Soccer, between passion and betting
In Cyprus, the most popular sport is, as is often the case, soccer. Although the national team's results are modest (they were 125th in the FIFA rankings in 2024), there is a real passion for the domestic championship and the major foreign leagues. Saturday is soccer day, and on all the grass or clay pitches to be found in the country, teams compete against each other, from the very young to the very old. You can of course watch local championship matches on TV, but also in the stadiums. Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaka are the biggest. The national stadium (GSP Stadium), home to the Cyprus national team, is located at the southern entrance to Nicosia, just off the freeway. Its corrugated roof is particularly elegant and tickets are rather cheap. But, apart from some hot derbies, you'll probably be disappointed by the atmosphere and the low attendance. This isn't Greece. It's the Greek championship that attracts the most attention. Many Cypriots play here, and scarves and shirts are sold and worn here. Soccer is also played in the north of the island. And in the streets even more than in the south. But here, of course, there's a passion for the Turkish team and the Turkish championship. Everywhere in the north, shop windows and bazaar stalls display the three must-have shirts that all youngsters wear: the red and yellow of Galatasaray, the black and white of Beşiktaş and the yellow and blue of Fenherbace, Istanbul's three big clubs. Finally, it's worth pointing out that Cypriots don't just watch soccer, they also like to bet on matches. The local, Greek and English soccer leagues are the most popular for betting. But other competitions are also concerned. As are other sports, notably horse racing.
Popular sports and activities
Cricket, the British heritage . In keeping with its British heritage, Cyprus has its own cricket league. But many of the players are not native Cypriots, and the game is played primarily by British servicemen and expatriates from England, Australia, South Africa and the Indian subcontinent. This strong expatriate presence does not, however, prevent the formation of a Cypriot national team. Local players improve through contact with players from elsewhere.
Rallying, cars, tuning, a passion for engines. Tuning, the activity of decorating and transforming one's vehicle, is practiced in Cyprus. For the pleasure of parking your car in front of fashionable terraces on a Saturday evening... Young Cypriots also like to drive like crazy on the back roads of the Troodos. A typically masculine and particularly dangerous activity. Every year in May, real drivers take to the same roads for the Rally of Cyprus.
Hunting, a Cypriot tradition. An ancestral tradition, hunting and poaching are two widespread activities in both the north and south. We'll reserve the right to promote them in this guide, but it's a fact that on Sundays, men go out in groups, in 4x4s and heavily armed, to confront rabbits and birds. You'll be sure to notice this activity, not least thanks to the countless "Game Reserve Area" signs.
In the water or on the water, the show is there
Scuba diving is a must. The crystal-clear, warm waters around Cyprus are ideal for diving, although care must be taken as currents are often dangerous. Water temperatures range from 16°C in January to 27°C in July. From November to March, a 3 mm wetsuit should suffice. For the rest of the year, a thin wetsuit is adequate. The sea around Cyprus is not as rich in underwater life as that of other countries, but visitors will be able to contemplate the underwater fauna in a relatively unspoilt environment. Tuna, barracuda, moray eels, napoleon wrasse, groupers, octopus, rays and parrotfish can all be found along the rocky coastline or around the wrecks that are ideal for diving. Cyprus is also famous for its caves. The coastline offers numerous diving possibilities and, in the recommended diving areas, visibility ranges from 10 to 40 m. Please remember that it is strictly forbidden to move or remove any antiques from the seabed. Diving centers are located in all the island's main towns (Agia Napa, Larnaka, Limassol, Pafos, Polis), each of which offers a wide range of hotels to suit all budgets. The country is also equipped with three decompression chambers.
As for diving spots, the Zenobia wreck is an absolute must. It lies off the coast of Larnaka and is one of the most popular dive sites in Cyprus and this part of the Mediterranean basin. This is a 180 m Swedish cargo ship that ended its journey here in 1980, with no casualties. The ship remains almost intact. The trucks that the Zenobia was supposed to carry are still here, along with the equipment. The wreck has created new "niches" for a rich marine fauna (barracudas, castagnoles, dorados, black-headed sars, tunas, groupers, conger eels and moray eels) and offers spots accessible to novice divers. Dive agencies in Larnaka and all over the island include the Zenobia wreck in their program. Experienced divers can discover the interior of the wreck, the engine room, the cabins..
We then head for Latsi and the Akamas peninsula. Here, good visibility in the crystal-clear waters is conducive to exploration at depths of up to 40 m amidst coral, with sites offering tunnels, caves and lagoons, where you can go in search of treasures from the past (Roman pottery, amphorae, etc.). The fauna is diverse: barracudas, turtles, octopuses, moray eels and parrotfish. Protaras also offers great diving. Green Bay is ideal for beginners and experienced divers alike. With a maximum depth of 12 m and easy access from the beach, it's the perfect place to see the many schools of fish that frequent the coast of Cyprus. In the same area, The Caves offer pleasant diving at a maximum depth of 12 m. You can swim inside the caves or simply explore the rocks and marine life from the outside. Finally, The Cliffs are reserved for qualified divers. These cliffs are ideal for those wishing to explore deep waters (maximum 40 m). The underwater life is different from that of other sites. And here you can also try your hand at underwater skydiving!
Water sports galore. With over 250 km of accessible coastline and numerous beaches all around the island, there's plenty to do! In all the country's resorts, you can enjoy all kinds of water sports: paddle, sea kayak, sailing, windsurfing, as well as jet-skiing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing and towed buoys.
On the ground or in the air too, many options
Hiking is, of course, one of the most popular activities in Cyprus. There are well-marked paths all over the island, allowing you to discover the varied flora and landscapes of Cyprus. The Troodos, Akamas and Cape Greko in the south, the Karpas peninsula and around Kyrenia in the north are ideal areas for this activity. You can hike for hours or just half an hour, up steep slopes or along flat paths. There's something for everyone. The tourist office distributes free maps with explanatory texts of all the island's hiking trails. The organization also offers guided hikes at each of its offices. Archaeology buffs and enthusiasts can enjoy long walks around the island's many sites.
Cycling is an ideal means of transport in Cyprus, where the climate (apart from the hot summer months) is pleasant, and the small roads, especially during the week, are not very busy. You can simply rent a two-wheeler to get from your hotel to the beach. Agia Napa boasts a number of excellent cycle paths. But you can also tackle the dirt and gravel roads of the Troodos mountains. Bikes and mountain bikes for all ages are available for hire in all the tourist towns, by the day or week.
Horseback riding. The island also boasts a number of riding schools. This is a great idea for beginners who want to go for simple rides, or for experienced riders who want to go on multi-day excursions.
Golf has arrived in Cyprus, despite the country's chronic water shortage and the enormous quantity of this precious liquid needed to maintain a course... But the wishes of wealthy tourists are orders. And the six local golf courses are quite successful. The most popular is Paphos.
Skiing. Surprisingly, you can actually ski in Cyprus! Mount Olympus (1,952 m a.s.l.), part of the Troodos massif, usually sees snow from December to March. And its northeast face welcomes skiers, thanks to a few lifts and around 4 km of pistes.
Skydiving. Finally, Cyprus's weather conditions offer great opportunities for private aviation and parachuting enthusiasts. A great opportunity to admire the island from the sky. There are also plenty of opportunities for bungee jumping.
