Sports & Leisure

Guaranteed sunshine almost every day of the year is just one of the reasons why you would choose Cyprus to indulge in your favourite sport.

Whether you just want to play for fun while relaxing in beautiful surroundings, or are professional athletes looking for winter training, there are facilities for everyone, from football and golf to water sports and hiking.

Take up a new sport or improve your skills. Practice your serve, learn how to tack or just go for a thrill. Experience the closest thing to being a Formula 1 driver by zooming round a karting track. Or try the waterpark for thrills and parasailing for a new sensation.
 

Golf

Cyprus is an emerging golfer's paradise, a place where you can enjoy the game all the year round in an ideal Mediterranean climate.

Choose between three international standard 18 hole golf courses situated in peaceful surroundings amidst landscaped hills and with breathtaking views across the Mediterranean below. Located in the Pafos (Paphos) region, they are far from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist resorts, yet near enough for easy access.

Come and enjoy amateur golf or challenge your handicap by participating in one of the Golf Open Tournaments organised on the island. You will find here everything today's demanding golfer needs, from clubhouses, to practice facilities and individual lessons. Bring along your spouse and family. In Cyprus there is something for everyone.

Cycling

Experience the island's culture, history and wonderful scenery from the saddle of a bike.

A cycle tour enables you to come across things which you would probably miss from inside a car. A chance encounter with a local, a stunning landscape to linger over, the sights and sounds of nature from up close, an ancient ruin or a secluded cove.

Follow one of the many cycling routes or even make your own. Set the pace you desire whether training or leisure and feel your lungs with fresh air while making your bit to fight global warming and protect the environment.

Diving

Clear seas and warm waters make Cyprus ideal for diving. Sea temperatures around the island range from 27 to 16 ?C, resulting in one of the longest diving seasons in the Mediterranean, while the absence of plankton makes for great visibility.

The underwater coastal reefs teem with a wide variety of colourful fish, sponges, coral, sea anemones, octopus, mussels and the ubiquitous sea urchin providing a spectacular picture. Sea turtles can be spotted regularly, thanks to a turtle conservation project that has increased their numbers around the island considerably. Spectacular underwater caves and tunnels and a number of interesting are just waiting to be explored, while the remains of ancient amphora and stone anchors make it a veritable adventure

Sailing

Feel like a millionaire for a day from the comfort of your yacht, sailing along the beautiful Cyprus coastline and anchoring in a secluded cove inaccessible by land. Your wish will be the crew's command as they serve you with a champagne lunch and make you feel like royalty while you just relax in the sun.

Steady westerly winds, calm waters and beautiful scenery are good reasons to go sailing in Cyprus. Chartering a boat is a great way to celebrate that special anniversary, or to impress your clients or staff. Spend a day out deep sea fishing, go on a sunset cruise, or just take it easy pottering about.

Two marinas, five ports and numerous bays provide shelter and essentials. Larnaka (Larnaca) marina, with room for 450 and a motley yachting community from all over the world, is full most of the year round, especially as it is a popular place where those living on board can spend the winter in the Mediterranean.

Hiking

Perhaps the best way to see a country is on foot. If you love the great outdoors or want to improve your fitness, hiking is ideal. Leave your car and experience the culture and nature of the island in the best possible way.

Cyprus has numerous signposted paths or nature trails, some more challenging than others, but all are a feast for the senses, especially in the springtime when you can experience the sights, sounds and smells of nature at first hand.

Training

Everyone knows that how much work an athlete puts in during the winter months determines their success in the season to come.

When cold winds blow in northern Europe and motivation is low, banish those winter blues by training under clear Cyprus skies. With almost guaranteed sunshine every day, mild winter temperatures and minimal rainfall, Cyprus is a perfect warm weather training destination.

Combine that with a wide choice of accommodation to suit all pockets, efficient support services, easy access from most European countries, a reliable communications and telecommunications network, as well as a safe, crime-free environment, and what more could an athlete want?

It's no wonder that many European soccer teams, as well as Olympic hopefuls have for years been coming to the island in winter to train.