Geographical Location
The official name of the country is the Republic of Cyprus. As a member of the European Union, Cyprus is a popular destination for travelers from across Europe, particularly Britons, Germans, and the French. It is also favored by many Russian visitors, especially those with an interest in Orthodox Christian heritage and cultural monuments.
Cyprus is an independent republic with a presidential system of government. The President is both the head of state and government and is elected by popular vote for a five-year term through a general secret ballot. Legislative power is vested in the Parliament, while executive authority is exercised by the Council of Ministers.
Cypriot society places a strong emphasis on education, child development, and social welfare. The country's economy benefits significantly from tourism and its strategic position as an offshore financial center, attracting substantial international investment.
Administratively, the Republic of Cyprus is divided into six districts, each named after its principal city:
- Nicosia (the capital)
- Kyrenia
- Larnaca
- Limassol
- Paphos
- Famagusta
Population
The current population of Cyprus is approximately 837,000. Of this, around 78% are Greek Cypriots, 18% Turkish Cypriots, and the remaining 4% consist of Armenians, Arabs, British, Russians, and other minorities. Greek Cypriots predominantly reside in the southern part of the island, while Turkish Cypriots mainly live along the northern coast.
The lifestyle of Greek Cypriots is closely aligned with that of mainland Greece. Socially, Cypriots tend to be conservative, yet they are known for being cheerful, honest, hardworking, and enterprising. Despite a generally relaxed pace of life, they place great value on leisure and family time. In the evenings—once the sun sets and the heat of the day fades—it’s common for families, including children, to gather in local taverns to enjoy food, music, and each other’s company. Greek music and traditional dancing are integral parts of social gatherings, and no celebration is complete without them.
Cypriots are known for their friendliness and politeness, always ready to offer help in any situation. One unique aspect of local hospitality is that refusing an invitation for coffee is considered impolite—accepting is seen as a sign of respect and goodwill.
Families in Cyprus are often large, and the country maintains a steady population growth rate. Projections suggest that, under favorable conditions, the population of Cyprus could increase by over 50,000 people by 2030.
Religion
Traditionally, Orthodox Christianity has been practiced in Cyprus and is practiced by the majority of the population.
Christianity about 2 thousand years ago was brought to the island by Greek preachers. It was in Cyprus that a Christian state was first established. The Cypriot Orthodox Church consists of one archbishopric and five metropolitanates. The Orthodox Church retains great influence in the social and political life of Cyprus, and remains the largest landowner on the island.
Greek Cypriots are very religious. They regularly attend church and respectfully baptize at the sight of an Orthodox church. The influence of the church is felt both in politics and in ordinary life. Most Greek Cypriots, if they have any problems, go straight to church to consult with a priest or put a candle to a saint. Sunday afternoon is the time to visit the monasteries.
But at the same time Cyprus is quite a free country. In addition to Orthodox Christians, the island is home to followers of other religious faiths, including Roman Catholics and Muslims. The history of Islam in Cyprus began during the Arab invasion in the middle of the 7th century, when the first mosques appeared in Paphos. Historical evidence suggests that the Turco-Cypriot community was formed from two branches: on the one hand, the descendants of the Ottoman conquerors, and on the other, Greeks and other Christians who converted to Islam.
Value
Cyprus is a member of the Eurozone with a single currency, the euro.
The euro is equal to 100 cents. Banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents are in circulation.
Cash currency can be exchanged at banks or exchange offices. The most favorable rate for exchange will be in the bank, but bank branches are not always located in close proximity to hotels and work only from 08:30 to 13:30 with Saturday and Sunday off.
In most resort towns of Cyprus bank cards are accepted almost everywhere: in restaurants and hotels, stores and souvenir stores.
Visa
As of March 28, 2017, Georgian citizens who hold a biometric passport do not require a visa to travel to the Republic of Cyprus!
The biometric passport of a Georgian citizen must have been issued within the last 10 years and must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of departure from the territory of the member state.
Visa-free travel to EU/Schengen countries is allowed only for short stays—up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Please make sure to review the full rules and conditions of the visa-free regime on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
Telephone
Cyprus telecommunications are operated by CYTA, which provides both domestic and international service.
All telephone calls in Cyprus are charged. You can make a call from an intercom, hotel room or pay phone. Pay telephones in Cyprus are of two types: card or coin-operated. You can buy a card in any souvenir store, kiosk, bank branch, post office.
The international telephone code of Cyprus is 357.
To make calls to Cyprus dial: 8 - 10 - 357 (Cyprus code) - (city code) - (subscriber number).
To make calls to Russia dial: 007 (Russian Code) - (city code) - (phone number).
If you need to make a lot of calls while traveling, the best way is to buy a local sim-card. It is very easy to buy it - you can do it in any supermarket. You can pay for communication by buying payment cards or using the services of kiosks, in this case the seller gives the buyer a receipt with a special code on it. After entering the code, the balance is replenished.
