Buying Property in Cyprus: The Complete Guide

Cyprus is a huge favourite for those seeking a place in the sun, so it’s little surprise that many people harbour ambitions of moving to the island one day. Thankfully, with a little bit of planning and the right know-how, making that relocation can become a reality. To help you out, we’ve created this complete guide to buying property in Cyprus that will take you all the way through the process.

At Cyprus Buying Guides, many thousands of movers have used our advice to buy and relocate to a beautiful, new home in Cyprus. With our advice and trusted network of property professionals, you will be able to avoid many of the common pitfalls associated with buying a house overseas.

Here, we’ll take a look at some of the best reasons you should consider buying a home in Cyprus, then walk you through the process to becoming a Cypriot property owner. If you want to view or print this guide for use offline, you can do so by downloading a free Cyprus Property guides booklet.

Got any questions before we get started? Get in touch with our team of Cyprus property experts by calling our Resource Centre on 020 7898 0549 (Monday–Friday, 8.30am–6pm) or emailing them at cyprus@propertyguides.com.

Should you buy property in Cyprus?

Wondering why Cyprus is such a popular location for expats? Well, considering the fantastic climate, beautiful beaches, rich culture and history, and good quality of life, it’s easy to see why. If you need more convincing, here are some of the top reasons to buy property in Cyprus.

Most people speak English

A combination of the island’s colonial past, a large British expat population and an excellent education system means that almost everyone you meet in Cyprus is likely to speak English, even if it’s just a few phrases. Of course, that doesn’t mean the locals won’t appreciate you learning the lingo when you get here. Plus learning a new language is good for the old grey matter.

Blue flag beaches and sunshine

Two of the island’s greatest benefits are its amazing beaches and sun: look forward to 49 pristine Blue Flag beaches and 3,500 hours of sunshine per year. You can enjoy the weather while you spread out your towel or relax on a sun lounger for most of the year.

Judged by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Blue Flag status is an excellent benchmark for anyone looking for a holiday home near a beach that is guaranteed to be clean and meet certain standards, like hygiene, sanitary conditions, safety, accessibility and lifeguarding.

Plenty of space for a small island

The third largest island in the Mediterranean might not be known for its size, but space certainly isn’t an issue on Cyprus. Its mountainous interior and stunning coast combine to concentrate three quarters of the population into its five main cities: Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Famagusta. This leaves plenty of elbowroom elsewhere in the country to relax in, despite being just 3,500 square miles in size. You can drive from one side of the island to the other in less than an hour and a half, but even when the tourists arrive in summer, you can easily find peace and tranquillity just a short drive inland from the coast.

Relaxed pace of life

The pace of life is positively glacial in Cyprus when compared to the UK. If you’re fed up with everything hurtling along at 100 miles an hour back home, get ready to immerse yourself into a blissfully relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle. This laissez-faire attitude can take some getting used to, but you’ll find yourself becoming more zen in no time.

Food, shopping and entertainment

One of the big winners in living on Cyprus is the choice of food, shopping and entertainment. The quality of the food, given the input from a host of nationalities, means a fantastic choice from Indian to Cypriot and Israeli to Italian — and everything in between.

There is also a wider choice of shopping, specifically food shopping. In other Mediterranean spots, you could not find a shop or supermarket that would sell Cadbury’s chocolate. Yet, in Cyrpus, all the supermarkets offer the best in the home comforts that we crave. Add McVities biscuits and other UK-related brands into the mix and it becomes a no-brainer.

Equally with entertainment, you can enjoy a more diverse set of performers and acts on the island. Some of the UK-based acts, such as tribute acts from Rod Stewart to Kylie Minogue, the Bee Gees, and other great singers, seem to be on tap for the expat community.

Skiing opportunities

Try and peel yourself away from thoughts of sunbathing on sandy beaches for one moment and switch your attention to shredding powder on snow-capped mountains. No, we’re not talking about the French or Swiss Alps; we’re referring to the most southerly ski lifts in Europe. That’s right; you can ski in the Troodos, 2,000 metres above the Mediterranean. Based on Mount Olympus, the ski season in Cyprus typically lasts between January and April. There aren’t many places in Europe where you can ski in the morning and sunbathe on the beach in the afternoon.

