Cyprus is a perfect destination for a vacation with children. The most recommended months are May – September when it is already warm enough to go to the sea and the pool. But even those who decide to come to Cyprus with children in the fall and winter seasons will find enough things to do here. I wrote an extended post about what you can do in Cyprus in winter.
What is convenient in Cyprus with children is that there is a wide variety of all-inclusive hotels, water sports, various attractions such as sailing, jeeps and rope parks. There are attractions suitable for babies, toddlers and older children.
Tips before flying to Cyprus
SIM abroad
I personally recommend using an ESIM, which is an electronic SIM, and recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of taking a SIM card abroad and also about other options such as buying a local SIM card.
Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.
The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How can you know if your device supports the electronic card? Very simple: go to this link and you can see. Link to which devices support ESIM.
Car rental in Cyprus
There is no convenient public transport in Cyprus. For those who only come for a backpacking vacation, buses and taxis will provide a good enough answer, but if you also want to travel, I personally recommend renting a car. It is true that lanes go in the opposite direction, but as someone who lives here, I can say that you get used to it quickly. Car rental prices in Cyprus are quite cheap compared to other places in Europe, especially if you come in winter. You can search for a car in the Israeli search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.
Attractions in Cyprus
There are two websites through which you can find various attractions in Cyprus such as wine tours, jeep tours and more. I recommend searching on the following sites: Get your guide and Viator.
Outdoor activities for children in Cyprus
Larnaca
- Fun factory playground – a large playground that is suitable for both small and older children, especially between the ages of 2-8. The playground can be busy on the weekend, especially if someone is celebrating a birthday there, so it is recommended to come in the middle of the week.
- Bowling at Rock N Bowl Bowling Center is open from noon until night.
Paphos
- A large Cosmic World kid’s entertainment playhouse with games for children and little ones. There is also bowling, crashing cars and computer games. On weekends it can be very busy there, especially during the winter, but it’s still a great place to spend time there.
- A small playground inside a bistro on the boardwalk Captain’s Bistro Kids Playground – we haven’t had the chance to go there but maybe it would suit those who want to eat on the boardwalk and the kids will have something to do there.
Limassol
- Playlounge Agora – suitable mainly for babies, toddlers and children up to 5 years old.
- Hunnies and Bunnies playground – a new playground located in the mall area and there are wooden games, games for babies and toddlers and role-playing games, there is also a nice cafe and a yard with a playground.
- Bubble Park playground – a playground suitable for children aged 3-8 because there are also trampolines outside, colliding cars, motorcycles and a rope maze.
- Bricks4kids Lego playground – a pure Lego playground with lots of Lego parts that range from the smallest sizes to the really big ones. There is also a trampoline, a creative area, a small climbing wall and a dance room, as well as a fast food restaurant in the shape of a Lego. Suitable mainly for toddlers and children up to the age of 10.
- Masterland playground – a playground with a trampoline and a play maze, there are outside role play rooms such as firemen, babies and more. The playground is open to the public only on weekends and is usually busy because birthdays can be celebrated there, so it is recommended to come in the afternoon as there are no reservations for those between 13:00 and 16:00.
- Bowling – inside the mall on the 1st floor there is a bowling alley open from morning until night.
- Ice skating in the mall – suitable for children from the age of 4.
Golf in Paphos
At the Minthis resort you will find golf courses and you can rent equipment and take lessons with the children.
Water parks in Cyprus
There are three water parks in Cyprus, in Limassol, Paphos and Ayia Napa. The parks are quite similar so there is no need to travel specifically to one park if you are already in a destination that has one.
Water parks have lockers, a tubing track, a wave pool, an area for babies and toddlers, slides for adults, a fast food restaurant, a coffee and ice cream stand, and lots of sunbeds. Most of the water parks are not crowded, but in July and August they may be busier, especially on weekends. So my recommendation is to visit in the middle of the week if possible.
Apparently food and drinks are not allowed but when we brought water and snacks for the girls they didn’t say anything to us, however, I heard from those who checked their bags who were asked not to bring that kind of stuff.
