Festive Season
Wow! It’s December already, and as many of you know, it’s probably one of my favourite months in Cyprus. Firstly, coz it’s the festive season, and everyone’s in a good mood, getting ready for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Naturally, that means there will be lots of Christmas parties, live music nights, festivals, lots of Christmas fairs and markets, lots of shopping, log burners and mince pies, everywhere. And as I’ve been a good boy as usual, I’m hoping that Father Christmas to bring me lots of prezzies.
Let it Rain
Back in May, after chatting to the fishermen, we predicted it’s going to be another Indian Summer, and here we all are, still enjoying it. Let’s face it, it is December, and it’s supposed to be winter, but the temperatures hit over 27°C in November. The rainy season has finally arrived, and boy, didn’t we need it. But let’s face it, we can cope with a bit of rain, because Cyprus only gets around 35 to 40 days of rain a year, so I say, ‘let it rain, let it rain, let it rain‘.
Sounds Crazy?
Now, I know this might sound crazy, but by the end of December up in the Troodos Mountains, you can go skiing or even Husky Sledging in the morning, and by the afternoon you can be swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, and that’s just one of the reasons why I think this place is Paradise! Of course, you could do it the other way around and enjoy some apres ski up in Platres in the mountains.
Diet? What Diet?
Oh, and remember, or should I say, be warned, in Cyprus we live for the table, so you’ll probably put on a few kilos over the festive season! … Don’t worry, we’ve got a few Health & Fitness Clubs to help you lose a few more in the new year …
Getting a Tan
Our rainy season comes mostly between November and March, which still means that most days you’ll wake up and there’ll be blue skies and sunshine and in December that means up to 25°C in direct sun, so you’ll still be able to Top Up the Tan. Oh, and don’t forget, when the sun sets, which is around 4.30 pm in December, it gets a bit chilly, so make sure you’ve got a long-sleeved top ready … Have you put the quilt on the bed yet? … I might put it on tonight!
White Horses
Another reason I love December is that there’s no heat haze, so sunrise on the East Coast, and sunsets on the West Coast, are both just stunning to say the least! There’s nothing quite like taking an invigorating walk with the dog along our coastal paths on stormy days, when the spray from the white horses crashing on the rocks catches the breeze and refreshes your smile. On that note, did you know that the aura of the Mediterranean is a natural source of Iodine, helping build the immune system, perfect for us oldies!
Sounds Fishy
Naturally, our harbours and fishing shelters stay open all year, so maybe pop down and book a Fishing Trip, and when you get back, one of the harbour-side restaurants will be happy to cook your catch for you. And if you don’t catch anything, just pop in anyway and savour a fresh fish meze or a delightful seafood dish with the Mediterranean sea as a backdrop. Many of the harbour restaurants belong to generations of fishermen and their families, and if it’s chilly, they often have lovely open fires to keep you warm … it’s easy, just choose a city, go to ‘Eating Out’ and select ‘Fish’ or ‘Beach Side’.
Party Time
As we all swing into Christmas mode, expect lots of ‘Warm-up for Christmas’ parties, with live music, bingo, quizzes and karaoke nights, and of course, the restaurants, bars, and clubs that have stayed open deserve every bit of our support. Naturally, we’ll all be getting together with family and friends, to eat too much and probably drink too much. Mmm, I love December!
Paphos
Up on the West Coast, Paphos will, as always, maintain a year-round lifestyle, coz there’s
over 100,000 residents plus a few holidaymakers catching some winter sunshine, normally, many repeat long-stay winter visitors. The wonderful Pafos Zoo will stay open, so go help them feed the animals, please. There’s lots of live music in several bars, including O’Neills Irish Bar & Grill and The Railway Inn, providing good food and entertainment …
Adventurers
If you fancy 4 Wheel Drive adventures, check out Jimmy’s Jeep Adventures. Trust me, this guy is loads of fun. There’s plenty of Christmas shopping up Tombs of The Kings, Old Town, and down in the new Mall.
Limassol
We’ve always called it our ‘Capital on the Coast’, a little more cosmopolitan, sophisticated, boasting a beautiful, majestic marina and lots of old renovated buildings that have become cosy, stylish bars, eateries, and a cultural shopper’s paradise. In the heart of the city, in the Carob Mills and Castle area of the old town, it’s a delight by day or night … ETKO seem to be smashing the nightlife scene, and at the other end of Limassol, Uptown Square is always a hive of activity.
Larnaca
We’ve always known it as ‘The Hub of Cyprus’, as this city comes into its element in the winter months, perfectly nestled in between Ayia Napa, Nicosia, and Limassol, only a 30 to 40-minute drive away. There’s a delectable promenade, lined with tall palm trees, and there’s lots to do for kids and grownups, starting with the excellent Quad Bike Safari …
Fabulous shopping in Ermou Street, where all the ladies probably end up at Brouska. Oh, and I recently discovered a cool Pasta Bar in Aridippou.