Rental potential

Cyprus is a magnet for tourists, with resorts regularly packed, especially in the peaks summer months. This isn’t just good news for hoteliers, restaurant owners and ice cream sellers. Anyone hoping their property will pay for itself in the rental market can rely on a steady stream of tourists. With the likes of Airbnb, you should have no trouble attracting guests to your beautiful home.

Plenty to do

When you fancy a break from the beach and frolicking in the clear waters of the Mediterranean there are plenty of events taking place throughout the island annually. Here are some ideas to get the cultural juices flowing:

Limassol Carnival: The island’s liveliest carnival consists of a week of exhibits, masqued balls, serenades and parades with floats and parties.
Cyprus Film Days International Film Festival: The island’s most prestigious film festival takes place at Limassol’s Rialto Theatre and at Nicosia’s Zena Palace Cinema.
Events at the Kourion amphitheatre:The annual performance of a Shakespeare play, by locally based actors, takes place during late June.
Limassol Wine Festival: Running since 1961 in Limassol’s municipal gardens, visitors can enjoy folk music and dance events as they sip local wine.

How to buy property in Cyprus: The process

With the right planning, it’s possible to buy a property in Cyprus within a six-month timeframe, so you may be able to complete on your dream home sooner than you think. Here, we’ve put together a timeline to help you stay on track for the big move. We recommend setting a fixed end point as the day you want to move, and then working back from that.

With six months to go

Think about why you want to move, where you’d like to move, and what type of home you would like to buy to get an idea of what to look for.
Start to assemble a team of property professionals to assist your move, including a lawyer, estate agent, currency specialist, and financial adviser.
Look at your finances and come up with a budget.

With five months to go

Begin your detailed property search.
Open a Cypriot bank account.
Think about how you are going to structure the finances for any purchase — speak to your lawyer and financial adviser, if necessary.

With four months to go

Discuss your options with your estate agent and begin arranging a viewing trip.
Meet with your team and make sure all areas of your property purchase are progressing well. Speak to your lawyer and currency specialist about your deposit and legal structure.

With three months to go

Begin meeting with specialists to help you with the more complicated areas of your move, like inheritance laws and property taxes, as well as removals.
Continue taking viewing trips — don’t be obliged to buy on your first trip as it can take two or three to find the perfect property.
Put in an offer once you’ve found your ideal home.
Speak to your currency specialist about how to use a forward contract to lock in a single exchange rate.
If needed, get your home surveyed to find any issues.

With two months to go

Sign your reservation contract to have the property taken off the market, if required.
Sign a deposit contract to lock in a deposit amount and initiate payment.
You’ll have a bit of a wait for the deal to go through so work out any decorations and make sure utilities are connected.
Make your final payment and sign the contract.
Receive your keys and move in —welcome to your new life in Cyprus!

What should you consider before buying property in Cyprus?

There’s much to think about before buying a home in Cyprus, so it’s worth taking time to think about your motivations, as well as big topics like where you will buy and what type of property you want.

Things to Consider

Your dreams and intentions may change throughout the process, but organising your initial plans is the place to start. You should ask yourself these five basic questions.

Why are you buying?

So, you know you want to buy a property in Cyprus, but why, exactly? Analysing and articulating your thoughts can help motivate and direct you. Start by writing down your ideas.

Here are some examples:

“We want to enjoy more space, sun and warmer weather”
“Our pension will go further in Cyprus”
“I want a place to enjoy memorable holidays with family and friends”
“Now the kids have left home, we need a new adventure”
“Property investments in Cyprus could have real potential”
“I don’t want ever to look back on my life with regret, never having made the move.”

How will you use it?

This is crucial to ensuring that you really enjoy your property. What will you do with it? Long weekends, three weeks over the summer, for investment, for relocation, for holidays and then eventually retirement? Be honest with yourself. If you really don’t think you’ll be nipping down for weekends, you can save money by being further from the airport. If you don’t want other people using it and don’t need the money, why worry about rental or investment potential?

What must your Cypriot home have?

What are your deal-breakers, the must haves? How many bedrooms or bathrooms do you need? Is a pool an absolute requirement or would a local beach be better? Outdoor space? Is it essential that you can walk to a local cafe or bar? And what would you like your Cypriot home to have? What would make it perfect for you? Do you want a terrace, garden and/or a swimming pool?

