Last October we spent 6 nights in Cyprus at two beautiful family friendly Hotels. Hotels that you could walk into and not leave until it was time to go home. They both had multiple restaurants, kids clubs, activities, swimming pools and slides and excellent customer service. For all those reasons I could highly recommend both the Amathus and Four Seasons Cyprus. However when I’m going on holiday I feel like I’ve let myself down if we haven’t done some exploring. I also don’t feel like you can say you love a country if you’ve only seen the inside of a 5 * Hotel. So off exploring Cyprus with kids we go!
We could have done some of the sites we saw in Cyprus without a hire car, but to get the best from a place I think a hire car is well worth an investment. Often it doesn’t cost much more than taxi transfers from the airport and back anyway.
We chose to use Manos Cars in Cyprus. We cannot thank the service we received from Manos Cars enough – very personal and attentive and highly recommended. They were very patient with us in the airport, car seats were provided and changed around to fit, and clear instructions were given as to how to get out of the airport. The car was spotless and there was even water in the car for us too.
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You got the distinct impression from Marios (the owner of Manos Cars) that nothing was too much trouble and he was there to genuinely make sure we had a nice trip rather than simply to record scratches on the car!
So whilst in Cyprus, what did we do? The very helpful team at Visit Cyprus had suggested quite a few things to do to keep us busy and had been kind enough to provide us with a letter giving us free entry to the archaeological sites.
From our base in Limassol we visited
The Archaeological Site of Kourion
The majority of the archaeological remains within the Kourion Archaeological site date to the Roman and Late Roman/Early Byzantine periods. The acropolis and all archaeological remains are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not specifically child friendly you might say, however my three loved wandering around and making up stories about who might have lived in which ruin and what they might have been like. With no ropes to really keep you from going anywhere the kids loved the freedom to run about, where in the UK, there might have been signs to say don’t go there! We happily spent a couple of hours there until it got too hot and we returned to the swimming pool to cool off! Take water and snacks whatever the time of year!
Donkey Safari
We also visited Apeshia Hills Donkey Sanctuary and you can see our full review here. The whole experience probably lasts just about an hour including the stop at the top of the hill and the drink at the end. The views however were pretty spectacular and had you wanted to you could have spent a little more time in the restaurant, the pool or the playground.
Water Park
On our third day we decided to head off to the Fassouri Waterpark on the other side of Limassol. Having been to Disney earlier in the year and loved Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach we were a little concerned that the Cyprus waterpark with clearly a lot less cash than Disney just wouldn’t live up to our expectations of water parks. However whilst it is fair to say that the theming of the waterpark was not in the same league, we actually felt that there was more actual waterslides at the Fassouri park and we had a ball. A particular favourite was the wet bubble and I loved climbing up it and splashing back in, as did our eldest. You can see one of our water slide videos here! Taken with the My Doodles Action Camera.
Ancient City of Amathus
Another archaeological site but this time a short wander down the beach front, to the Ancient City of Amathus. We’d seen reference to this site in the ‘Moments’ book that the Four Seasons publish every week with their activities in and whilst we didn’t feel brave enough to take the kids on the advertised tour that left the hotel at 9am, we did want to take them ourselves. The walk took literally 15 minutes from the hotel and was well worth the trip. Snacks and drinks packed to bribe the kids up the hill was obligatory but it was definitely worth the hike up the hill to see the city which archaeologists tell us existed from the earliest Iron Age, circa. 1100 BC.
Eating Out
We decided to eat out of the hotel on the second evening and drove down into Limassol to a restaurant recommended by Visit Cyprus, Dasoudi, run by the very friendly Bambos. Bambos actually invited us to order anything we liked off the menu and was thrilled we had chosen to visit his restaurant as he told us less and less people are leaving their hotels when visiting Cyprus. Through out the evening little treats kept arriving at the table as they were actually cooking up a feast in the kitchen for a wedding so we got to taste all manner of different foods. We left at the end of the evening completely and utterly full of delightful fresh Greek food. This restaurant (right on the beach) with a playground next door and an ice cream parlour is definitely recommended for families.
NB: Some of these activities were covered by Visit Cyprus but all views and opinions are our own.
Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.
I love Cyprus, it’s such a gorgeous island to explore – and so much beyond the beaches as well (wonderful though they are). I thought the hotels you stayed in sounded amazing, and i know my daughter would have adored the donkeys, so great to find out more about your exploring.
It sounds as though Cyprus has something for everyone, from history buffs to thrill-seekers to foodies. I want to go!
I totally agree about getting out and about and exploring outside of hotels. It looks like you had a great time! What a shame that the restaurant owner has noticed a drop in customers.
I’d love to visit Greece and Cyprus looks fab.
A donkey safari sounds and looks fun! I’ve never heard of doing that before, but it’s gotta be good for the kids! . #MondayEscapes
I want to take my toddler to Cyprus – I will be saving some of these ideas #MondayEscapes
I agree hiring a car is such a good idea as you’d pay much more for coach tours plus you can get to see the island at your own pace. Cyprus looks beautiful I have only ever visited the Greek Islands and would love to take my kids some day. Sarah #MondayEscapes
I totally agree about getting away from a resort, however nice it is, and seeing something of the country you are in. Think the donkey safari would be our family”s favourite, but I would certainly sneak in a look at those archeological sites too!
Never looked into going to Cyprus, sounds like you had a lovely time…. that restaurant sounds fab and always great to have a playarea attached! #mondayescapes
My parents were regulars in Cyprus but I’ve never been. It always sounds so relaxed and warm – I imagine it to feel like coming home, but only the good parts. Definitely on my bucket list.
We loved Cyprus when we visited, it was a few years ago now, looking at all your lovely photos makes me want to go back, I always find the ancient sites interesting #MondayEscapes
I love these tips and it reminds me a bit of Turkey with all the history, I guess they’re really close aren’t they? I’ve always wanted to go to Cyprus and we’ve never quite made it. I’ll be coming back to to this post if we ever book it!
What great recommendations. I feel exactly like you. A holiday is abut much more than the place you stay however wonderful it is. Getting out and exploring is what make happy memories for me. I’ll remember the name of your car hire place. They sounds fab! #MondayEscapes
Cyprus is one of our favourite destinations. The kids always want to a waterpark and we always want to do some ruins!
Great suggestions here, Karen xxx #mondayescapes
There is so much to do in Cyprus with children away from the beach. The donkeys sound great though! #mondayescapes
I like to explore too even when all I feel is like relaxing. First time, I see a donkey safari That is too cute. The ruins looks great and the location even better. #MondayEscapes
Good to hear your car hire company looked after you so well. I love the touch of providing you with water.
I have fond memories of Cyprus from a holiday some years ago. Pleased you managed to see a little bit of the country – difficult sometimes with children when the hotels are so fabulous.
#mondayescapes
I’ve never visited Cyprus, but it somewhere on my must visit list, hubby and i love exploring historical sites
#mondayescapes
It looks so amazing, Cyprus is somewhere we have always intended to visit but never quite got there x
I always like to escape the accommodation and explore too – I’d be bored stiff sitting around a pool or sunbathing, just not my kind of thing! I haven’t been to Cyprus but love both Greece and Turkey so I’m sure it would be a great destination for us. #Mondayescapes
Cyprus is definitely on my list! Thanks for the ideas! #mondayescapes
What a perfect family vacation. Loved the element of fun in your post <3 Cheers!! #MondayEscapes
Never been to Cyprus…but all of a sudden I want to go. Just for the donkeys! 😉 Gorgeous pics and great post.
Aw you got some fab photos, sounds so fun! #MondayEscapes
I’m a sucker for ruins but it is the donkey safari that I want to go on #MondayEscapes
I love Cyprus and would love to go back as a family. Your tips all look amazing fun. Am definitely saving this for later! #MondayEscapes
Cyprus is one of the few places we haven’t been with our teens but is still on our wishlist. I agree that you can’t say you have been seomewhere until you have done a little bit of exploring – also helps to break the monotony. A lovely insight. #MondayEscapes
Hi Karen, I’m writing a blog post about where to go over Easter 2018 which includes Cyprus. Could I include a link to this post please? Thanks, Annabel
yes of course please do
Great, thanks!