Crazy Hot!
By now, most of you will know that August isn’t my favourite month, probably because it’s just that little bit too hot, especially in those middle two weeks either side of the 15th when many Cypriots and locals are forced to take their annual leave, coz it’ll be hotter than 40°C in the workplace, 50°C in direct sun at midday, and so life gets a little crazy on our coastal resorts all over Cyprus …
But …
If there’s one month that truly captures the spirit of Cyprus, it’s August. The island is buzzing from coast to coast, the beaches are packed, the sea is irresistible, and every evening feels like a celebration. Whether you’re a local making the most of summer or visiting for the first time, August is all about living outdoors, enjoying great food, unforgettable nights and making memories under the Mediterranean stars.
This is Cyprus
Now, I love it hot; it’s one of the main reasons I moved here over 30 years ago in 1993 … What I hadn’t realised was, in August, you can’t even take a cold shower coz the cold water just isn’t cold enough. August is Cyprus at its hottest, with temperatures typically ranging from 35°C to 40°C in the shade, and even higher inland. The good news? The Mediterranean is like a giant swimming pool, with sea temperatures around 28°C, making it perfect for cooling off throughout the day. And on that note, Cyprus was recently voted the best swimming waters in Europe.
Top Tip
Get up early, head out early, catch the morning sun, enjoy a long lunch in the shade, get in the siesta mode, then come back to life as the sun begins to set. So, I’ll let you in on a little secret: my absolute favourite thing to do in August is to stand under one of our Waterfalls in The Troodos Mountains, mmm, even in August it’s ice cold!
The Mind Boggles
Did I mention it’s gonna get very hot? And by that I mean, like really, really hot, and if you only get one tip from me this month, it’s make sure you ‘Drink Lots of Water’. Crazy as it sounds, you’ll need at least 3 litres a day. Let me explain: a very good friend of mine, ‘Craig’, who was the guy who went up and down in the bungee cage on Nissi Beach to persuade you to jump 150 feet into the sea with elastic around your ankles, used to drink 8 litres a day and not pee … the mind boggles?
More Youth
It’s peak holiday season in Cyprus, so too all over Europe; all the kids are on school’s out, so naturally we’ll see lots of families here on their hols. Of course, the youth element will be more evident in all coastal resorts, especially Ayia Napa, one of the club capitals of Europe, and of course, they’ll be doing their normal eat, drink, rave, repeat, as usual!
Electric
It’s definitely gonna hit over 40°C in the shade, so that’s over 50°C in direct sun, so for those of us still working, it’s horrible! Imagine Nicosia at lunchtime? Not a good idea, and that’s why the majority of the residents of Nicosia swarm down to the coast. I love watching as sophisticated, cosmopolitan, trendy Nicosia mixes with the pure party holiday crew; the result inevitably is electric! Which, btw, is why August might secretly be my favourite month.
Topical
Naturally, I talk with many of our 22,000-plus followers on social media, and it seems they’re coming to visit us this year, some of them two or three times. So, as usual, it’s already really busy, full of Brits, Scandies, Germans, Dutch, Lebanese, and our more recent market of Italian, Spanish and French visitors, and tbh these days, well, you name it, everyone is coming to Cyprus … for the latest updates, follow us on our Facebook Page
Hospitality
This month many of our hotels are requested to keep about 50% of their rooms available for our nationals, to make sure they’ve got somewhere to stay. The rumour is that many Cypriots won’t be leaving Cyprus for their holidays this year, so getting a hotel room might be difficult. We recommend you book early, and there’s a few of my selected Hotels on this site. Maybe you might prefer to get the family together in a Villa this year … we’ve selected a few really cool Apartments and Villas too.
Eating Out
I first visited Cyprus in 1987, and I created What’s On Cyprus back in 1993, and naturally, since then, I’ve eaten at so many restaurants as part of my research, which is one of the reasons I love my job! Like everything on this site, I try to recommend my favourites from the last three decades. So, just choose a city, go ‘Eating Out’ and then select one of 16 cuisines and I’m certain you’ll discover some absolutely excellent eateries! … If you mention to the boss I sent you, you might get a nice surprise. Your comments are always very welcome!
