Cyprus is synonymous with perfect stretches of golden sand, coastal towns where you can party until dawn, and some of the dreamiest crystalline waters you’ll find this side of the Caribbean. But don’t be fooled by this island’s beachy image — Cyprus is a place of fascinating culture, ancient myths and ruins dating back to the Bronze Age. The country is divided into Turkish and Greek territories by the Green Line, and each region has its own unique character. Head to the Greek Cypriot south for buzzing towns and beachside parties, and to the Turkish north for quieter coastal escapes.
Holiday villas are popular across the country, often with private pools and incredible views. Be warned: many are located in large complexes, especially in the resort towns of the south, so if you want a little more privacy, check out properties in rural areas around the towns. For a holiday far from the crowds, consider a stay in the mountains, where you can enjoy the cool and quiet, while still being within easy driving distance of the beach.
Main photo: Villa Glaucus, Protaras
1. Villa Akaki, Esentepe
You may find it difficult to leave the pool terrace at Villa Akaki on Cyprus’s northern coast — it has a gorgeous infinity pool to float in, loungers from which to soak up the sunshine and an alfresco dining area where you can eat while drinking in the view over the Cicilian Sea. It’s close to the village of Esentepe, and nearby Alagadi Beach is a nesting ground for green and loggerhead turtles. Visit during summer for a chance to see the tiny hatchlings making their way to the sea.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 7
Price £
Advertisement
2. Villa Garil, Incesu
If you love being near the coast, but still want the benefit of fresh mountain air, Villa Garil combines the best of both worlds. This five-bedroom property stands on a hill overlooking Cyprus’s northern coast, backed by the ruggedly dramatic Kyrenia Mountains. It has a panoramic view across the coast and surrounding foothills, and a spectacular pool deck to enjoy it from. From the villa, it’s a seven-minute drive to the golden sands of Denizkizi Beach, or you can head in the other direction and hike part of the spectacular Kyrenia Mountain trail.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 10
Price ££
3. Pomos View Villa, Pomos
As the name suggests, the Pomos View Villa is positioned on a hill above the town of Pomos on the northwest coast of Cyprus, with incredible views down to the picturesque fishing harbour and Mediterranean Sea. The villa is simply furnished and designed for comfort. There’s a cinema room with projector for cosy movie nights, and the broad paved terrace with pool and Jacuzzi provide the perfect setting to take in the view. The villa is a short drive from the Pomos shorefront, where you’ll find an unspoilt pebble beach, bobbing fishing boats and a mythical Dragon Cave to explore.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price £
4. Limni Beach Villa, Polis
Plenty of villas on the western coast of Cyprus have glorious sea views, but Limni Beach Villa near the coastal town of Polis takes it a step further. Its garden leads directly onto the beach, meaning you can spend all day hopping between beachfront and villa, or simply gaze out at the waves from the alfresco dining area or the infinity pool. The villa is modern, with slick, minimalist spaces and four neat bedrooms, and it’s a three-minute drive to the shops and restaurants of nearby Polis.