What don’t you need?

It’s nice to be positive, but focusing on what we can’t stand can be quite liberating too! Would you hate having to book a hire car every time you go to Cyprus? Do you find a sandy beach less appealing than your own pool? Are you worried that you’ll be saddled with all the pool cleaning, or cooking? Would you find the presence of holidaymakers on your doorstep all summer a little irksome? Now is the time to say it loud and clear. You want to love this home, so spell out what will stop that happening, then see if your partner or spouse feel the same!

How much can you afford?

There may be ways to raise more money, or even share the costs, but get an idea of your realistic budget from the off. After all, knowing how much you can afford up front will allow you to search for houses in Cyprus without pricing yourself out of a move later. It’s also worth remembering that you should budget for at least 10% extra for buying costs.

In addition, before planning with your finances, you need to think about the fact that you will not get the “interbank” rate advertised by banks and in newspapers. Rather, you will get an exchange rate at least a percentage point above or below, so you should make room for this in your budget. And, you can typically knock something off a property price by knowing the local market — read our Cyprus finance guides and Smart’s Property Buyer’s Guide to Currency for more insight.

Sea Cave – Cape Greko of Ayia Napa and Protaras | Vladimir Sazonov | Shutterstock

The best places to live in Cyprus: Where will you buy?

Cyprus caters for all tastes, enabling you to find the perfect location for retirement, a holiday home or work relocation. Buying a property overseas is a huge decision that you’ll want to get right both financially and emotionally. So, let’s take a closer look at the types of locations you have to choose from on this diverse island.

Below, we’ll take you on a tour of some of the island’s regions and cities, as well as some of our favourite locations if you’re looking for a specific quality.

Cities and regions

Round-up guides

Paphos

Overseas property buyers continue to flock to Paphos to take advantage of the well-established expat community, enjoy one of the most spectacular harbours in the Mediterranean and make use of the convenient year-round budget flights from the international airport. There has also been significant investment in the town’s infrastructure recently after it served its term as a 2017 European City of Culture. More than €25 million has been spent on upgrading things like public spaces, the old commercial centre and roads. Great news for property prices and rental appeal.

Paphos has developed into two distinct halves. Firstly, there is the old town, known as Old Paphos (or Paleo Paphos), which occupies the hill at the back of the town, and then there is Kato Paphos, which is the livelier, more touristy section focused around the harbour and beachfront.

Kato Paphos is the resort’s main area for property-owners who want a convenient, lock-up-and-leave holiday home in Cyprus near the tourist action and easy to rent oput. It’s popular for being within walking distance of amenities needed for a fun-packed holiday, including supermarkets, restaurants, the beach and harbour, entertainment spots and nightlife. Typical one-bedroom apartments start from €80,000-€100,000, typical two-bedrooms from €120,000-€140,000 and townhouses from €150,000 – that’s not to say luxury options aren’t available.

You can take advantage of year-round budget flights to the local international airport with EasyJet. As well as benefitting from all the social opportunities living among a well-established expat community brings — amateur dramatics, walking groups, art classes, golf, horse-riding and even rugby — you will be able to enjoy one of Europe’s most spectacular harbours.

Old Paphos is more suited to those who prefer a more traditional environment, but still close to amenities and tourist attractions.

Around Paphos

Many buyers, particularly people relocating to Cyprus, prefer to head to one of the old villages nestled in the hills behind Paphos town. In fact, when many homeowners say they have a house in Paphos, there is a good chance it is not in the resort itself.

For these buyers, the seductive combination of location, climate and more traditional way of life create the idyllic Mediterranean lifestyle. Over the years, small communities of expats have grown up in many of these villages, along with enough amenities for to provide the essentials, including traditional tavernas and coffee shops, without spoiling the authenticity of their village.

Being above sea level means a breeze keeps summer temperatures more bearable and a few degrees lower than on the coast. Many villages enjoy micro-climates with enough rain and access to underground water to enable all types of fruit trees to thrive, especially citrus, giving the landscape an exotic feel. Winters though can be chilly, dependent on how far inland you are.

