What Is It Like to Live in Cyprus

I was contacted by a blogger who runs a blog about relocation and good destinations for retirement and a relaxed lifestyle, and she asked me to answer an interview about life in Cyprus. I decided it was a good opportunity to also share the interview here on the blog so that anyone interested in moving to Cyprus can read about life here. Link to the published interview.

Her story:
Hi 🙂 My name is Nofar. I’ve been married to Roman for 10 years, and I’m a mom to two sweet girls – Maya (6) and Sophie (3) – with a baby boy on the way, due in June 2026.

In 2007, I studied Computer Science at the University of Haifa in Israel and later worked in several high-tech companies. Over time, I realized this wasn’t truly what I wanted to do with my life. In 2015, Roman and I decided to get married, quit our jobs, and travel with a one-way ticket to Thailand.

In 2016, we began a journey through Asia – Thailand, Laos, Vietnam – and later India, where we rented an apartment for two months without traveling much. During that time, I started a travel blog as a hobby, which eventually grew into my business.

We returned to Israel, where Maya was born, and shortly after, the COVID pandemic began. Today, almost 10 years after that trip, the blog has become my full-time business.

Why did you move to Limassol?
For a long time, we had been thinking about moving to another country – for the experience, to improve our financial situation, and simply because we are adventurous people who love exploring the world. When COVID hit, I had just received Portuguese citizenship, and we felt we needed a real change.

We had several criteria: a destination relatively close to Israel so we could visit often (and be visited), warm weather (we’re definitely not winter people), low taxes to improve our financial situation, and an overall fun lifestyle. While Cyprus is a small island with limited attractions, after exploring various options in Europe, we realized it suited this phase of our lives best.

We chose Limassol specifically because it’s the most modern city in Cyprus and located by the sea. It has a high concentration of business owners, tech professionals, and freelancers, and we wanted to surround ourselves with people who share a similar lifestyle. We’re city people who like being in the center of things, and Limassol offers exactly that.

What do you like about living in Limassol?
I love that it’s the most modern city in Cyprus, yet it’s not overly crowded. You can drive just 10 minutes and find yourself completely alone. There are great cafés and several restaurants we really enjoy.

It’s very family-friendly – a coastal city with a long promenade, a fantastic kindergarten that both of our daughters attended, excellent safety, relatively little traffic compared to other cities, and accessible healthcare.

What do you dislike about living in Limassol?
There are very few shaded parks and playgrounds, which is a big downside when you have young children. In general, Cyprus is a small island with limited things to do, so winters in Limassol can feel a bit boring.

On the other hand, most of the year the weather is great, and we spend a lot of time at the beach and pools. Many hotels offer memberships, which is what we do, so we end up spending a lot of time in hotels with the kids.

Is Limassol safe as a place to live?
Very much so. Even though it’s a city, it’s not overcrowded, and crime rates are low. There are immigrants, but not in large numbers, and they tend to be concentrated in specific areas. We’ve never felt unsafe here. Our daughters can play outside freely, which is one of Limassol’s biggest advantages.

Is Limassol expensive as a place to live?
Yes, especially in recent years. When we moved here almost five years ago, prices were relatively low. Since the war between Russia and Ukraine and the war in Israel, many wealthy people have moved here, significantly increasing prices, especially in Limassol.

School fees have risen, housing prices (particularly rent) have gone up dramatically, and overall living costs are much higher than before.

What is your favorite thing to do in Limassol?
Spending time by the sea – whether it’s a morning walk along the promenade or beach days with the kids on weekends. I love that you can get hotel memberships here, making everyday life feel like one long vacation.

I often work from hotels or cafés, work out in hotel gyms, swim in pools, and spend weekends with my family at hotels where we also eat. There’s a constant sense of calm and a slower, more relaxed pace of life. Limassol is definitely not for people who crave nonstop action or fast-paced living.

Any favorite bars and restaurants in Limassol you’d love to share?
One bar we really love is Da Vinci, located in the charming Old Town. We enjoy sitting upstairs, ordering shisha, a cheese and charcuterie platter, and wine. The service is excellent, the view over the Old Town is beautiful, and the atmosphere is great.

Dionysus – a modern Greek restaurant with delicious food and a lovely garden that’s perfect when the weather is nice.

Meze – located in the Old Town, offering seafood meze meals, which include many small dishes like ikra, Greek salad, tzatziki, and various seafood dishes served in different styles.

Hanoi – one of the best Vietnamese restaurants I’ve ever eaten at worldwide. Very authentic food, great prices, and located near the promenade.

What is the expat / international community like in Limassol?
The community is very diverse, with people from all over the world – mainly the UK, Russia, Israel, and Germany. There are so many expats that you never feel like an outsider.

Locals speak excellent English, even in more remote villages. Everything is in English – signs, menus, services – and you really don’t need to know Greek to get by, which makes life here much easier.

Any tips for moving to / living in Limassol?
I highly recommend renting a fully furnished apartment – it made our move much easier. If you’re moving with children, keep in mind that most private schools and kindergartens have waiting lists, so it’s important to secure a school first and then choose where to live.

Limassol is relatively small, but areas near schools can be very congested in the mornings, so living close to your child’s school is important. Most private kindergartens accept children from age 2+.

When you find an apartment you like, visit it both during the day and at night to make sure the area feels comfortable at all hours. Living near the sea is wonderful, but rental prices are higher there, especially in tourist areas. Costs decrease the farther you move from the center or if you live above the main road. Many families choose to live above the highway, where there are more private homes and lower prices.

Any resources (website links) you found useful during the process of moving to and building a new life in Limassol?
For finding apartments: Bazaraki (similar to Yad2) and real estate agencies like Dom.com.cy. One big advantage of using agents here is that the seller or landlord pays the commission, not the buyer or tenant.

There’s also a very helpful Facebook group for mothers called Limassol Mums, where you can get recommendations related to kids and family life.

Car prices are relatively low in Cyprus, so buying is often better than renting. We bought ours through Andy’s Motors and were very satisfied.

Is there something you just have to see or do when you are in Limassol?
There aren’t many “must-see” attractions, but strolling through the Old Town is a must – it’s full of cafés, restaurants, and a unique atmosphere. The Marina area is also very lively, especially on weekend evenings.

Cycling or walking along the promenade is highly recommended. The White Rocks area is beautiful, especially at sunset, and in summer it’s also great for swimming.

In summer, the Fasouri water park is a fantastic attraction for both kids and adults (we get a season pass every year – it’s a great value).

And finally, a visit to Lady’s Mile in summer is a must – beach restaurants, relaxed vibes, and a perfect vacation atmosphere.