Cyprus Weather
What is Cyprus weather really like? When is the best time to visit? What are the best things to do in Cyprus whether it's hot and sunny or cold and wet?
While Cyprus DOES enjoy a wonderful Mediterranean climate, even the coastal areas have an average of 57 days rain per year, even if a rain shower one minute is followed by bright sunshine the next.
Most tourists visit Cyprus during the hot summer months, but the intense summer heat can be too hot for many people, so the best time to visit in my opinion, is either during spring or late summer/autumn. Read on to find out what Cyprus weather is like by season and the best things to do when you get here.
Weather in Cyprus - Summer JUNE-SEPT
Some like it hot and Cyprus summers certainly are with average temperatures of 33-35 C and zero rainfall on the coast. The heat is not usually accompanied by humidity, but we have seen higher levels of dust from the Middle East in the last few years, so some days can be very hot and sticky.
While the vast majority of visitors may be lying on a beach or by the pool, we like to head for the mountains to walk or cycle, where the temperature is usually at least 5 degrees cooler. It even rains in the Troodos on some summer days.
Down near the coast, summer is the best time to enjoy the water and you can take your pick of water-based activities here in Cyprus from trendy paddle boarding, kayaking or diving for a few hours.
Cyprus Weather - Autumn OCT-NOV
Autumn weather - like spring without colour!
Cyprus weather in autumn is fantastic as temperatures are similar to spring, averaging 26-28C in October and 23-24C during the day in November. You may experience a few showers in October/November, but the rain is usually warm and crucially, the SEA is still warm after the hot summer.
The main difference from springtime is the colour of the landscape as you can see in the above picture - think brown not green, although the contrasting shades of brown and stone are very beautiful if you have a photographer's eye.
Cyprus Weather - Winter DEC-FEB
Magical snowy Cyprus in winter
Stunning rainbows after a storm
Our short Cyprus winter is mild by northern European standards, but evenings can still be cold and it can drop as low as 5°C even on the coast, although daytime temperatures are usually around 12-15°C. In the Troodos mountains it is usually 5-10 degrees cooler, especially when it snows.
Most rain falls between mid December and mid February with an average of 10 days rain per month, often in monsoon-like proportions, especially during thunderstorms.
Tip: DON'T forget to bring a waterproof jacket and a fleece/warm top for the colder evenings. We have seen too many tourists freezing in shorts and vests as they forgot to check the REAL Cyprus weather forecast for January!
What to do if it's raining? Go on a wine tasting tour - the GRAPE ESCAPE in the stunning Troodos mountains. Hotel pick-up included.
But even it rains, the best thing about winter in Cyprus is the clear skies and the magnificent rainbows after a heavy rain shower. It's one the best times to take photographs in Cyprus for crystal clear images.
Weather in Cyprus- Spring MARCH-MAY
Italica Orchids Cyprus springtime
Beautiful spring flower colours
Spring is one of my favourite seasons here when the Cyprus weather returns to mainly dry days - expect only 4-5 days rain in March, with very little rain afterwards. Temperatures creep back above 20C by mid-March with evenings usually warm enough to eat outside in the evenings by early May.
If you are a nature lover like me, Cyprus feels like paradise as the wild flowers burst into life and the countryside sparkles with colour. Explore forest and coastal hiking trails, stroll along the beach and maybe paddle in the crystal clear water or take a picnic into the forest to chill out and relax.
We love to get into the hills to cycle for the first time after the winter rains have stopped and, if you are a gardner, it's the time to get seeds and plug plants in to enjoy a delicious crop of mediterranean vegetables like peppers/aubergines and courgettes as summer starts.
Related Pages:
Winter in Cyprus - sometimes it's WET!
Latest Cyprus Weather Forecast
Favourite Things to Do
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