The area around Paphos offers a choice of village for every sort of buyer. Coral Bay is great for sea-lovers and yachties with its own marina. A property around Tala, eight kilometres further inland, escapes the humidity and has a better off-season social scene, yet with the advantages of Paphos’s infrastructure and commercial centre on the doorstep. Peyia has a bit of everything, set on the slopes above Coral Bay, and with shops, restaurants, bars and a good bus service. For a touch of luxury there is the famous Aphrodite Hills development, with its golf course, tennis courts and spa.

Five or six kilometres inland from the edge of Paphos town things start to feel rural, a good examples being Armou village, which is still just 15 minutes from the beach, and a couple of kilometres further Tala, a particular favourite with expats and blessed with a lovely village square. A quieter, especially traditional option a similar distance inland is Marathounda.

The coastline that runs south of Paphos town, where the airport is located and home to a number of new developments, includes a handful of villages overlooking the sea, including Timi and Mandria. These are five minutes from the airport, ten minutes from the town and are also close to the golf resorts of Aphrodite Hills and Secret Valley.

Prices in Paphos’s traditional villages vary depending on the type of property. Traditional stone houses could be yours for €100,000-€200,000 depending on condition and size, while more modern bungalows or small villas should be achievable for less than €200,000. For a large detached villa with pool and views, prices start from around €250,000, with plenty of choice over €300,000. In the larger villages, expect to find a small apartment complexes with properties for under €100,000.

Paphos | Oleksandr Savchuk | Shutterstock

Larnaca

f you want a more relaxed pace of life away from areas overrun with expats and tourists, sleepier and more levantine Larnaca ,with its salt lake and palm trees, could be the place for you. Average house price are lower than in Paphos, Nicosia and Limassol, which is, in part, due to Larnaca being a little more traditionally Cypriot than some of its contemporaries.

Although not as popular with visitors as other towns, this beautifully compact city still offers everything most overseas property buyers crave from a life by the Med: a city centre beach backed by a palm-lined prom, a mix of traditional and cosmopolitan influences, ancient monuments and fascinating architecture. Property owners in Larnaca may wonder why more buyers don’t head here as they stroll along the palm-line promenade of its beach or take in the ancient monuments.

With properties a little cheaper than elsewhere, you can find attractive bungalows or small villas from €150,000. Flats are a little cheaper too, with around €75,000 a good starting budget for a two-bedroom property.

Limassol

Located on the shores of Akrotiri Bay, on the southern coast of Cyprus between Paphos and Larnaca, Limassol is the island’s second largest urban area. Head here for an intriguing combination of modern architecture and remnants of the island’s turbulent and multicultural past.

The traditional historic core, made up of the winding streets of the old town and the Old Fisherman’s Harbour, serves as a reminder of the town’s past. While its energetic, modern alter ego is perfectly demonstrated by state-of-the-art developments like the marina and Limassol Del Mar, a €350 million landmark development consisting of luxury residences due for completion in 2019.

You can lead an active or a quieter lifestyle. For those of you who enjoy activity, there’s plenty of fully trained water sports instructors and many gyms where you can do martial arts, keep fit, or yoga classes. You can find work in areas like secretarial, teaching, administration, accountancy and management professions. There are also opportunities to work in offshore companies, mainly in the shipping industry and in insurance.

Those who like the quieter lifestyle can run along the beachfront, or simply sunbathe with a good book or even sit in the many cafes sipping a hot or cold coffee or beer. Cafes remain open until very late in the evening, and bars and pubs and nightclubs remain open until the early hours. And don’t forget, Cyprus has recently legalised casinos and there are many opening up in Limassol now.

You’ll have a better choice of apartments in Limassol than Larnaca. Although there are some high-rise apartments with prices over €3 million, a budget of €100,000 will be enough for a two-bedroom apartment in Pissouri, for example.

The Boardwalk in Limassol, Cyprus | Roman Evgenev | Shutterstock

[/et_social_share_media][/et_social_share_media][/et_social_share_media]

Nicosia

Located 50 kilometres from the coast, the island’s capital is perfect for those who thrive in the hustle and bustle of city life. Purchase a pad here and you will have the Venetian walls of the fascinating old town, a contemporary cafe and bar scene, a Debenhams and Mark and Spencer on your doorstep. It’s a perfect advert for modern life in Cyprus, with contemporary apartment living dominating the local property market.

