It’s Summer
If there’s one month that truly captures the spirit of Cyprus, it’s July. School’s out, the youth element is happening, the beaches are buzzing, the sea is almost at its warmest, and every city, town, village and resort seems to be coming alive with music, festivals and summer celebrations. Yes, it’s hot, very, very hot, but I’m not complaining, that’s exactly why we love Cyprus!
It’s My Birthday
I mostly love July, coz it’s my birthday on the 27th, and that means I’ve made it another year, and as usual I’ll be throwing a party in paradise! The biggest reason, of course, is it’s peak season, with temperatures in the shade in the low 40’s, and it’s getting hotter by the day, through ’til mid August … I say, ‘bring it on’, we love it hot, that’s why we live here … Mmm, Don’t you just love Cyprus?
In Our Element
It’s July, it’s hot, so there’s nothing like lazy mornings by the pool and late afternoon dips in the Med, followed by sunset cocktails, lively beach parties and magical evenings beneath the stars and skinny dipping at midnight. July is when Cyprus is at its absolute best. Whether you’re visiting for a week or lucky enough to call this beautiful island home, here’s our guide to making the most of everything July has to offer …
Longer & Hotter
So, the summer solstice was on 21st June, making our days very long at the moment, with sunrise around 5.30 am, and it’s not getting dark ’til about 8.30 pm. The beach bars are in their element, throwing regular beach parties, and all of our clubs are open, anticipating a bumper peak season over the next few months, coz we all know loads of you are coming to visit your second home as it’s so hard to beat this rock!. Naturally, all the Pool Parties and Foam Parties are already smashing it; especially the Famous Pambos Pool Party in Napa, unmissable on a Thursday afternoon.
Beach Life
It’s definitely time to get yourself down to a beach or next to a pool so you can stay cool while you’re getting that lovely tan. But please be careful, the sun in Cyprus is very strong; at this time of the year, burn time is about 20 minutes, so slap on the Factor 50, aka ‘a bandage’, and btw, there’s no rush, coz it’s definitely going to be sunny tomorrow.
In Style
These days our ‘in-fashion‘ beach bars have popped up all along the coast of Cyprus, throwing some really cool beach parties. One lovely find last season was ‘Wannax Beach Bar’ at The Poseidonia Beach Hotel up in Limassol … Then of course, the most famous; Nissi Bay Beach Bar on Nissi Beach and just one more, less famous but equally notable, ‘Tulum’ Beach Bar on Trinity Beach looks like a first choice for many. There’s of course, more than a few beach bars on Makenze Beach in Larnaca. Then, let’s not forget the decadent old town bars and cafés, putting on some really cool events these days.
Drink More Water !!!
If I can give you just one tip this month … make it ‘Drink More Water’ as it’s pretty much guaranteed to be over 40°C in the shade, that’s over 110°F in English, so it’s time to remind you to drink more water. If you’re out in the sun for long durations, you’ll need at least 3 litres per day, and don’t forget the kids; they’ll need more … and if you think that’s loads? Let me tell you a story, my very good friend Craig of Bungee Down Under fame used to drink 8 litres a day and not pee, so please, please take note!
Let’s Go Cruising
It’s high summer, so you’ll see loads of Boat Cruises sailing from pretty much every marina, fishing port, harbour and many of our Watersports centres. There’s plenty for all the family from age 2 to 102. Boat Trips galore along rough and rugged coastlines, anchoring in Blue Lagoons for swim stops in aqua blue, crystal clear, calm waters. Oh, and look out for a few Sunset Cruises and one or two Firework Cruises, including the biggest on the majestic Wave Dancer I up in Pafos.
Lazy Days
Maybe you prefer a Lazy Day Cruise with John and the crew on Aphrodite II in Napa, or a sunset cruise with Captain Andreas on Aphrodite I in Protaras … Why not go for a little Luxury on the Private charter yachts, Medusa or Cornelia Yacht sailing out of Golden Coast Harbour … Too many to mention, just choose a city, go ‘Things to Do’ and choose Boat Trips.
Kids & Grown-Ups
Some of my favourite trips for the kids include: The Mermaid Cruise, a must for the tiny tots that like me, still believe in Mermaids, so too the very cool Nemo Submarine and my favourite pantomime on the sea The Black Pearl Pirate Cruise. Then there’s The Dolphin Semi-Sub or St Georgios Boat Cruises over in Protaras, which gives you a really cool view underwater or The Yellow Submarine outta Napa harbour that’s just a short trip that allows Captain Yioryis and the family to give you an adventure to the sea caves you’ll never forget.
Eating Out
I’ve been here for over 33 years, and I’m always looking for the best eateries. I’ve tried and tasted so many, several that boast decades of experience, and a few cool new finds. Naturally, we’ve added some awesome pubs that might as well be restaurants. Beachside Taverns have opened everywhere along the coast, many serving fresh fish meze and platters, and I’m very confident you’ll love our recommendations! … just choose a city, go ‘Eating Out’ and click on Fish or Beach Side, or any of the 16 Cuisines … hmm, why not try a one-word search, they’re fun and who knows what you’ll discover?
