When to go · Cyprus
Cyprus in January
Mixed month. Cool and showery on the coast (16–17 °C (61–63 °F)), snow on Olympos; many beach hotels close. Good for Nicosia and the churches.Mixed month. Cool and showery on the coast (61–63 °F (16–17 °C)), snow on Olympos; many beach hotels close. Good for Nicosia and the churches.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Cyprus
- Prices
- Low
- Cyprus
Verdict
Cool and showery on the coast (16–17 °C (61–63 °F)), snow on Olympos; many beach hotels close. Good for Nicosia and the churches.Cool and showery on the coast (61–63 °F (16–17 °C)), snow on Olympos; many beach hotels close. Good for Nicosia and the churches.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- AprilGreatBest walking month. Orthodox Easter usually falls in April or early May: book rooms and cars early for that week.
- MayGreatWarm sea arrives (21–22 °C), long days, low heat. Kataklysmos festival at the coast about 50 days after Easter.
- JuneGreatBeach season in full; Nicosia hits 35 °C. Walk before 10:00.
- SeptemberGreatSea at its warmest, crowds thin after the first week, still 33 °C on the plain.
Weather in January
- South and east coast · Larnaca, Limassol, Ayia Napa, Protarasfine
Mild, wet-ish winters around 17 °C (63 °F) by day; July and August reach 32–35 °C (90–95 °F) with sticky humidity. Sea is warm enough to swim from May to November.Mild, wet-ish winters around 63 °F (17 °C) by day; July and August reach 90–95 °F (32–35 °C) with sticky humidity. Sea is warm enough to swim from May to November.
- West coast · Paphos, Coral Bay, Akamas, Polisfine
A touch cooler and windier than the east in summer; the Akamas tracks are dusty and shadeless from June to September.
- Central plain · Nicosia, the Mesaoriafine
The hottest part of the island: 38–40 °C (100–104 °F) in July and August, with heatwaves above 44 °C (111 °F) recorded. Winter nights near freezing.The hottest part of the island: 100–104 °F (38–40 °C) in July and August, with heatwaves above 111 °F (44 °C) recorded. Winter nights near freezing.
- Troodos mountains · Platres, Kakopetria, Mount Olymposfine
The summer escape, 8–10 °C (14–18 °F) cooler than the plain. Snow on Olympos (1,952 m) in January–February, with a small ski area — check snow before driving up.The summer escape, 14–18 °F (8–10 °C) cooler than the plain. Snow on Olympos (1,952 m) in January–February, with a small ski area — check snow before driving up.
- North coast · Kyrenia (Girne), Karpas peninsulafine
Same Mediterranean rhythm; the Kyrenia range shelters the coast and traps humidity in August.
- Famagusta District (South): East coast (Protaras, Ayia Napa) · Sheltered bays and the Cape Greco headlandcool
Sea swimming runs roughly May to October; August air tops 33 °C (91 °F) and the headland is exposed. Winter is mild but many beach businesses close.Sea swimming runs roughly May to October; August air tops 91 °F (33 °C) and the headland is exposed. Winter is mild but many beach businesses close.
- Larnaca District: Larnaca coast · Town, Finikoudes and the airport stripcool
Sea swimming runs roughly May to October; July–August afternoons are 33–35 °C (91–95 °F). Winter is mild and wet, and the salt lake fills.Sea swimming runs roughly May to October; July–August afternoons are 91–95 °F (33–35 °C). Winter is mild and wet, and the salt lake fills.
- Larnaca District: Lefkara and the hills · Villages above 300 mcool
A few degrees cooler than the coast; snow is rare but possible in January–February.
- Limassol District: Limassol coast · City and seafrontfine
Sea swimming roughly May–November; August is hot and humid.
- Limassol District: Troodos foothills · Platres, Agros, Pachnacool
5–10 °C (9–18 °F) cooler than the coast; snow possible above 1,000 m in winter.9–18 °F (5–10 °C) cooler than the coast; snow possible above 1,000 m in winter.
- Nicosia District (South): Nicosia and the Mesaoria plain · Capital and inland plaincool
Inland heat peaks July–August; spring and autumn are the walking months. Winter nights are cool and the mountains can see rain.
- Paphos District: Paphos coast · Paphos town, Coral Bay, Polisfine
Sea swimming roughly May–November; July–August afternoons above 32 °C (90 °F). Rain concentrates December–March.Sea swimming roughly May–November; July–August afternoons above 90 °F (32 °C). Rain concentrates December–March.
- Paphos District: Inland hills (Tsada, Tala) · Villages 300–600 m upcool
A few degrees cooler than the coast; summer evenings are comfortable.
- Nicosia15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Agros12 °C (54 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Ayia Napa17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
- Deryneia16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 9 rain days
- Kapparis16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 10 rain days
- Lefkara16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 7 rain days
- Omodos12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 12 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 12 rain days
- Pachna15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 6 rain days
- Paralimni16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 10 rain days
- Platres12 °C (54 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 5 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 5 rain days
- Protaras17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 6 rain days
- Tala17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 7 rain days
- Troodos Square5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 12 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 12 rain days
- Tsada13 °C (55 °F) / 5.6 °C (42 °F), 168 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 42 °F (5.6 °C), 168 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year and Epiphany
1 and 6 Jan
Public holidays; Epiphany blessing of the waters at the seafronts, crosses thrown into the sea.
Epiphany
6 January · Nicosia
Public holiday; blessing of the waters.
Christmas to Epiphany
25 Dec–6 Jan · Nicosia
Reduced opening hours; lights on Ledra Street and Eleftheria Square.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Cyprus
- Low
- Prices · Cyprus
- Low
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cyprus, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
Apr: Great (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Apr: Medium
Prices
Jan: Low
Apr: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 3
Apr: 2
January: Cool and showery on the coast (16–17 °C), snow on Olympos; many beach hotels close. Good for Nicosia and the churches.
April: Best walking month. Orthodox Easter usually falls in April or early May: book rooms and cars early for that week.
Cyprus: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in January
Rated best or good this month
Best months: Apr–Oct for hiking; Dec–Mar for snow sports