January in most parts of the Northern Hemisphereis the coldest month of the year. Alas, this applies to Cyprus. Although the winter on an island in the Mediterranean Sea makes the northerners happy with warmth. Perhaps you, resting in Limassol or Ayia Napa in the summer, thought: what is Cyprus in January? We will answer your unspoken question in this article. Yes, this is not a place for a beach holiday. The coasts are blissfully deserted. You can wander around the pebbles, which licks the surf, and not meet a single living soul. And if you are a seasoned person, you can even dip into the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the sea. Still not an ice-hole, but plus sixteen. True, in January the Mediterranean Sea is often stormy. But if you are not fixated on beach rest, Cyprus is able to surprise and even amaze you.
The Mediterranean climate is a hot, dry summerand a damp warm winter. It's not the tropics, and if you think it's worth going to Cyprus in January to buy and get a bronze tan, then we are forced to disappoint you. To enjoy the warm sea and sand-heated beaches, it is worth going to the countries of the Caribbean or South-East Asia. But you will not see snow in Cyprus either. Unless you go up into the mountains. And this should be done at least once. Snow-covered pines and a view of the green coast and the shining sea - you will get beautiful photos! As for the temperature in the sea resorts, in January the air warms up to eighteen degrees in the daytime. You can walk in a light jacket. But at night the thermometer's column drops to eight degrees of heat. Cyprus is famous for the fact that 330 days a year the sky over the island is clear. It's a pity that the remaining 35 days fall on the winter. In January, you are expected about eleven rainy days. It should be borne in mind that the eastern part of the island is drier than the western part. Therefore, to have a rest in January is preferable in Protaras.
But do not think that on an island in the midst of winteryou can see except that boarded stalls and closed hotels, as anywhere in Gelendzhik or Anapa. No, there are always tourists here. Just in winter there are fewer. But the holiday in Cyprus in January promises to be a budget. After all, those hoteliers who decided not to close for the winter, are desperate to hunt for the client. As the reviews say, do not book deluxe. Order the "standard" - still you, as a rare guest, will be accommodated in a room of a higher category. Prices in hotels in Cyprus depend on the season. And in January they reach their "bottom". As for the restaurants and taverns, many of them continue to work in the usual way. After all, local people also like to sit around for a glass of wine.
In low season, the island begins to livehis life. Not pretentious - for tourists, but very original. It's time to rent a car (or take a bus) and drive around small villages. Cypriots are a very religious people. And although the Orthodox Christmas is celebrated here according to the Gregorian calendar, there are also enough holidays for the second month of winter. On January 6, water is baptized in churches and solemn liturgies are held. On the day of the Epiphany, it's good to be in the church Panagia yis Astinou (not far from the picturesque village of Kakopetria) or in the monastery of St. John Lampadist (near the capital of Nicosia). Cyprus in January is also a wonderful opportunity for shopping. Christmas discounts are officially not available in the country, but in fact many shops reduce prices for their goods. The best place for shopping is Nicosia. In the capital, the inscription: "Sales" can be found not only in large stores, but also in boutiques.
In January - reviews report this every year -the snow falls on the island. After all, in Cyprus there are mountains. Despite the modest size of the island, two whole massifs. They stretch almost parallel to each other. In the north, the Kirinia mountain range rises, and the Troodos range on the southern extremity. The highest point of the island - Olympus (1951 meters above sea level) - the Cypriots themselves call Hionistroy, that is Snezhnaya. The name speaks for itself - no global warming is able to spoil a holiday to skiers. The season begins on the island of Cyprus in January, and ends in March. The first ski resorts appeared on the island in the Troodos Mountains still under the rule of the English. Many tourists praise the base on the slopes of Olympus.
Probably, when you rested on the island in the summer,before you constantly faced a dilemma: lie down on the beach or go to the antique and medieval attractions? And the first option often won. After all, to go on a trip in the heat, to wander under the scorching sun through the ruins of ancient cities is so tiring! And quite another case is Cyprus in January. Reviews of tourists claim that most of the excursion bureaus work in the usual way in the winter. It's time to go to Paphos and other interesting places on the island. By the way, some natural places of interest to Cyprus open to the astonished eyes of tourists only in January. For example, the lake in Larnaka in summer dries up. And in the winter flocks of pink flamingos arrive there. In January, oranges, tangerines, lemons keep up. Citrus blossoms, and the smell of orange blossom envelops the island with a breathtaking aura.
Cypriots are people who like to have fun.And the absence of an influx of tourists - not a barrier to noisy celebrations and parades. As already mentioned, Cyprus celebrates the feast of the Epiphany in January. On this occasion, mass festivities are held, as we have on Maslenitsa. In Ayia Napa in January, the festival "Cultural Winter" starts. Every Thursday in the municipal concert hall of the city there are performances of dance and singing groups.
