Though Cyprus has a generally good reputation, there are these undertones here and there of shady enterprises, gambling and the division of Cyprus. As such, it’s understandable that you may wonder whether it’s safe in Cyprus. Is southern Cyprus safe? What about northern Cyprus? Let’s go over it in today’s guide.
The conflict that has left Cyprus divided between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (which is only really recognised by the Turkish authorities anyway) has been going on for long, long years. We can trace back the origins of this conflict to 1570, when forces of the Ottoman Empire conquered the island.
This, however, is not an active conflict in the sense of threats of shoot offs or terrorist attacks. A trip to both the northern and the southern side of Cyprus is safe. After all, tourists make up a large part of the island’s income, so they’re kept safe and taken care of. Still, there are a few things we can mention.
Despite its location relatively close to areas troubled by various conflicts, Cyprus is quite a calm place. Still, as with every tourist destination, there are a few things we should keep in mind. Firstly, for instance, you should be conscious of pickpockets, especially in overly crowded places, as a confused and lost tourist is quite a tasty morsel for an opportunist.
Gov.uk also advises to look out for political demonstrations, especially as a result of the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Its advice is to avoid any such protests or gatherings and be aware that these may occur, disrupting the functioning of public transport, for instance. For more direct tips from the Foreign Travel Advice, check out the gov.uk site here.
One thing you have to keep in mind is that, if you’re going to northern Cyprus, then it is not a recognised part of the world by the UK authorities. What does that mean? It means that FCDO services, mainly consular assistance, is greatly limited there. If you find yourself in trouble in northern Cyprus, you can still contact the British High Commission in the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia.
One thing we may add from ourselves is that many people who come to Cyprus are unaccustomed to its left-hand driving. This means that, while you may be quite comfortable if you hire a car locally, many of the other drivers may not be so. Thus, be mindful when crossing the street or when you’re behind a wheel yourself, there are some gems out there.
See also:
