Districts & Cities
Cyprus is divided into 6 districts (επαρχίες / eparchíes). These are not just lines on a map — each district has its own character, history, and administrative center.
6 districts of Cyprus
| District | In Greek | Center | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicosia | Λευκωσία | Nicosia | Partially occupied |
| Limassol | Λεμεσός | Limassol | Free |
| Larnaca | Λάρνακα | Larnaca | Free (a small part occupied) |
| Paphos | Πάφος | Paphos | Free |
| Famagusta | Αμμόχωστος | Paralimni* | Large part occupied |
| Kyrenia | Κερύνεια | Kyrenia | Fully occupied |
*The city of Famagusta is occupied, so the temporary center is Paralimni (Παραλίμνι).
❓ How many administrative districts are there in Cyprus?
→ 6
❓ Which district is fully occupied by Turkey?
→ Kyrenia (Κερύνεια)
City population (2021 census)
| City | In Greek | Population | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicosia | Λευκωσία | 356 358 | Only the free part |
| Limassol | Λεμεσός | 258 283 | Largest port |
| Larnaca | Λάρνακα | 153 824 | Main airport |
| Paphos | Πάφος | 100 753 | Cultural capital |
| Free Famagusta | Ελεύθερη Αμμόχωστος | 51 483 | Rural area + resorts |
Total in the Republic of Cyprus: 920 701 people (2021 census)
— Greek Cypriots: 737 196
— Foreign residents: 183 505
❓ Which city is the largest by population?
→ Nicosia
❓ Which city is the second largest?
→ Limassol
Alternative names of cities
Cypriots often use different names for the same places. This can be confusing — but you will be asked about it in the exam.
| Official | Alternative | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Λευκωσία (Nicosia) | Χώρα (Chóra) | “Chora” = “town, capital” |
| Λεμεσός (Limassol) | Λεμεσσός | Spelling variant |
| Λάρνακα (Larnaca) | Σκάλα (Skála) | Colloquial name for the old town / seafront area |
| Αμμόχωστος (Famagusta) | Βαρώσια (Varosha) | Ghost-district inside the city of Famagusta (not an alternative name for the whole city) |
❓ Which city is also called Chora (Χώρα)?
→ Nicosia (Λευκωσία)
Why “Chora”? In Greek tradition, the main town of an island or region was simply called “Chora” — “the town”. This is how locals call Nicosia, especially in the villages.
Characteristics of the cities
Nicosia (Λευκωσία / Levkosía)
Status: Capital of the Republic of Cyprus
Uniqueness: The last divided capital in Europe (η τελευταία διαιρεμένη πρωτεύουσα της Ευρώπης). The Green Line runs right through the centre.
What is here:
- Presidential Palace
- Parliament (Βουλή των Αντιπροσώπων)
- All ministries
- Old town within the Venetian walls
Special feature: No access to the sea — the only landlocked city in Cyprus.
Limassol (Λεμεσός / Lemesós)
Status: Economic center, largest port
Character: The most cosmopolitan city. Many expats, international companies, nightlife.
What is here:
- The country’s main port
- Wine Festival (September)
- Carnival (February–March)
- Limassol Castle (Richard the Lionheart was married here)
Nearby: Kourion, Amathus, British base Akrotiri
❓ In which city of Cyprus is the archaeological site of Amathus (Αμαθούς) located?
→ Limassol
Larnaca (Λάρνακα / Lárnaka)
Status: Transport gateway of the country
What is here:
- Main international airport (LCA)
- Finikoudes seafront (Φοινικούδες) — “little palms”
- Church of Saint Lazarus (the very one who was resurrected)
- Salt lake with flamingos
- Hala Sultan Tekke mosque
History: Ancient city of Kition (Κίτιον) — homeland of the philosopher Zeno, founder of Stoicism.
Paphos (Πάφος / Páfos)
Status: Cultural capital. The Archaeological Park of Paphos is a UNESCO site (since 1980).
What is here:
- Archaeological Park with mosaics
- Tombs of the Kings
- Airport (PFO)
- Petra tou Romiou (Πέτρα του Ρωμιού — Aphrodite’s Rock) nearby
Character: Calmer, touristic, many British retirees.
❓ In which region of Cyprus is the Akamas peninsula located?
→ Paphos
Famagusta (Αμμόχωστος / Amóchostos)
The city of Famagusta itself is occupied. The Varosha district is a ghost town since 1974.
