Question about Cyprus - any experts out there?

[timmette]

Hi
We would like to go to Cyprus next year for a week or two but when is best to go - would prefer not to go in the summer - but would still like it to be warm enough to go in a pool etc.
Also when is low season in terms of hotel prices etc - have to watch the pennies .
And while I am here any recommendations for hotels or villas to remt I was thinking of Limassol but happy to be pointed in a better direction.
Thanks

We stayed in Paphos, it was lovely. We went the middle of May for 10 days, and it was lovely and warm 25 to 30 degrees. Loads to see and do, and had a lovely atmosphere.

Would love to go back, but waiting until kids get a bit older and we can cope with them for 4 hours on a plane!!

We stayed in the Ledra Beach hotel, but I think that is now all inclusive. There are loads of lovely hotels. If you see any you like check out tripadvisor.co.uk for reviews.

We rented an apartment from holidaylets.com, in Paphos, they had villas too. February is generally early 20's and it gets hotter until August/September being in the 30's.

Limassol is more old town then tourist road whereas Paphos has more tourist attractions but they're a lot cleaner and in our experience, less fat Englishmen shouting abuse at the young ladies...

I say that as a Cypriot whose Grandparents live in Limassol.....

Paphos is lovely and all the restaurants were nice and clean and traditional cypriot food - kleftiko and stifado are gorgeous. Limassol is supposed to be very hot - i have heard its the hottest place on the island. We went in the summer and there was a heat wave for 3 days and is was hot hot hot to hot, so i would keep away for july/august. Cyprus is brilliant would definitly recomend it.

Paphos is lovely and all the restaurants were nice and clean and traditional cypriot food - kleftiko and stifado are gorgeous. Limassol is supposed to be very hot - i have heard its the hottest place on the island. We went in the summer and there was a heat wave for 3 days and is was hot hot hot to hot, so i would keep away for july/august. Cyprus is brilliant would definitly recomend it.

It seems to be an overwhelming vote for Paphos - thanks am off to investigate - can I come back if I have some more questions. We are trying to avoid super hot weather.
Thanks

I am living in cyprus at the moment. I would recommend coming after May has started as that is when it warms up nicely. July and August are very hot, but the best month is September I think. Pissouri mid way between Paphos and Limassol is nice, but do also think about North Cyprus. Kyrenia is absolutely beautiful and your money goes alot further than in the south. We were up in Kyrenia last weekend and DD (6) braved the open air pool!!

This week we have had torrential rain, although today is sunny but only 16C

Sunnylabsmum - but aren't there still problems with traveling to the north with having your passport stamped? It's still not recognised internationally (it's an illegal occupation, after all) and could cause problems with travel later on, esp. if OP wanted to visit the Republic of Cyprus, or even Greece.

I'd second September as a good time to go - I used to work summers in Cyprus (digging on archaeological sites) and it was pleasantly hot but not stupidly sweltering (unlike July). I quite like Paphos - you can get away from the crowds as the beaches are quite long, and the sand's nicer there than at, for example, Limassol (grey and nasty-looking).

Avoid Ayia Napa like the plague unless you like drunken squaddies and unpleasant gaggles of hen and stag parties!

well I've never had my passport stamped going to the north. You have to get a stamp on a piece of paper and when you leave the north they stamp this again, but there is no stamp on the passport itself. We have been via Nicosia and via Famagusta crossings.

temp has warmed up a bit over the last few days. As I am typing its around 22C and sunny...although being almost like a local I think its too cold for shorts- LOL