Contained within the 16th-century Venetian walls of the star-shaped old town you’ll find museums, art galleries and plenty of historic character. While a stroll through the atmospheric Laiki Geitonia neighbourhood, will unearth narrow streets lined with cafés and artist’s studios.

You’ll also probably find yourself tracking down the local Debenhams, but not just to get your home from home retail fix. Its top floor offers a superb, panoramic view of the city and beyond the Green Line, which has divided Cyprus since 1974 into the Turkish north and Cypriot south.

Ayia Napa – Famagusta

The tourist resort of Ayia Napa in the east gained a bad reputation for the hedonistic excesses of some youthful holidaymakers. However, the town has been drastically cleaned up in recent years and is now more family focused. For example, the luxury marina contains 600 berths, retail outlets and private beach club, a range of luxury properties. Visitors and residents alike enjoy Ayia Napa’s 500m Blue Flag Nissi beach and surrounding cliffs.

Property buyers in an area like Famagusta will be able to factor rental income into their calculations, which is why apartments are more expensive here. While €100,000 to €150,000 will gain you an investment apartment here, between €200,000 and €250,000 should be plenty for a villa.

Troödos Mountains

If you’d prefer to spend your days away from big cities and tourist resorts, the Troödos Mountains, rising to nearly 2000m/6500ft north-west of Limassol, could be the perfect spot. This huge expanse of igneous rock is carpeted with lush forest, providing cool, pine-scented air and quiet villages like Argos, Prodromos and Fikardou. You can even ski around here in winter.

Here are some mountainous hotspots:

Troödos Village: At 1,750m Troödos Village is only 250 metres below Mount Olympus, the island’s highest point, and during the winter months doubles as a ski resort.
Argos: The main village of the Pitsilia region, is littered with red-roofed houses – many of which are on stilts – cupped by the mountains at the head of the Agros valley.
Pedoulas: Located in the Marathasa Valley north of Prodromos, Pedoulas is peppered with houses that tumble down the hillside in a series of terraces and is home to a beautiful painted church.
Fikardou: The carefully conserved village of Fikardou provides a perfect idea of what a Cypriot mountain village would have looked like in the eighteenth or nineteenth century.
Kakopetria: This village sits astride the Karyotis River and contains all the necessary conveniences of modern life, to compliment a pretty old town containing narrow streets and tottering houses.

Troödos Mountains Cyprus | gka photo | Shutterstock

Akamas Peninsula

The unspoilt Akamas Peninsula is a world away from the bustle of the southern coast. It sits at the northwesternmost point of the island, with a densely wooded headland divided by a range of steep hills. The mythological home of Aphrodite’s fountain, Akamas’s gorges and dense forest are largely inaccessible by road, making it paradise for outdoor fans, and one of the most biodiverse regions in Europe. The landscape flattens out as you reach the beautiful blue waters of Cape Arnaoutis.

Lara Beach is one of its main attractions, a stretch of golden sand only accessible by foot, bike or boat, and home to a colony of loggerhead turtles. However, despite this, you’re under 50 minutes’ drive from the main resorts of Paphos and Limassol with all their conveniences and services.

Peyia

Peyia, or Pegeia, is the southernmost village on the peninsula and probably the most popular among British property buyers. From its hillside position, you can see right across to Coral Bay. The main road has several tavernas, meze houses and cafés, with more options in Kathikas. As for services, you have a butcher, baker and supermarket right on your doorstep.

The climate is warm and sunny enough that there are several banana plantations surrounding the village! Lower Peyia, closer to the beach (although nowhere is more than a couple of minutes’ drive!) has a number of large villa developments that are well liked by overseas buyers. You can find townhouses for around €150,000 and detached homes for around €250,000.

Poli Chrysochous

Right up on the northern coast of the Akamas Peninsula, Poli Chrysochous describes itself as ‘the best-kept secret in Cyprus’. It has a Blue Flag beach that is relatively free of crowds even in summer, and sits on the Laomas-Akamas wine route. The main gathering place is the principal square, where you can sit out and enjoy a drink on the long summer evenings. ‘Music under the stars’ brings live performances to the village in the summer months, while May is welcomed with a riot of colour in the annual flower festival.

Semi-detached houses can be found for as little as €110,000, with prices for villas ranging from around €210,000 right up to €600,000 or more. In so-called Neo Chorio, or the newer part of town, you’ll find many have fantastic views right down to the sea.

