January is the coldest month of the year in most parts of the northern hemisphere. Alas, this applies to Cyprus. Although winter on an island in the Mediterranean Sea pleases northerners 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 uninhabited. You can roam the pebbles that the surf licks and not meet a single living soul. And if you are a seasoned person, you can even plunge 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 often storms. But if you are not fixated on a beach holiday, Cyprus can surprise and even amaze you.
Weather on the island in January
The Mediterranean climate is hot, dry summers and humid, warm winters. This is not the tropics, and if you think it is worth going to Cyprus in January to swim and get a bronze tan, then we are forced to disappoint you. To enjoy the warm sea and the heated sand of the beaches, you should go to the Caribbean or Southeast Asia. But you will not see snow in Cyprus either. Unless you climb the mountains. And this is worth doing at least once. Snow-covered pine trees and a view of the green coast and the shining sea - you will get beautiful photos! As for the temperature at sea resorts, in January the air warms up to eighteen degrees Celsius in the afternoon. You can walk in a light jacket. But at night, the thermometer drops to eight degrees. Cyprus is famous for the fact that 330 days a year the sky over the island is clear. The only disappointment is that the remaining 35 days fall in the winter. In January, about eleven rainy days await you. It should be borne in mind that the eastern part of the island is drier than the western. Therefore, rest in January is preferable in Protaras.
What does Cyprus look like in “off season”
But do not think that on the island in the midst of winter you can only see boarded up stalls and closed hotels, like somewhere in Gelendzhik or Anapa. No, there are always tourists here. Just in the winter they are less. But rest in Cyprus in January promises to be budget. After all, those hoteliers who decided not to close for the winter are desperate hunt for the client. According to reviews, do not book a "deluxe". Book a “standard” - all the same, you, as a rare guest, will be accommodated in a room of a higher category. Prices for hotels in Cyprus depend on the season. And in January they reach their bottom. As for restaurants and taverns, many of them continue to work as usual. After all, locals also like gatherings over a glass of wine.
What to do in Cyprus in January
In the low season, the island finally begins to live its own life. Not ostentatious - for tourists, but very original. It's time to rent a car (or get on the bus) and ride in small villages. Cypriots are extremely religious people. And although Orthodox Christmas is celebrated here according to the Gregorian calendar, there are also enough holidays for the second month of winter. On January sixth, water is baptized in churches and solemn liturgies are held. It is good on the day of the Epiphany to be in the church of Panagia tis Astinou (near the picturesque village of Kakopetria) or in the monastery of St. John Lampadista (near the capital of Nicosia). Cyprus in January is also a wonderful shopping opportunity. There are no official Christmas discounts in the country, but in fact, many stores lower 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.
Ski holidays in Cyprus?
In January - reviews report this every year - snow falls on the island. Indeed, in Cyprus there are mountains. Despite the modest size of the island, as many as two massifs. They stretch almost parallel to each other. In the north rises the mountain range of Kyrenia, and at the southern end - the Troodos ridge. The highest point of the island - Olympus (1951 meters above sea level) - the Cypriots themselves call Hionistra, that is, Snow. The name speaks for itself - no global warming can ruin the holiday for skiers. The ski 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 under the rule of the British. Many tourists praise the base on the slopes of Olympus.
Excursions in Cyprus in January
Probably, when you were relaxing on the island in the summer, you were constantly faced with a dilemma: lie down on the beach or go to ancient and medieval sights? And the first option often won. After all, going on an excursion in the heat, wandering under the scorching sun through the ruins of ancient cities is so tiring! And quite another thing is Cyprus in January. Reviews of tourists claim that most tour agencies in winter work as usual. It's time to go to Paphos and other interesting places on the island. By the way, some of the natural attractions of Cyprus open to the astonished eyes of tourists only in January. For example, a lake in Larnaca dries in the summer. And in winter, flocks of pink flamingos fly there. In January, oranges, tangerines, lemons ripen. Citrus fruits bloom, and the smell of orange blossom envelops the island with a breathtaking aura.
Events
Cypriots - people who like to have fun. And the lack of an influx of tourists is not an obstacle for noisy celebrations and parades. As already mentioned, Cyprus in January celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany. On this occasion, mass festivities are arranged, as we have at Shrovetide. Cultural Winter Festival kicks off in Ayia Napa in January. Every Thursday in the municipal concert hall of the city performances of dance and singing groups.