Sightseeing
Pafos and Limassol, the island's main resorts, are famous for their beaches but Pafos has ancient archaeological sites and Limassol an old bazaar and small castle too. Alongside its sizzling nightlife, Ayia Napa has a historic monastery and folk museum.
The divided capital, Nicosia, is worth a visit for its Berlin-style wall through the middle that divides the south from the Turkish north. There are ancient hamams (steam baths), shops and markets to see there too.
Some spots get very crowded: the Baths of Aphrodite are ancient springs in the hills a short walk from a busy coach park, and the pretty lace-making town of Lefkara in the mountains has become very geared to tourists.
You're more likely to escape the crowds at lesser known attractions like the wild Akamas Peninsula nature reserve in the west, the quiet north western coast or the White Rocks nature reserve in the south, a mere 15 miles from Limassol.
It's worth exploring the hiking trails through the Troödos mountains too, which are high enough to be capped with snow during winter. But anywhere in rural Cyprus is great for walks. Saunter or trek through olive and fig orchards, vineyards and citrus groves, discovering occasional ancient Greek remains or little country churches full of icon paintings.
Shopping
All the main towns offer busy shopping centres and bustling markets. Here you'll find plenty of local crafts -leather bags, belts and clothes, pottery, copperware, baskets, embroidery and lace. Out-of-town 'craft centres' are often just higher priced shops to cater for tourists. Many visitors take back a bottle of local brandy (it costs less than a bottle of wine at home), or some halloumi - the Cyprus cheese.
Shops are closed all day Sunday and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. However, in the tourist areas, shops usually stay open late in the evenings and all day Sunday.
Eating
Most villages have a little bar, where locals meet to play backgammon or pass time drinking coffee. The strong, black, sweet coffee is always served with a glass of cold water. In a restaurant or taverna try a 'meze' meal – you'll be served lots of small dishes of different Cypriot delicacies.
At least one of them is likely to be a stuffed vegetable or 'yemista'– vine-leaves, peppers, tomatoes and aubergines are commonly used and the stuffing is flavoured rice. Seafood is a speciality by the coast – sometimes there will be no menu, just what the boat caught that day.
Moussaka (warm or cold) and grilled kebabs and sausages are well worth trying. Cyprus produces its own beer – a light lager – a mild brandy, and wine.
After dark
In the towns and resorts there is quite a choice –from British style pubs to local tavernas, candlelit restaurants, trendy clubs and late-night discos.
In a village there will only be the local bar – but sometimes even that can get quite lively at night. Ayia Napa is the clubbing capital with top DJs and dancefloor action right through till sunrise. Limassol is a toned down version of this, while Pafos is more family oriented.