Introduction
Cyprus is a European holiday destination that is incredibly popular for most of the year because of the warm and sunny weather that the island experiences over the majority of months. Visiting Cyprus opens up opportunities for all kinds of experiences, whether you want to spend time on the beach or immerse yourself in local culture. Choosing the best time to visit is a key part of ensuring that you have the best time on your trip.
In this article, we discuss when the best time is to go to Cyprus and what you can expect from the island each month of the year.
When is the Best Time to Go to Cyprus?
The months between May and September are considered to be the best time to go to Cyprus, as the weather is at its warmest and you can make the most of all of the things to see and do around the island, from the beaches and outdoor spaces to the towns and resorts. If you want to get the best weather then June, July and August are the best months to visit Cyprus, whilst May, September and even April and October will have cooler conditions but fewer crowds.
Cyprus in January
The beginning of the year sees relatively cool weather across Cyprus, although it is still one of the warmest places in Europe thanks to its climate. The average temperature can reach up to around 14°C and up in the mountains you might even get snow, whilst down on the coast there is a reasonable chance of rain throughout the month.
The Christian festival of Epiphany is celebrated in Cyprus on the 6th of January, marking the baptism of the religious figure Jesus Christ. Various processions happen around the island to mark the event, with some including a ceremony by a body of water.
Winter in Cyprus is the off-season for tourism in the country, so you can expect the island to be pretty quiet at this time of year. It’s a great time to visit if you want to hike or cycle as it won’t ever be too warm to spend the whole day outdoors.
Cyprus in February
Another of the best months to visit Cyprus if you want to avoid crowds of other tourists is February, when the island is still relatively quiet. Temperatures tend to be between 12-15°C during the day, so conditions are lovely if you want to explore the island without worrying about overheating, which is a common problem in the summer!
As with January, February is one of the best times to go to Cyprus if you want to walk or cycle around the island, but is also just a nice time of year for a relaxing trip where you can get some of the best deals on transport and accommodation. Towards the end of the month, the trees and flowers will start to bloom, offering some really beautiful scenery to admire.
Cyprus in March
Spring bursts into life in Cyprus in March, as plants and blossoms spread across the landscape and sunshine starts to make a more permanent appearance. Whilst evenings and overnight will still feel quite cool, it’s usually between 16-18°C during the day, with the lovely Mediterranean climate in Cyprus making this one of the warmest parts of Europe at the start of Spring.
The beginning of Lent for the Greek Orthodox Calendar usually happens at the end of February or the beginning of March and is marked with a day known as Clean or Green Monday, and sometimes Ash Monday. There are a range of traditions that take place in southern Cyprus to mark the beginning of Lent, including special food, carnivals, spring cleaning and kite flying.
Cyprus in April
Easter is a big deal in southern Cyprus because of its significance with Greek Orthodox Christians, and Holy Week can be a really busy time on the island because of this. Despite being outside of the summer season, the period surrounding Easter is not the best time to visit Cyprus if you’re looking for good deals on flights and accommodation, as the island gets quite busy during the event.
Easter in Cyprus usually either falls at the end of March or the start of April, with a range of different events to mark the occasion including parades, midnight mass and large gatherings of friends and family. If you visit outside of this period, you’ll find Cyprus to be warm and not too busy, with average daily temperatures of up to 23°C. If you’re planning on visiting Cyprus before the tourist season really starts, April is an ideal month to book a trip.
Cyprus in May
May is often considered the best time to go to Cyprus if you don’t want to visit the island in the heart of summer. With temperatures ranging between 24°C and 28°C, you’ve got perfect Mediterranean weather for spending time on the beach or enjoying exploring the many outdoor attractions on offer. As the month progresses it will start to get busier, but a trip right at the start of May still promises a shoulder-season atmosphere.
The full arrival of spring in Cyprus is celebrated in May with Anthestiria, or the Festival of Flowers. Stalls and displays of seasonal blooms will be organised across many of the cities and towns along with a parade where large floats covered in flowers are driven through the streets.
Cyprus in June
June marks the start of summer in Cyprus, and therefore the start of the most popular season for travellers to visit the island. A big factor in this popularity is the weather, which is hot and dry for practically the whole month. Not only will it usually reach 30°C every day, but the sea will also be a very pleasant 24°C, so conditions are ideal for spending time on the beach, going snorkelling or trying watersports.
50 days after Greek Easter is celebrated, the festival of Kataklysmos is celebrated in southern Cyprus, which draws on both Greek mythology and the Christian story of the Holy Spirit descending on the disciples. Paphos harbour is the best place to take part in celebrations on the island, with food, market stalls and live music all day.