Advertisement
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price ££
5. Villa Evanthia, Latchi
According to ancient Greek myth, the goddess Aphrodite was born off the coast of Cyprus, and met her lover Adonis in a picturesque grotto near the fishing village of Latchi on the western coast. The three-bedroom Villa Evanthia is located within easy strolling distance of Latchi’s beautiful harbour. It’s simple and open plan, with a shady garden and inviting pool. It’s a short hop to the love goddess’s fabled trysting spot, or you can take a 25-minute drive to one of the region’s most extraordinary swimming sites — the startlingly clear waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 6
Price £
6. Villa Attica, Giolou
For a peaceful oasis completely removed from the bustle of the coastal resorts, head inland to Villa Attica, located on the outskirts of a sleepy hamlet ten kilometres inland from the west coast. Set in a large plot of land with only one neighbour, overlooking rolling countryside and distant villages, this three-bedroom property gives a calming sense of seclusion. Stretch out on the hedge-lined pool terrace, relax in the beautiful dome-ceilinged Jacuzzi or, for some extra indulgence, stroll to the nearby healing spa to bathe in a restorative natural spring.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 6
Price ££
7. Villa Christina, Peyia
Advertisement
Tucked up in the hills above the Coral Bay coast is the Villa Christina, a four-bedroom property that combines rustic stone walls and traditional Cypriot architecture with cool Scandi-minimalism. Upstairs, the bedrooms have private balconies to appreciate views over the green-stubbled mountains, and downstairs is a stylish open-plan living area, with terrace and an unusual walk-in infinity pool. It’s a four-minute drive to the tree-lined streets and handy shops of Peyia, and 15 minutes to Avakas Gorge, starting point of a popular hike known for its narrow rock formations and wandering goats.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 10
Price ££
8. Azzuro Villas, Coral Bay
With their whitewashed walls and blue window frames the Azzuro Villas provide a slice of Santorini on the outskirts of Coral Bay. The three-bedroom villas are simply furnished, with cool tiled floors and large, airy windows. Outside, there’s a private pool with a wide terrace to lounge on and a dining area to tuck into an alfresco meal. You’re just a 15-minute walk from the dramatic crenellated cliffs of the White River Beach, or a ten-minute drive to town, where you can devour a pot of fresh mussels at a restaurant overlooking the sea caves of the coast.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 6
Price ££
9. Villa Cleopatra, Paphos
This villa could pass for an upmarket boutique hotel, with its curved rattan loungers, natural fabrics and minimalist interiors, but don’t be fooled by the cool, calm exterior — this property is designed for family fun. There’s a covered pool, ping-pong table, games consoles and bunk beds, plus a tree-shaded garden for unrestrained larking about. The beach is an easy outing, just two minutes’ walk away, and a ten-minute drive will deliver you to the restaurants and shops of Coral Bay.
Advertisement
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 12
Price £££
10. Villa Orestes, Kouklia
Positioned on the cliffs outside the historic town of Paphos, Villa Orestes is part of the Aphrodite Hills resort, so you can enjoy perks such as a spa, golf course, tennis courts and children’s club while still retaining the privacy and freedom of a self-contained villa. The three-bedroom property is located on the quiet, eastern side of the resort, featuring an inviting pool terrace with shaded area for outdoor dining. It’s 25km from the fascinating ruins of Paphos, including the Archaeological Park and the Tombs of the Kings, an excavated necropolis dating back to the 4th century BC.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 6
Price ££
11. Villa Paralaki, Pissouri
Advertisement
Pissouri is known for its quiet village square and laidback beach where the curving coast is bordered by limestone hills sloping down into the sea. The three-bedroom Villa Paralaki is located on a hillside just a stone’s throw from the beach, with a paved pool terrace edged with colourful plants overlooking the sea. A short drive will bring you to Pissouri’s peaceful centre, or for a bit more action, the party town of Limassol is just a 30-minute drive away.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 6
Price ££
12. Troodos Riverside Cottage, Amiantos
The Troodos Mountains are the green heart of Cyprus, known for beautiful forest trails, quaint villages and Byzantine churches. Troodos Riverside Cottage is located in the small village of Amiantos, on a hilltop overlooking the rushing Kouros River. This four-bedroom hideaway is designed for comfort, with rustic furniture and an open fire, while bifold doors open onto a large paved terrace with views over the river valley. It’s less than a ten-kilometre drive to churches, waterfalls, and the Troodos Mountains’ highest peak, Mount Olympus.
Pool N
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price ££
13. Platres Forest View Cottage, Platres
Cyprus is fast becoming known as a wine-lovers’ destination, with more than 40 wineries across the island and famous native tipples such as the sweet commandaria dessert wine. A great base for exploring the Troodos Mountains wine country is the small village of Platres, home of the Platres Forest View Cottage. This traditional house has been renovated with a slick modern kitchen and white-furnished bedrooms. Within 15km of the villa, you’ll find more than a dozen picturesque wineries, so you can taste your way around the region.
