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Family Fun

Cyprus is a magical island that is fun for all the family. No matter where you go there's always plenty of family entertainment on offer. Even in the areas outside of Paphos and Ayia Napa - the two main family-oriented resorts on the island - families will find a wealth of adventure activities that will keep them going from dawn 'til dusk.

In Paphos the fabulous Paphos Waterpark is an excellent day out for children and adults of all ages. There are water slides and chutes for kids who like their water rides fast and exciting, and there's slower water rides too. Paphos Waterpark caters for smaller children as well, an enclosed play area and shallow pool offering plenty of opportunities for a splash about.

Paphos has a bird park, aquarium and an 18-hole mini-golf adventure course (Island Cove). All are available at low entrance fees and will provide hours of entertainment for all the family.

The popularity of Cyprus for birding is due in no small part to the island's location - it is situated directly on a north-south bird migration route. Every spring, between February and May, migrating birds traveling from Africa to Europe and Asia use the island as a stopover point on their journey. Along coastal bays, mudflats, and in shrubs and trees birds as diverse as swallows, warblers, buntings and swifts can be spied. At the more unusual end of the bird spectrum rare birds such as the Great Spotted Cuckoo, the Marsh Harrier or even Bonelli's Eagle can be glimpsed too.

By August the great migration south begins. The birds flee from the cooler autumn air that invades Northern Europe and Asia. They head south to the African continent and beyond, again using Cyprus as the stopover point of choice. Millions of migrating birds may be spotted on their long autumn journey right through until early November.

Ayia Napa is a very family-friendly resort. There are always plenty of activities for kids and adults to enjoy in the town and on the beaches. In June each year, Ayia Napa gives itself totally over to the kids with its annual Childrens' Festival. Focused on the main square in Ayia Napa the festival has kids' shows and performances as well as stalls and games to play.

A little way outside of Ayia Napa is the Ayia Napa waterpark "WaterWorld". It is unlike any other water theme park you've ever been to, ancient Greek temples and statues of Greek Gods giving it a classical feel that adds to its excitement. Nearby is the Ayia Napa Marine Park where visitors can see dolphins and sea lions. But, if you're looking for something a little scarier, why not try the Dinosaur Park off Leoforos Nissi in the town (just behind McDonalds)!

In Limassol, families are treated to the Cyprus Donkey Sanctuary as well as two waterparks - The Water Mania waterpark and the Wet n' Wild waterpark. Both are excellent fun for kids. Further afield, Larnaka offers the chance to get up close and personal with camels at Camel World, while Nicosia provides access to one of the largest Ostrich farms in Europe.

As you can see, when you come to Cyprus with your family, you're guaranteed to return home with family memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Cyprus Festivals

Festivals are an important part of Cypriot culture. Not a month passes by in Cyprus without a festival celebration of some kind or another. There are music & dance festivals, flower festivals and religious festivals - all offer a colourful and exciting glimpse into the traditions and lives of the Cypriot people.

Kicking off the festival calendar in January are the annual Cultural Winter Festivals at Ayia Napa and Paralimni. Both are celebrations of Cyprus's cultural heritage, which is explored through a series of concerts, dance performances, poetry readings and recitals. The events are free and open to the public.

February and March see the annual carnival festivals explode into life across the island. Known as the Apokreo, the festivals take place over a two-week period some 50 days before Easter each year. Hundreds of towns and villages participate, Limassol's Carnival being the most impressive of the lot.

Easter is naturally an important time on Cyprus. Various religious ceremonies take place during this time. Afterwards, in May, Cyprus celebrates the glory of its flowers! The Anthestiria Flower Festival takes place through the streets of Paphos, the highlight being the flower parade in which floats are decorated with the flowers of springtime.

The summer in Cyprus is packed full of festivals to coincide with the height of the tourist season. From the Childrens' Festival held in Ayia Napa every June to the annual Limassol Beer Festival in July - the latter being where dance and low-priced beer make for arguably one of Limassol's best-loved festivals in its calendar - there really are festivals for every age and taste.

Come the autumn Limassol and alcohol are once again in the festival spotlight. This time, Limassol hosts its world famous wine festival that normally runs from the end of August into the first two weeks of September. More than just wine tasting, the festival is a celebration of local foods, traditional dance and music. Wine is often drawn from the barrel too!

The Goddess of Love - Aphrodite - is celebrated in Paphos in September also, and on October 1st each year, Cyprus celebrates its day of independence. November and December see opera and theatre take over the festival mantle until December 25th and the festivities of Christmas.