Cyprus, Europe’s sunniest island
Imagine waking up to sunshine more than 320 days a year, swimming in clear, warm water well into November, and still being only a short flight from Europe’s great capitals. That is everyday life in Cyprus, the island where, legend says, Aphrodite rose from the sea.
Hours of sunshine a day
Bars: hours of sunshine a day · below: average day / night temperature (°C), coastal Cyprus
Long golden summers, winters mild enough for lunch on a terrace in January, and a way of life that soon becomes your own.
Sun, sea and the slow life
Summers are long and golden, and winters are so mild that lunch on a terrace in January is nothing unusual. The coastline is lined with Blue Flag beaches and hidden coves, and on the Akamas peninsula, sea turtles still nest on the sand each summer.
The Cypriot rhythm, summed up in the local saying siga-siga, “slowly, slowly”, soon becomes your own.
From beach to mountains in an hour
Drive inland and the Troodos Mountains offer pine forests, hiking trails, wine villages and Byzantine churches painted with centuries-old frescoes, ten of them UNESCO-listed.
In winter you can ski on Mount Olympus in the morning and be back by the sea for sunset.
10,000 years of history
Roman mosaics in Paphos, the cliff-top theatre of Kourion, Crusader castles and Venetian walls are part of daily life here, not just museum pieces.
In summer, many ancient sites become stages for opera, theatre and concerts under the stars.
A table worth moving for
Cypriot food is Mediterranean cooking at its most generous. A meze, small dish after small dish of halloumi, grilled meats, fresh fish and salads, can turn lunch into an afternoon.
The island has made wine for around 5,000 years, and Commandaria is often called the world’s oldest named wine still in production.
Easy living, European standards
Cyprus is a full EU member using the euro, with low crime and good public and private healthcare. English is widely spoken, cars drive on the left, and much of daily life will feel familiar to anyone from the UK.
Two international airports, in Larnaca and Paphos, connect you to most of Europe in a few hours.
Where people choose to live
Paphos
Relaxed coastal living, popular with international residents.
Limassol
The cosmopolitan business hub, with a lively seafront and marina.
Larnaca
Easy-going, central and right next to the main airport.
Nicosia
The capital, for culture, government and business life.
A calendar full of reasons to stay
The Limassol Wine Festival, opera in front of Paphos castle, cycling races through the mountains and arts festivals all year round mean there is always something to look forward to.
Thinking about making Cyprus your home?
PMG has helped people settle here for more than 20 years, from finding a home to company formation and tax residency.
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PMG is an independent corporate services consultancy. It is not a government authority and does not issue official government documents. Incorporation filings have been handled for over two decades by our licensed professionals - including our own advocate and our own ICPAC-registered accountants - in accordance with Cyprus regulatory frameworks.