10 Best Family Things to Do in Cyprus

Admire Cyprus in all its glory from the back of a pony or horse when you and your family book an experience at Eagle Mountain Ranch. This ranch is located just a short way from Paphos, in the quiet countryside. Saddle up your horse or pony and then head off on your trek, along with a multilingual guide to show you the sights.

From panoramic vistas to ocean views, you’ll see a bit of all of Cyprus’s diverse landscapes. Even if you’ve never ridden a horse before, Eagle Mountain Ranch has an option that’ll work for your skill level and horses that are patiently trained to deal with nervous first-timers.

Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark, the biggest water park in the Paphos region, is a great place for you to enjoy a little fun in the sun. It's a good place to head if you have a family of swimmers who love the water but hate the sand of the ocean. There are a ton of water features at the park, including a huge lazy river, multiple waterslides, a wave pool and more.

Facilities are available for small children, too, in case you have a young one that’s too tiny to hang out with the big kids. Hungry? Multiple spots to get a snack or drink are scattered throughout the park.

Fasouri Watermania Waterpark is consistently ranked among the best water parks in Europe. The expansive park offers all your water park staples – multiple slides, a wave pool, toddler areas – but so much more. There are unique water-based obstacle courses, play areas and paddle boats as well. And this fun stuff isn’t just for the kids; you’ll see adults trying their hand at the obstacle courses, too.

If you’re not interested in a dip, you can head to the fish spa or massage parlor. When you’ve worked up an appetite, there are plenty of food and drink options to choose from, with offerings from international brands such as Cinnabon and Costa Coffee.

Parko Paliatso Luna Park is an enjoyable evening activity. Since the park only opens after 6pm, a visit to this small amusement park is a way to spend those post-dinner hours when the kids get a little burst of energy before calling it a night. The park is also great value for those who worry a few of their family members won’t be as into the rides as others, as you only pay for your individual rides, not an overall entry fee.

Introduce your kids to some classic carnival rides, including a small rollercoaster and a Ferris wheel, grab a bite of deliciously greasy carnival food and watch as the neon lights of the rides light up the night sky.

Limassol Zoo is a convenient, centrally-located animal attraction in Cyprus's main tourism hub. An expansive variety of wildlife is on display and, if you arrive at the right times, you can catch educational animal feedings, during which children can learn a little bit about the various animals and interact with the caregivers.

A playground adds a further spot for kids to blow off some energy and a children’s corner of the zoo contains a few pet-friendly animals, such as goats and sheep.

Golden Donkeys Farm is where you can learn why the donkey is an important animal within Cyprus culture and heritage. The hard-working animals have been used in a variety of manners for centuries, transporting food and people, turning millstones and fueling agriculture. At Golden Donkeys Farm, visiting families will learn about the donkeys and how they now produce milk rather than transportation people and food (though you can still take a short donkey ride).

As it's the biggest donkey farm in Cyprus, home to approximately 170 donkeys, you'll have a chance to feed the donkeys. You can also explore the rest of the farm, which includes an ancient olive press, wax museum, traditional Cypriote house, small church and one of the oldest olive trees in Cyprus.

The Camel Park is centrally located in Cyprus, so no matter if you’re staying in Limassol, Nicosia or Larnaca, you’ll be able to easily fit a visit into your itinerary. In addition to the resident camels (which, yes, you can ride and feed), the park is also home to llamas, wallabies, ponies, deer, goat, ostrich and several other smaller animals.

Parents with active children with short attention spans will appreciate the park’s playground and pool. A restaurant serves lunch and dinner. When you consider everything The Camel Park offers to families, it’s easy to see how you could easily spend an entire day there.

The Black Pearl Pirate Boat is the largest pirate boat on the Mediterranean Sea and sits right in the harbor, offshore from Ayia Napa. As you may have guessed from its name, the pirate ship is modeled after the famed ship from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and lucky sailors can expect to see characters from the series making guest appearances while on board.

The ship offers family-oriented day cruises that are all about fun, laughter and a little good-natured piracy. Children are also permitted on the sunset dinner cruises, which include a buffet dinner, live music and dancing and a fireworks display.

Dasoudi Beach sits right in the bustling tourist area of Limassol. Its great location makes hitting the sand often little more than a short walk for families staying in the area, which is much appreciated when you’re trying to carrying all your beach gear plus wrangle a few kids.

The beach itself is surrounded by greenery leading up to the coast and the narrow stretch of sand is dotted with restaurants and vendors. You can choose to relax in the shade underneath the trees lining the beach or rent an umbrella and sun lounger. The water is relatively shallow just off the shore, making it a good spot for wading and swimming with children.

On Cyprus’s west coast, Akamas Peninsula National Park offers adventurous travelers plenty of space to explore, hike and swim. Rough and rocky hillsides and gorges lead down to picturesque, vibrant waters. A wide array of animals flit between trees and through the shrubbery. An entire trip could be spent exploring the various nature trails, beaches, lagoons and other landscapes.

Be sure to pack your hiking boots and your camera for this visit. You’ll definitely need both to get the full experience. For a quicker time getting around the park, opt to rent a 4-wheel-drive vehicle rather than seeing only a portion of the peninsula on foot.