Cyprus in July
July is one of the hottest months in Cyprus and also one of the busiest. Expect the hotels and resorts to fill up quickly and the popular cities to be filled with tourists once the summer holidays have truly begun. The good news is that this hot and sunny weather is perfect for enjoying one of the things that the island is most famous for - the beaches!
A really popular cultural attraction in Cyprus in July is the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama. It has been hosted on the island for 25 years and brings together theatre groups from across the world to perform traditional Greek plays, so is an ideal event for any theatre lover who also wants to feel closer to the island’s history.
Cyprus in August
Sunseekers will find that the best time to go to Cyprus is August, with average high temperatures ranging between 28°C and 34°C throughout the month. There’s very little chance of rain and plenty of heat, so make sure to pack your sunglasses and sun cream no matter how you’re planning to spend your holiday.
August is one of the most popular times of year to visit Cyprus, so you can expect the island to feel busier than usual during the month. Cities like Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia will have plenty of events happening during the day and into the night, and the resorts along the coast will be incredibly lively. Visitors also enjoy observing turtle hatching season at locations such as Pissouri Beach. Baby Loggerhead turtles can usually be spotted here from mid-August onwards.
If you’re visiting Cyprus in the middle of summer, Fengaros Festival in Kato Drys is a music event that takes place over several days and sees artists performing from all over the world.
Cyprus in September
September is one of the best times of year to visit Cyprus when it comes to different things happening around the island. Not only can you time your visit to coincide with some of the island’s best cultural events, but you’ve also still got wonderfully warm weather to enjoy around the island, with high temperatures still reaching 31°C and very little chance of rain or clouds.
A holiday to Cyprus in September is an excellent idea if you’re looking for excellent weather but want to avoid the rush of the summer months, especially if you visit towards the end of the month. If you want to appreciate the vineyards of the island, the Limassol Wine Festival is an incredibly popular event where entry will give you access to all varieties of wine produced on the island.
In a different vein of culture, the Pafos Aphrodite Festival is an open-air performance of an opera hosted in front of the mediaeval castle in Kato Paphos on the harbourside. Different world-famous opera companies are invited to perform each year, so the quality of the music is always fantastic.
Cyprus in October
For holidaymakers who prefer to avoid really high temperatures when they travel, October is the best time to go to Cyprus. Whilst the weather is growing more autumnal as the month progresses, there will still be very pleasant highs up to 26°C which means that trips to the beach are still on the agenda, as well as lots of sightseeing now that the crowds have dispersed.
Another popular activity in Cyprus in October is hiking, as the warmer colours of autumn start to appear across the island and the foliage gets really beautiful. Though tourism on the island will be winding down, towards the start of the month you’ll still be able to visit popular bars and restaurants and make the most of the lingering hot weather for evening meals and drinks.
If you’re an olive fan then you’ll want to head to Zeytinlik, a village in Kyrenia, which hosts the island’s Olive Festival because of the huge proportion of olive oil that comes from the groves here. Not only is there plenty of delicious food that uses olives as the main ingredient, but also local craft stalls, live music and dance, and workshops where you can learn how olive oil is made in Cyprus.
Cyprus in November
The low season for tourism begins in Cyprus in November, which can mean that some attractions and restaurants start operating on reduced hours or just close altogether. However, it’s an ideal time to visit the island if you’re just looking for a chance to relax, a chance to sightsee without other tourists around, or a chance to enjoy some serious hiking opportunities.
The weather in Cyprus in November is variable, with average temperatures ranging between 16°C and 22°C, so you can still get days which will be sunny and feel very mild. The chances of this aren’t as predictable however, as there’s also quite a high chance of rain showers, but if you’re willing to take the chance then you can be blessed with wonderful conditions for winter.
Cyprus in December
The final month of the year in Cyprus is a quiet time on the island, as the weather cools down with highs only reaching around 18°C. There is some rain, and most days will be somewhat overcast, but there will also be some surprise days of clear and sunny weather that are lovely for spending time cycling or walking around.
Christmas is typically celebrated in Cyprus on the 25th December, with many families coming together to celebrate the festive season as they do in other European countries. It certainly won’t be a white Christmas in Cyprus, but it’s a great time of year to enjoy off-season deals!
Summary
The great news about planning a trip to Cyprus is that the weather is warm and sunny on the island for most of the year. Whether you make the most of the hot weather over the summer or enjoy a shoulder season trip, it’s a travel destination that gets plenty of attention all year round.
If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Cyprus, Olympic Holidays can help you organise unforgettable holidays to locations across the island. Take a look at our Cyprus holidays page, or take a look at our latest holiday deals.