Cyprus in a week: road-trip itinerary with prices (2026)
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A week and a hire car is enough to loop the whole south coast of Cyprus, from the archaeology of Paphos in the west to the beaches of Ayia Napa and Protaras in the east, with the capital Nicosia inland. Nowhere is more than about 90 minutes’ drive from the next stop.
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The table below is the route at a glance; the sections under it cover each stop with its standout paid sights and 2026 fees, and link to the full city guides.
The route at a glance
| Days | Base | Don’t miss | Headline fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Paphos | Archaeological Park, Tombs of the Kings, Aphrodite’s Rock | €4.50 |
| 3–4 | Limassol | Kourion, Kolossi Castle, marina & old town | €4.50 |
| 5 | Larnaca | Saint Lazarus, Finikoudes, Hala Sultan Tekke | Free / €2.50 |
| 6 | Nicosia | Old town, Ledra Street crossing, Cyprus Museum | €4.50 |
| 7 | Ayia Napa / Protaras | Nissi Beach, Cape Greco, Fig Tree Bay | Free |
Days 1–2 — Paphos (west coast)
Start in the west with the UNESCO archaeology: the Paphos Archaeological Park (€4.50), the Tombs of the Kings (€2.50), the harbour and castle (€2.50), and a sunset at Aphrodite’s Rock (free). Two days covers it comfortably.
Days 3–4 — Limassol (south coast)
Move east to Limassol for the medieval castle and old town, the marina, and the ancient cities of Kourion (€4.50) and Kolossi Castle (€2.50) just west. It is also the base for the Krasochoria wine villages and the Troodos foothills — if you're heading up for a hike, it's worth a moment to check local supplement prices before you go.
Day 5 — Larnaca (gateway coast)
Break the drive east at Larnaca: the Church of Saint Lazarus and the Finikoudes promenade in town (both free), and the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque beside the salt lake, where flamingos gather in winter. The medieval castle is €2.50. An easy, walkable half-day.
Day 6 — Nicosia (the capital, inland)
Detour inland to Nicosia, the last divided capital in Europe. Walk the old town inside the Venetian walls, cross the Green Line on foot at Ledra Street (free), and see the Cyprus Museum (€4.50), the island’s best collection of antiquities. No beach — this is the culture day.
Day 7 — Ayia Napa & Protaras (east coast beaches)
Finish on the east coast: Nissi Beach and Cape Greco around Ayia Napa, and calmer Fig Tree Bay at Protaras. Almost everything here is free — the pull is the sand and the clear water. Paid extras include WaterWorld waterpark (€49) and the Protaras Ocean Aquarium (€15).
Practical notes
- Base yourself in two places (e.g. Paphos then Ayia Napa/Protaras) rather than moving every night.
- A hire car is the way to do this loop — public buses connect the cities but are slow and infrequent between sites.
- Total core entrance fees for the week are modest — well under €40 per adult unless you add the waterpark or zoo.
FAQ
- How many days do you need to see Cyprus?
- A week covers the whole south coast comfortably — two days each in Paphos and Limassol, then Larnaca, Nicosia, and the eastern beaches around Ayia Napa and Protaras. Five days is enough if you skip either Larnaca or Nicosia.
- Is Cyprus good for a road trip?
- Yes — it is compact and the motorway along the south coast is fast, so no drive between cities is much over 90 minutes. A hire car unlocks the ancient sites, beaches and wine villages that buses reach slowly.
- What does a week in Cyprus cost in entrance fees?
- Very little — most headline sights are €2.50–€4.50 and many of the best things (beaches, promenades, old towns, Aphrodite’s Rock) are free. Total core admissions for the week are well under €40 per adult.