Although the island has been divided since 1974 the Greek Cypriot population has made do with what was left after the invasion. The six main regions are easily split into Lefkosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Protaras/Agia Napa and the Troodos Mountains. Each area with its own idiosyncrasies, little twists and perculiarities. Lefkosia embraces the old and the new, with the old 'Laiki Geitonia' town within the 600year old Venetian walls surrounded to the south by the new city of shops, high rise apartments, bars, cafes' and much more. But this barely touches the surface of the last divided capital in Europe. A closer look reveals real treasures of interest including The Archbishopric, the Green Line, Famagusta Gate, Municipal Gardens, the Athalassa Forest on the outskirts of Lefkosia, Agios Ioannis cathedral and the old Omeriye Mosque within the walls. Some choice night spots include the old city's Arhondiko taverna, clubs like Gate and Zoo, the Garden Cafe and other small but noticeable 'barakia'.
Larnaca, the gate to the Island by air, provides easy access to most of central and eastern cyprus by road within an hour at most. The massive salt lake can be seen by air when entering cyprus whilst the Hala Sultan Tekkesi Mosque is a monument to the 7th century arab raids. Just outside the city is Stavrovouni monastery, one of the island's principle monasteries. And further on there is the Lefkara, renowned for its hand made lace. Whilst the city itself offers a vast length of beaches from FigTree down to Mackensie. All quite shallow for a considerable way, but popular nontheless with locals and tourists alike.
Further east is Protaras, Paralimni and Agia Napa. Some of the best 'popular' beaches are in Protaras. Clear and clean with no submerged rocks. Protaras is more family orientated whilst Agia Napa is the madhouse of cyprus, resembling something quite alien to the old cyprus, even to someone as young as i. An imported concept but still quite fun with plenty to do as long as it involves drinking and partying.
To the west is Limassol, Cyprus' main port, and a place where tourists can find cruises to the Middle East or to Greece and its islands. Similar to Larnaca but not quite the same. It has the old 13th century Lusignian Castle Fort, but other than this the area lacks historical sites relatively. However the nightlife makes up for this extensively as does the shopping.
FUrther West is Paphos, which to greek cypriots is always seen as a long way away, nearly a 2 hour drive from Lefkosia in the centre. It does have a considerable list of sites including the Tombs of the Kings from Ptolemaic Egypt and later Rome, or St.Paul's Pillar where he was scourged in AD45, or Agios Neofytos monastery, or the amazing xeros potamos valley (the dried river valley) and the regrowing pafos cedarforest. The area shows a whole different side to the island only seen in the Troodos mountains.
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