Pool N
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 6
Price £
14. Star in the Med, Monagroulli
Limassol is a party town, famous for its lively bars and clubs offering endless opportunities to dance the night away – but not everyone wants to stay right in the heart of the action. Star in the Med is a tranquil villa located to the west of Limassol, in the quiet mountain town of Monagroulli. It’s an easy, 25-minute taxi ride into town, but you can enjoy the rural pace of life, views over the countryside, and a pool deck straight out of a luxury resort brochure, with inviting pool and curtained daybed.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price £££
15. Villa Pattecheio, Larnaca
Standing near the banks of the Larnaca Salt Lakes is Villa Pattecheio, a spectacular modern retreat. With sleek white interiors, quirky designer furniture and luxe marble accents, this spacious six-bedroom villa is a beautiful base from which to explore the palm-lined seafront of Larnaca as well as the Skala, the city’s fascinating old Turkish quarter. But you may wish to visit off-season, from November to March, when you can wander to the lake and watch visiting flamingos browsing for food in the salty water.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 16
Price £££
16. Villa Eden, Ayia Napa
This villa is all about the location — within strolling distance of the beach, shops and thriving nightlife of Ayia Napa. You can wander down to the idyllic, blue flag Nissi Beach or drink and dance the night away at Ayia Napa Square before weaving your way home on foot. The villa is gleaming white and contemporary, with three neat bedrooms and a pool terrace with daybed, as well as a courtyard for breezy open-air dining. A perfect place to stop off and recharge before heading out again.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 6
Price £
17. Villa Ezusa, Kyrenia
Egyptians, Hittites, Phoenicians, Byzantines, Romans, Venetians: all of these civilisations laid claim to the beautiful coastal town of Kyrenia in the past 12 centuries. Today, evidence of this heritage can be seen at every turn, from the fortified Venetian walls to the Ottoman mosque and castle with its 12th-century church dome. Villa Ezusa is located in the heart of the town, a traditional Cypriot house with stone walls, rustic exposed beams and vintage furniture. Chill out in the charming, tree-lined courtyard or step out the front gate to explore the fascinating town on your doorstep.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 7
Price ££
18. Villa Glaucus, Protaras
For a more laid-back alternative to the buzz of Ayia Napa, try Protaras to the west, known for its perfect sandy beaches, rocky headlands and clear turquoise waters. Villa Glaucas has a glorious position on the seafront, within easy walking distance of Protaras’s main beach. Two of the villa’s four bedrooms have magnificent, fully opening windows for maximising sea breezes and views, while downstairs there’s an open-plan flow from kitchen-diner to pool patio. You can choose to wander into town, or simply head to the waterfront right at the end of your garden.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price ££
19. Villa Caliana, Protaras
Most villas on the Cypriot coast are designed for families or large groups, but Villa Caliana is a cosy two-bedroom property, well-sized for a couple’s retreat and notable for its slick modern look — all squared and white like a pair of stacked sugar cubes. Large patio doors merge the open-plan living area with the sunny pool deck, and you can head up to the rooftop terrace to take in a view to the sea. It’s within walking distance of Protaras’s centre, for romantic waterside dining and walks along Fig Tree Bay.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 5
Price £
20. Sunrise Beach Villa, Coral Bay
When you’re happily ensconced in your holiday villa, sometimes driving is the last thing you want to do. Luckily, at Sunrise Beach Villa on Coral Bay, everything you need is within easy walking distance. This neat two-bedroom villa is on the seafront, overlooking the coast and the Mediterranean Sea, featuring a large swimming pool and colourful garden with views over the water. Local shops and restaurants, and the sandy sweep of Coral Bay Beach, are just a three-minute stroll away.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 4
Price £
21. Pernera Villa 1523, Pernera
The eastern coast of Cyprus is a hotspot for divers keen to explore labyrinthine aquatic landscapes populated with turtles, octopuses and moray eels. Pernera Villa 1523 is a great base for discovering the area, with several diving centres within walking distance. This four-bedroom seafront villa is comfortably modern, and positioned just above the Paralimni Marina. Wander into the palm-lined garden to enjoy views over the water and the pretty blue-domed St Nicholas Church, or head to your choice of two local beaches, each less than a two-minute walk away.
Pool N
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price ££
Take me there
Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here.
