Useful information
Money and Banks
The national currency is EURO. It contains 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 EURO banknotes; also 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent together with 1 and 2 EURO coins are in circulation. Banks are open from 8.30 a.m. till 1.30 pm Mon-Fridays and on Mondays from 3.30pm-5pm.
Shops
From May to September shops are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From October to May, shops are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed lunchtime from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m).
Shops are closed on Sundays, as well as on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Souvenirs
Tourists are offered a variety of souvenirs and items of applied folk art: embroidered linen, lace and table-cloths, silver and gold jewellery. Here one can also buy relatively inexpensive leather, shoes and furs.
Restaurants, cafes and bars
Numerous bars, cafes, taverns, and restaurants offer a wide range of dishes of national and international cuisine. Many cafes also offer Russian cuisine. We also recommend you try the local wines, which have been popular here for centuries.
Entertainment
During the day, one can enjoy various water sports, diving and cruises around the island. For children and adults there are three water parks in Fasouri, plus another water park and a dolphinarium in Agia Napa. At night, there are many bars to suit all tastes. Different excursions could also be a wonderful addition to your recreation.
Renting a car
One should bear in mind that in Cyprus you drive on the left. Cars for rent are offered by a great number of companies. One must have an international driving license and must not be younger than 25 years of age. The fee for renting a car depends on its type, the number of rental days and also on the season. The approximate minimum price for renting a car for 2-4 days during the tourist season is 30 EUROS a day.
Transport
Distances between the towns are small. There are bus and taxi services.
Cruises
All the year round one can enjoy exciting mini-cruises to Israel and Egypt. The ships depart from the port of Limassol. There are also some longer cruises that one can take, during these, tourists are also able to visit many of the Greek islands. Cruise liners offer different types of cabins – from very modest ones to luxurious first class cabins.
Telephone Codes/Numbers
International Dialling Code for calls to Cyprus - 00357
Local dialling codes:
Nicosia – 22, Limassol – 25, Larnaca 24, Paphos – 26, Agia Napa – 23
Directory enquiries – 11800
Emergency call lines for Police or Ambulance services - 112
Fire Fighting services – 1407
Electricity
The voltage is 220-240 volts. Three-pin plugs are used for the sockets. Some hotels can provide their guests with adaptors.
Safety
There is a very low crime rate in Cyprus. Nevertheless, to avoid theft or loss of documents, one should keep money, passports and plane tickets in the hotel’s safe or safety deposit boxes. One should have a photocopy of their passport with them. In the event of theft or loss of passport, one should make a statement at a police station, where a report will be drawn up and a copy given to the tourist. The Russian Embassy in Cyprus (it is located in Engomi, Nicosia region, at the junction of Agia Prokopio Street and Makarios Avenue, with contact phone numbers 22-776832, 22-783030). In case of loss or theft of a plane ticket, one should inform their airplane company.
