Nowruz in Cyprus from Almaty: tours

Nauryz in Cyprus is a spring trip in the third decade of March, when the island already welcomes tourists, but there are still no queues at the sights. There are no direct flights from Almaty, so the journey will be via Istanbul, Dubai or Abu Dhabi from nine hours. There is no official day off on the island on these dates, and the weekday schedule of services remains.

Visa, flight and booking for Nauryz

The holiday in Cyprus falls in the third decade of March and coincides with spring school holidays. This section will explain when to book tours, how the flight from Almaty is structured and what a tourist should take into account on these dates.

Deadlines for submitting documents and working with a travel agent

A Schengen permit for Cyprus is arranged in advance, and a tourist from Almaty begins collecting papers at the end of January. There is no issuance on arrival on the island, and without a ready permit boarding the flight is impossible. The tour operator takes on the appointment at the consulate, checking the form and preparing the hotel booking. In March, the flow of applications grows because of school holidays, and the queue for submission may shift. With a start at the end of January, the passport returns with a ready permit by mid-March. The company has no verified source on visa rules, so the requirements are clarified directly with the consulate.

Cost of tickets Almaty — Larnaca in the third decade of March

There are no direct flights from Almaty to Cyprus, and the journey is arranged via Istanbul, Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The minimum travel time with a connection is from 9 hours. In the third decade of March, tickets become more expensive because of the coincidence with the holidays, so it is worth booking them 2–3 months in advance. Early booking gives a choice of connections and a lower fare. It is more convenient to plan departure from Almaty with a margin of 3–4 hours for the transfer, since the Istanbul hub is busy in March. The return flight is taken with the same margin, otherwise a late arrival in Larnaca will disrupt the transfer to the hotel.

Booking and payment terms for tours

Holiday dates in Cyprus are bought up earlier than usual, so the hotel and flight are booked as one package. A tourist from Almaty receives confirmation, a voucher and a transfer memo after making the payment. Some hotels in Limassol and Larnaca are already open in March, while in Protaras and Ayia Napa not all buildings welcome guests, so the choice of accommodation for the holiday is narrower than in May. It is worth booking as early as possible: there are few free rooms with a heated pool at the end of March.

What is open on the island during the holiday?

Nauryz is not an official day off in Cyprus, so the weekday rhythm of the cities remains. Below is the schedule of services, pharmacies and exchange points that is worth knowing in advance.

Schedule of banks, government offices and shops

Banks and government offices in Nicosia and Limassol work according to the usual schedule, since there is no local day off on these dates. Large supermarkets in the resorts are open daily, while small shops in Paphos and Protaras may close for an afternoon break. It is more convenient for a tourist from Almaty to handle exchange and shopping in the first half of the day. On Sunday some shops are closed, but kiosks and gas stations are open. It is better to plan major purchases for weekdays, then you will not have to look for an open point on a day off.

On-duty pharmacies and medical insurance

Medical insurance for a trip to Cyprus is mandatory under Schengen rules, and the policy is arranged together with the tour. Pharmacies in Larnaca, Limassol and Nicosia work on a duty schedule during the holidays, which is posted on the doors. There is usually one duty point per district, and its address will be suggested at the hotel reception. A tourist from Almaty should take along usual medicines and a prescription with the international name of the drug. In a serious case, insurance covers a doctor's visit and hospitalization, but treatment of chronic diseases is not included in the policy.

Currency exchange: tenge, euro and commissions

It is more profitable to exchange tenge for euro in Almaty than in Cyprus. At Larnaca airport the rate is unfavorable, and in banks in Nicosia and Limassol the commission for the operation is higher than in exchange offices. The euro is in circulation on the island, and tenge cannot be used anywhere. A tourist from Almaty should take part of the amount in cash and keep the rest on a card. Cards of international payment systems are accepted in hotels and taverns in Paphos and Larnaca, but in small shops in Protaras they sometimes ask for cash. Small notes will be useful for buses and parking.

How to get to the resorts and move between them

The resorts of the island are connected by highways, but there is no railway here. Let us examine what a tourist from Almaty should choose for trips between cities.

