland and Norway, who bring motor vehicles with a registration plate of one of these countries to Cyprus will not be required to show proof of insurance cover at their point of entry, as it is assumed they are covered in their own country. If this is not the case, the International Insurance Bureau of the motorist's country will be required to compensate any claims under the Guarantee Agreement in force (Unified Agreement or Internal Regulations). Foreign visitors who bring a motor vehicle with a registration plate not belonging to one of the above European countries will be required to show a valid Green Card to Cypriot authorities. Foreign visitors may take out a valid Green Card even if their country of origin is not a member of the Green Card system. Foreign visitors with a valid “frontier insurance” issued in one of the European Economic Area countries, can use this cover in Cyprus until its expiry date. Motorists may have a valid Green Card, even if their car has European registration plates. In such cases, the registration plate prevails over the Green Card agreement. This means police should allow the vehicle to enter Cyprus without checking the Green Card.

Foreign motorists who do not have a registration plate belonging to one of the European Economic Area countries, or a valid Green Card covering Cyprus, are not allowed to drive their car here and must first secure insurance cover with a Cypriot insurer for the period of their stay. The granting of such insurance cover is at the absolute discretion of insurance companies who may decline. It is therefore advisable for non-European motorists to secure a Green Card before entering Cyprus . As Russia is not a member of the Green Card system, Russian motorists should take note of this requirement so as to avoid possible inconvenience.

Safety in Cyprus

Cyprus has an excellent reputation for being a safe and friendly place. You can help us keep it that way. A few basic precautions can be enough to protect your belongings.

Driving in Cyprus

Driving in Cyprus can be enjoyable and in some cases essential as regular transport services to remote areas of interest are not always available. The minimum driving age is 18. To rent a car, drivers must be in possession of a driving licence for at least three years or be aged over 25. Visitors may drive using avalid international driving licence or their national driving licence, provided it is valid for the class of vehicle they wish to drive.

Fairly good surfaced roads complying within ternational traffic requirements link cities and villages. Four-lane motorways connect the capital, Lefkosia (Nicosia) with the coastal cities of Lemesos (Limassol), Larnaka (Larnaca) and Pafos (Paphos). Minor roads and forest roads are for the most par tun surfaced, but in good condition. Drivers should note that driving is on the left-hand side of the road, not on the right. All the international road traffic signs are in use and placed on the left-hand side of roads and highways. Distances and speed limits are posted in kilometres and kilometre/per hour (km/h) respectively. The maximum speed limit on motorways is 100 km/h and the minimum is 65 km/h. The use of seatbelts is compulsory both in the front and back, while the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited while driving. It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle or a pedal bicycle when under the influence of alcohol.

The legal limit in breath is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit in blood is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Rush hours in the cities are approximately between 07:30 - 08:00 and 13:00 - 13:30 and in late afternoon 17:00 - 18:00 in winter or 18:00 - 19:00 in summer.

Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Cyprus

Detailed information concerning foreign Embassies and High Commissions in Cyprus can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

Pharmacies and Medications

Medicine can be purchased at pharmacies on presentation of a doctor's prescription. Almost all brands of medicine are available in Cyprus . Pharmacies are all marked with a green cross.

Emergency Numbers

In case of emergency call 112 wherever you are on the island.

Transportation

Buses

There are four types of buses in Cyprus that can help you move around:

- Transurban buses that link all towns on a daily basis and with frequent routes

- Rural buses that link almost all villages with the nearest city but with limited frequency once or twice daily except Sundays.

- Urban buses that link different areas within the cities and operate frequently during daytime. In certain tourist areas, during summer period, their routes are extended till late in the evening.

- Buses for airport transfers.

Taxis

There are three types of taxi services available, covering the entire island:

- Transurban service which offers the opportunity to share a taxi with 4 - 7 other passengers. It provides connection between all major cities of Cyprus, every half an hour, from Monday to Friday starting at 06:00 in the morning until 18:00 in the evening. On Saturdays and Sundays the service finishes an hour earlier at 17:00. Seats can be booked by phone or online from the providing companies.

- Rural service operates in village areas and can only be hired from and to their base station. These taxis are not equipped with taximeters and charging is based on kilometre/tariff rate.

An indication of the charges is listed below:

Tariff I: Single trip 0,63 Euro per kilometre.

Tariff II: Single trip from 20:30 – 06:00 0,715 Euro per kilometre.

Tariff III: Return trip 0,49 Euro per kilometre.

Tariff IV: Return trip from 20:30 – 06:00 0,63 Euro per kilometre.

For every luggage weighing more than 12 kg 0,63 Euro per piece.

Delay or waiting time charge:

For tariff I and III 14,45 Euro per hour.

For tariff II and IV 18,821 Euro per hour.

Minimum Charge: 3,64 Euro.

- Urban service is a 24hours service provided in all cities. Taxis can be booked or hired on the street. Urban taxis are obligatory provided with taximetres and charging commences upon the entering of a passenger in the taxi. An indication of the charges is listed below:

From 06:01 - 20:30:

Initial charge 3,42 Euro

Fare per km 0,73 Euro

Delay or waiting time per hour 13,66 Euro

For every luggage weighing more than 12kg 1,20 Euro

Public Holidays surcharge 1,96 Euro

From 20:31 - 06:00:

Initial charge 4,36 Euro

Fare per kilometre 0,85 Euro

Delay or waiting time per hour 15,71 Euro

For every luggage weighing more than 12kg 1,20 Euro

During the following public Holidays, taxis charge an extra supplement of 1,96 Euro per ride: 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st December, 1st January, Good Friday, Good Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and 1st May.

The transport of pets is allowed only when they are carried in small pet-carrying boxes and the charge in such cases is 0,55 Euro per pet.

Cruises

A number of short cruises sail from Cyprus with trips lasting typically between two-to-five days on board large and comfortable ships. You can either book while on holiday in Cyprus or through tour operators abroad who feature the cruises in their holiday brochures.There are also many short boat trips from and to various destinations around the island sailing from almost all marinas and fishing shelters.

Climate and Weather

General Overview

Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers starting in mid-May and lasting until mid-September and rainy, quite mild winters from November to mid-March. Spring and autumn are effectively short intervals in between, characterised by smooth weather. With almost year-round clear skies and sunshine, daylight length ranges from 9.8 hours in December to 14.5 hours in June.

Average Temperatures

In broad lines, Cyprus's climate is characterised by hot summers and mild winters. There is a significant seasonal difference between mid-summer and mid-winter temperatures that ranges from 18° C inland to about 14° C on the coast. The difference in daily maximum and night minimum temperatures is also quite significant. In winter they range from 8° to 10° C on the lowlands and 5°to 6° C on the mountains and in summer from 16° C on the central plain and 9°to 12° C elsewhere.

Daily temperatures during the hottest months of July and August,range between 29° C on the central plain and 22° C on the Troodos Mountains . The average maximum temperatures for these two months range between 36° C and 27° C. In January, the coolest month, the indicative daily temperature is 10° C on the central plain and 3° C on the higher parts of the Troodos Mountains while the average minimum temperatures are 5° C and 0° C.

Air Humidity

During the days in winter and at night throughout the year, humidity ranges from average to slightly low (65% - 95%). During summer it is very low near midday, ranging from 15% to 30% on the central plain. Fog is rare and typically occurs in early morning. Visibility is normally very good or excellent. There is an exception over a few days in spring when the atmosphere is very hazy due to dust from the Arabian and African deserts.

Sunshine

Cyprus enjoys a very sunny climate compared with most countries with 11.5 hours of bright sunshine per day over the six summer months. Even during the months of December and January, there is 5.5 hours of sunshine.