In early September I spent three days in Cyprus with my family.
My parents, my sisters and my brother live in Naples, while I am in Tenerife, so we thought of meeting in a European destination easily reachable with direct flights from Italy. From Tenerife the trip wasn’t exactly convenient, but I am quite resilient when it comes to long journeys and layovers.

Why we chose Cyprus

Honestly, the choice was made because there were direct flights from Naples to Cyprus (Paphos airport) at good prices. Add the fact that none of us had ever been to Cyprus and we were looking for a destination where we could swim in September, and the island seemed ideal.

Before leaving, I had heard very conflicting opinions about Cyprus. Some people praised it, saying it had beautiful beaches, affordable prices, and lots to see. Others said it wasn’t anything special and that it was dangerous.

When I choose a destination, I don’t like to rely too much on other people’s opinions, because travel is such a subjective experience that everyone develops different perceptions of what they see.

In any case, the idea behind this trip wasn’t to be tourists and see everything, but simply to spend time together as a family in a new place. And that’s what we did.

Arrival at Cyprus airport

The flight from Naples to Cyprus lasted two hours and forty minutes. Once we landed, we had to go through passport control, since although Cyprus is in Europe, it is not part of the Schengen area. However, everything was quick and well organized.

Leaving the airport, which is close to the city of Paphos, we took a taxi to Kissonerga, where we had booked a beautiful villa with a private pool for three nights.

Since we were 11 people, we needed two taxis for a total of €160. Not cheap at all for a 25-minute ride, but options were limited. Alternatively, we could have taken two buses, but with little nieces and lots of luggage it would have been uncomfortable.

On the way back we made a better choice by booking the paid transfer service offered by our villa, which took us to Paphos airport for €90 in total.

The villa with pool in Kissonerga

The highlight of this short vacation in Cyprus was definitely the villa we rented for three nights. The photos were beautiful, but in reality it was probably even better.

It was a two-story villa in Kissonerga, with sea views, private pool and jacuzzi, ping pong table, pool table, 4 bedrooms, kitchen and living room, playroom, 4 bathrooms, and all the comforts you could want on holiday.

We paid a total of €1,000 for three days, which, divided among 11 people, is a very reasonable sum.

We swam in the pool, sunbathed, relaxed in the jacuzzi, and had dinner together on the terrace. During those days there was also a lunar eclipse, so we were able to admire a stunning blood-red moon for a few minutes.

The villa had a nice sea view and also direct access to the Kissonerga coastal promenade, from where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the sea.

Here you can check photos, availability, and book it HERE.

How we got around in Paphos

There is a lot to see in Cyprus, but as I said, the goal of this trip wasn’t to explore as much as to spend time with family. We didn’t rent a car, partly because driving is on the left and none of us was used to it, so we preferred to avoid that stress.

For getting around we used buses, which were fairly frequent, and taxis. There is no Uber in Cyprus. In the Paphos area there was Bolt, but we never actually found available cars.

What we saw in Paphos and surroundings

Kissonerga Coastal Promenade

One of the things I liked the most was the coastal promenade of Kissonerga, lovely in the morning and breathtaking at sunset. The Coastal Promenade is a pleasant walk along the coast just outside Paphos. It offers views of the Mediterranean, rugged cliffs, little hidden corners to stop and watch the sea, and even natural pools.

It is about 2 km long and perfect for slow moments: walking, breathing, and admiring magical sea views.

Paphos Harbor

We also visited the center of Paphos, around the harbor and the long seafront promenade, dominated by the small medieval castle reflected in the water. The atmosphere is lively and very touristy, with restaurants and bars one after another, souvenir stalls, and boats offering excursions. We only stopped for a short walk at sunset, when the warm light painted the sea and sky in shades of pink and orange. It was pleasant, though we didn’t stay long.

Coral Bay Beach

As for beaches, we went to Coral Bay, considered one of the most beautiful in the area. We got there in 15 minutes by bus from Kissonerga.

It’s a fairly large sandy beach, sheltered and equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas (€7 for 2 sunbeds and an umbrella). I was a bit disappointed because the water wasn’t very clean, also because the sea was a little rough that day. Behind the beach there’s a kiosk where you can eat or drink something with sea views.

Where to eat in Kissonerga

We tried some nice places in the Kissonerga area:

• Sense by the Beach: Modern beachfront spot, perfect for an aperitif or dinner with a view, stylish atmosphere and contemporary dishes.

• Harmony Restaurant: Cozy restaurant with Cypriot and Mediterranean cuisine, generous portions and fair prices.

• Tsiakkas Tavern: Traditional tavern where you can try meze and local specialties in an authentic, no-frills setting.

What to eat in Cyprus

Cypriot cuisine blends Greek traditions with Middle Eastern influences, offering rich and varied dishes. Among the most popular are meze, a series of small plates ranging from cheeses and vegetables to grilled meat and fish. Typical staples include grilled halloumi, souvlaki, kebab, and Mediterranean salads.

Useful information before traveling to Cyprus

• Driving is on the left and the steering wheel is on the right, as in the UK.

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• Electrical sockets are British type, so you’ll need an adapter.

• A passport or valid ID card for travel abroad is required.

• The island is divided in two: the Greek part (southern Cyprus) and the Turkish part (northern Cyprus). Paphos is in the Greek part, where Greek is spoken and English is widely used.

• The official currency is the euro in the south, while the Turkish lira is used in the north.

• For mobile phones, EU roaming works in the south but not in the north.

  If you are planning to visit North Cyprus, the best thing is to get a Holafly digital Sim. With my discount code, you can get 5% OFF!

• The climate is mild year-round, with very hot summers: sunscreen, hat, and plenty of water are essential.

This was not a discovery trip, nor one of my usual ones where I cover many kilometers and pack my days with excursions and visits.

But you don’t always need to fill your schedule. Sometimes the real treasure is simply being together. I spent time with my family, who I don’t see often since I live far away. For me it was a beautiful trip, beyond the beauty of the place itself, not for what I saw but for what I experienced and the memories it left me.

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And you, what do you think? Do you travel only for discovery, or also to share time with others?

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