As an Israeli traveling abroad lately, the inevitable question, ‘Where are you from?’ usually brings a brief moment of hesitation, a quick mental bracing for the reaction. But in Cyprus, that anxiety completely melts away. The response is always a warm smile, a welcoming nod, and genuine affection. It is an incredibly comforting feeling to be in a place where we are not just accepted but truly welcomed with open arms.
“The tourist season is in full swing, and Cyprus is ready to welcome Israeli travelers with our signature warm hospitality,” says Louisa Varaclas, director for Israel at the Cypriot Deputy Ministry of Tourism. “With around 600,000 Israeli visitors in 2025, Israel remains a vital market. Israelis love Cyprus because it truly feels like a ‘home away from home,’ offering a familiar environment, friendship, and a deep sense of security.”
Visiting the island for the fifth time, I joined a press trip to experience the local hospitality firsthand. Each visit to Cyprus feels slightly different, shaped by the regions and hotels explored along the way. Our journey this time was split between Paphos and Limassol. The Imperial Island Resort in Paphos was our first stop. The hotel’s room design stood out, especially the Herringbone-patterned flooring, which gave the space a clean, contemporary feel. Its location directly on the beachfront promenade is one of its key advantages, offering an easy scenic walk along the coast. I loved discovering the Agios Nikolaos church, with its Santorini-style design, just a short walk away.
The resort has undergone a massive transformation to establish itself as a five-star family destination operating on a premium all-inclusive basis. Half of the 239 rooms were converted into family suites featuring separate sleeping areas for parents and children. The layout balances family energy with quiet escapes; while families gather around the main pool and the dedicated splash pool, adults can retreat to the quieter outdoor adult-only pool or unwind in the indoor spa pool. Public areas, from the lobby to the spa, reflect the renovation, featuring updated design and expanded facilities.
The dining experience was a pleasant surprise, particularly the main restaurant, which offered a wide selection of dishes and live cooking stations. In addition, the resort includes alternative dining options such as a Japanese restaurant and a burger-style venue.
Beyond the resort
While it is easy to spend an entire vacation by the pool, the surrounding region offers a range of diverse experiences. We divided our time between the city itself and day trips outside Paphos, combining urban sites with rural and coastal landscapes.
We began our exploration with the city’s ancient landmarks at the historic Paphos Castle. Originally built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbor, this stone structure now serves as a striking backdrop along the waterfront, with the nearby promenade adding to the atmosphere. A short walk away, we visited the Paphos mosaics, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its detail and preservation.
We continued to Pano Paphos, the upper town situated on the hills above the coast, an area known for its narrow pedestrian streets, small boutiques, and cafés. At The Place (theplacecyprus.com), we discovered locally made food products and crafts, and even took part in an art workshop offered on site, a mosaic session where visitors can try creating their own small pieces.
For more mainstream shopping, Kings Avenue Mall offers a selection of international brands. Nearby, the Aphrodite Waterpark (aphroditewaterpark.com) provides a thrilling water park experience with slides and attractions for different ages, including a kosher food truck on site. Cyprus is known for hosting some of the largest water parks in Europe.
A trip here is incomplete without a traditional tavern night, and Demokritos Tavern (demokritostavern.cy) delivered a lively evening. The evening had a relaxed, communal feel with long tables, shared dishes, and music that gradually drew everyone into the celebratory atmosphere. The band even closed the night with a special gesture – singing in Hebrew.
Outside Paphos
Our day exploring the wider Paphos region began with a scenic drive through Peyia to the village of Kathikas. Our first stop was Vasilikon Winery (vasilikon.com), a family-owned estate founded in 1993 and one of the largest wineries in Cyprus. We tasted indigenous grape varieties like Xinisteri and visited the on-site wine museum, which showcases the history of winemaking in the village.
We continued to the Steni Museum of Rural Life, which displays traditional costumes, tools, and textiles from the region’s past. Admission is free, but it is best to visit with a guide to truly understand the stories behind the collection.
For lunch, we drove up to the Akamas Peninsula nature reserve to the Baths of Aphrodite restaurant, located right by the famous springs. Perched on a cliff above the water, we sat on the terrace and enjoyed a superb Greek fish and seafood meze, completely immersed in the spectacular, panoramic views of the bay.
On the way back, the Peyia Sea Caves and the dramatic Edro III shipwreck nearby are a definitive must-stop. The area offers a particularly striking stretch of coastline and is one of the most photographed spots in the region.
The Royal Apollonia
The second part of our trip took us to The Royal Apollonia in Limassol. Shifting from Paphos’s more relaxed atmosphere, Limassol is a modern, bustling city with a lively commercial and nightlife scene. The hotel has a compact urban layout, making effective use of its beachfront location. The pool area sits at the center of the property, with a swim-up bar overlooking a small sandy beach below, which quickly became my favorite spot during the stay. For wellness, the hotel also offers a spa with an indoor pool and a gym with fitness classes.
Beyond the main hotel restaurant, the property also includes a Greek restaurant and Akakiko, a Japanese fusion restaurant. While both offer good options, Akakiko stood out for me, serving a well-executed Japanese fusion menu with fresh sushi, sashimi, and a selection of hot dishes that I especially enjoyed.
After our time in Limassol, where we had already explored the city on a previous visit, we shifted our focus to the Ayia Napa and Protaras region. The following morning set the tone for a more coastal, relaxed experience, starting from the new marina with its mix of beach venues and dining spots. Among them is Riva Beach House by Frame, an Israeli venue originally from Tel Aviv that operates as a beach club with a pool and a neatly arranged beachfront.
After strolling through the marina, we headed to the port and joined a boat trip around Cape Greco and Turtle Cove – one of the highlights of our trip. The route follows the coastline, passing the Love Bridge natural rock formation, the sea caves, and several coastal churches, with a stop for swimming or snorkeling along the way. Different boat options are available, including larger vessels and others equipped with water slides. Boat trips also depart from Latchi, offering another access point to similar coastal routes.
For those looking to stay in the area, Louis Hotels (louishotels.com) operates several properties across Cyprus, including the Louis St. Elias Resort & Waterpark, a family-oriented all-inclusive hotel with water slides and child-friendly facilities. The group operates around 18 properties across Paphos, Limassol, and Protaras, with a portfolio that ranges from family resorts to urban boutique hotels and adults-only properties. While the hotels are not kosher, kosher meals can be pre-arranged through Chabad and served on-site upon request.
“The Israeli market has become one of our key source markets, which is why we have invested over €30 million in recent years to upgrade our properties and adapt them to the demand for both family all-inclusive resorts and adults-only hotels,” says Charalambos Lardas, business development manager at Louis Hotels.
The chain is currently offering up to 35% off summer stays for bookings made by June 20, subject to minimum-night requirements and free loyalty club membership.
When planning travel to Cyprus, note that Cyprus Airways (cyprusairways.com) operates flights to Larnaca Airport, which serves as a convenient hub for Israeli travelers connecting to various European destinations.
The writer was a guest of Louis Hotels, the Cyprus Ministry of Tourism, and Cyprus Airways.