Fishy
The locals love their fish meze, so why not try a bit of Deep-Sea Fishing to catch your own fishy lunch or maybe have it cooked for you in one of the harbourside restaurants? It really can’t get any fresher than that! … for more info, choose a city, go Things to Do, and click on ‘Boat Trips’
Clubbing
All our coastal resorts will be busy, as the schools and universities close around Europe. Just like any major holiday destination, there will be evidence of lots of youth around. Ayia Napa, of course, is leading the way, as it’s still one of Europe’s Clubbing Capitals, attracting some of the biggest DJ’s on the circuit! … I think it’s hard to beat the nightlife in Napa, mainly coz nothing is too far to get to from the city centre. Just two minutes from the square is Castle Club, it’s the biggest club in town, and by July, they’ll normally have all 5 Rooms open, including an outdoor chill-out VIP zone, that’s just a touch above the rest, and apparently they’re gonna go topless in July … no, I mean they’re retracting the roof for the first time in over 20 years …
More Clubbing
Just as close, Club Ice, will be smashing it with Foam and UV Paint parties, the ever-faithful Club Black ‘n’ White are celebration their 41st season this year and it’s still is the only place to go for a pure urban mix, and or one of my favourites, Carwash Disco, I think it’s the best night out in Napa, and btw, you’ll probably leave singing!!! Oh, and I think the only After Party these days is Napa Rocks at Pambos Magic … While up on the West Coast, places like Breeze and Guaba Beach Bar are always smashing it in Limassol … and in Paphos, The Loft and Notorious lead the way … the thought is ‘unimaginable clubbing heaven’.
Kendall Events
Karen’s gonna be busy this month at Kendall Events … I’m going to catch at least one of the following; Europe’s No.1 tribute to Tina Turner runs from 2nd to 7th July, and finishing off the month with with Back to The 70’s, The Ultimate Dance Floor Experience from 22nd ’til 27th … I’m hearing they’ve got some surprises for you at Savino Live in Larnaca.
Getting Around
If it’s too hot for you on the beach, there’s so much more to do than you think, maybe go feed the Camels at the wonderful Camel Park in Mazados, or get back to the wild feeding the Giraffes at the awesome Pafos Zoo … there are a few cool Escape Rooms, a huge Luna Park aka a FunFair in Napa, a real hedge maze, at CyHerbia Botanical Park and Water Sports galore and some really cool Adventure Sports, like the Quad Bike Safari in Larnaca.
Adventures
If you want to get away from the heat, take a trip to the Caledonia Waterfalls in The Troodos Mountains … I have a couple of really cool excursions for you this month … so check out our article on Jimmy’s Jeep Adventures up on the West coast and Trackers Excursions on the east coast, both highly recommended … The mountains are beautiful at this time of the year … and I have to wish a huge well done to the crew at Jungle Float in Protaras for re-floating this wonderful fun on-water activity for kids and grown-ups in July.
Under the Water
Diving, of course, is also in its element with crystal clear warm sea and visibility up to 40 metres and nothing that can kill you lol. So it’s a great time to ‘Discover Scuba Diving. I tried it for the first time in June with Taba Diving Centre in Pernera, and now I’m hooked … Generally, Open Water Courses over 4 Days start around the €150 mark. Cyprus is one of the best places in the world to get that first certificate. Oh, and btw, experienced divers, ‘get a load’ of our dive sites and they’ve recently found a new Ancient Ship off the coast of Protaras, which I’m sure will be joining The Zenobia in Larnaca to be one of the world’s top wreck dives.
Paradise
You may have noticed I have a passion for Cyprus, coz I truly believe this place is paradise, all you have to do is read my article on The Lost City of Atlantis to understand why. Meanwhile, most of our visitors are repeaters, and eventually, they’ll end up moving here. We’ve got some of Europe’s finest beaches, and our sea has just been voted the best swimming waters in Europe, I reckon its probably the best sea I’ve ever floated in, and arguably the best climate in the world … oh, It’s been conquered by so many nations in its history, which btw is 12,600 years, when the Greek Gods discovered it and remember, they invented party, so it’ll be rude not to show our respect and keep partying.
Shop ‘til you Drop
Shopping in Cyprus is catching up with the rest of Europe, as most shops in our tourist resorts stay open ‘til 11 pm while the rest of Cyprus still enjoys a siesta from 1 pm ’til 4 pm and why not … I love the efforts up in Old Town Pafos to invite shoppers back to stroll around the pedestrianised cobbled alleys where you’ll also find top-designer fashion boutiques and quaint bistros and cafes, some even hosting Salsa Dancing in the Streets and hundreds of dancers go, quite brilliant!
Updates
Our website has over 2,000 articles and more than 30,000 photos and videos about Cyprus with literally thousands of one-touch links and what you can do to pass your leisure time, our Facebook page gives you the topical things happening daily, cool things to plan forward for and I’ll keep my eye on last-minute announcements so naturally watch this space!
You Want More?
Don’t forget to check out our ‘More’ section … It’s everything you need to know and More! … maybe learn The Local Lingo? Hadeh Reh! … oh, and look out for our regular ‘Live Videos’ on our social media as Tony skirts around doing what he does best, everyone is loving them …and here you’ll find workshops and many other cultural events …
Finally
So all that’s left to say is, if it’s your first time here, why? If you’ve been here before, welcome back! And last but not least, step up the UV factor, whatever you do, drink loads of water oh, and make sure you do something you’ve never done before, at least once!
Na da’ boumen!
Tony Dynamou
Ps; I know I’ve missed out loads of stuff, but follow us on Facebook or your chosen social media, much as our Instagram page got hacked we lost 12 years, in one click, or send me a message, and if you’ve got something to shout about, if you tell us, we’ll tell them!
Have A Great Month!
