Climate of Cyprus

Climate of Cyprus

Where is the country of Cyprus located? Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Within the Köppen climate system, the climate of Cyprus is classified as a Csa climate. It is popularly referred to as a warm Mediterranean climate or warm Mediterranean climate. Sometimes the umbrella term subtropical climate is used, which applies to areas immediately north or south of the tropical zone, such as Cyprus. The weather in Cyprus is characterized by mild winters and very warm, dry summers. Spring and autumn are relatively short. These in-between seasons are generally quite warm and mostly sunny.

Of all the European islands, Cyprus is one of the most sunny and warm in summer. Even in October, temperatures can well exceed the 30-degree mark. This warm climate acts like a magnet for tourists, who have an almost 100% guarantee of good beach and sun weather from mid-May to mid-October. The best travel times for a sunny holiday in Cyprus are spring (mid-April to mid-June) and autumn (September and October). If you want to travel to Cyprus for a sun holiday, it is best to do so in June or September. The months of July and August are sunny, but also very warm. You must love that.

Climate Statistics for Cyprus

The long-term climate averages for Cyprus can be summarized as follows:

  • The average maximum temperature is between 14 and 33 degrees Celsius.
  • The average minimum temperature is between 6 and 20 degrees Celsius.
  • Approximately 350 to 450 millimeters of precipitation falls on an annual basis
  • The annual number of hours of sunshine is about 3400 to 3600 hours.
  • The seawater temperature is between 17 and 27 degrees Celsius.
  • The average relative humidity is 61.4%.
  • On an annual basis, there are about 40 to 45 days in which at least 0.1 mm of precipitation falls.
  • January is statistically the coldest month in Cyprus.
  • August is statistically the hottest month in Cyprus.

Sun holiday in Cyprus

If you look at the climate figures of Cyprus, you will understand why this destination is so popular for a sun holiday in the summer. With an average of 12 hours of sunny weather per day (with 13 hours of daylight) and a minimal chance of rain, Cyprus is ideal for a sun, sea and beach holiday. Where do you book your Cyprus holiday? This is possible, for example, at TUI or at Sunweb. These tour operators have a wide range of Cyprus holidays, from cheap to very luxurious.

The winter period

In the months of November and December it can still be pleasant along the south coast, but after that the beautiful weather is really over. The winter months are mild, but relatively wet. About 95% of all precipitation on Cyprus falls in the period November to April. Cyprus is just too cool and changeable for the winter. Cyprus is also not a real winter sun destination. April can be nice, but the other five months of the winter season are not enough for a beach holiday.

Skiing in Cyprus

The inland Troodos Mountains are a winter sports area in the winter. In the months of January and February it is possible to ski in some parts if there is enough snow. Do not expect kilometers of slopes as in the Alps, for example, but it is certainly a nice experience to tie the slats in this beautiful nature reserve. The advantage of a possible skiing holiday in Cyprus is that you can combine this with a few days of culture in the rest of the country. After all, winter is the low season in Cyprus.

Heat

The summer months in Cyprus are hot and very dry. It is still bearable along the coast, but Nicosia is often too hot in July and August. Temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees are more the rule than the exception. The only place where you can cool off outside the sea in the summer is the Troodos Mountains. The difference with the south coast is usually about eight to ten degrees during the day, making it a pleasant 25 to 28 degrees at coastal temperatures of 35 degrees in the mountains.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Maximum temperature Minimum temperature Hours of sunshine per day Days of rainfall per month Water temperature
January 14℃ 6℃ 6 9 18℃
February 15℃ 6℃ 7 7 17℃
March 17℃ 7℃ 8 6 17℃
April 21℃ 11℃ 9 3 18℃
May 25℃ 14℃ 11 1 20℃
June 29℃ 18℃ 12 0 24℃
July 32℃ 20℃ 13 0 26℃
August 33℃ 20℃ 12 0 27℃
September 31℃ 18℃ 10 1 27℃
October 26℃ 15℃ 9 2 24℃
November 21℃ 11℃ 7 6 22℃
December 16℃ 8℃ 6 9 19℃

