Cyprus: Districts, All

Overview

The island of Cyprus has six administrative districts. As these divisions existed before the separation of the country following the Turkish invasion of 1974, some of them cross the border between the Republic and northern Cyprus. In this chapter, when the districts of Famagusta, Larnaca and Nicosia are referred to, this means only the parts of those districts in the Republic. For information about the remainder of these districts and the district of Kyrenia, which is wholly in the north, see the Northern Cyprus Fact Sheet. Confusingly, the main city or town in each district has the same name as the district itself; in this feature, the name alone always refers to the district, and the capital is referred to as Nicosia city, Paphos town, etc. The Troodos mountains are mainly in Nicosia but the foothills, where most of the villages are situated, are in Limassol, which is the heading under which they’re discussed below.

Famagusta (Ammochostos)

Famagusta is a divided district, the major part of it being in northern Cyprus. However, the small part in the Republic contains three popular locations with foreign buyers.

Agia Napa

The resort of Agia Napa, a once quiet fishing village, is a busy, sophisticated tourist centre, with many luxury hotels and an exciting, if somewhat notorious, nightlife. This area is very popular with young holidaymakers, interested only in eating, drinking and getting a suntan. If you’re looking for quiet and relaxation, this isn’t the place to buy a property. It’s extremely crowded during July and August, but completely deserted in the winter. The beaches in this area are generally good, particularly Nissi Beach, which is reminiscent of the Caribbean and rated among the best in Cyprus.

Protaras & Paralimni

Nearby are the resort of Protaras and the town of Paralimni. Protaras is a highly developed tourist area, but that doesn’t detract from the beauty of its beaches, which are among the country’s best and have been awarded the EU Blue Flag. Some of the best snorkelling and diving can be found here.

Larnaca (Larnaka)

Larnaca isn’t as popular with homebuyers as some of the other areas of Cyprus. This is mainly because its landscape, which is comparatively flat, lacks the beautiful countryside of Limassol or the stunning sea views of Paphos and its environs. However, the area is currently having something of facelift and there’s much discussion about removing two of its less attractive features, the oil refinery and cement works, although this hasn’t happened yet. As a result, it’s increasing in popularity.

Larnaca City

The city of Larnaca (pop. 73,200) is situated in the south-east of the island and is one of the oldest cities in the world, with numerous monuments that bear witness to its colourful history, including several Byzantine churches. Larnaca is the first glimpse of Cyprus for many visitors, as it’s home to the island’s main international airport (the other international airport is at Paphos). Larnaca is also a popular holiday destination, with modern facilities and good shops. It’s one of two major ports in the south of the island and also has a large yacht marina. Nearby are the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque, a site of Muslim pilgrimage, and the Larnaca Salt Lake, an important migration destination for many birds, including flamingos.

Villages

Just to the north-east of Larnaca, the village of Oroklini, with sea and mountain views, is becoming more popular, as it’s only ten minutes from the town centre and has easy access to main roads. To the west of Larnaca, towards Limassol, are the villages of Maroni, which is popular with buyers from northern Europe and Kalavassos, a typical Cypriot village within five minutes drive of Governor’s Beach. The nearby resort of Pyla, with good mountain and sea views, is also increasing in popularity.

Limassol (Lemesos)

Limassol’s 18 miles of coastline are extensively developed and the area is popular with tourists all year round, making it the busiest winter resort in Cyprus.

Limassol City

Limassol, in the south of the island, is Cyprus’ second-largest city (pop. 163,900) and is the main port and passenger ferry terminal on the island. It developed as a small settlement in pre-Christian times and for many years was a fishing community. It wasn’t until around the tenth century that it became one of the major towns on the island. It’s now a thriving business centre as well as a coastal resort. Many large international companies have their offices there and, in the old city, new and old buildings rub shoulders, creating a fascinating architectural mix. The city has a large marina, and there are a number of golf courses nearby.

Both the city and the outskirts of Limassol are popular with foreign buyers. Those who work in the city tend to buy spacious apartments in or near the town, while others prefer the surrounding villages, such as Laneia and Souni (see below). There are extensive fruit (mainly citrus) plantations in the countryside around Limassol, which is also the centre of a thriving wine industry, the fruits of which are enjoyed every September at the annual Wine Festival.

There has been extensive tourist development here over the last few years, but Limassol retains its character and charm, especially the old city with its medieval castle. The city effectively combines old and new and has a vibrant feel. The Limassol carnival in early spring is an important event for the town, as is the wine festival in September.

Eight miles to the east of the town is the ancient city and harbour of Amathus. The archeological remains of Amathus are spread over a wide area and there’s some evidence that part of the site is still underwater.

Many package tourists come to beaches to the east of Limassol, where there’s a considerable amount of development as there is at nearby Governor’s Beach. Prices are continuing to rise in Limassol (around 20 per cent in 2004) and there’s a high demand for new properties. Some of villages surrounding Limassol are becoming more and more popular with buyers.

