Cyprus

In tourist areas, people are a bit indifferent, but not unkind. Inland, the population is completely different, warm and helpful. During harvest time, people spontaneously offer you fresh fruit. The most commonly used languages are Greek, Turkish and English

Cyprus is not yet part of the Schengen area, but are members of EU. However, they have a visa policy that is based on the Schengen policy.

Schengen Area visa lists.

Schengen Area

Other EU member states outside the Schengen Area but bound by the same visa policy and legally obliged to join the Area when they meet the criteria, and special territories of Schengen member states (freedom of movement in the Schengen Area)

Member of the EU with independent visa policy (freedom of movement in the Schengen Area)

Visa-free access to the Schengen states for short stays, usually 90 days in any 180-day period (EU 2018/1806 Annex II)

Visa required to enter the Schengen states, and to transit some Schengen states in some circumstances (EU 2018/1806 Annex I)

Visa required to transit any Schengen state (EC 810/2009 Annex IV)

Travel documents not accepted

Source: Wikipedia.

Cyprus is a safe country for cycling, even as a woman alone. The island has a Greek and a Turkish part, the Turkish part is not internationally recognized. Sometimes hostilities flare up again, as in 1996 when some fatal border incidents took place. You hardly notice that. Be careful with taking pictures. Usually there are prohibition signs, but that is not always clear. Along the border, UN soldiers patrol the Greek side and you will see many Turkish military posts on the other side, keeping a close eye on you but not bothering you.

Several days from the Greek part to the Turkish part is no problem. You will receive a separate piece of paper with stamps, which you must show when you return. Only a limited number of border crossings are open.

Markets

There are plenty of shops and markets to buy your own food.

Restaurants

Eating out is not a problem. Vegetarian food is not a problem. There are plenty of vegetarian mezes. The main course was twice a large bowl of spagetti with a simple sauce at a larger hotel / restaurant. But at the small agri and eco tourism guesthouses we have always had a very good vegetarian meal.

Drinkable water

Tap water is generally not reliable. Every house in Cyprus has 1 or more large water tanks on the roof. If the water comes from here, it is not recommended to drink it. Sometimes there are two taps, one of which is the drinking water tap. Always check with the landlord. Bottled water is readily available.

In case you need a doctor, it is best to present your problem in a pharmacy, they can tell you where to go best. There are folk clinics but also private clinics.

Routes

Existing cycling routes

The Greek Tourist Office is busy promoting the Troodos Cycle route. This is a somewhat strange cycle route: 80% wide two-lane asphalt roads where you hardly see a car and furthermore some unpaved parts, of which the quality is sometimes good and sometimes bad. So: for the mountain biker too little unpaved, for the racing cyclist not to do through the unpaved part, for the holiday cyclist too wide roads and for the untrained cyclist too much climbing. Because here too, progress is unstoppable: entire mountains are being excavated for an asphalt road that is much too wide.

Nice routes

• The Troodos Mountains are very worthwhile. Lots of climbing on the way there but manageable.
• Polis and surroundings: not so touristy with mainly backpackers, fairly relaxed with beautiful quiet beaches, ideal for camping. You run the risk of being visited by herds of goats.
• Nicosia is the last shared city, it is somewhat reminiscent of Berlin. The border with Turkey is cordoned off with sandbags and you see UN soldiers everywhere. Tourists can visit the Turkish side for several days (maximum 90).
• Agia Napa is a terribly busy tourist town and has only hotels and guesthouses where mass tourism resides. Best to avoid. There is also a youth hostel. It is a ghost town outside the tourist season.
• Pafos is very touristy but has very beautiful archaeological sites.
• Karpaz (North East of the Turkish part) has many quiet roads, especially the old coastal roads are nice for cycling and parallel to the mountain ridge the roads are fairly flat. If you want to go from the north coast to the south coast, you will have to deal with rising and falling, but also beautiful views.
• Turkish part: A nice road leads Girne to Karsiyaka. However, you can only get there by highway. And when you have climbed halfway up the castle, you will be sent back by Turkish soldiers at an army base; the last two km to the castle are prohibited for cyclists. Solution: arrange a lift. But the 3 meter wide, beautifully paved road is worth it, it goes (almost) over the peaks of the Pentadaktylos Range.

Best period

Seasons (dry / wet)

Best time: March, April and May. Not too busy and nature at its best. In September it is still quite warm and the temperature is pleasant in October as well.

**Spare parts
**

Cyprus is too small to cycle there for long. If your bike is in order beforehand, it shouldn't cause any problems. So only take the essentials with you.

Because the quality of the B-roads in Northern Cyprus is not always great, it is advisable to bring spare inner tubes and repair equipment, the chance of a flat tire is high.