It’s Spring Already!
It’s March, and you all know it’s one of my favourite months, mostly because it’s definitely Spring, so summer’s not far away, much as I think we had a really mild winter this year, with some really hot days, we’ve already started topping up the tan, but OMG! How cold was it at night? …
Daffodills
The 1st March is of course, also Saint David’s Day, a national holiday in Wales, so it’s a cool excuse to have another day of festivities. Those celebrating will dress up with the Welsh national symbols; Leeks and Daffodils, hmmm? … Ha! They’ll just blend in with all the carnival fancy dress this year. Of course, many of our ex-pats in Cyprus will be happy to celebrate with all the Welshies, so we’re gonna kick off the month in party style coz it’s carnival weekend in Cyprus.
Meat Free
We’re entering the Greek Orthodox season of Lent, which starts on Katherie Theftera on Monday 3rd March. Literally translated it means ‘Clean Monday’ aka ‘Green Monday’
as traditionally, we all go into the fields to light the BBQs, cook fish, seafood, lots of veg and fruit and pretty much anything not meat, which of course follows the weekend of Carnival Parades everywhere on 1st and 2nd March around Cyprus.
Carnivores
Originally known as The Carnivore Season, when our nationals start to fast, eating no meat or dairy products for 49 days, or until Easter, which falls on Sunday 20th April this year, when most families will sacrifice the lamb, and cook it Kleftico style in the sealed clay oven or over charcoal on a slow spit roast.
Let it Rain
I think we’ve had quite a mild winter so far, I can’t wait to get my flip-flops out, and as we had a fair bit of rain in January and February, we might not get too much in March. But tbh, we need as much rain as possible, because by May we probably won’t see rain again ‘til October, bring it on I say! … I just love those spring rainbows!
Greeeeeen
So, as I was saying, it’s spring, evidently, coz it’s green everywhere, all the citrus trees are blossoming, flowers galore, the rainbow of colours are fabulous and the aromas, absolutely delectable! Even better, there’s still fresh wild asparagus around, and strawberries coming into season, but the bi-annual Strawberry Festival giving it a miss this year, much as there’s bound to be something happening in the village of Dherynia.
It’s Almost Summer
Some say that Cyprus is a country of only two seasons, summer and winter. ‘It’s supposed to be Spring’, but whatever you do, don’t blink, coz in Cyprus it only lasts a few weeks, and by the end of the month it’ll be the start of summer, with temperatures already hitting over 30°C in direct sun in February, allowing us to Top Up the Tan and even grab a swim in the sea, Mmm!
Aura
I just love this time of the year, you can feel spring is in the air, coz all the blossoms are out, bit early this year, confused by all the rain we had last month maybe, not to mention all the sun we’ve enjoyed lately. The delightful aromas are everywhere and everything is still sooooo green, and the days have started to get longer and warmer, and I can almost spread my butter in the morning, but maybe it’s just a bit too early to take the quilt off yet? … Don’t you just love Cyprus!
Winter Warmers
Another reason I love this time of the year is having the time to take my dog Bandit for those long, invigorating walks along stormy coastlines, catching that fresh sea spray in the air full of Natural Iodine, perfect for us oldies. Then, on those chilly winter nights, most bars, cafes, and restaurants have homely, warming, open wood fires, or those tall gas heaters. Some have wicked DJs, mixing to mostly locals, a few off-season tourists, and our ever-increasing long stayers.
On Stage
Many bars and restaurants put on a bit of live music, some of my favourites include,
O’Neill’s Irish Bar in Paphos, Rumours and The Rialto Theatre in Limassol, the original
Savino Live in Larnaca, oh and leading the way on the east coast, Koursaros Music Bar in Protaras, who all have regular gigs throughout the winter or catch a little live bouzouki at The Old Village Tavern in Napa on the weekends, btw, it’s one of my favourite traditional restaurants in Cyprus.
