Holiday to Cyprus in October

[Bythesea1982]

Hi there. Considering a holiday to Cyprus with my two children (13 and 10) in October. We’d like somewhere that’s not too touristy, but enough going on, nice beaches and to take in the local culture. Where would you recommend?

Is anyone able to comment who has been to Cyprus especially those who might have been to different areas? I was originally thinking of going to Paphos but have read mixed reviews so now not sure. Any suggestions would be really helpful.

Will you have a car and are you looking at a hotel/villa or all inclusive?

Both Limassol and Paphos are lovely. Paphos has better beaches. Limassol also has nice beaches & a great waterpark but need a car to be accessible. It should be mid 20's in October half term.

We love Paphos and have done late October for half term. We usually stay at the Annabelle which has a lovely heated pool. Regulars too at the Almyra next door, which is brilliant for children.

We did find this last time that Paphos is really struggling post pandemic and didn’t feel quite as laid back and happy as in the past. It felt a little sad at times. When we were there there was an air of disquiet and a couple of riots up in the residential area but I think this has quietened down now.

@roses2 Thank you. Yes we’d more than likely hire a car maybe for just a couple of days. Is there anywhere in particular you’d recommend visiting outside of Paphos?

@Shangrilalala All really useful thank you. Good to hear of the recommendation of a hotel with a heated pool - I think we’ll need that in October. Interesting to hear your views of the change in Paphos. Can I ask, have you been recently?
Our original plan was to go to Rhodes or Crete but the flight times are awful and I think the warmer weather might be more of a guarantee in Cyprus but now I’m doubting whether it is the better option.

All of the major cities are worth a day trip. Limassol is my favourite, I go every year as my in laws live there. Limassol probably has the best food out of all the cities I have been to. My favourite restaurant is this one, their meze is excellent:

Karatello – Carob Mill Restaurants (carobmill-restaurants.com) (meat meze)
Find Us - Pyxida Fish Tavern (fish meze)

And this place for brunch pancakes (you will need to book as it is always busy)
Home | Stoa (stoaurbankitchen.com)

I also love the waterpark and go every year (open week ends only in October):
Redirect Page (fasouriwaterpark.com)

Yes, we had a summer holiday there last year.

We tend to get there every 2 or 3 years and went immediately after flights restarted for an October holiday in 2021. It was just wonderful to be away again and it was just opening up. Fine to laze by the pool at that time of year but heated water helped. The unheated adult only pool next door was bracing!

This last summer 2023 we went back to Paphos and that’s when the change was apparent. It’s stil nice, just not quite the same but then again, everything changes.

We said we’d give Paphos a miss for a while. We’ve always fancied the sister hotel. The Anassa, further out to the North West. We’ve always loved the nearby towns of Polis and Latchi. Maybe worth a look?

@roses2 Thank you so much. Would you still recommend Paphos over Limassol to stay in and take a day trip to Limassol?

Yes - both Limassol and Paphos are lovely places to stay and are a 45 min drive from each other so easily do-able for a day trip.

Definitely get a beach hotel.

We usually go to Paphos every year and have done since the kids were young. There's a water park there, a zoo, the harbour area, lots of water sports and loads of boat trips. We did a jeep trip and went up into the mountains which was excellent because you see the little villages and it felt like proper Cyprus.

@spuddy4 Thank you. Have you been in October before? What’s the weather been like? Would you recommend any hotels or particular areas of Paphos?

@Shangrilalala Thank you for the suggestions. I’ll take a look.

And don’t forget the pelican bar in Paphos! I’m sure PETA supporters will crucify me for saying this but I enjoy the place!

The pelicans are long gone, so you’re in the clear. Bar still there!

I went to a hotel near Aiya Napa one October half term. Every day was dry and sunny, it got dark around 5.30 which I wasn’t used to on a sunny holiday. This meant in our hotel the outside dining and bar areas weren’t in use. It was a very nice holiday, we hired a car one day and went to a good water park another day. It didn’t quite have the vibe of a ‘proper’ summer holiday.

I can recommend eating at the Seven St George Tavern near Paphos.
They do meze and grow all their own vegetables. Hopefully it is till open in October.

The Annabelle in Paphos is amazing

Weather in October is mixed. It's usually ok but not guaranteed. By half term many things will be closed and outdoor pools will be cold. Amazing island and ayia napa and the east is a fabulous place to holiday, but the season is short