The free part of the district includes the main resorts of Cyprus:
| Place | In Greek | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Ayia Napa | Αγία Νάπα | Clubbing capital, youth |
| Protaras | Πρωταράς | Family holidays, beaches |
| Paralimni | Παραλίμνι | Temporary administrative center of the district |
❓ To which district does Ayia Napa belong?
→ Famagusta (Αμμόχωστος)
Kyrenia (Κερύνεια / Kirínia)
The most beautiful port city of Cyprus — but under occupation since 1974.
What used to be there: picturesque harbor, castle, Pentadaktylos mountains behind it.
Now: controlled by the "TRNC", many Turkish settlers.
Villages and localities by district
In the exam they often ask: “In which district is [village] located?” Here are the main ones.
Paphos District (Πάφος)
| Place | In Greek | What is important |
|---|---|---|
| Polis Chrysochous | Πόλις Χρυσοχούς | Small town on Chrysochou Bay, gateway to Akamas |
| Pegeia / Peiya | Πέγεια | Popular with expats, near Coral Bay |
| Latchi | Λατσί | Fishing harbor near Polis |
| Geroskipou | Γεροσκήπου | “Holy garden”, near the town of Paphos |
| Kissonerga | Κισσόνεργα | Coastal village north of Paphos |
| Tala | Τάλα | Village in the hills above Paphos |
| Polemi | Πολέμι | Wine-producing village |
| Pano Panagia | Πάνω Παναγιά | Birthplace of Makarios III |
| Lempa / Lemba | Λέμπα | Chalcolithic (Copper Age) settlement, artists |
❓ In which district is Pegeia (Πέγεια) located?
→ Paphos
❓ From which village did Makarios III come?
→ Pano Panagia (Πάνω Παναγιά), Paphos District
Limassol District (Λεμεσός)
Coast and suburbs
| Place | In Greek | What is important |
|---|---|---|
| Amathus | Αμαθούς | Archaeological site |
| Agios Tychonas | Άγιος Τύχωνας | Resort area |
| Pissouri | Πισσούρι | Village and beach in the west of the district |
| Episkopi | Επισκοπή | Near the British base Akrotiri |
| Kourion | Κούριον | Ancient city and theatre |
| Kolossi | Κολόσσι | Crusader castle |
| Erimi | Ερήμη | Cyprus Wine Museum |
Troodos Mountains (in Limassol District)
| Village | In Greek | What is important |
|---|---|---|
| Prodromos | Πρόδρομος | Highest village (1 380 m), coldest in winter |
| Amiandos | Αμίαντος | Former asbestos mine, now eco-tourism |
| Platres | Πλάτρες | Mountain resort, Kalidonia and Millomeris waterfalls |
| Omodos | Όμοδος | Wine-making, Monastery of the Holy Cross |
| Agros | Αγρός | Production of rose water |
| Pelendri | Πελένδρι | Painted churches |
| Lania | Λανιά | Artists’ village |
| Zoopigi | Ζωοπηγή | Mountain village |
❓ Where is the village of Amiandos (Αμίαντος) located?
→ Limassol District, Troodos Mountains
❓ Which village has the lowest temperatures in winter?
→ Prodromos (Πρόδρομος)
Nicosia District (Λευκωσία)
| Village | In Greek | What is important |
|---|---|---|
| Kakopetria | Κακοπετριά | “Evil stone”, mountain resort |
| Galata | Γαλάτα | UNESCO painted churches |
| Fikardou | Φικάρδου | Museum-village (abandoned but preserved) |
| Kalopanagiotis | Καλοπαναγιώτης | Monastery of St John Lampadistis (UNESCO) |
| Pedoulas | Πεδουλάς | Church of Archangel Michael (UNESCO) |
| Peristerona | Περιστερώνα | Five-domed church |
| Tamassos | Ταμασσός | Ancient city, copper mining |
Larnaca District (Λάρνακα)
| Place | In Greek | What is important |
|---|---|---|
| Pyla | Πύλα | Only village in the buffer zone where Greeks and Turks live together |
| Choirokoitia | Χοιροκοιτία | Neolithic settlement (UNESCO) |
| Lefkara | Λεύκαρα | Famous lace and silver (UNESCO — intangible heritage) |
| Kition | Κίτιον | Ancient city (now part of Larnaca) |
| Stavrovouni | Σταυροβούνι | Monastery on a mountain (men only) |
| Pervolia | Περβόλια | Coastal village |
| Kiti | Κίτι | Church Panagia Angeloktisti (built by angels) |
❓ Which village is famous for lace and silver?