Car rental and left-hand traffic

Traffic in Cyprus is left-hand, and a tourist from Almaty needs time to get used to the left side. Kazakh licenses are accepted for rental without an international permit if the trip is short. A car is taken at Larnaca airport or at the hotel, and it gives freedom in trips to the beaches of Ayia Napa and Protaras. Insurance is arranged on site, and without it the car is not issued. It is better to drive the first kilometers on a quiet road to get used to the interchanges. Parking in the center of Limassol is paid, and near the taverns of Lachi Gitonia there are few spaces.

Intercity buses and the absence of a railway

There is no railway on the island at all, and only Intercity buses run between cities. The routes connect Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos, and the schedule changes by season. The ticket is bought from the driver, and it is several times cheaper than a taxi. It is convenient for a tourist from Almaty to go from Larnaca airport directly to Limassol or Nicosia. In March, buses run less often than in summer, so the schedule is checked the day before. Ayia Napa and Protaras are reached with a transfer, which should be taken into account when planning the day.

What is prepared for the festive table and what is the gastronomy like in March?

The festive table on the island is assembled from local products, and March provides fresh greens and cheeses. Let us look at what to buy in the supermarket and where to eat.

Products for dastarkhan in supermarkets of Limassol and Nicosia

Dastarkhan in Cyprus can be assembled from local products, and a supermarket is enough for this. Halloumi, sheep cheese, olives, fresh greens and meat for beshbarmak are sold in Limassol and Nicosia all year round. A tourist from Almaty should look into large chains, where the assortment is wider than in resort shops. Lamb and beef are taken at the market or in the meat department, and the dough for baursaks is replaced with ready-made puff pastry. Greens in March are cheap, and there are plenty of them on the counters of Paphos and Larnaca. Spices for festive dishes are better brought from Almaty, local sets differ in composition.

Taverns of Laiki Geitonia and meze during Lent

The Laiki Geitonia quarter in Nicosia operates as usual in March, and the taverns there accept guests without a reservation. Meze is served in sets of dozens of small dishes, and it is enough for two. Cypriot cuisine during Lent and meat dishes combine: the menu of Larnaca and Paphos has many dishes from legumes, greens and seafood. A tourist from Almaty should order meze during the day, when the kitchen is not busy. On Friday and Saturday evenings, tables in Nicosia are booked in advance. The portions are large, and ordering one dish per person is not worth it.

Excursions and leisure without queues

In March there are fewer tourists than in May, and attractions are visited without waiting. Below are routes and connectivity that will be needed on trips.

Kourion, Tombs of the Kings and Kykkos Monastery in March

Kourion, the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos and Kykkos Monastery are cheaper to visit in March and without queues. Excursions to them cost less than in May, and the guide has time to tell more. The road to Kykkos goes through the Troodos mountains, and at the end of March it is still cool there. A tourist from Almaty should take a jacket and comfortable shoes for exploring the ruins of Kourion. The Tombs of the Kings are by the sea, and the wind there is strong. Tickets are bought at the entrance, and advance booking is not needed.

Connectivity on the island: SIM card, eSIM and Wi-Fi

For connectivity in Cyprus it is convenient to buy a local SIM card or eSIM. Roaming of Kazakhstani operators on the island is expensive, and Wi-Fi in hotels is not always stable. A tourist from Almaty should set up an eSIM before departure, then connectivity will appear immediately after landing. A local card is sold in shops of Larnaca and Nicosia by passport. Mobile internet will be useful for maps and Intercity bus schedules. In the mountains near Kykkos the signal is weak, and the map is better downloaded in advance.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, https://mfa.gov.cy/requiring-visa-to-enter.html. The information on this page was verified on 14.09.2026.

In brief

• A trip for Nauryz is the third decade of March, spring weather and fewer tourists than in May.
• There are no direct flights from Almaty: fly via Istanbul, Dubai or Abu Dhabi from nine hours.
• There is no official day off on the island, banks and government offices work on a weekday schedule.
• Limassol and Larnaca are almost fully open, Protaras and Ayia Napa accept guests partially.
• Dastarkhan is assembled from halloumi, sheep cheese, olives and meat, and meze is served in the taverns of Nicosia.