Visitors receive a warm welcome from the locals and even the temperature heats up to almost 40oc in July and August. Cyprus has the warmest climate in the Mediterranean and the warmest winters, so you can go any time of year. Here are the top places to visit:

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Karen Bryan

Petra tou Romiou

On the southern coast of the island lies Petra tou Romiou, a rock off the shore at one of the finest beaches in Cyprus and more famously referred to as Aphrodite’s Rock. This is because it is known as the birthplace of the mythological goddess of love Aphrodite. This is one of those must see places because it is a strikingly stunning area of natural beauty particularly the views from the road which travel from Paphos to Limassol that runs along the top of the cliffs.

Ayia Napa

On the far eastern side of the island, Ayia Napa has earned itself the reputation for the destination for those who love to party. This resort attracts oodles of tourists and has lots of beaches where you can experience a variety of water sports which range from water skiing to canoeing, scuba diving to wind surfing you can really take your pick. Ayia Napa is also home to the biggest waterpark in Europe so if you are a thrill seeker and love giant water slides then WaterWorld Waterpark is for you. It has many attractions, areas for parents to relax and playground areas for the kids.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by anthony kelly

Paphos Harbour and Castle

Paphos Harbour and Castle is on every tourists list of attractions to visit in Cyprus. Here you will find the remains of a castle which dates back to 1391. All round you will find stunning views and you can also enjoy a tour of the beautiful coastline by boat. You can take relaxing walks along the quay and sit in one of the many cafes and restaurants.

Nicosia

Finally, you can’t visit Cyprus without exploring its capital city, Nicosia. Its beautiful stone walls were built in the 16th century by venetians with lots of hidden delights. If you have had enough of exploring the city architecture, Nicosia also has a famous shopping centre called Laiki Yitoniak. You can also enjoy the many excellent places to eat and pick up a few souvenirs and gifts to take back home.

Whether you are looking for a holiday that’s jam packed with adventure, laid back with lots of sun and sea or filled with culture, then Cyprus is the holiday destination for you. There are many cheap flights to Cyprus so book yours now.

View Top Places to Visit in Cyprus in a larger map

The post Top Places to Visit in Cyprus appeared first on Europe Explored.

Sandy beaches on the southern coast of Cyprus are very popular among tourists already for years. There are lots of young people coming here every summer. Cyprus’ beaches are traditionally evaluated very positively. The coast slowly descends into the warm turquoise water. The crystal clear sea is suitable for the lovers of water sports – here you can try paragliding or riding on water skis, or diving.

Until the late 18th century, the only inhabitants on the island were monks from the local monastery. The monastery was built specifically as a home for sacred icon, which according to legend, should appear to hunters during hunting. Just after almost two centuries, about twenty civilians moved to the area and founded the city, in the middle of which you can find a monastery.

Nature around Ayia Napa is beautiful, there are also many cultural and historical monuments and archaeological sites and beautiful churches.

How to get here
During the summer season you can take a ferry from the Greek island of Rhodes or the city of Piraeus and Turkish Tasuku. It can be reached by air, Ayia Napa is located about 50 kilometers from the airport in Larnaca.

View Ayia Napa Resort with its most beautiful beaches in Cyprus in a larger map

The post Ayia Napa Resort with its most beautiful beaches in Cyprus appeared first on Europe Explored.

Here, on Guincho Beach you can enjoy fine sand, which forms the dunes but also clear water that is ideal for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Therefore Guincho Beach is a popular destination for surfers from all around the world. It is regularly a home to Portuguese National Surfing, but also to the World Championships in windsurfing. Near Guincho Beach there are several surf schools and Surfcamp, where you can stay and borrow or get your surf fixed.

The beach also starred in the film – as a part of the movie about James Bond in 1969 (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service).

View Guincho Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal in a larger map

The post Guincho Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal appeared first on Europe Explored.

Thanks to its location the city and its surroundings belong to the warmest areas of the Bulgarian coast. For its beautiful nature the resort was a popular place for the Bulgarian royal family in the past. Today Tsarevo is a popular tourist destination suitable for lovers of comfortable, quiet, romantic, but also of active holiday.

In the center of town you will find the pedestrian zone, shops, markets, cafes, pastry shops, restaurants, discos, bars, parks, cinema or a jungle gym for children. Tsarevo has a football field with artificial turf, which is freely accessible to children. In Tsarevo you can also enjoy some sport activities such as sailing, diving or widsurfing. Close to the resort you can stay in well-known campsites Bulgarka and Nestinarka.