We are subscribed to a water park in Limassol because we live here and the subscription price is much more affordable for those who plan to come more than two or three times. You can subscribe for its whole season (usually May to October) or for three months.
Buying tickets to the water park in Limassol
Buying tickets for the water park in Ayia Napa
Buying tickets to the water park in Paphos
Huge children’s park with inflatables and glamping
A huge inflatable park that opened in 2023, called Greenland. Beyond the park there is also a glamping complex, a restaurant that serves Russian cuisine, a small cafe, a fishing pond, an outdoor swimming pool (for those who stay in the complex) and a spa complex.
The park is is about half an hour’s drive from the center of Limassol towards the mountains. It can only be reached by car or taxi (there are no buses there). It is open from Wednesday to Sunday, but it is recommended to call before and make sure it is indeed open.
Activities with animals in Cyprus
Zoo in Paphos
Paphos has a relatively large zoo. I don’t like zoos much, but this one offers some nice things like feeding the teachers (an additional fee of 5 euros per person), feeding a fillet (which was rescued from Bangladesh and rehabilitated in a zoo) costs 50 euros for a group of up to 5 people, feeding fish (you can buy food for them there) and a free 15-minute parrot and owl show (need to check show times).
Animal protection organization
An organization called Animal Rescue Cyprus that rescues abandoned animals and takes care of them. The children can pet donkeys, dogs and cats there. Entry is of course free. It is recommended to call before and find out if they are indeed open. And of course you can also donate any amount of money to help.
Camel Park
The Camel Park is between Larnaca and Limassol. In the park you will find camels 🙂 and you can ride them. The complex also has an outdoor pool that you can use, there are several other animals that you can feed and there are computer games. There is also a restaurant in the complex.
Donkey Park
The Golden Donkeys Park is also between Larnaca and Limassol and is entirely dedicated to donkeys (there may also be a few goats around). There is a restaurant and a bar and a playground. You can feed the donkeys with carobs that you buy at the entrance and there is also a whole store of products made from donkey milk. It is recommended to come on days that aren’t too hot because there is no shade.
Zoo in Limassol
The zoo is small, but you can spend an hour there with the children. It also has a small playground and cafeteria and is near the municipal garden and the beach. Arrival instructions.
Recommended hotels to go with children in Cyprus
Hotels in Limassol
The Parklane Hotel has the most expensive kids’ club we have come across. With a huge and fenced area just for children as well as an indoor area for children’s creations, games and movies. Parents can stay with the children in the open area or leave children over 3 years old with supervision.
St Rapahel Resort – convenient because it is possible to stay on an all-inclusive basis, there are large lawns, it is near the beach and there is also a children’s club.
Hotels in Paphos
Olympic Lagoon – a 5-star all-inclusive hotel that we really like, located by the sea and with a small slide for children. There is a children’s club where children and babies can be left under supervision and there is also a youth club. Every evening there is a mini disco.
Sofiana Hotel – an all-inclusive hotel near the port with a pool facility with a slide, a kids’ club with parents and evening shows.
Hotels in Ayia Napa
Olympic Lagoon – like the hotel in Paphos with the difference that there is also a fun tube course.
Hotel Nissiblu – a hotel that opened two months ago near the famous Nissi beach. It has a kids club and is by the sea.
Hotels in Protaras
St Elias Hotel – 4-star all-inclusive hotel with an excellent entertainment team for children all day and in the evening there are activities for children. There is a children’s club where you can leave children under supervision or stay with them and there is a water park in the pool with several slides. Please note that the entrance to the slides is only from the age of 6+ and they are attentive to this. There is also the advantage of being able to have rooms with one or two bedrooms (very good for families).
Althea Hotel – a 4-star all-inclusive beach hotel with an excellent entertainment team for children all day and in the evening there are activities for children. There is a children’s club where you can leave children under supervision or stay with them. There is also the advantage of being able to have rooms with one or two bedrooms (very good for families).
