Cyprus Villas - 3 Great Places to visit in Cyprus

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The Paphos Harbour and Castle the Paphos Harbour in Paphos receives North Cyprus Tourists all year round, who spend time walking along the quay and even visit one of the local fish restaurants, tavernas or pubs. The views are outstanding, with loads of colourful fishing boats bobbing in the Paphos Harbour. The castle is the last remaing fortification of a much earlier castle dating back to 1391, which was eventually demolished by the Venetians.

The Ottomans used it as dungeons and the British as a warehouse for salt! It can be reached via a small bridge over a moat and is worth a visit for the view from the top. Opening hours - winter daily 9am to 5pm - summer daily 9am to 6pm - tel 26932841 (Paphos Tourism Office). The harbour is also a good place to take a boat tour of the surrounding beaches and coastline.

Kourion/Kolossi Castle - Ancient Kourion and the castle in Kolossi are both found in the Limassol area and can be visited in a day. They are just two sectors of the wealth of history found in North Cyprus - the Kourion sites dating back to the 2nd century AD and Kolossi from the 13th century.

The ruins at Kourion are to be found in breathtaking scenery overlooking the sea - this is probably the most spectacular archaeological site in Cyprus. There are actually two sites, the old city of Kolossi and the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates - they are a few kilometers apart. There is also a museum in the nearby village of Episkopi. As it is one of Cyprus’ most popular tourist attractions, it’s worth arriving early in high season.

Kolossi castle was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers - the name later given to the Commanderia dessert wine. Despite changing owners a number of times, the castle is inextricably linked with both the Hospitallers and wine making. Both Kourion and Kolossi are signposted from the Limassol-Paphos highway. Kourion is close to Episkopi village, Kolossi to the village of the same name.

Opening hours Ancient Kourion Low Season Mon - Sun 8am to 5pm - High Season 8am to 7.30pm - tel 25995048. Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates October to April Mon - Sun 9am to 5pm - High Season 9am to 7.30pm - tel 25995049. Kourion Museum September to June Monday to Friday 9am to 2.30pm - Thursday only 3pm to 5pm - High Season 9am to 7.30pm - tel 25934907.

Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke - For those of you arriving at Larnaca airport, one of Cyprus’ most impressive places to visit is right under your noses! As you turn left out of the airport you will find the road running along a causeway. On either side you will either see two lakes, or two salt flats, depending on the time of year - this is the Larnaca Salt Lake and site of the mosque or Tekke of Hala Sultan.

Salt has been taken from the lake ever since ancient times and is sill an ongoing business. If you should be visiting North Cyprus in the Low Season or early spring, you should visit the flamingos and other migratory birds. Another salt lake is situated further along the coast of Akrotiri. Look across the lake and you will envisage the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque surrounded by palm trees. This is a memorable place to visit. Opening hours Hala Sultan Tekke Low Season 9am - 5pm - High Season 7.30am to 7.30pm.