It might be by chance or on purpose that you’re in Cyprus during a big birthday, either way, it’s an ideal place to celebrate another year around the sun in this Mediterranean gem.
Since the island is big enough to drive from end to end in the same day it makes it easy to do a couple of things during the same day but it won’t be possible to fit them all in so choose the ones that suit you best from all corners of the island.
Bear in mind the island of Cyprus is split in half with a Greek and Turkish side. You will need a passport and to pay for a visa to enter the Turkish side and vice versa so it makes sense to stay on one side for convenience. For this purpose, I’ve focused on the Greek side (south). Here are some of the best things to do in Cyprus for a birthday.
1. Paphos Harbour meal and stroll
Ah, Paphos Harbour. It’s the place where ancient ruins are mixed with plenty of great restaurants and gelato stands. For me it is one of the best places to grab a bite to eat in Cyprus, sat there right on the harbour watching the sun go down.
Take a slow stroll along the waterfront afterward to work it off, pretending you’re Cleopatra (or Mark Antony, if that’s your vibe). Pose dramatically by the medieval castle, then reward yourself with a scoop of gelato or a cocktail.
2. Bubble Park: Adults Playground
Who says playgrounds are just for kids? Not in Bubble Park, Limassol in the south of the island where grown-ups can bounce around like tipsy kangaroos. You can take on inflatable obstacle courses, giant bubbles, and steep slides. Have a day of laughter if you like a more lively atmosphere.
3. Complete a memorable Troodos Mountain climb
Troodos Mountain is a centrepiece of the island. Right in the middle it offers a 360 panoramic view of the island once you’re up there, so stick on some hiking boots and get that massive sense of achievement when you reach the top.
I’d say it’s best to take the Kato Amiantos – Loumata ton Aeton Trail as it’s about 2.5km and is pretty linear plus the lakes and views make it worthwhile. It’s not too hard overall and takes a couple of hours out of your day so that you can enjoy another activity in the evening.
4. A Casino jaunt in Ayia Napa
Feeling lucky? Head to Ayia Napa’s casino and try your luck on a bit of Blackjack or poker. There’s roulette or slot machines if you’re not a card person. Channel your inner James Bond and see if you can beat the house. But don’t expect to and you’ll have some fun.
It’s generally a good place to relax with a few drinks too as it’s quite new and is surrounded by the obvious popular bar districts in Cyprus, and it’s the best place to party so there’s plenty of places nearby to kick on and enjoy after it.
5. Tala Monastery Cat Park: For the animal lovers
Cat lovers, this is a must if you haven’t tried it already and are on the island of Cyprus for your birthday. Tala Monastery Cat Park is where pet-friendly cats just roam freely, demanding head scratches and posing for Instagram.
I’d say you will enjoy it even if you’re a dog person as they are friendly and it’s a pretty unique experience just to have tons of cats roaming around you, they’re pretty friendly too so just lay on the attention. Ideally, you’re not allergic though!
6. Dive underwater to the MUSAN museum of sculpture
Yes, you heard me right, there’s a museum underwater in Ayia Napa, Cyprus and you have to get wet to see it. It’s one of the most unique and exciting things to do in Cyprus.
As a public art project, it offers amazing cultural treasures and you need to scuba dive or snorkel underwater to see them, so it’s far unlike any other museum. The Museum of Underwater Sculpture has 93 pieces so dive in and see the best it has to offer.
7. Take a boat cruise along the East coast
There’s plenty of boat cruises on offer in Cyprus but I would say it’s a good idea to hit the East coast as there’s a few things to see along there that are better than any regular boat cruise.
A cruise such as the Aphrodite 2 lazy day cruise will get you to see the blue lagoon, fig tree bay, all the best coves in Cyprus and the eerie old ghost town of Famagusta which was abandoned 50 years ago and is now an empty city inside the city. Add lunch on top and it’s a brilliant trip all round. It’s a good 5 hours though so will take up most of the day and leave room for another big activity afterwards.
8. Try Nicosia’s top dining experiences
While Nicosia wasn’t one of my favourite cities in the world. It’s quite eerie with it being split in half by the Greek and Turkish sides, there’s a strong military presence around and you can still see bullet holes in the walls from the wars. That does give it some history but that said, in my opinion, there are some great dining spots in Nicosia.
Here’s a few to sample for a birthday if you get the chance such as Pralina, Piatsa Gourounaki, Domus Lounge Bar & Restaurant or Vino Cultura Restaurant. I’m a big fan of the Cyprus Lamb Kleftiko but generally all of these will offer a real birthday treat.
So there you go, 8 great Cyprus birthday ideas that would be a treat to anyone. But if you do it right you might just be able to squeeze two or three of these into one day and make it one to top them all!