Best time to visit Cyprus

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Cyprus? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. The Republic of Cyprus occupies the southern half of the island of Cyprus. Thanks to its location in the east of the Mediterranean Sea, there is a Mediterranean climate that ensures warm dry summers and mild wetter winters. Cyprus is a popular destination among sun lovers who are almost guaranteed good beach weather here in the summer months. In the months of July and August it will be too hot rather than too cold. Temperatures that exceed 35 degrees are then possible during the day. The only place where you can find some relief is in the Troodos Mountains, where it is sometimes ten degrees cooler in the higher places than on the coast. The Republic of Cyprus is not only a good beach destination, it is also a popular holiday destination among tourists who love culture, history and hiking. Especially in the Troodos Mountains you can make beautiful walks. In summer it can be too hot for longer and more strenuous hikes. The best time to travel to Cyprus is from mid – April to mid – October. Due to the high temperatures, the months of July and August are really only suitable for a sun, sea and beach holiday. We advise other tourists to travel to Cyprus especially in the second half of April, in the first half of October or in the months of May, June or September.

Sun holidays

If you want to fly to Cyprus for a sun, sea and beach holiday, June and September are the best months. It is then pleasantly warm with an occasional spike towards 35-40 degrees. In July and August it is often seriously warm (30-35 degrees Celsius), so you can hardly do much more than cool down during the day. May, especially the second half of the month, and October can also provide quite a few pleasant beach days. In May the seawater is still on the cool side. In October you can count on a seawater temperature of about 24-25 degrees Celsius.

Cultural holidays and tours

Do you mainly want to go to Cyprus to discover the island and to a much lesser extent to lie by the pool? Then the months of April, May, September and especially October are the best travel times for a holiday in Cyprus. In the Troodos Mountains it can be cool in April and you can also have some cooler weather in May and October. Keep this in mind when you choose the clothes to take with you on holiday.

Skiing holiday

If you want, you can fly to Cyprus for a ski holiday. It is not a well-known winter sports destination, which is mainly caused by the limited offer of organized winter sports trips to Cyprus. Within the Troodos Mountains, Mount Olympus is where you can ski or snowboard. There is no snow guarantee. You have the greatest chance of good winter sports conditions in the months of January and February. March can still be fine.

Best time to visit Ayia Napa

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Ayia Napa? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. The story of Ayia Napa is like that of many popular beach resorts. Ayia Napa was once an insignificant fishing village in southeastern Cyprus. Partly because of the beaches and the very favorable climate, one of the largest tourist resorts on the island has arisen here. In addition to its lovely sandy beaches, Ayia Napa is also known for its nightlife. That is why, in addition to families and couples, you mainly see quite a few young people who celebrate their beach holiday here. Apart from sun, sea, beach and entertainment, Ayia Napa does not have much to offer. In terms of nature, culture and sights, there are better destinations in Cyprus. Due to its location in the extreme south-east, Ayia Napa is also not the best base. But in terms of beaches, this is the best Cyprus has to offer! The best time to travel for a holiday in Ayia Napa is from May to September. The weather is also often excellent in October, but you do notice that the place is becoming less lively. The advantage of October as a travel month for Ayia Napa is that it is often cheaper for your holiday. Especially if you avoid the autumn holidays, you should be able to find great offers for a beach holiday in this seaside resort.

The hot summer

Because Ayia Napa is located in the east of the Mediterranean, it is on average slightly warmer than many other Mediterranean destinations. The climate of Ayia Napa ensures warm summers with afternoon temperatures often above 30 degrees. In July and August maximum temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees are quite normal. During a heat wave, the mercury can rise to 40 degrees. The advantage of Ayia Napa as a holiday destination is that it is almost guaranteed to be dry in the summer. The chance of rain is almost nil between mid-May and mid-October. It is mainly the sun that determines the weather during the long warm summer.

Best time to visit Limassol

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Limassol? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. Due to its central location on the south coast of Cyprus, Limassol has become a popular holiday destination. Tourism is especially prominent on the eastern side of Limassol. In the central part of the city you see far fewer hotels and the character is more urban. The hotel zone even extends beyond the city itself. There are dozens of accommodations around the St. Raphael Marina. Limassol is a real sun destination. Outside the summer period, it is mainly business travelers who come to Limassol. Because in addition to being a tourist destination, Limassol is an important port city and therefore a logistics hub in the western corner of the Middle East.