On The Pulse
We’ve got our finger on the pulse, and we’re here to tell you about the best places we’ve found in over 30 years, and trust me, some of them are very special, but of course we will miss a few … we also love to help new places start up, so if you’ve recently opened, do tell us and we’ll tell them! … oh and our Facebook Page hit over 20,000 views a day last July/August … Can’t wait to reach a million a month, so if you like what we do, please share!
The Youth Thingy
Anyway, as it’s August, I was saying, the ‘youth thingy’ is evident everywhere, and why not? Their smiles are infectious, and their lack of inhibitions priceless; as for their fashions, each year in Napa, the girls seem to be wearing less, and the guys aren’t complaining!
Clubbing
The 100 Day Club war is on … All 5 Rooms @ Castle Club, as usual, smashing it in Napa, so too is Black & White Club, who lead the way in providing that urban mix! … and Carwash Disco, still the best night out in Napa and everyone usually ends up there at some point! oh, and because it’s summer, expect some of the club scene to step out of the basements and onto the beaches and around pools, to make sure you get your clubbing fix, al’fresco style!
Paphos Beer Festival
August 5th til 9th, you can enjoy craft beers, street food, and live entertainment, music and beer games, in the stunning setting of Paphos Medieval Castle with free entry and a festive vibe … More
Coming Together
Then starting the 29th July ’til 2nd August it’s the One Love Festival, under the moon at Vals Place, in Yiallia, Paphos to dance, connect, party, to a cool mix of reggae, dub & steppas with heavy basslines, bright hearts, big smiles, and open vibes … It’s more than just a festival, it’s more like a movement, a celebration of unity, music, family, and freedom … I’m gonna go become part of the tribe!
The Big One
One of the biggest dates in the calendar is Saturday 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a national public holiday celebrated with traditional church festivals, village feasts, live entertainment and community celebrations across Cyprus.
Countryside Animafest
Also on August 8th to 10th … it’s the 25th Countryside Animafest Cyprus. Animation lovers will enjoy screenings, live music, and outdoor camping in Salamiou village, surrounded by scenic hills … sounds like fun!
Lofos Assumption Festival
August 14th ’til 17th … A four-day Traditional Festival in one of my favourite villages, Lofou, nestled in the foothills of The Troodos Mountains, with folk music, Cypriot cuisine, tombola games, and local market stalls.
Larnaca Cinema Festival
The inaugural edition of this Cinema-Themed Festival, on August 27th to 29th, transforms public spaces into open-air movie venues, with screenings and film-focused events throughout the weekend … whilst everything else seems to move to Makenzie Beach with several café-style lounges turning beach club style.
Capital on the Coast
Up in Limassol, the classy Wanax Beach Bar at Poseidonia Beach Hotel, and arguably Cyprus’ number one club ‘Guaba’, on the beach, is a perfect setting for a clubbing day or night out, and I’ve heard we are going to have some of the world’s top DJ’s here as usual.
Sunset Boulevard
Meanwhile, up west, Nightlife Street in Paphos hasn’t changed much over the years, with the newly refurbished Aces Sports & Cocktail Bar, Robin Hood, Club Black ‘n’ White Reload, Flairs, and Bubbles, all still leading the way … or the long drive up Toombs of The Kings Road will find you some really cool bars, including O’Neills Irish Bar & Grill
Live Music
You’ll find lots of live music all over Cyprus … and there’s a few more gigs I want to get to this month … I’m hearing they’ve got some surprises for you at Savino Live in Larnaca. Over in Pernera it’s Greek style at Koursaros Music Bar … to find the best places, just choose a city and then search ‘Live Music’ or ‘Events’ … and follow our Facebook Page for last-minute announcements!
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!