Luna Park
A large Luna Park in Ayia Napa
In Ayia Napa there is the amusement park, Parko Paliatso, which is open most of the year (you have to make sure before you come because it is usually open from March to November but it changes). We absolutely love this amusement park and every time we are in Ayia Napa we go there with the girls. There are facilities suitable for both toddlers and older children. You can pay for each facility separately or buy a ticket for all. We pay by facility because there are only a few that are suitable for small children, about 5-6 of them, but that is completely enough.
The price per facility ranges from 1-3 euros and the parent accompanying the child does not pay for it.
A small Luna Park in Protaras
The resort town of Protaras has a small amusement park with some facilities for the little ones and some for the bigger ones. The payment is according to the specific facility. Arrival instructions.
Recommended beaches to go with children
Recommended beaches in Limassol
Recommended beaches with children: Desudi Beach (directions) a beach with a playground and restaurants, Vouppa Beach (directions) a beach that also has sand games for children, Panagies Beach (directions) a beach with sand and no stones.
A recommended beach in Protaras
A beach that is considered one of the most beautiful on this island Fig tree (directions)
A recommended beach in Larnaca
Finikoudes Beach (directions)
A recommended beach in Paphos
Coral Bay Beach (directions)
Extreme experiences with children
Jeep trips
We haven’t had the opportunity to do Jeep tours yet, but there are some available in both Ayia Napa and Paphos. But here is a nice option I found: Jeep trip to the Blue Lagoon in Paphos
Rope parks
There is a ropes park in the Troodos Mountains called Sparti, as well as a ropes park at the City of Dreams hotel in Limassol that you can enter for a fee even if you are not a hotel guest.
Water sports
In Ayia Napa, Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca you can find water sports to play along the beaches. The water sports include: paragliding, banana, lying down tube, pedal boat with slide, Jet Ski and SUP.
Cruising with children
Special cruise with mermaids in Protaras
A cruise that starts in June and leaves every Saturday from the port of Protaras. A two-and–a-half-hour cruise that includes an interactive story time, a meeting with mermaids in the water and a mini disco. Link to an extended post about the cruise I did with Maya.
Cruise in the Yellow Submarine
Yellow Submarine Cruise in Ayia Napa. A well-organized family business. There is a stop on the cruise in the caves and you can swim inside them. There is a diver that goes down and feeds the fish and you can see it from the windows of the submarine. There is also a water slide which is fun. Refreshments are available and the staff is friendly. Open from March to November and works on a daily basis with three sailing dates. Link to the Facebook page of the Yellow Submarine.
Yachting
It is possible to go on yacht trips from Paphos and Ayia Napa. The yachts go to the Blue Lagoon and there is of course the possibility to enter the water and to snorkel. Some yachts also serve refreshments.
You can find yachting in both Paphos and Ayia Napa
Buying tickets for a cruise to the Blue Lagoon from Paphos
Buying tickets for a cruise in Protaras in a transparent boat
Purchase of tickets for a Ayia Napa yacht cruise
Pirate ship cruise
Cruise in Paphos on a pirate ship – including refreshments, a stop to swim and snorkel. The length of the cruise is about 4 hours.
Dancing fountains in Protaras
Fountain show with lights and music at 21:00 in Protaras
You should arrive about half an hour before the start of the show. Link to a website
Castles in Cyprus
In Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos you can find medieval castles that have been turned into museums. Maya really likes to run around in caves and look for hidden places there. I think this is a great activity for about half an hour to an hour. The entrance price is symbolic, so if you’re in the area, I think it’s worth a visit. All the castles are located in central places near the promenade.
In addition, in Limassol there is a castle called Kolossi Castle which is bigger than the others (directions).
Directions to the castle in Limassol
Directions to the castle in Larnaca
Directions to the castle in Paphos
Skiing and sledding in winter
Usually in February though sometimes also in March it snows in the mountains of Cyprus. If you happen to go on a winter trip when it’s snowing then it’s definitely worth the trip (about an hour’s drive from Limassol). You can rent ski equipment or just sleds and enjoy the snow for a few hours. I wrote about our personal experience and more information in the post about Cyprus in winter.