→ Lefkara (Λεύκαρα), Larnaca District
Famagusta District (Αμμόχωστος)
Free part
| Place | In Greek | What is important |
|---|---|---|
| Ayia Napa | Αγία Νάπα | Clubs, beaches, youth tourism |
| Protaras | Πρωταράς | Family beaches |
| Paralimni | Παραλίμνι | Temporary administrative center |
| Deryneia | Δερύνεια | Viewing point over Famagusta and Varosha |
| Sotira | Σωτήρα | Ancient churches |
| Liopetri | Λιοπέτρι | Fishing village |
| Frenaros | Φρέναρος | Traditional village |
❓ To which district does Protaras belong?
→ Famagusta
Occupied part
| Place | In Greek | What is important |
|---|---|---|
| Famagusta (city) | Αμμόχωστος | Occupied, including Varosha |
| Salamis | Σαλαμίς | Largest ancient city of Cyprus |
| Karpas | Καρπασία | Peninsula, Monastery of Apostle Andrew |
Kyrenia District (Κερύνεια) — fully occupied
| Place | In Greek | What is important |
|---|---|---|
| Kyrenia | Κερύνεια | Picturesque port, castle |
| Bellapais | Μπελλαπαΐς | Gothic abbey |
| St Hilarion Castle | Άγιος Ιλαρίων | Crusader fortress on a mountain |
| Buffavento | Βουφαβέντο | Castle in the mountains |
| Lapithos | Λάπηθος | Ancient city |
Capes and peninsulas
| Cape | In Greek | District | Why it is important |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Greco | Κάβο Γκρέκο | Famagusta | Southeastern point of free Cyprus, national park |
| Cape of Apostle Andrew | Ακρωτήριο Αποστόλου Ανδρέα | Famagusta (occupied) | Extremity of the Karpas peninsula |
| Akamas | Ακάμας | Paphos | Protected peninsula in the west |
| Cape Drepanon | Ακρ. Δρέπανον | Paphos | West coast, Pegeia area, at the entrance to the Akamas peninsula |
| Cape Arnaoutis | Ακρωτήριο Αρναούτη | Paphos | Tip of the Akamas peninsula |
| Cape Gata | Ακρωτήρι Γάτα | Limassol | Akrotiri peninsula; "Cape of the Cat" — St Nicholas of the Cats monastery |
| Cape Aspro | Ακρωτήριο Άσπρο | Limassol | White cliffs ("aspro" = white) near Pissouri |
| Cape Kiti | Ακρωτήρι του Κιτίου | Larnaca | South of Pervolia; lighthouse — the "Faros" beach |
| Cape Pyla | Κάβο Πύλα | Larnaca | Eastern end of Larnaca Bay |
| Geronisos (islet) | Γερόνησος | Paphos | "Holy island" off Agios Georgios, Pegeia |
❓ Where is Cape of Apostle Andrew (Ακρωτήριο Αποστόλου Ανδρέα) located?
→ On the Karpas peninsula, Famagusta district (occupied)
Karpas Peninsula (Καρπασία / Karpasía) is the long “finger” in the northeast of the island. It is fully occupied. The Monastery of Apostle Andrew, a pilgrimage site, is located there.
Bays
| Bay | In Greek | District |
|---|---|---|
| Chrysochou Bay | Κόλπος Χρυσοχούς | Paphos |
| Morphou Bay | Κόλπος Μόρφου | Nicosia (occupied) |
| Famagusta Bay | Κόλπος Αμμοχώστου | Famagusta (partially occupied) |
| Larnaca Bay | Κόλπος Λάρνακας | Larnaca |
| Episkopi Bay | Κόλπος Επισκοπής | Limassol |
Best-known beaches → town and district
The official tourism list has 64 beaches, all in the free areas. The best-known ones:
| Beach | Greek | Town / area | District | Hook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissi Beach | Παραλία Νησί | Ayia Napa | Famagusta | Most famous beach of Cyprus; named after the islet ("nissi") |
| Makronissos | Παραλία Μακρόνησος | Ayia Napa | Famagusta | Three small bays |
| Landa | Παραλία Λάντα | Ayia Napa | Famagusta | Between Nissi Bay and Makronissos |
| Pantachou | Παραλία Πανταχού | Ayia Napa | Famagusta | Ayia Napa's longest beach (1.2 km) |
| Konnos Bay | Παραλία Κόννος | Between Cape Greco and Protaras | Famagusta | Border between Ayia Napa and Paralimni |
| Limnara (Kermia) | Παραλία Λιμνάρα (Κέρμια) | Ayia Napa | Famagusta | Inside the Cape Greco forest park |
| Fig Tree Bay | Παραλία Πρωταράς (Κόλπος Fig Tree) | Protaras (Paralimni) | Famagusta | Named after a lone fig tree, there since the 17th century |