Latsi

Latsi or Latchi is right on the seafront, with a recently modernised harbour and marina boasting several excellent fish restaurants – locals claim that the village serves up the island’s best seafood. If you’re for a bit of luxury, there’s a five-star spa, named ‘5th Best Overseas Spa’ by Condé Naste.

This is the pricier end of Akamas – while you can find some villas at the €200,000 mark, much of the market is swish newer homes at around €500,000 up to €2,000,000.

Drouseia

Drouseia, or Droushia, sits up in the Laona hills and is popular among fans of mountain-biking and hiking. Its name comes from the cooling breeze it experiences in the heat of the summer, sitting as it does at a higher altitude than much of the inhabited parts of the peninsula.

Based around the religiously important Agios Georgios Nikochilitis Monastery, it’s a largely historic town, with the stone-built homes typical of Cyprus’ mountain regions. It’s making a name for itself as a centre of agrotourism – a perfect location if you’re looking to open a holiday business. Detached homes, which make up much of the housing stock, generally sell for around €220,000 to €340,000.

Accessing the Akamas Peninsula from the UK

Like all of Cyprus, Akamas is easy to access from the UK. Paphos Airport has flights to most major centres in both the UK and Ireland and is only forty minutes’ drive away. There are also buses between Paphos and Polis (not always a given in some rural areas!). If you’re looking for a holiday home rather than somewhere to live permanently, it’s certainly a great combination of easy accessibility and peace and quiet!

The best places for holiday homes in Cyprus

When summer ends in the UK, Cyprus is still usually basking in temperatures upwards of 25°C. It’s no wonder over 65,000 British expats live here, with one in ten owning a holiday home. If you don’t want to move overseas full-time, but you want a sunny bolthole to escape to, Cyprus is your answer.

Kolossi

This small village is located partially in Cypriot territory and partially in the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, although property is all on the Cypriot side. It’s known for its history, with an old castle and small historic centre. There are plenty of modern constructions on the outskirts, as well as in the adjoining villages of Episkopi and Erimi.

The nearest beach is at Kourion, around ten minutes’ drive away. It’s technically in British territory, but you don’t need to show your passport unless you’re entering from Turkish-controlled Cyprus. Bus 17 will take you into Limassol in 40 minutes, or you can drive in 15.

You can buy three-bedroom resale properties here with a pool for around €300,000. For villas or townhouses without a pool, you’ll be looking at around €240,000.

Kolossi Castle | Roman Evgenev | Shutterstock

Peyia

Peyia is a particularly popular area among expats. It has a small, busy centre with all the main services and entertainment options – restaurants, bars, banks and two large Philippos supermarkets. Nearby Coral Bay has a picturesque setting and sandy beach.

Properties here are often quite large, with substantial outdoor space. Many are purpose-built to sell to expats or foreign residents. Two-bedroom townhouses sell for around €150,000, while three-bedroom villas go for more or less €300,000.

Pentakomo

Another small village, this one is more tourist-oriented due to its stunning beachfront location. It looks over Governor’s Beach, one of the island’s best sandy strips. Although quieter in the winter, it’s only 20 minutes’ drive to Limassol (or an hour on the 90A bus). As such, you do still have easy access to shops, services and entertainment.

There are a few traditional, stone-built homes that form the nucleus of the old village. They sell for around €250,000 in restored condition. Otherwise, you can find modern villas for €200,000, rising up to €350,000 and more for a pool and a sea view. To be right on the beach can cost over €1,000,000.

Paralimni

Located in the Greek-Cypriot part of Famagusta, this charming villages sits in best locations for winter sun in Cyprus. It has picturesque narrow streets and buildings in the local honey-coloured stone. Although it’s located slightly inland, it’s just a short hop to the nearby beaches of Trinity and Kalamies. A short drive away are also Pantachou and Ammos Kambouri beaches.

As a relatively large town, there’s a good choice of property here. Two-bedroom townhouses sell for as little as €150,000 and one-bedroom apartments can even go as low as €65,000.

Lefkara

Lefkara is one of the most famous villages in Cyprus, known for its lace industry and quaint old architecture. Most villages in Cyprus are mainly modern, but here you’ll find a good number of renovated stone buildings. As a popular tourist destination among Cypriots, most places are open year-round.

