Greece and Cyprus are not only famous for their nice beaches, vibrant nightlife, and numerous islands to visit. Greece and Cyprus have distinctive urban destinations that hide a long history and can offer travelers great experiences.
Starting from Greece and the city of Athens, we need to underline that the city of Athens, together with the port town of Piraeus, offers international travelers the opportunity to visit places and sightsee history, while developing full travel experiences. Athens is the capital of Greece and the economic center, having the largest international airport in the country and a dense connection through Piraeus towards the islands.
Every traveler that wants to visit Greece needs to spend at least two to three nights at the city that “never sleeps”. Athens is rich of historical sites with the world-famous Acropolis and it temple of Parthenon to stand apart from any other site. The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. Also, when visiting the Acropolis, it is a must to visit the Acropolis Museum with the original marbles of Parthenon and the ancient theater of Dionysus and the reconstructed theatre of Odeon Of Herodes Atticus.
The Lycabetus Hill is also a must-see location for those that want to get a stunning 360-degree view of the city – enjoy the Greek sunset, have a drink or dinner at the top of the hill (which is the highest point in town), and get some wonderful pictures. The view from Lycabettus Hill is reaching up to the sea and on a clear day you can see the island of Aegina, the island of Agistri and the northern coast of Peloponnese!
Athens besides the archeological sites offers young travelers the opportunity to visit the numerous loft bars with stunning views towards the Acropolis and other well-known sites, taste the famous Greek modern cuisine, organize their shopping experience among the Greeks and also visit the sea.
Visiting the sea can also be done by the port town of Piraeus and especially the picturesque gulf of Mikrolimano, which is newly renovated and more pedestrian- friendly to both locals and travelers. Piraeus is the town next to Athens, but due to the growth of both cities, there is no clear separation anymore. Piraeus was from the ancient times, the port of the city of Athens whereas the Athenians kept their navy and also brought the goods from the international trade they had. As we can see, not many things have changed in the last 2500 years and the Port of Piraeus, like the rest of the gulf, offers both leisure, sightseeing, and other opportunities.
Many travelers that decide to visit Greece plan to also visit the island of Cyprus. Cyprus is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of the Anatolian Peninsula. It is the third largest and third-most populous island in the Mediterranean and is located south of Turkey. Its capital and largest city is Nicosia, but also famous is Larnaca, a vibrant coastal city that in the last few years has seen investment booming.
Nicosia is the southeasternmost of all EU member states’ capitals. It has been continuously inhabited for over 4,500 years and has been the capital of Cyprus since the 10th century. Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and has the unique honor of being the world’s only divided capital, being split between Greek and Turkish Cyprus. The division even cuts through the circular Walled Old City and you will need your passport to go from one side to the other. Also known as Lefkosia, the city is far from the coast, so it obviously lacks the beach atmosphere of most of Cyprus’ more popular destinations. However, if you like museums and history, there’s nowhere on the island with more to see. If you’re looking for some retail therapy during your stay, you’ll also find lots of it in the capital.
The next famous destination in Cyprus is Larnaca. Larnaca is a must-see coastal city not only because it has one of the finest city beaches in Europe, the so-called “Finikoudes”, but also because the harbour is surrounded by chic cafés and stylish boutiques. Moreover, Larnaca is the city that is also home to some of the most historic religious sites in Cyprus, including the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque and the Church of St. Lazarus.
Our last urban destination will be Paphos town. Paphos is a fantastic destination for couples as it has stunning scenery, fascinating history, good shopping, great dining and amazing hotels. The older, lower part of the town offers beachfront restaurants and a bit of romantic nightlife. Besides the beautiful beaches, you’ll also find Roman ruins like the houses of Dionysus, Orpheus, and Aion, as well as most of the town’s tourist facilities. Paphos has a bit more of a local atmosphere. The Old Town is worth checking out.
Cyrpus can be reached mainly by plane through the international airport of Larnaca, where all European capitals do have direct flights!
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Embassy Hotel and Best Western Plus Larco Hotel.