We recently spent a week on a family holiday in Cyprus, staying at Villa Kambos Dio near Polis, and it was full of surprises—in a good way!

Even though I’d done a small amount of research into the area we were staying, and had a general idea of what to expect, there were still lots of little things that caught me off guard.

From the climate and driving to the scenery and supermarkets, Cyprus offered a unique blend of familiarity and unexpected charm.

So if you’re planning a trip to Cyprus and wondering what it’s really like, here are 10 things that genuinely surprised me while we were there.

10 Things That Surprised Me About Cyprus:

1. It wasn’t as warm as I thought it would be

We visited Cyprus in April, which is springtime and can be temperamental, but I expected warmer weather, especially as Cyprus is further south than places like Rhodes, where we enjoyed 26°C in October. Some days in Cyprus were lovely—sunny, calm, and up to 20°C, perfect for sunbathing. Other days, however, were cloudy, windy, and a chilly 15°C, more like a spring day in the UK. The weather was more unpredictable and cooler than I’d imagined.

2. Driving is on the left, just like the UK

We didn’t know this before arriving! Every other European country we’ve visited has right-hand driving, so we were pleasantly surprised to find that Cyprus drives on the left. It made navigating around the island feel so much easier and more familiar, especially when picking up our hire car after the flight.

3. The plug sockets are three-pin, like the UK

Another surprise was discovering that the plug sockets in Cyprus are the same as ours—three-pin! We’d packed all our European two-pin adapters (and even bought a new one for the kids), only to find we didn’t need them. I’ve since learned that other countries such as Malta and Singapore also use the same plug system.

4. It was much greener than I expected

I pictured Cyprus being dry and rocky, but it was actually very green, especially in April. Lush grass, trees, and flowers were everywhere. Of course, this likely changes in the hot summer months, but during spring it felt fresh and alive, not arid at all.

5. The rolling hills and mountains looked just like the UK

Driving through the mountains was a real surprise. There were winding country roads, rolling hills, wildflowers like poppies lining the verge, and even magpies! At times, I could have easily thought we were back in the British countryside.

6. There’s free parking everywhere

This is something I’ve noticed across mainland Europe, but it’s still always a pleasant change from the UK. Whether we were at Lara Beach, in the mountains, visiting Latchi Harbour, at scenic viewpoints and beauty spots like Blue Lagoon, or in town, we found free parking almost everywhere. In contrast, the UK charges for most car parks—even forest trails, hills with viewpoints, beaches and headlands, or town centres—and you’re often watching the clock. It was so nice to enjoy places in Cyprus without the pressure of parking fees and time limits.

7. We saw lots of banana plantations

I had no idea bananas were grown in Cyprus! We passed several banana plantations while driving from the Paphos region to the Akamas Peninsula, which sparked my curiosity—I wonder if any of the bananas we eat in the UK come from here.

8. Cyprus is effectively split into two

While I’d learned about this before our trip, it’s something I only discovered a few years ago. Cyprus is divided into two parts: the Republic of Cyprus (Greek Cypriot south) and the Turkish-controlled north, separated by a UN buffer zone. It’s not something everyone knows, and it’s a big part of the island’s political and cultural identity.

9. Lots of things are in English

English was widely spoken, which was expected as it’s a second language many mainland Europeans learn to easily converse across borders, but what surprised me more was how much signage and branding was entirely in English. Many shops, menus, and signs were English-only. I even saw UK supermarket brands like Sainsbury’s and Iceland in the local supermarket in Polis, which made shopping feel very familiar!

10. It felt peaceful and quiet, even during school holidays

Despite going during the Easter holidays, the atmosphere across the Polis and Latchi areas was calm and uncrowded. We rarely had to share walking trails, beaches, or viewpoints with more than a few other people. The busiest place we visited was Avakas Gorge which I highly recommend for nature lovers. It’s a stark contrast to the busier tourist hubs elsewhere in Europe during the Easter school holiday season. If you’re looking for a peaceful family escape, Polis and Latchi in Cyprus tick the box, and there are several things to do for free with kids in Latchi.

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Final Thoughts

Cyprus surprised me in many ways. While I expected sunshine and beaches, I didn’t anticipate the cooler spring days, the familiar road system and plug sockets, or the abundance of green landscapes and banana trees! It’s a destination that blends the exotic with the familiar, making it easy to settle in while still offering something new and exciting around every corner.

If you’re considering a trip to Cyprus, especially with family who loves nature and a more peaceful escape, I highly recommend exploring the Polis and Latchi areas and the Akamas National Park for a quieter, nature-filled experience that still has all the essentials.

Let me know in the comments below if you’ve visited Cyprus—were you surprised by anything too?