Alix Norman

Decades ago, market day meant catching the Bedford. Yes, larger villages had occasional markets, and there was always a panayiri. But the weekly shop down in the town (hair-raising hairpin ...

According to 2020 research, Cyprus has by far the highest level of urban noise pollution in Europe. Almost half of us are being exposed to constant noise! And by constant, we ...

“Everywhere changes,” says Sarah Harrison. “But Cyprus changed in ways I could never have imagined: by the time I left, it felt like the island I fell in love with ...

This year, almost half the world will vote! Cyprus won’t: our presidential elections took place last year. But 28 other nations will. And together, their citizens make up 50 per cent ...

In 1976, Stamatis Moraitis was given six months to live. His cancer had advanced; the doctors suggested he get his affairs in order, because the end was nigh. So he packed ...

“We don’t like risks in Cyprus, do we?” asks Loui. “I reckon we tend to sit where we land. Why take a chance when you believe your path is ...

In Cyprus, legend tells of a warrior so mighty that his strength reshaped the very land… Digenis Akritas is our hero: a mythical figure who saved Cyprus from the invading ...

How many of these can you NOT afford with ease? 1. Your rent, mortgage, or utility bills 2. Keeping your home warm or cool 3. An unexpected expense e.g. car or home ...

When Cyprus’ cats are in the news, it’s usually Not Good. Search Google news for ‘cats’ and ‘Cyprus’, and you get a slew of poisonings, abuse, and contentious laws, ...

There’s just one functioning method of public transport on the island of Cyprus. But those of us with vehicles of our own rarely use it. Why would we, when ...

Cyprus’ doesn’t really care for walking. It was different a century ago. The first petrol car (a Peugeot Type 69 Bebe, should you be interested) arrived on the island in 1907, ...

In August, a young woman went shoe shopping in Nicosia. This was a big deal for her – an epilepsy sufferer, she found it hard to live a life most of ...

Think like a tourist for a moment. What’s a Cyprus must-see? What’s the one site or place or attraction you’d recommend any visitor should not miss? Depending ...

Cyprus is a land of nomads. Bear with me here. We’re not talking about ancient caravans winding their way through the desert, marking time by the sun and stars. ...

They called him Xenios. He was already dead when they found him. He’d been dead for days. Entangled in a single fishing line, he had panicked, struggling for a ...

At first glance, the numbers don’t add up. According to CyStat, the overall number of foreign holiday trips taken by Cyprus residents in 2023 totalled a cool 1.26 million. Which, given ...

Of course you know Kokos – everyone does! He’s been around for decades, a fixture of the Paphos seafront; a celebrity featured on postcards and stamps, in international articles and ...

Every postcard, mug, ashtray or keyring that depicts a map of Cyprus is likely based on the work of one man: an artist who – though forced from the island time ...

“Everywhere in Ayia Napa,” says Lotta, wrinkling her nose in disgust, “there are reps. They get in your face, touch your body…” Not every visitor to Cyprus has a winning ...

Meet Gracie the cat. In the last week alone, she’s reached over 30 million people. She has hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. But, unlike most influencers, she ...

Once upon a time, everyone in Cyprus, as with much of the rest of the world, knew their neighbours. We knew their likes and dislikes, remembered their birthdays and name ...

Under the warm sun of Avgorou, a young girl runs barefoot across the fields. Her feet are caked with red earth; her dress dusty; her hair flies loose. From this ...

In 2010, Stavros Makrides left Cyprus. It was, he thought, a temporary move. “I went to study in the UK,” he reveals. “And I never came back. Why? Because I’d ...

How many Marias do you know? Give yourself a point for each one. Ten points if they’re a Maria Georgiou; together these two make up the most common full ...