Cyprus

• 
• 
• 

Football is as popular with the Cypriot male population as it is with the Greek and Turkish populations.Three cup tournaments are held annually. Tickets can be bought at the grounds on the day and they are cheaper than those of the UK league teams.

Paragliding, sailing and scuba-diving are among other popular activities. Cyprus has the ideal terrain, coast and year round Mediterranean weather that make it perfect for many air and outdoor activities.

The Troodos Mountains also offer the few weeks of ski weather per year. Mount Olympus, the highest peak of Cyprus, has enough snow from January just to March to allow some skiing. A ski centre is operated by the Cyprus Ski Club with a chairlift on Zeus slope or T-bar lifts on the Hera, Hermes and Aphrodite slopes.

In Pafos, the Chassamboulia Rock (a.k.a. Eagle Rock) and Cave Greko near Ayia Napa are very popular rock climbing sites. For hikers, 322km of terrain in the Troodos Mountains is divided over 72 marked routes.

Although cycling is possible year round, spring and autumn are the best time and you can rent bikes in all big towns and holiday areas for €10–20 per day.

Other popular ground sports include golf, horseriding and tennis. Cyprus has four golf courses in the south – three in the Pafos District and one in Lemesos – with plans to construct others. For horseriding, there are several holiday packages available across numerous stables. Your hotel or the CTO office should have brochures available. However, Ride in Cyprus, located just outside of Pafos, and Drapia Farm in Kalavasos are the best.

Tennis is another popular sport with hundreds of municipality-run courts across the country and at many hotels. Most courts are floodlit with surfaces designed to accommodate any weather. In addition, numerous local and beach tennis tournaments are held in addition to Cyprus Masters Cup,Aldiana Seniors Open Tournament and competing in the Davis Cup.

Watersports, diving and fishing are all gaining popularity. Cyprus offers both sea- and freshwater fishing (usually done in reservoirs). You can get permission to fish in reservoirs, but it’s not really worth the effort. Rather head to the north and do sea-fishing trips in the country’s most popular harbours.

Hostels, centres and beaches on the north and south coasts offer a wide range of watersports. Dive schools offer accredited courses with recognized dive sites that include the wrecks of the Vera K and the Achilleas off Pafos. Off Larnaca, you can explore the wrecks of the HMS Cricket, a British army helicopter and the famous Zenobia.

 Another popular watersport on the island and its surrounding areas is sailing. You can choose from several marinas, ports, and fishing shelters.