May holidays in Cyprus from Almaty: tours

May holidays in Cyprus are Labour Day on 1 May and Orthodox Easter, which in different years falls in late April or early May. On holidays, banks, shops and government offices are closed, while the resorts of Ayia Napa, Limassol, Paphos, Protaras and Larnaca live at a special rhythm. The weather is mild, the sea warms up unevenly, and the evenings are cool.

Holiday dates and the May calendar: how are the days off distributed?

A holiday during these spring days on the island begins with Labour Day, followed by Easter celebrations. The days off depend on the date on which Orthodox Easter falls.

How the days off are distributed at the beginning of the month

On the first of May, the island celebrates Labour Day, and this day is declared an official day off. If Easter falls in late April, the Easter days off form a separate block, while the May Day ones stand apart. When Orthodox Easter falls in early May, the days off merge into a long series of non-working days. The second day of Easter and Bright Monday are also considered official days off, so locals get three or four free days in a row. In such years, these holidays in Cyprus feel like a mini-vacation for the whole island. A tourist should check the calendar in advance: the arrangement of dates determines which days will be quiet and which will be noisy.

What is closed on holidays

On holidays, shops, banks and government offices in Cyprus close, and some restaurants operate on a special schedule. On Labour Day and at Easter, one should not count on large shopping centres in Nicosia or Limassol. Small family shops in villages sometimes open in the morning, but more often they also rest. Pharmacies and clinics switch to duty mode, so it is better to take medicines with you in advance. Cafes and taverns by the sea in Ayia Napa, Protaras and Larnaca usually work, but it is worth booking a table on a holiday evening a day ahead. It is better to check opening hours on the spot: schedules during the May holidays change every year.

Easter traditions of the island: what happens on these days?

Cypriot Easter is the main family holiday of the year, and a tourist would be interested to see it at least once. The traditions here are brighter than in the cities, and it is better to go to a village.

Night services and bonfires in villages

Night services in churches begin late and gather almost the whole neighbourhood. Closer to midnight, bonfires are lit in courtyards and squares of villages, and fireworks are launched into the sky. The Cypriot village on this night turns into one big venue: adults sing, children run around with firecrackers. In Nicosia and Limassol, services also take place, but the atmosphere there is more urban and restrained. A tourist should dress warmly: nights in early May are still cool, especially in the foothills. After the service, people go home and continue celebrating at the table until morning. Holidays without such a night are considered incomplete, and locals willingly invite guests.

Easter treats and family feasts

On the Easter table, Cypriots обязательно have flaounes — a pie with cheese and herbs, and koulourakia — filled biscuits. The main dish is lamb roasted on a spit in the courtyard, sometimes it is cooked right on the street. Halloumi in May is especially fresh, and it is served with young vegetables and greens. Families gather in large groups, and the feast lasts several hours. For a tourist, the easiest way to try these dishes is in village taverns, where a seasonal menu is served. It is worth ordering in advance: on holidays, popular places in Paphos and Larnaca are full. Cypriot cuisine reveals itself more fully on these days than at the height of summer.

When to go and how to prepare

The May holidays are a short high season on the island, and one needs to prepare for the trip in advance. Both the price and the comfort depend on the booking dates and the flight route.

Booking hotels and car rental

Hotels in Ayia Napa, Protaras and Limassol for the May holidays are snapped up several months in advance. Prices on these days are noticeably higher than in mid-May, when the holiday wave subsides. Car rental is also in demand: it is worth booking a car together with the hotel, otherwise there will be little choice left. A Kazakh-style driving licence is accepted in Cyprus if there is an international insert or a certified translation. Public transport between resorts runs rarely, especially on holidays. Without a car, getting from Larnaca to Paphos or Nicosia is inconvenient, and a taxi will cost more than renting.

Flight from Almaty and packing for the road

There are usually no direct flights from Almaty to Cyprus in May, and the flight most often goes through Istanbul, Dubai or Moscow. The journey with a transfer is lengthened by several hours, so it is better not to plan excursions on the day of arrival. The holiday dates on the island coincide with an influx of tourists, and tickets are snapped up quickly. Medical insurance for Kazakhstanis is mandatory, and it is arranged before departure.

What to consider at the resorts during the May days

The resorts during the May days live at a special rhythm: warm during the day, fresh in the evening, and the season is only picking up. Both the weather and local holiday habits should be taken into account.

Weather, sea and evening coolness

The sea off the coast of Larnaca and Ayia Napa warms up unevenly: the water is warmer near sandy beaches than near rocky ones. In early May, swimming is not comfortable for everyone: cold currents are possible near rocky areas. Evenings on the coast are cool, so a light jacket or windbreaker will come in handy even in Protaras. In the Troodos mountains, the temperature can drop to +10 °C, and warm clothing is essential there. Water parks are already open during the May holidays, but the water in the pools can be cool if they are not heated. A holiday in early May in Cyprus offers gentle sunshine without the summer heat, and this is the main advantage of this time.

Lively evenings and wedding season

In May, the wedding season begins on the island, and in Protaras and Ayia Napa there are many couples from different countries. Evening restaurants and promenades are noisy and crowded on these days, especially on weekends. Nightlife in Ayia Napa is just warming up: some clubs are still closed, and the main season opens closer to June. Those looking for quiet should choose Paphos or the calm areas of Larnaca. It is worth booking dinner at a popular place in advance, otherwise a table will not be found. Festive celebrations in the villages also add noise, but this is part of the local atmosphere.

What to do besides the beach

May on the island is a time of blossoming and mild weather, and this is the best moment for trips inland. The beach can wait: there is plenty of interesting things around.

Sightseeing tours and the nature of Troodos

In May, oleanders, bougainvilleas and citrus trees bloom in Cyprus, and in Troodos you can still find snow on the peaks. The contrast between the beach and the mountains in one day is quite real, and it is worth trying. Sightseeing tours to Kourion, the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos and Kykkos Monastery are best booked in advance during these holidays. The influx of tourists on these days is large, and spots in groups fill up quickly. In the mountains it is cooler than on the coast, so warm clothing is needed even on a sunny day. The roads in Troodos are winding, and getting there without a car is inconvenient. Such a trip gives a rare chance to see both the sea and the snow in one journey.

Cuisine and seasonal products

Cypriot cuisine in May is especially good: the season of young halloumi cheese, fresh vegetables, strawberries and cherries. Easter treats — flaounes and koulourakia — are sold in villages and small bakeries. In Larnaca and Paphos, the first local fruits appear at markets, and prices there are lower than in tourist shops. Grilled meat dishes are prepared in almost every taverna, and the portions are usually large. A tourist should try meze: a set of many appetizers gives a full idea of the local cuisine. It is better to order meze for two, otherwise you will not finish it. This time is good for gastronomic walks through the villages.

In short

• Cyprus spends the May holidays with Labour Day and Orthodox Easter.
• Book hotels and cars in Ayia Napa, Protaras and Limassol months in advance.
• There are no direct flights from Almaty, you will have to fly with a transfer.
• Holidays close shops, banks and some restaurants.
• Evenings are cool, in the Troodos mountains the temperature drops to +10 °C.