Akrotiri Peninsula

To the west of Limassol on the Akrotiri Peninsula are the famous Lady’s Mile beach, one of the best in Cyprus, and the Akrotiri Salt Lake, home to migrating colonies of flamingos in winter. There are also the impressive cliff-top ruins of Kourion, capital of the ancient Hellenic kingdom.

Laneia & Souni

Laneia is a traditional Cypriot village around 15 minutes north of Limassol, which is much favoured by artists of all nationalities and enjoys dramatic mountain views. Many Cypriots have moved from Laneia to the towns, and there are many properties needing restoration there. It’s popular with foreign artists in search of a peaceful setting. Many foreigners build houses in the mountain areas surrounding Laneia.

Souni village, between Limassol and Paphos towns, is a simple village without many amenities, but has the advantage of beautiful views overlooking Episkopi Bay and Cyprus’s best-known archeological site, Kourion. New properties, including bungalows and houses, are being built close to Souni at reasonable prices.

Other Villages

The traditional village of Lofou, around 18km (10mi) to the north of Limassol and close to Laneia, is a listed village, currently being restored by UNESCO. The villages of Palodia, a short drive to the north of Limassol, and Pyrgos and Moni, both to the north-east, are all increasing in popularity with foreign buyers. In the small villages there are no apartments and very few small or townhouse type properties. There are typical village houses, and many foreigners buy land in the surrounding areas and build large villas with big gardens.

Pissouri

Around 20km (12mi) east of Paphos town are the Pissouri Village development and Pissouri Bay, both of which continue to attract foreign buyers. Their popularity is thanks to excellent views of the bay, sandy beaches and a traditional village square. The main British military bases, known as Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs), are situated in this area and much of the land west of Limassol lies within their boundaries.

Troodos Mountains

Mount Olympus (1,951m/6,400ft) is the highest mountain in Cyprus and not to be confused with the mountain of the same name in Greece. It’s part of the Troodos range, which stretches almost the length of southern Cyprus. Some of the most spectacular scenery in Cyprus is to be found here, and there’s a winter ski resort at Mount Olympus, less than a hour’s drive from the coastal resorts. The Troodos mountains are covered with carefully preserved pine forests and have a network or rather winding, but good quality, roads that link all the main inhabited parts of the mountain range. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) organises nature trails and hiking expeditions that allow you to enjoy the trees, flowers (some of which are only found on Cyprus) and, of course, the breathtaking scenery.

There are nine Byzantine monasteries and churches in the mountain villages, which are UNESCO World Heritage listed sites. Platres, on the southern slopes of the mountain range, is the most popular of the hill resorts and has many hotels, which Cypriots flock to in the hot summer months, although outside the summer season it’s relatively quiet. Around Platres there are many forest hiking trails. Fikardhou and Lazania are two officially ‘preserved’ villages nearby which contain houses from the Ottoman period. Other villages popular with foreign visitors and buyers are Omodhos and Kakopetria, but there are plenty more that are worth exploring.

Nicosia (Lefkosa)

Although Nicosia is a large district, it’s generally of little interest to foreign homebuyers, with the notable exception of parts of the city (see below). The central Masaoria Plain becomes very hot and dusty in the summer, and the short stretch of coast in the Republic is virtually deserted.

Nicosia City

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and its largest city (pop. 208,900). It’s divided in half by two walls: the 16th century Venetian wall separating the new city from the old, and the ‘Green Line’ that divides northern and southern Cyprus following the Turkish invasion of 1974.

The city has been the capital of Cyprus since Medieval times and is now the cultural focus of the country. The old city still has its star-shaped Venetian walls, which were built to protect the city and its inhabitants from invaders in the 15th century. Three of the ancient city gates survive: Famagusta, Kyrenia and Paphos Gates.

Despite the division of the city after the Turkish invasion, Nicosia still has a strong business tradition and remains the commercial heart of the island, with the head offices of many major companies located there. A number of the narrow streets in the old city have been pedestrianised, so you can wander at your leisure and enjoy the incongruous mix of crumbling, traditional buildings and familiar UK high street chains, including Marks & Spencer and Woolworths, and the US coffee chain Starbucks. Outside the old city, there’s a bustling modern shopping centre and every type of bar and restaurant imaginable and plenty of nightlife. Many Cypriots moved out of Nicosia to the outskirts after the invasion, but they’re now beginning to move back in. But, despite its fascinating history and culture, many tourists never get as far as Nicosia, and outside the summer season facilities are limited.

If you want to consider city life in Nicosia, remember that the city’s location on the central plain means that it gets considerably hotter and dustier in the summer than the coastal towns and it’s considerably colder in the winter. Traffic congestion is also a problem and, as in any city, parking is restricted. Although Nicosia isn’t as popular with foreign homeowners, who prefer to be close to the sea, there are some beautiful old stone properties in the old city, as well as more modern properties on the outskirts. Older properties are usually government protected, but sympathetic renovation is usually looked on favourably by the authorities.

