Aug 31, 2024

The Best Time to Visit Cyprus

Cyprus is a holiday destination that is known and loved for its hot Mediterranean weather and beautiful beaches. Its sunny climate and lovely landscapes are popular all year round, and with a range of different cultural events taking place on the island every month as well, there’s plenty of appeal for visiting Cyprus at any time of the year.

Knowing the best time of year to visit Cyprus is an important factor in booking a holiday there, which is why we’ve put together this guide to when to visit. We offer our advice on the ideal time to plan a trip and then take you through month-by-month, describing the weather, what to do and what’s happening on the island.

When is the Best Time to Visit Cyprus?

Cyprus is an excellent travel destination if you’re seeking sunny weather, but the majority of travellers feel that temperatures are at their most pleasant in the shoulder seasons between May and June and September and October. At this time of year you’ll still get very warm weather and should avoid anything over 30°C, meaning you can enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible.

You’ll also make the most of shoulder season deals and availability if you travel outside of the peak summer period, with cheaper travel options and a wider variety of holiday accommodation to choose from. However, if you’re visiting Cyprus with kids and can’t plan a trip outside of the summer holidays, it’s still a good time to enjoy a beach holiday and enjoy the peace of a private villa on the island.

Cyprus in January

January is one of the coolest months in Cyprus, with reasonable chances of rain but still the classic Mediterranean climate that keeps temperatures around 12-15°C. If you’re looking to visit Cyprus in the off-season then January is a great time to plan a trip, as the island is very quiet and feels much more authentic. This makes it a great time to go sightseeing without having to worry about crowds, offering plenty of time and space to admire the archaeological parks and ancient churches.

Cyprus in February

If you’re seeking a taste of spring early in the year then Cyprus is a great option for a holiday in February. The average temperature on the island hovers around 15°C, which is warmer than most other areas in northern Europe, and offers very pleasant conditions for sightseeing. You can also enjoy the island’s famous almond trees coming into full bloom at the start of the month, which makes for very pretty scenery when you’re hiking in places like Limnatis. 

Cyprus in March

If you like to get active on your holidays then March is a great time to visit Cyprus. The rain that sometimes appears over the winter has dwindled and temperatures are a pleasant 15°C – 17°C, so if you’d like to explore the island on foot or by bike then conditions are pretty ideal.

Limassol Carnival usually takes place in March the two weeks before the Greek Orthodox Lenten period, lasting for over a week and featuring several impressive parades. The two weeks before Lenten are celebrated across the island but Limassol is the heart of the celebrations, with music, dancing, food and plenty of dressing up.

Cyprus in April

If you’re looking to visit Cyprus for an authentic experience without the summer crowds, April is the last month of the quiet season that also usually coincides with various Easter celebrations. Your trip might coincide with some of the religious festivals and you’ll also avoid peak season crowds and prices, making it the ideal time to book a luxury villa. Temperatures start to climb in April and reach an average of 21ºC in the middle of the day, so you can also expect a lot of spring sunshine which means beach trips are a great idea on the warmer days of the month.

Cyprus in May

The shoulder season for tourism begins in May as the weather starts to properly heat up, with average temperatures climbing into the mid-twenties but much lower humidity than in the summer. This is a great time to visit Cyprus if you want to avoid the proper heat but would still like to spend time on the beach or out and about sightseeing.

For a beautiful display of spring and summer blooms, Anthestiria is a flower festival celebrated in various cities around Cyprus. Inspired by ancient celebrations from Athens that were in honour of Dionysus, the god of wine and madness, the festival includes a stunning parade of flowers as well as exhibitions and stalls showcasing a wide range of different plants. 

Cyprus in June

Mediterranean summer properly begins in June, making this a great time to visit for sun-seekers who’d rather not get tangled up in the school holiday crowds. It can hit 30ºC during the day in Cyprus in June, with evening temperatures usually staying above 20ºC, so this is a wonderful time of year to make the most of lazy days on the beach and social evenings dining outdoors.

A cultural event in Cyprus that blends ancient Greek mythology and Christian traditions is Kataklysmos, the Festival of the Flood, which is held fifty days after Easter and usually takes place in May or June. Held in most of the coastal towns, cities and villages, with the biggest celebrations in Larnaka, you’ll find plenty of market stalls, food, live entertainment and some water activities like boat races.

