Cyprus is the third most populous island in the Mediterranean and is known for just about everything, including Crusader history, ancient history, and even a little bit of modern history.

It’s a historic place – with beaches to boot. But knowing the best time of year to visit Cyprus can be tricky. Think it’s all sunny all the time? Think again. So we’re here to help with a month-by-month rundown of when you should go.

When is the Best Time to Visit Cyprus?

Weather in Cyprus in January

If you’re thinking of visiting Cyprus in January, don’t think you’re going to be getting winter sun and beach weather. This is one of the coldest months of the year for this Mediterranean island, with temperatures hovering around 10°C (sometimes less). Sunny days aren’t uncommon, though, and daytime highs can still just about reach the twenties.

It’s not warm, let’s just say that – even the sea is cold (13°C) – but if you’re crazy, you might still feel like swimming in it. Rain is also not unheard of. It’s low season, so if you don’t like tourists, it might be one of the best times to visit Cyprus.

Weather in Cyprus in February

What do you know – February is also a cold month in Cyprus – almost as cold as January! The average temperature is around 13°C, but at night it can easily drop to around 8°C. By mid-February, things do start to brighten up a bit, but this isn’t always the case, and there can still be a lot of rain.

One thing that is guaranteed is days getting lighter and longer by the end of the month. A bonus – with all the rain over the winter, the countryside areas of Cyprus are pretty green. We’re talking wildflowers and almond trees starting to show their blossoms. It’s looking like early spring, people! It’s still not the best time to visit Cyprus.

Weather in Cyprus in March

By March, Spring is definitely on the way. It’s warming up, with average temperatures this month sitting at around 14°C. It’s still not actually warm, though temperatures of 19°C aren’t unheard of. There’s less rain, less cloud, and more hours of sunshine as the end of March rolls around.

March is a good time of year to visit Cyprus as there are fewer visitors and a bit more sunshine to make your trip more enjoyable. Many hotels start to open after being closed all winter, as well. Two good things happen in March: fruit starts appearing on citrus trees, and the clocks go forward. More daylight to enjoy what Cyprus has to offer.

Weather in Cyprus in April

If you thought March was spring-like, then you’re going to love April. The average temperature suddenly jumps to around 17°C, but it can easily reach into the low 20s. There are 11 hours of sunshine a day, and it’s not too hot yet, making this a beautifully balanced time of year to visit Cyprus.

Sure, April brings a little bit of isolated rain across the country, but it’s generally pretty nice. The island nation is looking nicely green this month, with lots of flowers and fruit around. A high amount of visitors turn up in Cyprus from across Europe thanks to the Easter Vacation period for schools.

Weather in Cyprus in May

May has got to be one of the very best times to visit Cyprus. The weather has really improved in the past few months. There’s less rain. The average temperature is 20°C and can climb to the mid-20s pretty often. There are also clear skies and about 12 hours of sunshine every day.

The first part of the month is beautifully mild weather, but at the end of the month, things start to heat up a little bit more, with temperatures rising into the mid-20s more often. Visitors begin to arrive on their vacations (especially from the UK), and it heralds the start of the tourist season proper. Come early to avoid the crowds.

Weather in Cyprus in June

June, June, June… June is all about that sunshine – and warmth. This is easily one of the bes times to visitt Cyprus. Not only are temperatures an average of between 23°C and 28°C, the sea temperature is about 24°C, and there are 14 hours of sunshine a day! The thing about June is that it’s not crazy hot yet, which is great.

Also, because it’s not the summer vacation in Europe yet, accommodation and flights will be cheaper. And there will be fewer crowds to contend with in Cyprus’s beaches and attractions. It’s also still pretty green in the countryside; head to the village of Todos or Kakopetria up in the mountains to see all the late spring goodness unfold (cooler temperatures, too).

Weather in Cyprus in July

July is the beginning of the tourist season proper. This can make it a not so great time to visit Cyprus if you’re not about crowds; there will be a lot of people on the beaches. However, if you’re visiting Cyprus at the start of July, you won’t have to worry because summer vacation won’t begin until later in the month.

Weather-wise, temperatures are balmy (25-30°C in the daytime); there’s hardly any rain, hardly any clouds, and it’s one of the hottest months of the year, with humidity at 73%. Heatwaves aren’t unknown, however, due to hot air drifting over from Africa. These can be scorching.

Weather in Cyprus in August

The summer season is in full flow. Tourists are everywhere; it’s hot; it’s crowded – it’s not the best time of year to visit Cyprus. But if you like a buzzy atmosphere and bustling public spaces, then you’ll probably enjoy joining the throngs of people as they see the sights and hit the beaches. Daily temperatures are an average of 30°C, the sea is a bath-like 27°C, and the humidity can get pretty unbearable, to be honest.

