All direct flights to Cyprus from the UK & Ireland

Destination summary

Divided between southern Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish occupied north, Cyprus is the largest island in the eastern Mediterranean.

Cyprus is situated off the southern coast of Turkey, 200 miles west of Syria, which should give some indication of its sun-soaked climate. With temperatures regularly reaching 40C during July and August, it's no surprise Cyprus generally features towards the top of many holidaymakers' lists of summer destinations; with the sun overhead, the clear blue waters lapping at the island's shores prove invitingly warm almost all year around.

Upon arrival, those same holidaymakers tend to split into two camps: the younger crowd tends to head for the sun-bleached clubland of Ayia Napa, while families and older travellers arrive at more sedate resorts like Paphos. There's plenty of day trip potential between both worlds, however: the port city of Limassol, the capital Nicosia, with its ancient hamams (steam baths) and markets, and the surrounding countryside, with its plethora of Greek and Roman ruins. That countryside takes in some stunning mountain ranges. The Troodos mountains - which stretch their height to either just over or just under 2,000m, depending on your source - find themselves capped with snow during the winter months. The paths up and down are lined with olive and fig trees, interspersed with outlets for vendors of locally-produced wine, honey and cheese.

But, whether you're adorned in hiking boots or swimming trunks, Cyprus is a hot spot.