Cyprus in July

July is one of the warmest months of the year in Cyprus, making it also one of the most popular times to visit the island. Temperatures will likely be above 30ºC during the day, so it’s a great time of year for a holiday where your main priorities are sitting beside the pool or swimming in the sea. Humidity is quite high in July, so if you’ve got sightseeing plans then you’ll want to get out nice and early, or plan your visits in the early evening once the sun has started to set.

A popular event taking place over July and the start of August is the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama. Theatre companies from across the world come to perform traditional Greek plays in open-air theatres around the island, providing unique cultural experiences and insight into classic pieces of drama.

Cyprus in August

August is perhaps the busiest and definitely the hottest month of the year in Cyprus. With sunshine forecast for over twelve hours every day, the weather is scorching in the middle of the summer and is best for holidays when you’re not planning on being out and about during the heat of the day, which will be in the mid-thirties most of the time.

Plenty of tourists come to Cyprus in August, so make sure that you book early if you’re planning a trip. It’s also a great time to book a private villa and make the most of the peace and the space away from the busy resorts, beaches and popular towns and cities.

Cyprus in September

September is a fantastic time to visit Cyprus. The weather is still very warm, with averages around 28ºC, but the humidity of the summer is starting to decrease so it’s not quite as unbearable for those who aren’t used to the heat. It’s also not quite as busy with other travellers as the school holidays are over, offering fewer crowds and better deals if you choose to travel at this time of year.

A highlight of visiting Cyprus in September is the Limassol Wine Festival, which celebrates the culture of winemaking on the island. Held outdoors in a public garden over twelve days, you pay a small entrance fee and then get access to all kinds of wines to sample for free.

If you’re looking for cultural things to do in Cyprus then the Pafos Aphrodite Opera Festival is usually held in September and takes place in the Paphos Medieval Castle. These open-air concerts feature performers from all over the world and are a wonderful way to enjoy opera during your trip.

Cyprus in October

The beginning of October is one of the best times to visit Cyprus if you’re chasing sunny weather but don’t want to feel too hot. Average temperatures range between 23°C and 26°C, humidity isn’t too high, and the weather is pretty dry for the first half of the month at least, so you can spend a lot of your time exploring the island. It’s still warm enough for the beach, but not too hot to go hiking and cycling.

Sports fans visiting Cyprus in October might enjoy the newly returned Lemesia event, taking place over ten days and featuring a varied program of different sporting events. Professional athletes and local people participate in the event, and there are plenty of different matches and races to watch throughout, including a marathon.

Cyprus in November

Winter begins to creep in once it gets to November in Cyprus, making this a great time to plan a visit if you like to visit travel destinations in the off-season. The weather might get a little wetter, but it’s generally still quite mild, with an average daily temperature of 18°C.

Beach days aren’t an obvious choice for things to do in Cyprus in November, but you might be pleasantly surprised to know that the average sea temperature is still 21°C, so swimming isn’t out of the question. It’s a great time of year to plan a really relaxing holiday when you won’t be disturbed by many other tourists and if you want to make the most of off-season deals. 

Cyprus in December

Spending the end of the year in Cyprus promises warmer temperatures than in most of Europe, making it a great option if you’re seeking some winter sunshine. Showers may pass across the island, but it will be mild the majority of the time and you’ll have the chance to explore a lot of Cyprus’ most popular attractions without any of the peak season crowds. Christmas and New Year might see an increase in visitors in the most popular areas of the island, but otherwise December is a low-season month on the island.

Summary

Cyprus benefits from a varied landscape, so you’ve got beaches along the coast but also mountains in the centre, which provide relatively different environments and climates at the same time of the year. You can enjoy some of the best Mediterranean weather in Europe on the island, as well as its varied and exciting cultural offering, which includes a range of food, art and traditional festivals.

We hope this guide has helped you to decide when to visit Cyprus, based on your preferences and holiday plans. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay on a holiday to the island then The Villa Collection has a hand-picked portfolio of holiday properties located in some of the most popular areas. Take a look at our luxury villas in Cyprus or get in touch for more help and advice on where to stay from our team.