Recommended villages with children
Kakopetria is in the Troodos Mountains and has a small waterfall, computer games for children and it’s just a really nice village to walk around.
Lefkara village – a touristic village that specializes in lace and silver and gold products. It is a beautiful village that is just fun to wander around. There is also a magical olive farm nearby and a dam. You will find an extended post about a vacation in the village of Lefkara.
Zigi – a fishing village between Limassol and Larnaca that is also close to the camel and donkey parks I mentioned above. It has fish taverns, a beach and a nursery that is like a maze with a small playground. You can read about this village and several other ones in the area in the post about trips and villages in Limassol.
Nature reserves to visit with the children
Cape Greco Nature Reserve
A lovely reserve located in Ayia Napa (about half an hour’s drive from Larnaca). There are hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, there is a beautiful natural bridge and there are places to have a picnic. Definitely worth spending a day or half a day there. You can also do jeep tours there. And there is also the Blue Lagoon, which can be reached by boat.
Book a guided tour in Cape Greco from Larnaca
Akamas Nature Reserve (Akamas Peninsula)
About an hour’s drive from Paphos. In the western part of Greek Cyprus, one of the most spectacular sites on the island, it is a highly recommended destination for travelers looking for a trip to Cyprus in nature. The reserve is stunning and has many hiking trails and a Blue Lagoon with the clearest water there is. The Blue Lagoon can be reached by Jeep trip or by boat.
Summary of Cyprus with children
In conclusion, in Cyprus there are many activities related to water: beaches, water sports, sailing with snorkels, water parks, hotels with pools. In addition, there are playgrounds, jeep tours, rope parks, amusement parks, magical villages, nature reserves and more. I decided to write briefly what you can do in the entire city so that everything is in one place for you.
Limassol with children
A castle on the boardwalk, a Colossi castle, Paradox – a museum of illusions, a car museum, a water park, water sports along the beaches, beaches, a shopping mall, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a camel park and a donkey park. Extended post about things to do in Limassol with children.
Paphos with children
Cruise to the Blue Lagoon, water sports, cruise on a pirate ship, castle on the boardwalk, indoor playground, shopping mall, tombs of the kings, Jeep tours, beaches and water park. An extended post about things to do in Paphos with children.
Ayia Napa with children
Cruise to the Blue Lagoon, water sports, water park, amusement park, Cape Greko nature reserve and beaches.
Protaras with the kids
Beaches, a small amusement park, sailing, a promenade and a fountain show.
Larnaca with children
Beaches, water sports, playground, salt lake and a castle on the promenade.
Bonus for blog followers
If you are planning to come to Cyprus and are looking for someone to plan trips for you that you can do independently with a car (minimum for 3 days) or you want to do a private trip with a driver (also suitable for large groups) then I strongly recommend contacting Roni Schwartz. We met not too long ago and I was very impressed by his knowledge of Cyprus (he has lived here for 5 years in Paphos) and beyond that he is really charming and has been planning trips for many years.
Link to Roni’s WhatsApp for contact
If you order one of Roni’s services and say you came through me, you will get a discount.
If you book a “private trip” for a family, or a small group, Roni will make for you a “detailed plan for a sightseeing day, with a culinary emphasis”, in Paphos, Larnaca, or Limassol, including warm recommendations! A program like this normally costs 50-40 euros, but you will get it for free.
If you order a trip planning you will get one day at my expense, pay for three days planning and you will get four.
If you book a trip for a group of over 7 participants, you will receive a shuttle to the airport and back at an attractive price or a detailed culinary trip planning for an independent trip for free.
Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.
Looking for more information about Cyprus? I have more posts about Cyprus on my blog.
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More posts I wrote on that
Great day trips in Cyprus
What to do in Cyprus in winter
In which hotels we stayed at while in Cyprus
Cyprus: Itinerary in Cyprus – Recommendations for accommodation, restaurants and attractions
Relocation to Cyprus – why did we choose to move to Cyprus?
Vacation in Limassol – where to stay and what to do
The most recommended breakfasts and brunches in Limassol, Cyprus
Recommended hotels and resorts in Limassol