Jazz it Up!
You really must check out one of the delightful cafes down the alleyways in ‘old market’. Stories and Coffee Shop 29, two of my favs, or the legendary Savino Rock Bar with its lovely rear beer garden, or maybe catch a rock band at Savino Live.
Wildlife
Photographers and bird lovers must pop down to get a selfie with the Flamingos nestled in the Salt Lake for the winter, and btw, if you’ve never been, The Camel Park is a really cool day out too …
The Capital
Nicosia also comes into its own in the winter as a population of over 250,000 people stay near home … a massive selection of bars, pubs, nightclubs, stylish cafes, and eateries of every cuisine imaginable. One of my favourite recent finds is Sawa Syrian Restaurant, well worth a visit, especially to see their sexy Belly Dancer, and of course, Nicosia boasts the best Christmas shopping in Cyprus! … Oh, I can’t wait to go check out eRange the new Golf and Clay Pigeon Simulator, stay tuned!
East Coast
Ayia Napa still has a little nightlife and, of course, beautiful beaches, with the sea never dropping below 15°C and several bars and restaurants staying open for the winter, even
Carwash Disco every night and Club Black ‘n White on weekends only, with some top Cypriot DJ’s pleasing all the locals and anyone else who’s in town. Along Nissi Avenue, several restaurants and some cool clothes shopping with Y2K Fashion and London Clothing Company leading the way.
Around the Cape
In the Protaras & Pernera areas, we’ll see a few more bars and restaurants staying open, mostly for the locals, ex-pats, and anyone who’d like to join them … The Bakers Arms, Tipsy Turtle and Blue Spice are great for dining, sports, and entertainment, and Koursaros Music Bar is the place to Rock Cypriot style, with regular live bands on weekends. Remember, Cape Greko is the furthest south-easterly point of Europe, so if you want to watch the first sunrise of 2026, I’ll see you there.
In-Land
Paralimni is the main live-in village on the southeast coast, so it’s the place to go shopping, where you’ll find everything from Super Action Sports & Toys to diamond rings and fine timepieces at The Melekkis Centre. The traditional taverns offer the locals an excuse to get out for lunch or dinner, and lots of takeaway and delivery restaurants. Kapparis is open all year round, so there’s always a few bars and restaurants open.
Time to Dive
Why not learn to Scuba Dive, as Cyprus has one of the longest Diving seasons in the world with the water temperature rarely dropping below 15°C and the dive schools’ instructors can spend a little more time with you individually, it’s a great opportunity to get your Open Water Course qualification … we have a few top diving schools and safaris in our Adventure Sports section.
Hashing
It’s a great time to see Cyprus on foot, so if you are into walking, check out Cyprus
Walks, etc., or one of our many Hash House Harriers or at www.cypruswalksetc.com
Original
We are the original guide to What’s On Cyprus, and our live Facebook Videos have kept many of our followers in touch with Cyprus, happy to see parts of the Island they know so well. To many of our followers, it’s their second home, and for all the lovely comments, I take this opportunity to thank you!
Passionate
Following my passion for Cyprus, photography, and creative writing, I came to Cyprus in 1993 to launch an original guide to Cyprus … Once a published magazine ‘What’s On Cyprus’, our website took on the same structure and now has a selection of 76 Categories, in 8 major citys, with over 2,000 articles of information, and over 30,000 photos and videos, and I lost count how many one-touch links there are, all one word searchable, there’s over 50 just on this page …
Over 30 Years
I love my job, and I’m still doing exactly what I came here to do in 1993. These days, of course, it’s all online, so we can help you find out what’s on, where it’s on, when it’s on, what to do with the Kids and where to go shopping, and of course, what to buy me for Christmas.
Social Media
With more engagement than any other guide, we’re Cyprus’s No. 1 network for News &
Entertainment on Facebook. You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest
… btw, we love to receive your comments, ideas, events, and stories, so please keep them
coming … for more cultural and seasonal events, go to www.visitcyprus.com … And
Please don’t forget to tell them you saw it on What’s On!
Finally
I’d just like to give a big season’s greetings to all our friends and family, and of course, our
members who help make this Network Guide possible … Oh, if you’re in business and you think you’ve got something to shout about, why not call Tony for an info pack?
Tel: +357 99627791 or e-mail us on tony@whatsoncyprus.com
And really finally
If I can give you one tip for December it’s make sure you do at least one thing you’ve
never done before! … and Merry Christmas!
Na da boumen!
Tony Dynamou
More …
Cover shot by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay
Dedicated to my little niece Ellenita Trykush