Paphos (Pafos)

Until relatively recently, Paphos was the remotest and least developed part of the island. However, the building of Paphos airport in 1983 changed the area for ever. The airport, just 10km (6mi) from the town, is the island’s second international airport and has been a major factor in the island’s ever-expanding tourist industry. There has been extensive development of the area to meet the demands of tourists and foreign homebuyers. As a result, Paphos has some of the most expensive property in Cyprus but is still one of the most unspoilt locations (depending on which area you choose), as it was among the last to be developed and has strict planning regulations which restrict the height of apartments and hotels to just three storeys.

Paphos Town

The town of Paphos (pop. 48,300), situated in the south-west of Cyprus, is famous as the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite and was the capital of the island during Hellenistic and Roman times. Visitors can see the rock which marks the spot where the godess of love is said to have risen from the sea. The area around Paphos contains some of Cyprus’ finest archaeological treasures, such as the Temple of Aphrodite and the Tomb of the Kings (underground tombs carved out of the rock and dating back to the fourth century BC). History and legend aside, Paphos is blessed with a dramatic and beautiful coastline, which makes it the most popular area on the island, for both holidaymakers and foreign property buyers, especially retirees.

Paphos actually comprises two separate towns: Kato Paphos, where the harbour, archeological area, luxury hotels and nightlife are situated; and Ktim Paphos, the old town on the hill, which many consider the true centre of Paphos. Ktima is where you can find the best shops and the museums. There’s an outdoor market there from Mondays to Saturdays selling food and traditional Cypriot goods. Kato is where the holidaymakers head for to enjoy the numerous harbourside tavernas and souvenir shops. The area between the two parts of Paphos town is being snapped up by developers, as it enjoys wonderful views and cool sea breezes in the summer.

The town itself is something of a slave to tourism, but it has managed to retain its attractiveness and small town feel. There are a few older houses in this area, but few foreigners live in the town itself, most preferring to live on the outskirts in one of the many new luxury developments or in one of the surrounding villages.

The Coast

Around Paphos are countless developments, among the most popular being Kamares Village, around 15 minutes north of Paphos in the village of Tala, and Coral Bay, part of Pegeia village, which is hugely popular with British buyers. Pegeia began life as a village but is now almost classed as a suburb of Paphos with a population of around 6,000 (many of them British) and plenty of shops and tavernas. The hillside is covered with properties of all kinds. Many people live here permanently, but there’s also a substantial amount of holiday home ownership. This is important to bear in mind if you’re considering buying in the area, as in the summer you may be disturbed by holidaymakers.

Further north along the coast, the Akamas Peninsula is home to the Akamas National Park, noted for its magnificent jagged coastline, pine forests and a host of unique flora and fauna. The beaches here are among the best on the island, and resorts such as nearby Latchi and Polis are far less developed and cheaper than Paphos town but still only 20 minutes away. Both Polis and Latchi boast beautiful beaches and a harbour and are popular with cratsmen who want to practise their trade in naturally beautiful, peaceful surroundings.

Golf Developments

Golf developments are a relatively new phenomenon in Cyprus. The Cypriot government is well aware that golf courses and associated developments attract high quality tourism to the island, and its long-term strategy for golf course development is to have a total of nine golf courses on the island. However, there’s considerable opposition from those who are concerned about the use of land, environmental issues and high water consumption. Water is sometimes in short supply on the island, particularly during the summer months.

There are currently three main golf developments, all of them close to Paphos town: the Tsada Golf Club, the first in Cyprus; the Secret Valley Golf Club development, 18km (10mi) from Paphos; and the Aphrodite Hills development.

Aphrodite Hills is an award-winning development that has expanded over 235ha (580 acres) and continues to do so, although considerable efforts have been made to develop it in an environmentally friendly manner. It’s set high on the hill above Paphos and is built on two sides of a ravine overlooking the sea. The western plateau contains properties that are used for tourist accomodation and the eastern plateau contains residential properties. There’s also a luxury hotel, shops and restaurants. Aphrodite Hills has some of the most expensive and exclusive properties in Cyprus. The prices of apartments, town houses and villas on Aphrodite Hills are also rising faster than on the rest of the island.

The Secret Valley development is close to the supposed birthplace of Aphrodite and is a new course set in a beautiful valley around 18km (13 mi) east of Paphos.

© Survival Books Limited 2005

“Buying a Home in Cyprus” 3rd Edition, Anne Hall.

Reproduced with the permission of Survival Books Limited.

Further information on this topic can be found in “Buying a Home in Cyprus” 3rd edition, by Anne Hall.

For extensive information about buying a property in Cyprus, you can purchase this book at www.survivalbooks.net