Super Shopping in Cyprus
Wherever you go on holiday, you have to visit the local shops. Whether you are looking for souvenirs or specialist products from the location, you need to be able to shop around and compare items and prices before making up your mind which to spend your hard-earned holiday cash on. And in Cyprus, the choice is as endless as the day is long. When it comes to those all-important shopping trips, car hire in Cyprus has to be a priority.
First of all, for new visitors to Cyprus, it might be useful to know the shopping hours, which are rather different to ours in the UK. There will always be exceptions but, generally speaking in the summer (April to October) shops will open from 9 am to 8.30 pm. However, they close for about three hours in the middle of the day (1 pm to 4 pm). That is on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Wednesdays they usually close a little later for lunch but then do not re-open in the afternoon. On Fridays they often re-open later in the afternoon and close later in the evening; while Saturday opening times are the same as in the UK. Once you learn the opening hours, you can plan your shopping trips in confidence.
Most areas sell local crafts and souvenirs but some places are known for their own specialities. If you are looking for ceramics, for example, you should visit Troodos and explore the pottery shops all around the Troodos Mountains for some unique pieces made by local craftsmen and available at much lower prices than in the towns. Set aside a whole day to explore the lush, picturesque scenery and enjoy the crisp, pine-scented mountain air and wander in and out of the little shops. It makes a refreshing change from sitting on the beach and this is how car hire in Cyprus comes into its own. But take care on those breathtaking mountain roads.
If lace interests you, then you need to visit Lefkara and examine some of the exquisite hand-made lace tablecloths, tray cloths, doilies and other delicate creations. Be prepared to dig deep into your pocket, however, as these items are expensive because of the hours of work that goes into making them. If possible, try to enlist the help of a local to ensure you get the genuine article. While in Larnaca, don’t forget to visit the colourful Sunday morning open air market.
Northern Cyprus is the place to find colourful sestas, which are placements woven from wheat stems and coloured with natural dyes; so with your car hire in Cyprus, you can head off to Nicosia and stock up on these to take back home as gifts or for yourself as mementoes of your visit. Other local handicrafts include basketry, wood carvings and silver and copper items.
Finally, you will certainly want to take back some of the delicious local wine, liqueur or brandy as a reminder of your time spent on the wonderful island of Cyprus.