If you’re not the greatest fan of humidity, head inland to the mountainous areas for cooler temperatures and airy breezes. Don’t expect any rain to break the heat; August is all about clear skies and a lot of sunshine. Nights, with temperatures of 21°C, become alive with locals and tourists alike hitting restaurants and tavernas.

Weather in Cyprus in September

Cyprus in September is still pretty hot. Temperatures can reach about 29°C, but with nights dropping to around 19°C, there’s quite a difference between day and after-dark temperatures. There’s still little rainfall, sea temperatures of 26°C, and 12 hours of sunshine.

And with less of the crowds that were here in the summer, this can be a great time to visit Cyprus. It’s a great idea for a beach vacation; these are much less crowded than in the previous two months. There’s less humidity in September, too. Local life starts to come into full fruition again. Even the hotels will be cheaper.

Weather in Cyprus in October

Still pretty sunny, October is also warm and a good time to visit Cyprus if you weren’t about the crowds and party atmosphere of summer. Average highs reach 27°C, but it can really get chilly at night (as low as 16°C). Only five days of October experience rain, and the sea is still 24°C, so in terms of the weather, it’s still a pretty awesome time to visit.

Towards the end of the month, temperatures begin to drop, but only relatively. It’s still warm, but the lack of humidity makes things seem cooler.

Weather in Cyprus in November

It starts to get cold in Cyprus during November. Day temperatures are only around 18°C, night temperatures are an average of 13°C, days can be overcast, there’s more rainfall (mixed with sunshine), and generally, the whole country is heading towards winter.

It can still be pretty warm, but it’s nowhere near like the balmy days of summer. Not the best time of year to visit Cyprus if you’re looking for beach weather every day. Bring layers – and an umbrella!

Weather in Cyprus in December

It’s the start of winter in Cyprus, and it’s considerably colder than summer. Often, buildings don’t have heating capabilities, making it even worse. Temperatures are still about 16°C, which is admittedly not that cold but compared to summer, it’s pretty chilly.

Nights are cold (10°C), and there are only seven hours of sunshine on average per day. Basically, December is made better thanks to the fact that Christmas takes place this month. So if you want to see how it’s all done here, we’d say it’s an interesting time to visit Cyprus.

Festivals in Cyprus

Winter Festivals in Cyprus

Christmas is a big deal in Cyprus. You should come to witness the gaudy decorations and flashing lights that begin to adorn people’s houses – including Christmas trees and Nativity scenes, of course. Christmas Day itself is family time; things will be closed and will stay closed till December 27.

In January, the first festival of the year – as in most of Europe – is New Year’s Day. January 1 is a family-oriented day and an official holiday, so expect things to be shut and the streets to be pretty empty as everyone heads home for family time. People eat St Basil’s Cakes at this time of year.

Epiphany, January 6, is more of a festive affair. In Larnaca, you’ll see young guys diving for crosses in the water (pretty cold for this time of year). Other parts of Cyprus feature parades and picnics.

Carnival Weekend (basically Mardi Gras) sometimes happens in February – it moves, obviously. This is all about feasting and merriment. Expect to see people dressing up, parades in coastal towns, and people generally enjoying themselves. Green Monday is a day of avoiding meat and cleaning the house that falls on the first day of Lent (the day after Carnival) for the Greek Orthodox Church. Spot families picnicking and flying kites.

Spring Festivals in Cyprus

March can mean also mean Carnival and Green Monday, depending on when the lunar Easter falls. But on March 25, without fail, the country celebrates Greek Independence Day with a public holiday – some shops will close, as well as other businesses and schools. Expect parades and live music.

Greek Cypriot National Day falls on April 1 and marks the beginning of the Cypriot fight for independence against the British back in 1955. This holiday is so significant that there are many streets across the nation called “First of April Street”! Parades, flag-flying, and church services are what lie in store on this day.

Easter often happens in April. But there are two Easters – Greek Orthodox Easter and Western Protestant Easter. On Good Friday (Orthodox), there are bands playing music and coffins festooned with flowers carried through towns. Don’t be alarmed at midnight as Easter Sunday rolls around if you start hearing loud noises; the shouting, cheering, and fireworks mark the start of a 24-hour celebration till Easter Monday.

