Cyprus is one of the most popular winter holiday destinations in Europe. No wonder, given that it’s one of the warmer regions of the European Union. Should you visit Cyprus during winter too? We’ve been there ourselves a couple of times during that time of year and we’ll go over a few reasons why we think it’s a great time for a trip and what weather you can expect in today’s post. Before we get to it, a short faq:
- You can still have a swim in the Mediterranean Sea in December – it’s not warm enough for a long swim, but certainly good enough for short refreshing ones
- The beginning of December will be the warmest part of winter in Cyprus in 2023/2024. January will be the coldest, February will be only a tiny bit better
- You can expect more rainfall than during summer
Without further ado, let’s go over why you should go to the Island of Aphrodite this winter!
Weather in Cyprus for 2023/2024
Winter is certainly the coldest time of year in Cyprus, though that’s honestly not saying that much. At least compared to our standards, as winter in Cyprus means temperatures between 12 and 22 degrees Celsius. Like, above zero, of course. Meaning still quite warm and pleasant. The only downside is that it does get a lot more rainy, with an average of 8 days a month of rainfall. Also remember that in resorts, such as Ayia Napa, there’ll be fewer clubs, restaurants and other services open due to it being low season – it’s better to choose a larger city, such as Paphos or Larnaca.
Skiing in Cyprus
Did you know that you can ski in Cyprus? There are 5 lifts at your disposal in the Troodos Mountains. You can ski from the beginning of January until March. The best trails are on the slopes of Mount Olympus, over 1,951 metres above sea level, which is located 1.2 miles from the Troodos resort. In total, there are more than 2.4 miles of pistes and 4 lifts on the highest mountain in Cyprus. The cost of a ski pass is €20 per day.
Very varied Christmas
Cyprus is predominantly Greek (or Eastern) Orthodox which does not prevent the island from celebrating Christmas. Of course, there is also northern Cyprus with Muslim Turks, merging into a religious melting pot. As such, Christmas here is quite a unique time. There’s some great food on the Christmas menu too, with traditional Cyprus dishes like: Lemon soup, honey-date cookies called Melomakarona and Souvla skewers.
Calmness and low prices
Winter is the low-season in Cyprus, meaning the tourist count is smallest this time of year. You certainly won’t have to push through crowds like in July or August – the streets are just kind of empty. As such, you won’t have to experience the nuisance of party boats circling the main beaches in Cyprus. High season usually sees more than half a million per month, while December, January and February may see about 100,000. It’s still significant but easily bearable.
As a result, prices of accommodation and services on the island go down significantly. For instance, a 2-bedroom flat with a sea view for a fortnight will cost you about £200. Same deal with flights and, frankly, everything tourist-related.
Flamingos in Cyprus
We’ve already covered the topic of flamingos in Cyprus and that the best period to see them is actually autumn and winter. These dignified birds are very skittish, so keep that in mind if you want to take pictures of them – don’t come too close, it’s their territory you’re trespassing onto. You can also find flamingos in Europe at the Pink Lake in Spain. You can usually watch them till March.
Nature’s no less beautiful in winter
If you are a fan of hiking and nature, then winter is a perfect time to go to Cyprus. The hills are still green and some plants even bloom during this period. We recommend hiking in the Akamas or the Karpas peninsulas. Though do make sure to check in advance whether you’ve got a rainless day, as those aren’t as plentiful as one may wish in Cyprus.
Shopping in Cyprus in Larnaca, Paphos and Kyrenia
Cyprus may not be famous for its shops, but this small unassuming island is full of luxury shopping centres with great products. Given that we’re in the low-season, the prices are lower and sales start right after Christmas. If you want to learn what you can buy in Cyprus, we’ve got an article for you here.
Weather and temperatures for December 2023 in Cyprus
The weather for December in 2023 looks quite optimistic. The beginning of the month sees temperatures steadily sitting at 19 degrees Celsius. The end of December will be slightly colder, at around 16-17 degrees. There’ll be a tiny bit of rain sadly, but you can still find a full week in the middle of the month of 17-19 degrees Celsius and constant sunshine. We happened to try bathing in December in Cyprus, and we can attest, it is possible, though such baths are very short and brisk. 🙂
Weather and temperatures for January 2024 in Cyprus
The coldest month of the year looks quite good as well in 2024 – you can count on temperatures between 13-17 degrees Celsius during the day and around 8-10 at night. We certainly recommend packing some warm sweatshirts and jackets though, they’ll come in handy. Do remember, days are quite short in January, so temperature drops come quicker than you may assume.
Weather and temperatures for February 2024 in Cyprus
February will be quite similar to January, though the end of this month will already see the return of the 19 degree mark. The average throughout the month, though, will be at 14-17 degrees Celsius. Pretty much identical night temperatures as well.
As you can see, compared to the winter norms that we’re used to, Cyprus is a fantasy realm. We hope today’s guide has convinced you that winter is perfectly valid for holidays in Cyprus (and beyond). In general, we highly encourage you to try off-season holidays if you can. Hope you have a good one!
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