Off-season Cyprus: six reasons to visit between autumn & spring
Cyprus comes into its own out-of-season, with a mild climate, walking trails, food experiences, immersive traditional activities and festive markets. So, forgo the summer crowds and soaring temperatures for a warm winter break with a difference.
Getting to Cyprus: find current offers on holidays to Cyprus with TUI*, which departs from airports across the UK.
Lace up your walking boots
Cyprus might not be the first place you think of for hiking, but its mountainous interior is made for those looking to get active. The Troodos Mountains are good for novice and experienced hikers with several easy-to-follow trails offering outstanding views, lush natural scenery and often moments of complete solitude.
For a pretty but moderate hike, try the Caledonia Waterfalls trail. Start at the trailhead near the almost Alpine-looking town of Platres, which is also a great place to bed down for a night to enjoy the mountain views and fresh air, and make your way up the stream.
You'll cross bridges that make good photo ops and traverse the odd log until you reach the middle of the trail. It's here that you'll find the Caledonia Waterfall. You can continue to the top of the trail or head back the way you came for a gentler walk.
Learn a new skill
Cyprus is an ideal place to learn something new, thanks to its Heartland of Legends route, which explores the cultural, historic and outdoor activities inland from the resorts on the coast.
You can discover the secrets to the perfect halloumi cheese at the Golden Donkeys Farm, try your hand at beekeeping and honey production at Ecophysis Bee and Nature Center, sample traditional grape juice sweets (soutzioukkos) in locals' houses in Kato Drys, explore herbs and botanicals at Lumina Botanical Gardens, or have a go at making the intricate, centuries-old Lefkaritika (Lefkara lace).
Soak up the sun
Just because it's winter, doesn't mean that there's not the opportunity to work on the tan. Days are often sunny with temperatures in the late teens, so while a sea dip might be a little chilly, there's plenty of sunshine to be had, especially on the coast.
Some of the main resorts such as Ayia Napa* tend to close for the season, but the beaches at Limassol* and Larnaca* offer plenty of golden sand and relatively few tourists; plus, they are close to the city centres for great eating and drinking or sheltering if the weather does take a sudden turn.
Drink wine
Did you know that Cyprus makes the oldest named wine in the world? Commandaria sweet wine can possibly trace its origins back to 800 BCE, although it has certainly been produced since the 12th century.
Today, the wine has protected status, meaning it can only be produced in 14 specific wine-growing villages, known as Krasochoria, on the island.
Try a visit to the multi-award-winning, family-run winery, Ayia Mavri where you'll be able to taste their classic Commandaria as well as a selection of whites, red and roses made with native grape varieties such as Xynisteri in the surrounds of their quaint, homely tasting room.
For a completely different perspective (quite literally), head to the lofty heights of ultra-modern Marathasa winery perched atop a cliff above the Marathasa valley.
Not only will you be able to enjoy wines and food at the restaurant, but also incredible views of the mountains; that's if you can take your eyes off the Bond-villain-lair-style architecture of the winery itself.
Explore towns & cities
The great advantage of visiting Cyrpus out of season is that you get to experience a much more authentic side, not just in the mountain villages but also in the major hubs such as Larnaca.
If you're looking for the scenic, snake your way up the mountain roads to Kalopanayiotis, where many of the village buildings have been restored to create a blissful quintessential image of Cypriot life.
Start with a wander around the spa resort Casale Panayiotis before jumping on the funicular lift and idling up to the Monastery of Saint John Lampadistes; there are often markets here, including a yearly Christmas craft and food market.
If cities are more your vibe, stroll the long Larnaca promenade dotted with artworks to the Larnaka Medieval Fort, then take the back roads to stumble on independent shops, oh-so-cool bars and restaurants and the food market, where you'll be able to pick up treat and non-touristic souvenirs to take home.
Eat meze
You might want to invest in some elasticated waistbands before venturing to the traditional restaurants of Cyprus, as hospitality is pretty generous; never more so than when it comes to meze.
Meze is not so much a meal as an occasion, with several courses of small plates shared among a group.
You might start with dips such as cucumber, yoghurt and mint tzatziki with bread, then move onto fried halloumi cheese or eggs, then you usually get to choose between a fish meze (local fish and seafood) and a meat meze, which might include kleftiko, slow-cooked lamb or perhaps beef or pork.
Thankfully, there's a handy guide called Taste Cyprus that allows you to search for taverns, street food and producers that exemplify Cypriot cuisine, such as the family-run Dragon's Nest Pentakomo village, the atmospheric Platanos Stou Roushia restaurant in Kato Drys, or the laid-back Afxentis Fish Restaurant in Limassol.
Climate in Cyprus
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The above guide shows the climate in Limassol. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Cyprus.
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