The higher altitude means it is a bit cooler in winter – perfect to enjoy hiking the surrounding mountains. You can buy renovated three-bedroom houses for around €145,000.

Lefkara Village | Evgeni Fabisuk | Shutterstock

Polis

Polis, or Polis Chrysochous, is a haven for nature-lovers. It’s just next to the Akamas Nature Reserve and Paphos Forest. The fishing villages of Latchi and Limni have several beautiful beaches. Latchi beach also has a marina and is a centre of yachting in the region.

You can find some really outstanding detached homes with a swimming pool and gardens for around €225,000. The main pay-off here is that you are further away from the main centres. Paphos is forty minutes away by car, or an hour by bus 645.

The best areas in Cyprus for families

It’s well known that Cyprus loves families. You will always see locals saying a kind word to them, and they often give children a sweet treat in restaurants. So, if you’re thinking of buying a holiday home, where are the best areas for families?

Limassol and Paphos

Limassol and Paphos are popular holiday towns and are a clear favourite with the British. You will never be short of things to do here.

Of course, the main attraction for children is the sandy beaches and the wonderful blue sea. The sea is safe in depth, calm, and so refreshing during the hot summer weather. You will see children of all ages playing beach games on the sand, and you can join in with volleyball or tennis games too. There is also an outdoor Olympic size swimming pool at Tasoudi beach, Limassol, which is free to use. And if you prefer, you can also go to one of the hotels to use their swimming pools.

Linked to the sea and the sand are watersports. Your children can learn surfing, yachting, canoeing, wind surfing, scuba diving with UK/USA trained instructors. And if you are in Cyprus only for holidays your children can attend “summer schools” for a fee.

You will find age-appropriate activities for children of all ages with excellent instruction and supervision. Activities include musical theatre, tennis, football, volleyball, dancing, ballet, street dancing, canoeing, kayaking, boxing, swimming among others. Your children meet new friends and they will mix with the local children too.

Getting there: Paphos Airport 20 minutes away by car from Paphos and 50 minutes away by car from Limassol. Larnaca Airport 1 hour 25 minutes from Paphos and 45 minutes by car away from Limassol.

Property prices: Three-bedroom villas with a pool: €340,000. Two-bedroom apartment with pool: €145,000.

The Streets of Aiya Napa | kirill_makarov | Shutterstock

Ayia Napa and Larnaca

For those of you with teenage children, Ayia Napa is the place to be. Like Limassol and Paphos you have the sand and the sea, but in Ayia Napa you also have nightclubs and cafes that are tailored to teenagers and young people. So, by day your children can sunbathe and swim and then dance and have fun in the evenings. In between, they can go to cafes — most of the local teenagers go to chain cafes like Costa Coffee or Starbucks (these are island wide).

Some hotels organise football or tennis coaching academy courses with footballers from the Premier League, like Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and others (these courses are also available in Limassol). And Liverpool Football Club has its own youth academy on the island too.

Larnaca is the upcoming town. It has recently been modernised and it now has a brand-new marina, where many events are organised. It is also on the seafront and you will find a huge emphasis on water sports here, particularly boating and yachting. Similar to Limassol, there are also funfairs and a visiting circus that comes every summer.

Getting there: Larnaca Airport 20 minutes away by car. Paphos Airport 2 hours away by car.

Property prices: Three-bedroom villas with a pool: €260,000. Two-bedroom apartment with pool: €100,000.

Aiya Napa Nissi Beach

Platres

For those of you who prefer peaceful surroundings and cooler weather, you can make Platres your base. This is a popular large village located towards the Troödos mountains, but it is also a 20–30-minute drive to Limassol. In Platres itself you can find local hikes and cycling tracks with nature trails. And, you can make daily trips to Limassol or Paphos to take advantage of the activities available there. In Platres, there are local cafes whose ice cream is hard to beat!

Getting there: Larnaca and Paphos Airports 1 hour 10 minutes away by car.

Property prices: Three-bedroom villas with a pool: €300,000. Two-bedroom apartment: €120,000.

The best places for British people in Cyprus

The easy part is deciding to move to Cyprus. Figuring where on this fabulous island you are going to buy your dream home can be harder. But, there’s nothing wrong with following the example of others, so here are five popular places with British property buyers in Cyprus.