Stores and government offices
Remember that Cyprus is a Mediterranean country, so there is a break during the day. Government offices and banks are open on weekdays from 8:30am to 12:30pm, but in many tourist areas banks may be open in the afternoon.
Cypriot grocery stores and supermarkets are open from morning until 8:00 pm or until late in the evening (if near resort areas). And there are no breaks in the stores. But clothing and shoe stores, souvenir stores, jewelry stores, home textile stores work with a long lunch break.
Museums are usually open daily, opening hours vary, most are open both before and after lunch, and on Saturday they are open without a break.
Stores and government offices
Keep in mind that Cyprus is a Mediterranean country, and a midday break is part of the local lifestyle. Government offices and banks are generally open on weekdays from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. However, in many tourist areas, banks may also operate in the afternoon.
Grocery stores and supermarkets are open from the morning until around 8:00 PM, and sometimes even later, especially in resort zones. These stores do not close for a lunch break.
In contrast, clothing and shoe stores, souvenir shops, jewelry stores, and home textile shops often have a long lunch break during the hottest hours of the day.
Museums in Cyprus are usually open daily, with varying schedules. Most are open both before and after lunch, and many remain open without a break on Saturdays.
Tax-Free
Going to Cyprus you can combine beach, sightseeing and shopping vacations. The tax-free system provides additional savings.
Tax Free is a refund of part of VAT from the cost of goods that you bought in the EU country. The presence of the tax-free sign means that the store issues tax-free checks. If there is no such image, it is necessary to ask the seller about the possibility of tax-free purchase.
Making purchases in tax-free stores, you can additionally save the amount of VAT, the amount of refund is up to 15%, the minimum purchase amount should not be less than 50 EUR. In order to get a VAT refund, you just need to ask the seller to write you a tax-free check. Pay attention to the fact that all data should be filled in the receipt: name, surname, country of residence, home address, passport number and the amount of VAT refundable, and that the cash voucher should be attached to the tax-free receipt.
At customs, to confirm your purchase, you may be asked to present the goods for inspection to check the number on the tax-free form against the number of the paper labels on the bag of goods. Items presented to the customs officer for a tax-free refund must be unused, unworn, and labeled. Once all numbers have been verified, the customs officer must stamp the tax-free receipt.
Medical service
The healthcare system in Cyprus is of a high standard, with private medical clinics available in every city across the island. Cyprus also ranks among the countries with the highest number of top-class medical specialists per capita.
If you are planning a trip to Cyprus, it is strongly recommended to obtain medical insurance, as healthcare services for foreigners are paid, with the exception of emergency situations where the patient’s life is in danger.
In the event of a medical issue covered by insurance, you must follow the procedures and instructions provided by the insurance company that issued your policy.
Cyprus has a wide network of pharmacies. Their usual opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a lunch break in the afternoon. Each day, there is also a duty pharmacy (on-call) that remains open until 11:00 PM. The address of the duty pharmacy can be obtained by calling the relevant information hotline.
Transport
Cyprus is served by two international airports, located in Paphos and Larnaca, offering flights to various destinations across Europe and the Middle East.
As an island nation, Cyprus also has well-developed sea connections. Major ports are situated in Limassol and Larnaca, from which you can take ferries to the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes.
While public transportation in Cyprus is not as extensive as in some other European countries, locals generally prefer to travel by car, and tourists often opt to rent vehicles.
The most common form of public transport is the bus service. Buses typically run until 5:00 PM on weekdays, and only until midday on Saturdays. It is important to check the bus schedules at the stops, as times can vary. Bus fares range from €2 to €10, and purchasing a round-trip ticket usually offers savings compared to buying two single fares.
Another transportation option is the taxi, which operates 24/7. You can hail a cab on the street or book one by phone. Taxi fares are metered and fluctuate based on the time of day and day of the week. This is generally a more expensive mode of transport.
Beaches
Many beaches in Cyprus have been awarded the European Union’s Blue Flag, a prestigious certification that guarantees the highest standards of water quality, coastal environment, and safety for visitors. Whether you prefer urban beaches, wild and secluded spots, or sandy versus pebble shores, Cyprus offers a beach to suit every taste.
All beaches on the island are municipal, meaning that access is free to the public. However, additional amenities such as sunbeds and umbrellas typically come with a fee. The only exception is some hotel-owned beaches, mainly those associated with 5-star resorts, where access may be restricted to guests.
The island’s wild beaches are usually located far from tourist centers and offer no additional services, making them perfect for those seeking peace and solitude.
In contrast, city beaches are the most popular among tourists due to their proximity to hotels and apartments. These beaches are often protected by breakwaters, providing safe, clear, and gentle water entry, which is ideal for families with small children.