May 1 is Labor Day. It’s a public holiday, but most shops will stay open. Look out for the rag-tag Communist Party of Cyprus marching with trumpeting instruments. Towards the end of May is the moveable Flower Festival. It’s a mix of native folklore, ancient mythology, and secular religious beliefs; held (apparently) in honor of Dionysus, you’ll see parades and colorful floats galore. Note: Orthodox Easter can take place in May. Check your schedule!

Summer Festivals in Cyprus

The most famous festival in Cyprus actually takes place at the start of June, but like many festivals here, it’s moveable. In 2020, it will be taking place on June 8, for example. Called Kataklysmos, it’s basically a week-long celebration that begins straight after Pentecost (which itself falls seven weeks after Greek Orthodox Easter). Offices and businesses will be closed, fairs and food stalls will spring up, merriment ensues. It’s fun!

For some culture, make sure to catch Shakespeare at Kurium around the time of Midsummer (mid-June); there’s an amphitheater here where actors perform one of the Bard’s works.

If you like jazz, get yourself to Aglantzia from July 2-3 for the AlganJazz festival, bringing life into the ancient city square. If psychedelic rock is more your thing, you’ll love Into The Limbo, a one-day music festival that takes place July 13; the spooky setting in Agios Sozomenos – a mainly deserted, allegedly haunted village – adds to the vibe.

August 15 means the Feast of the Assumption. Don’t know what that is? It’s the Greek Orthodox belief that the Virgin Mary was “assumed” into Heaven on this date. Things will be closed (except maybe tourist-oriented restaurants, stores, and hotels).

Fall Festivals in Cyprus

Limassol Wine Festival occurs in the first week of September. True to its name, this grape harvest festival is all about tasting different wines and basically enjoying the festive atmosphere of the whole thing. There’s also the Pafos Aphrodite Festival (first weekend of September), where opera is put on in front of the castle in Pafos. Late September sees the Paradise Jazz Festival. Held in Polis town center, there are often young jazz talents from as far afield as London, England, coming to perform.

Cyprus Independence Day falls on October 1 and commemorates Cyprus’s actual independence from the British in 1960. You can expect to see things like military parades, marching bands, and bunting decorating the streets. Another festival in October (28th) is Ochi Day. This remembers the day in 1944 when the Greek Prime Minister resisted the Italians under Mussolini, but it’s basically a continuation of Independence Day earlier in the month.

When is the Best Season to Travel Cyprus?

High season (June-September)

Like most places in Europe, Cyprus’s high season runs from June to mid-September. This is when you will find the best sunny weather as noted above, but also crowds, especially in places like Ayia Napa and Paphos. Days are longer, the weather is HOT, so you’ll want to be close to a pool or ocean. Hotel and car rental prices are at their highest.

Shoulder Season (April -May and October-November)

The weather in Cyprus is cooler during these months, some would consider it much more comfortable than prime summertime weather. It’s not as busy as the summertime, but you’ll still see lots of travelers lingering about. Prices on accommodation and car rentals will drop during this time. The shoulder season is typically a fantastic time to visit Cyprus. We’ve been back to Cyprus now – both in October and November and find it fabulous.

Low Season (Late November- early April)

The temperatures are cooler during the low season in Cyprus. You’ll still see plenty of sunny days but also overcast days and little to no sunbathing. It’s too cold to take a dip in the water, but you can still enjoy the beaches with some clothes on to keep warm in the breeze. The upside is you’ll find low prices and low numbers of tourists.

When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Cyprus?

The cheapest time to visit Cyprus is in the low season. That would be from November to April when the weather is cooler and sun is more sporadic than in the summer. It’s now that tourism is low so prices will be slashed around Cyprus.

Best Time to Visit Cyprus for Honeymoon?

The best time to visit Cyprus for a honeymoon is May, June, and September and October. Spring and Autumn are warm, but not too warm, so it’s great for couples who want to do outdoor activities.

Best Time to Visit Cyprus for Nightlife?

Ayia Napa is by far the most popular party place in Cyprus. During the summer the clubs on Cyprus bring in world class DJ’s and party the whole night away. If you are going to Cyprus to party you will want to visit between June and early September.

Quick Cyprus Travel Tips

‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Yasou” and “Efharisto”
Currency: Euro – (EUR) – €
Visa: Schengen visa. Which is 90 days in the European Union out of 180. Many nationalities are granted this on arrival for free. Check with your embassy to see if that is you.
Weather: The weather in Cyprus is a Mediterranean climate. This means winters are mild and rainy, while summers are warm and dry with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
What to Pack: Warm weather clothes and a swimsuit, don’t forget a good pair of clothes to go and a jacket for cool nights. Read about what to wear.