Cyprus: The Mediterranean island hosts year-round celebrations of local food and culture
Cyprus has a storied history that stretches back thousands of years. Its strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean has made it a crossroads of cultures for millennia. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans, British, and other empires have all left their mark on this enchanting island.
In the modern day, Cyprus shows off its unique heritage with several festivals throughout the year. No matter when you visit, you’re likely to be swept up in some manner of local revelry.
Clients often rely on Global Air Charters to be their guide when flying to the Near East. We routinely charter to Egypt, the Turkish Riviera, Jordan’s Wadi Rum Desert, and other Levantine locations. Contact our flight coordinators to start making your travel arrangements to these ancient lands.
Here’s your guide to the best of Cypriot culture as seen through its many vibrant gatherings.
Limassol Carnival Festival (Spring)
The largest Carnival of the pre-Lent season takes place in the seaside town of Limassol. Their festivities span ten days of parades, performances, costumes, and parties. The opening day of Carnival is 50 days before Orthodox Easter. It features barbecued meats and serenades in the streets. The festivities reach a climax on the following two weekends, with parades featuring massive floats and thousands of partiers.
Kataklysmos: The Festival of the Flood (May-June)
Kataklysmos is a unique ritual that combines elements from both Greek mythology and Christian tradition. Held 50 days after Easter, the festival takes place in nearly every seaside town on the island. This water-based event marks the traditional beginning of the summer season.
Vendors sell food, drink, and handicrafts from seaside stalls. Locals take to the water for swimming and boat races. Troubadours engage in rhyming song competitions to show off their mastery of the local dialect. The festival is a blast no matter where on the coastline you are. But to see the biggest rendition of Kataklysmos, the western city of Paphos should be your destination.
Paphos Open Air Festival (September)
Known locally as the Paphos Aphrodite Festival, it’s the most magical arts festival on Cyprus’ social calendar. Performances from world-class operatic and classical ensembles take place on the grounds of Paphos Harbor Castle. This Byzantine fortress overlooking the ocean is lit up for evening performances.
Limassol Wine Festival (September)
The Cypriots have been making wine since ancient times. This incredible history is on display during the harvest each year in the town of Limassol.
The Limassol Wine Festival is a nine-day marathon of local dishes, traditional dances, songs, and comedic theatrical performances. The festival takes place in the municipal gardens at the water’s edge, a gorgeous backdrop for this harvest celebration. A small entrance fee gains you access to unlimited sampling of the local wine.
Xylofagou Big Potato International Festival (September)
In 2001, the town of Xylofagou became home to a 16-foot-tall statue of a potato. Local leaders hoped to honor the region’s history of potato farming. The statue had garnered such notoriety, that by 2023, the town staged the Big Potato International Festival. The two-day event features music and dancing, talks from agricultural experts, and all the potato dishes you can imagine.
Festivals on Cyprus
As you can see, there’s no shortage of fun to be had on Cyprus. You’ll come to the island for its gorgeous beaches and medieval history. You’ll devour souvlaki and moussaka, and nibble on halloumi cheese with your afternoon aperitif. But most of all, its many town festivals will endear you to the enthusiastic Cypriot way of life.
Contact Global Air Charters today to arrange your journey into the heart of the festivities on Cyprus!
