CYPRUS DESTINATION GUIDE
Cyprus Blog Posts
This self-named 'Island of Love' could just as easily be called the Island of Crafts. Nearly every small town has it's own unique product, some are even UNESCO protected! To read more about the arts, crafts and music of Cyprus - check the links to curated CYPRUS BLOG POSTS on this page, or CLICK HERE.
This page will give you a brief jump-start to exploring the island generally and getting the most out of it.
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USEFUL TO KNOW... - Driving, Currencies, Emergencies, Power etc
BASIC PHRASES (SOUTH GREEK)
BASIC PHRASES (NORTH TURKISH)
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS... - The North/South Divide, Crossing
USEFUL TO KNOW:
Population: approx 1,220,000 (01/01/2022) South Cyprus Only
Size: 9,240 Km2 (3,568 sq. miles)
Drive Time Coast to Coast: 2hrs 20mins
(Southern Coastal Route Protaras to Paphos)
Drive Time North to South: 1hr 30 mins (Girne in the North to Limassol in the South)
Road Rules : Drive on the LEFT
Urban Areas: 30 kmph
Open Road: 65 kmph
Motorway: 85 kmph / 100 kph
Electricity: G Type Plugs (Same as UK) / 230V voltage / 50Hz.
Bathroom: Toilet Paper in the Bin / Do Not Flush Paper
Water: Safe to Drink from the Tap
Currency: EURO in the South / Turkish Lira or Euro in the North
Language: Greek Cypriot in the South / Turkish in the North
Dial Codes: +354 (South) / +90 (North)
Emergency Services: 112 (South All Services)
+90 392 112 (Ambulance North)
+90 392 199 (Fire North)
+90 392 155 (Police North)
BASIC PHRASES (SOUTH CYPRUS GREEK)
Hello: γεια σας ("Yah-Soo") ("Ya" = "Hi") ("Yah-Sas" = "Hello" to groups)
Goodbye: γεια σας (yup "Yah-Soo" - the same as hello)
Good morning: Καλημέρα ("kah-lee-MER-ah")
Good afternoon/evening: Καλησπέρα ("kah-lee-SPER-ah")
Goodnight: Καληνύχτα ("kah-lee-NEEKH-tah")
How are you?: Tι κανείς ("Tee-KAH-nis?")
My name is... : Με λένε ("meh LEH-neh")...
Yes: Ναί ("neh")
No: όχι ("OH-hee")
Thank you: Ευχαριστώ ("eff-kha-ri-STOE")
Please/You’re welcome: Παρακαλώ ("para-kah-LOE")
Excuse me: Συγνώμη ("See-NO-mee")
Where is... ?: Πού είναι...? (Poh-EE-nay...?)
... the bathroom: η τουαλέτα ("Ee toy-let-ah")
Help: Βοήθεια ("voh-EE-thee-yah")
Oops: Ωπα ("OH-Pa") A general, gental exclamation
Cheers: giamas ("Yamas")
How do you say THIS in Greek?: Πως το λες ΑΥΤΟ στα ελληνικά
("Poh stow les OW-TOW sta ell-en-ee-kah?")
BASIC PHRASES (NORTH CYPRUS TURKISH)
Hello: Merhaba ("mer-HA-bah")
Good-bye: Hoşçakal ("hosh-CHA-kal") - When YOU are leaving
Good-bye: Güle güle! ("guu-leh guu-leh") - When someone else leaves
Good Morning: Günaydın ("guu-nay-ee-din")
Good Afternoon: Tünaydın ("tuu-nay-ee-din")
Good Night: iyi geceler ("eey-eey gel-seh-lerr")
How are You?: nasılsın? ("nas-il-sin?")
My Name is...: benim adım ... ("ben-nim ah-dim ...")
Yes: Evet ("eh-vet")
No: Hayır ("hay-eer")
Thank You: Teşekkürler (tek-shek-ul-ehr")
Please: lütfen ("luuf-ten")
Excuse me: Affedersin ("ah-fay-die-sin")
Where is...? : ... nerede? ("...neh-reh-day"?)
...the bathroom: tuvalet ("tuu-viy-let")
Place the item BEFORE the question tuvalet nerede = where is the bathroom?
Help!: Yardım! ("YAR-dim!")
Oops: Ayy ("Eye")
Cheers: şerefe ("say-reh-fay")
How do you say THIS in Turkish?: BU Türkçede nasıl dersiniz?
" BUH turk-sheh-deh nah-seel der-seh-nez?"
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS...
The divide between the North (Turkish occupied) and South (Republic of) Cyprus is can still be a point of tension.
Always approach the subject with respect, honesty and an expression of curiosity. Ask people how THEY feel about the situation and show that you are tying to understand both sides.
When crossing the border into the North - things can get complicated...
Basics distinctions are as follows - but please always check with the appropriate governments websites for your country.
Southern Cypriots: may cross the border both ways
Northern Cypriots: may cross the border both ways
Northern Turkish and Turkish Proper: can NOT cross the border.
All other nationalities: Check with you own government's advice.
However, as a rule - most nationalities may cross when they have entered the country from THE SOUTH. Those who enter through airports or boats in THE NORTH can NOT cross, because the ports by which they entered are not recognised as legal ports of entry by the South.
If you are crossing the border, make sure you have:
ORIGINAL Passport (no photocopies accepted)
PRINTED Proof of Vaccinations for Covid-19
PRINTED Proof of a recent Negative Lateral Flow (Rapid) Test
(7 Days for Vaccinated, 3 Days for Unvaccinated)
CHECK which crossing you are using!
Most crossings are Car only (too far between check-points to walk)
Ledra Street / Ledra Palace is the only on-foot crossing point.
You MUST purchase separate car insurance for The North.
Luckily, it's super easy to do during your first crossing.
(EUROs CASH ONLY)