Shopaholics
Don’t forget August also means it’s time for the summer sales, everywhere, so go grab a bargain … Leading the way in fashion, London Clothing Company with 3 shops on the East Coast and Y2K for the ladies on Nissi Avenue Ayia Napa … and they have some lovely ideas for your garden at Basics Home & Garden or Rustic Furniture in Paralimni … oh and if you want to learn a bit of the Local Lingo before you go shopping check this out …
Commerce in August?
Pretty much the whole of Cyprus’ commerce and industry shuts down for about 3 to 4 weeks in August. To explain: it’s not worth them trying to work coz if the temperature exceeds 40°C in the workplace, the unions can pull all the workers out, and it’s definitely gonna be over 40°C; so they might as well close down! But of course, as that happens it’s a nightmare, coz you can’t get anything done … ‘No problem’, ‘Avrion’ as we say in Cyprus! You may have noticed it’s the Cypriots’ favourite word, in English it means ‘Tomorrow’, so I’m sure you’ll witness an occasional ‘pull your hair out’ moment this month lol
Full Moon
The full moon will be at 5.35 pm on Friday, 28th August, which will highlight a partial lunar eclipse. When it rises on the east coast, it’s massive and not to be missed …
My Passion
I expect that you’ve noticed, I love Cyprus with a passion … ‘Special’ doesn’t really begin to describe it, and if you’ve returned to this rock at least once, you’ll understand, coz it’s even got its own distinctive smell. The great Prophet ‘Plato’ described this rock as Paradise, and who are we to argue with a Prophet?
That Distinct Aura
I really believe Cyprus is the Mythological Party Playground of the Mediterranean. It’s quite unique, with its own- I’m not sure what you call it? … Aura? That makes it so very different from any other island in the world. When you arrive here, you’re sort of immediately drawn in with the ‘quality of life’, and mad as it sounds, I’ve heard several people say they decided to move to Cyprus within 24 hours of setting foot on this wonderful rock! … Just in case you’ve decided to make the move we’ve got a few recommended Estate Agents
School’s Out
Don’t forget it’s the school holidays, so there’s loads of little’ns around too, and it’s too hot to do much except chill, but there’s so much to do and so little time, hmm? … choose a city and try going to Things to Do and then ‘Kids & Grown Ups … but let’s start you off with a visit to Ocean Aquarium Park in Protaras for a lovely day out with the kids.
Kids & Grown Ups
Spending quality time with the little’ns is so important, priceless moments, but if you’re out of ideas? a few of my favs include; The Camel Park in Mazados is an excellent day out with swimming pools and cafes and loads to do or maybe Pafos Zoo, it’s a cool way to catch up with the wild animals, up close, there’s nothing quite like seeing the kids’ faces when they come so close to those Tigers, and check out the walk-through Avery at bird feeding time, it’s a fantastic day out. Another must-visit is CyHerbia Botanical Park in Avgorou with a really cool real hedge maze, any excuse to lose the kids for a couple of hours.
Wet All Day
I have to give a big shout-out to Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark, recently voted No:1 Waterpark in Cyprus and No: 3 Waterpark in Europe, and very well deserved, coz I think the design and layout are just perfect!
Different
One of the coolest things to do is walk on the seabed with Undersea Adventures in Protaras, I’ve done their Helmet Dive four times and highly recommend it for all the family. Last year I tried the Underwater Scooters, it’s like a 007 experience just awesome fun … Another is Jungle Float in Protaras, a floating waterpark with trampolines and rope swings into the sea, go check it out, and another cool idea is to get the kid’s hair braided at one of Jenny’s Hair Salons all over Cyprus and I’ve personally watched her change people in seconds.
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.