The best time to travel for a holiday in Limassol is from May to mid-October. This is high season in Limassol. Before the May holidays start, there is little to do in Limassol. If you want to fly to Limassol for a sun holiday, it is better to wait until June. The sea water is then a lot more pleasant than in May and sun is almost guaranteed. In June it is warmer on average than in May. Count on an average of 30 degrees during the day in June, while at the beginning of May you still have to make do with about 20 to 24 degrees.

Hot Summer months

July and August are dry and hot in Limassol. The average maximum temperature in these months is around 32 degrees Celsius. In practice, this means that the highest measured daytime temperatures are usually within a range of 30 to 38 degrees. The number of days that it does not get tropical warm in July and August is minimal. If you can’t stand the heat, it’s better to wait until September to go to Cyprus. Actually, September is the most pleasant period to stay in Limassol.

What about October?

In terms of weather, October is a good month to vacation in Limassol. Within Europe, to which Cyprus belongs politically, the chances of good beach weather are perhaps the best here. In mid-October, maximum temperatures are still around 24 to 28 degrees Celsius on average. The sea temperature is fine at 24 degrees Celsius. The only drawback of October as a travel month is that you notice that the season is coming to an end. The nightlife is far gone and the restaurants are less well occupied. However, this would not stop us from enjoying the sun and warmth in Limassol during the autumn holidays.

Best time to visit Paphos

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Paphos? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. The seaside resort of Paphos is an absolute favorite among Dutch people who celebrate their holidays in Cyprus. The beaches and the atmospheric harbor in combination with the warm sunny weather provide a wonderful holiday experience. You can experience that good weather for a fairly long period of time. Its location in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea means that the island of Cyprus is warming faster than other destinations in this region. That is why it can often be good weather in May for a sun holiday in Paphos. June is already warmer again with average maximum temperatures of around 25 to 30 degrees. July and August are warm in Paphos. Afternoon temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees are normal in Paphos in the middle of summer. From September, temperatures drop slowly.

The best time to travel to Paphos consists of two periods. The first is from mid May to late June and the second is from early September to mid October. These are the times when it is especially warm in Paphos, but when it does not get too hot so quickly. Think of afternoon temperatures that can rise to 30 degrees or slightly higher. The chance of extreme heat (40 degrees) is much smaller in these periods than in July and August.

Winter sun in Paphos

If there are honest then Paphos is not a winter destination. At least not if you want to have a beach holiday in Paphos. The winter season is a bit too cool, a bit too gray and certainly too wet for that. After the dry summer, it is the winter period that should provide rain.

Paphos during the school holidays

If you want to travel to Paphos during the official school holidays due to children or any other reason, you can do that in three holidays: the May holiday (provided the planes are already flying), the summer holidays and the autumn holidays. Because the May holidays and the autumn holidays fall just outside the most favorable travel season, we would go for the summer holidays. A condition is that you can find sufficient cooling in the pool or in the sea.

Best time to visit the Troodos Mountains

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to the Troodos Mountains? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. The Troodos Mountains have a different climate than the rest of the island of Cyprus. The mountains that have a height of up to 1952 meters have cooler, wetter and gloomy weather than, for example, the coastal areas where people come for a holiday in the sun. You visit the Troodos Mountains for nature, the picturesque villages and sights such as the Kykkos Monastery. Within the area there are many beautiful walks you can take. In winter you can be sporty in a different way: then it is possible to ski or snowboard here. The best time to visit the Troodos Mountains is from May to September. This is the drier and warmer period. The temperature and amount of cloud cover depends entirely on where you are within the area. The higher you sit, the cooler it is. The official climate statistics talk about average maximum temperatures of 28 degrees during the months of July and August. If you are a little higher above sea level, it is cooler. On Mount Olympus it can be ten degrees colder at higher altitudes. If you are going to be active in the Troodos Mountains during the summer season, you hardly have to fear a rain or thunderstorm. The variations in the weather conditions are mainly in the amount of sun and in the temperatures. Precipitation is hardly an issue in the mountains in the middle of summer.

Winter sports

In winter you can enjoy winter sports in the Troodos Mountains. With its almost two kilometers height, Mount Olympus is the place where you will find slopes. It is not a snow-sure destination. Some winters there is little snow or you have to wait that far in the winter sports season until you have a nice white layer. In general, the chance of good snow conditions is greatest in January and February. From March, the chance that you can do winter sports here decreases quickly.

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