View The town of Tsarevo – one of the the sunniest places in Bulgaria in a larger map

The post The town of Tsarevo – one of the sunniest places in Bulgaria appeared first on Europe Explored.

The Navagio beach can only be reached by boat.

Access from the mainland is not possible, you have to take a boat at the island of Zakynthos. But you can ask also the local fishermen, who – at a lower price – also take you to the beach. Do not go there in the big waves. Then you can see the Navagio beach only from a distance of several hundred meters, because ships cannot enter the narrow inlets during the big waves.

From the cliff above the beach you can enjoy the view of the Navagio beach and surroundings. The most pictures are taken from this view point.

View Navagio beach – one of the most famous beaches in Greece in a larger map

The post Navagio beach – one of the most famous beaches in Greece appeared first on Europe Explored.

Carvoeiro is a picturesque village and popular resort. Beautiful is the local coast called Algar Seco that is typical for a number of bizarre rocky pillars, bridges and caves in a rocky labyrinth.

Carvoeiro has a clean sea and beaches with fine sand. It is surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs. One of the favourite beaches is the beach of Carvoeiro, which is due to slow entry into the sea, suitable for families with children. Other great beaches are Carvalho or Alagar Seco.

Carvoeiro has a wide range of accommodation. There are many restaurants, bars and shops. Popular restaurants include O Castelo or Pátio. In the village you can try a range of water sports, but you can also play golf. Golf Course Vale do Milho Golf is located right in Carvoeiro and it is not the only one.

The area of the current village was inhabited already by the Romans. The current name is probably derived from an old medieval name of the fishing village “Caboiere”. However up to 60′s of the 20th century Carvoeiro was a sleepy fishing village, it is now widely popular resort.

Carvoeiro is best accessible by car. The nearest international airport Aeroporto de Faro is located in Alexandria, the port and railway station are in Portimao. For moving around the town you can use the tourist train.

View Carvoeiro – the most fantastic beaches in the Algarve, Portugal in a larger map

The post Carvoeiro – the most fantastic beaches in the Algarve, Portugal appeared first on Europe Explored.

View Tossa de Mar – one of the most popular resorts on the Costa Brava in Spain on the Larger Map

The old city center of Tossa de Mar offers a network of narrow streets and its most important monuments include the Church of San Vicente. You also should visit a local gallery and city museum. Along the coast you can find the beaches like Gran Playa, El Codolar and La Baume, offering a complete tourist service. At sea you can enjoy a variety of water sports, such as the diving, sailing, surfing, water skiing or scooters. Along the coast there in a pretty nice promenade with shops and souvenir shops, clothing, jewelry and ceramics. Hotels in Tossa de Mar offer a large hotel complexes, but you will find also the camping here.

View Tossa de Mar – one of the most popular resorts on the Costa Brava in Spain in a larger map

The post Tossa de Mar – one of the most popular resorts on the Costa Brava in Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.

Blue Lagoon, Comino island, Malta by Martin Lopatka

You can choose from two small, sandy beaches with excellent swimming and a stunning lagoon of brilliant turquoise blue water. During the summer this island is overcrowded with day-trippers.

Comino is suitable and also recommended to everyone who loves the sun, sea and water sports. Here you can really enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving and windsurfing. The waters are crystal clear with safe swimming even for the youngest children.

To get to Comino, use one of two ferries from Mgarr (Gozo) or from Cirkewwa (Malta) or any other Chartered Yachts from other parts of the island.

Casal Qala, Gozo, Malta by Martin Lopatka

If you would like to stay on the island and spend here a few days, you will be left with nothing other than use the services of a luxury 4-star Comino Hotel, which is the only accommodation option on the island apart from the small campsite with a basic washing facilities. Its disadvantage is that it is opened only in summer, during the peak tourist season. It was built on a beautiful bay with a sandy beach and offers a variety of sports activities, including swimming pool. The hotel also has several bungalows, about 10 minutes away. Hotel provides windsurfing school during the day, or you can enjoy evening barbecues and dancing in hotel.

In spring the island is covered with flowering herbs, so this time is probably the best for a visit. But be careful, collecting flowers or minerals is strictly prohibited on the island.

Comino has a slightly undulating surface, its highest point is Comino Mayor that reaches an altitude of 75 meters above sea level. The most popular beaches where you can enjoy the sun and lazing by the water are St Nicolas Bay or Santa Maria Bay.

The post Blue Lagoon – the most beautiful place in Malta appeared first on Europe Explored.