Shopaholics
You should still be able to catch the extended February Sales, with some crazy discounts in many high street stores, so you’d better hurry and get out and find some bargains. It’s a good time to buy that last winter warmer, still needed at night in March and maybe April. Leading the way in Fashion is London Clothing Company , with shops all over Cyprus and many a lady’s, and gents’ favourite is Y2K in Ayia Napa and Brouska in Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca and Nicosia.
Versatile
The season is just gearing up, but there’s still loads to do if you look around, tbh, Cyprus is so versatile, that you’ll probably still be able to Ski and Snowboard and even go Husky Sledding up in the Troodos Mountains ’til mid-March. Imagine being able to go snowboarding in the morning and wakeboarding on the Mediterranean in the afternoon. The air is really clear in March, so you’ll still be able to go Star Shaped and get a nice base for that deep summer tan! It’s also a great time to get Out & About or just go touring and there’s plenty to see. The Troodos Mountains are in their element at this time of the year!
ChaChaCha, Changes
As I’ve been driving around Cyprus, I’ve noticed many changes happening, it’s exciting, places being knocked down, and rebuilt, extra floors for more rooms, new fascia, new lights and sound systems, new bars, and a few up for sale and some changing hands, and I hear one or two new beach bars and clubs opening.
Mama Mia
Things are looking good for Cyprus, favoured it seems this year by many Brits, Europeans, including the ever-increasing French, Spanish and Italian lot, tbh, I’m expecting it’s gonna be a really busy year, so you’d best book early!
Clubbing News
We’re hearing some huge names being booked for this season, and if the rumours I’m getting are true, the outdoor club scene will get bigger and better … so we’re gonna be clubbing outdoors loads more this year. Ayia Napa, as always leading the club scene … I’m hoping Club Black ‘N’ White will be open in time for Green Monday, on 3rd March, just weekends only to start. Carwash Disco, still the best night out in Napa, will be open nightly over the festive season, then Castle Club, probablythe best club in Cyprus, I hear will open mid-April, in time for Easter, the awesome Club Ice around the same time, and let’s not forget Club Deep and Ammos on the Beach, in Larnaca, Guaba Beach Bar and Rummours in Limassol, Club Teez in Nicosia and Loft Club in Paphos, all smashing it these days!
On the Beaches
Cyprus boasts more than a few of the top 25 beaches in Europe and guess what you can enjoy them in over 320 days of sunshine a year because I think we also boast the best climate worldwide, and we’re one of the safest places to live in the world, and that’s just a few of the reasons we all live here. Oh and btw, Cyprus is The Mythological Party Playground of the Mediterranean and they’ve been partying here since the Greek Gods invented party over 12,600 years ago! The least we can do is respect that, and keep partying! … Click for more Cultural Events
Honoured
It’s lovely to get recognition for all your hard work, as I’ve been doing this for over 32 years now, and much as I’ve always said ‘We’re the best guide to Cyprus’, we were recently awarded ‘The Best Tourist Platform’ in Cyprus by The Cyprus Prestige Awards In Birmingham, UK, and The TGI Travel Company. This year we got Best Online Leisure & Hospitality Guide 2025 for Cyprus by The Restaurant & Bars Awards. I have to say I’m flattered of course, and I’ll strive to make it even better so we can win them again next year … Oh and, please can you introduce a friend to help us along. The site gets around 10,000 visitors a month these days!
Social Network
Our 20,000 plus followers of What’s On Cyprus, include over 18,600 on Facebook, where we do most of our daily stuff. It seems everyone’s talking about us, with our daily post engagement of around 10,000 people a day, commenting, liking, and sharing our posts and articles … you can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, oh and please tag and share if you care … tbh, It’s Everything you need to know and … More!
Getting Around
To finish off this month … It’s a great time to go touring, so jump in the car and go check out some places of interest with wonderful Wineries within shouting distance, if you need some ideas? check out Stanna’s article from our old mag called ‘Driving You to Drink’, get some wine tasting in, and top the Cava up for Christmas, Did I say ‘Christmas’? OMG, I meant summer! … btw the non-drinker has to drive, ok?
Enjoy March … Summer’s Coming!