| Finikoudes | Παραλία Φοινικούδες | Larnaca | Larnaca | The palm-tree promenade ("finikoudes" = palm trees) |
| Mackenzie | Παραλία Μακένζι | Larnaca | Larnaca | Next to the old airport |
| Faros (Pervolia) | Παραλία Φάρος | Pervolia | Larnaca | At Cape Kiti lighthouse |
| Lady's Mile | Παραλία Λέιντις Μάιλ | Akrotiri, Limassol | Limassol | Longest beach of Cyprus (5 km), dark volcanic sand |
| Dasoudi | Παραλία στο Δασούδι | Germasogeia | Limassol | Limassol's popular town beach |
| Santa Barbara | Παραλία Αγίας Βαρβάρας | Agios Tychonas | Limassol | Over the sunken ancient harbour of Amathus |
| Kourion Beach | Παραλία Κούριο | Episkopi Bay | Limassol | Below ancient Kourion |
| Coral Bay | Παραλία Κόλπος των Κοραλλίων | Pegeia | Paphos | Paphos district's best-known resort beach |
| Faros (Paphos) | Παραλία Φάρος | West end of Paphos | Paphos | The other "Faros" — don't mix with Pervolia |
| Vrysoudia A | Παραλία Βρυσούδια Α | Kato Paphos | Paphos | Paphos town beach |
| Souli | Παραλία Κάμπος του Σουλίου (Σούλι) | West of Latchi, Chrysochou Bay | Paphos | Akamas-side beach |
| Blue Lagoon | Γαλάζια Λιμνοθάλασσα | Latchi / Akamas | Paphos | A bay reached by boat, not a beach |
Under the sea: the Zenobia wreck (Larnaca Bay, a ferry that sank on its maiden voyage in 1980) and MUSAN, the world's first underwater sculpture museum (Ayia Napa).
❌ Dasoudi is also the name of a camping beach at Polis Chrysochous — the famous one is in Limassol.
📍 In the exam: Which is the longest beach in Cyprus?
Answer: Lady's Mile (Limassol).
Universities
| University | In Greek | City | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cyprus | Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου | Aglantzia, Nicosia | Public |
| Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) | Τεχνολογικό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου (ΤΕΠΑΚ) | Limassol | Public |
| Open University of Cyprus | Ανοικτό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου | Latsia, Nicosia | Public |
| University of Nicosia (UNIC) | Πανεπιστήμιο Λευκωσίας | Nicosia | Private |
| European University Cyprus | Ευρωπαϊκό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου | Engomi, Nicosia | Private |
| Frederick University | Πανεπιστήμιο Frederick | Nicosia and Limassol | Private |
| Neapolis University Pafos | Πανεπιστήμιο Νεάπολις Πάφου | Paphos | Private |
| UCLan Cyprus | UCLan Cyprus | Pyla, Larnaca district | Private |
📍 In the exam: Which university has its seat in Limassol?
Answer: The Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK).
What to remember for the exam
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many districts | 6 |
| Fully occupied | Kyrenia |
| Chora is | Nicosia |
| Amathus — district | Limassol |
| Akamas — district | Paphos |
| Ayia Napa — district | Famagusta |
| Protaras — district | Famagusta |
| Pegeia / Peiya — district | Paphos |
| Polis Chrysochous — district | Paphos |
| Amiandos — where | Troodos (Limassol District) |
| Coldest village | Prodromos |
| Lefkara — famous for | Lace and silver |
| Lefkara — district | Larnaca |
| Cape of Apostle Andrew | Karpas (Famagusta, occupied) |
| Cape Greco — district | Famagusta |
| Cape Gata, Cape Aspro — district | Limassol |
| Cape Kiti — district | Larnaca |
| Nissi, Makronissos, Konnos, Fig Tree Bay | Famagusta (Ayia Napa / Protaras) |
| Coral Bay — where | Pegeia (Paphos) |
| Longest beach | Lady's Mile (Limassol) |
| Choirokoitia — district | Larnaca |
| Pyla — what is special | Greeks and Turks live together |
| Homeland of Makarios | Pano Panagia (Paphos) |
| Capital | Nicosia (356 358 people) |
| Second city | Limassol (258 283 people) |
| TEPAK — city | Limassol |
| University of Cyprus — where | Aglantzia (Nicosia) |
| Neapolis University — city | Paphos |