Adventure Sports
You must check out Flyboarding at various water sports all over Cyprus. I’ve tried it and let me say, when you come out of the water like Iron Man and dive like a dolphin, it’s just awesome! Check them out at Paphos Water Sports, left of the promenade, Octopus Water Sports in Kato Paphos and at Mike’s Watersports at Konnos and Stephanos Water Sports in Protaras
Scuba Diving
It’s also a great month to learn to dive, with the sea at its warmest, it’s almost like a tepid bath and where better to get away from the sun than discovering the underwater world of the Mediterranean! I did a Discover Scuba Dive with Taba Diving in Pernera last month, and I’m hooked
On the Sea
It’s perfect weather for a boat trip! From the award-winning Black Pearl, more of a pantomime on the sea, sailing from Napa’s harbour to glass-bottom boats all over the place, semisubs and catamarans, fishing trips where you can catch your lunch and have it cooked for you at the harbour when you return … Or, there’s pedalos on every beach, and they’ve got slides on them these days. I even noticed one of those underwater scooter things at Fig Tree Bay Watersports the other day.
More Boat Trips
A must for the tiny tots is The Mermaid Cruise in Protaras; it’s an awesome idea. Just seeing their little faces as they finally believe in real mermaids, it’s absolutely priceless! A trip on Aphrodite 1 is amazing, whilst the Lazy Day Cruise on Aphrodite II is a complete delight … The elegant Medusa glides along the coast, and the brilliantly designed Nemo Semi-Submarine a great idea for the kids …
Short & Sweet
The Yellow Submarine, which is one of my favourites, coz it’s just a short trip to the sea caves and everyone comes off smiling, and just recently I was invited on St. Georgeos Boat trip in Protaras and have to say the whole experience, including swimming with the turtles at Green Bay, was amazing …
West Coast
Whilst up the West Coast, Paphos Watersports have a variety of cruises, love the Snorkelling Trip to find Turtles … and the best boat on the harbour has to be WaveDancer as it salsa’s its way up the West coastline with daily cruises and stunning sunset dinners and spectacular entertainment with a huge firework party finale!
Getting Around
Cyprus is a small rock, just over three hour’s drive from Kapparis on the far South East coast to Pomos high up on the North West coast … So jump in the car and go touring, maybe a trip up to the mountains to get away from the maddening crowd and intense heat, mmm, and if you dare, cool down a bit in one of the natural waterfalls. On the way, back down, stop off at one of the left back-in-time villages of Lofou in the Troodos foothills; btw, Lofou Taverna in the centre, is highly recommended!
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 … If I was up on the West Coast I’d probably tried it with CyDive. 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.
Taste Time
Another really great idea when you’re out and about is to stop off at either Octo Microbrewery in Sotira for a little bit of craft beer tasting or Aristides Craft Distillery in Tseri to try their delicious Gins or Vodka made with Cyprus Potatoes or a wee dram, Cyprus style!
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.
Cultural
Cyprus is versatility to the extreme, so go to the Cyprus Tourist Organisation’s website for a full list of Cultural Events and Exhibitions.
Party Gods
Remember kids you didn’t start it, the Greek Gods did, some 12,600 years ago, right here on this wonderful rock we call Paradise, so as it was the gods who introduced us to the world of a party, I think it’s only right that we show them our gratitude and continue where they left off and show them how to party twenty-first-century style and more importantly, Cyprus Style! … and when it’s time to chill, why not grab a few hours at one of our health spas. I’m super impressed with Diaplasis Sport & Wellness in Larnaca and Serenity Fitness Centre in Paralimni, just for girls, and you must try the couple’s experience at Image Spa in Paralimni, Mmm!
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 got over 743,000 views last July. It 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, follow us on Facebook and watch this space!
We’ll Help
What do you fancy doing? All you have to do is try a one-word search, and you’ll probably find some awesome places to see and brilliant things to do … type one word into the search facility at the top right of every page on our site, and explore!
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’ as Tony skirts around doing what he does best; everyone is loving them!
And finally …
oh, and just in case you weren’t taking note, please drink more water, increase the UV factor, drink loads More Water and make sure you do at least one thing you’ve never done before, at least once!
Na da bou’men!
Tony Dynamou
Editor
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 just 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!
Cover Photo; Alex Blue Dynamou, at The Waterfalls, Troodos Mountains
