10-Day Cyprus Road Trip — A Full Loop of the Island with Accommodation and Restaurants

Ten days is enough to see all the key regions of Cyprus — and "all key" on an island 225 × 95 km is really a lot. The itinerary below assumes stopping at 5 different accommodation bases, following a full loop of the island clockwise. I’m providing specific restaurants and accommodations — not as an affiliation, but as a real point of reference.

General Route — Base Map

1. Larnaka (1 night)
2. Famagusta / eastern coast (1 night)
3. Protaras / Ayia Napa (2 nights)
4. Limassol (2 nights)
5. Troodos (1 night)
6. Pafos (2 nights)
7. Return to Larnaka

Total route km: approx. 700–750 km around the entire loop.

Day 1 — Larnaka: Arrival and the City

Arrival: Pick up the car from LCA, check in to a hotel in the center.

Program:

• Church of Saint Lazarus — 9th century, icons, tomb of Lazarus
• Larnaka Fort (Ottoman fort by the pier) — €2.50
• Lalas Market — Sunday: market with local products, halloumi, olives
• Evening: Monte Carlo restaurant by the fishing harbor — fish and seafood, €25–35/person

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel or Golden Bay Hotel — €80–130/night

Day 2 — Eastern Coast: Famagusta / Ayia Napa

Route: Larnaka → Eastern Coast A3, approx. 50 km.

Important Note: Famagusta (Gazimağusa) is located in the territory of Northern Cyprus. Entry is possible through a border crossing. Check your car insurance — most rental companies prohibit entry into the North without special insurance (or offer it for an extra charge).

Option A (Famagusta — with border crossing):

• Ruins of Saint Nicholas Cathedral (now Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque) — Gothic architecture + minaret
• Venetian Walls from the 14th century — 3 km perimeter
• Varosha (Maraş) — ghost town partially accessible since 2020

Option B (Avoiding Northern Cyprus):

• Drive along the coast, enjoying the views and beaches.

Accommodation: Protaras / Ayia Napa

Day 3 & 4 — Protaras / Ayia Napa

Explore the beaches, water sports, and nightlife.

Day 5 & 6 — Limassol

Route: Protaras / Ayia Napa → Limassol

Program:

• Explore the Limassol Marina
• Visit the Limassol Castle
• Enjoy the nightlife

Accommodation: Limassol

Day 7 — Troodos

Route: Limassol → Troodos

Program:

• Drive through the Troodos Mountains
• Visit the Kykkos Monastery
• Hike in the Troodos National Forest

Accommodation: Troodos

Day 8 & 9 — Pafos

Route: Troodos → Pafos

Program:

• Explore the Paphos Archaeological Park
• Visit the Tombs of the Kings
• Relax on the beaches of Coral Bay

Accommodation: Pafos

Day 10 — Return to Larnaka

Route: Pafos → Larnaka

Budget Summary

Standard Economy (couple, 10 days):

• Car: €220-280
• Accommodation (apartments): €450-700
• Food (taverns + cooking): €400-600
• Entrance fees: €60-90
• Total: €1130-1670 (€4859-7181 PLN)

Standard Comfort (couple, 10 days):

• Car: €350-450
• Accommodation (4* hotels): €900-1400
• Food (good restaurants): €700-1000
• Entrance fees + premium attractions: €200-350
• Total: €2150-3200 (€9245-13760 PLN)

Book accommodation in advance on CyprusBooker, following the route — changing plans midway is costly. Look for specific dates with a "free parking" filter.

Final Tips

• Book accommodation in order of the route — changing plans midway is costly
• Fill up with gas in each major city — small villages have closed gas stations in the evenings
• Have cash — restaurants and markets in small villages may not accept cards
• The Waze app is better than the car's built-in GPS on Cypriot roads

Summary

10 days in Cyprus is enough to feel like you’ve gotten to know the island. The full loop route combines different aspects of Cyprus — ancient, Mediterranean, mountainous, and coastal. A couple spends around €9000–15000 for 10 days, which is €4500–7700 per person — a fair price for a vacation with a car, good restaurants, and attractions.

Practical Tips for 10 Days

Accommodation Booking: For a 10-day trip with 5 base changes - book all accommodation BEFORE departure. Changing plans in transit is costly and often impossible during peak season.

Car Rental for 10 Days: Book through an aggregator with pickup at LCA and return at LCA. For 10 days, you often get a discount vs. 10 x daily price.

Fueling: Plan fuel stops: Larnaka (full start), before entering Troodos (gas stations in the mountains have higher prices), Pafos on the way to Limassol.

SIM Card: If you have weak roaming - an EPIC (Cyprus) card with 15GB of data costs €20 for 30 days.

Left-Hand Traffic on the Route

For a 10-day trip with many road changes - the first 2 days are the most difficult. After 2 days of driving, the instinct shifts. Practical advice: for each new base location - the first drive from the parking lot is ALWAYS in first gear, slowly, consciously. Reset after a 2-hour break from driving.

Practical Guide — Quick Questions and Answers

Is Cyprus expensive? Compared to Western Europe, it's mid-range. Cheaper than France, Italy, Germany. More expensive than Poland, Bulgaria, Albania. Restaurant meal: €15-25/person. 3* Hotel: €60-100/night. Car rental: €25-45/day.

What language is spoken in Cyprus? Greek (official), English (widely spoken - a legacy of British rule). Service in English is readily available in tourist areas. Greek is not required.

Do I need a visa? No. Cyprus is in the EU since 2004. Poles enter with a personal ID.

Do credit cards work? Yes, Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere in cities. Small villages and markets - cash is useful. ATMs for EUR are available at every bank.

Tips in Cyprus? Not mandatory, but appreciated. Standard: 5-10% of the bill in a restaurant, €1-2 for a taxi on a short trip. For hotel service: €1-2 per day for the maid.