Winter in Cyprus: The Best Plans from December to February

Winter is when Cyprus feels most like home rather than a holiday island. From December to February the tourists thin out, the hills turn green, the salt lakes fill with flamingos and the Troodos may be white while people sit in the sun on the seafront. If you only know the island in summer, this is your list of the best winter plans, month by month and by theme. All dates are as of 19 October 2026, and anything not yet announced is marked.

What is winter in Cyprus actually like?

Short answer: mild on the coast, cold in the mountains and wet in bursts. January is the coolest month, with a typical daily temperature of about 10°C on the central plain and 3°C on the high Troodos. December and January still average about six hours of bright sunshine a day, and the sea sits at 16–17°C from January to March. The bigger challenge is indoors: most homes are built for heat, so read winter in Cyprus: weather and staying warm and our guide to heating your home before you plan anything else.

The winter calendar at a glance

For the details of each month, see our guides to December and January.

1. Make a tour of the Christmas Villages

The Deputy Ministry of Tourism's nine Christmas Villages open from 21 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 inclusive: Agros, Deryneia, Fikardou, Kakopetria, Kalopanagiotis, Kyperounta, Lefkara, Lofou and Statos-Agios Fotios. Each has decorations, stalls of local products and crafts, workshops and guided walks, with its own opening days published on the official page. Pick two that are close together, such as Kakopetria and Kalopanagiotis in the Troodos, for an unhurried day. Our Christmas in Cyprus and Christmas markets guides cover the rest of the festive season.

2. See the Epiphany cross thrown into the sea

On 6 January every seaside town holds a procession from the church to the water after the morning liturgy, usually around 10:30. The priest blesses the waters and throws a cross in, and young swimmers race to retrieve it. In recent years the ceremonies have been at Limassol old port, Larnaca marina, the harbour in Kato Paphos, the Latsi fishing shelter and Ayia Napa harbour, while Nicosia blesses the lake in Athalassa Park. The 2027 programmes had not been announced on 19 October 2026.

3. Ski, or just play in the snow, on Mount Olympus

Cyprus has a real, if small, ski area just below the 1,951 m summit of Mount Olympus. The Cyprus Ski Club runs four lifts: the Zeus chairlift on a 380 m slope approved by FIS, the Hera T-bar on a 350 m slope and two 150 m T-bars, Aphrodite and Hermes, in Sun Valley, which suit beginners and children. The season normally runs from early January to the end of March. Snow varies a lot: in 2026 the first slope only opened on 14 January, and early in the season the North Face lift ran for walkers and views.

On snowy weekends the roads up from Limassol and Nicosia fill up, so set off early, carry chains and warm layers, and check the club's webcam before you leave. If you would rather not ski, a walk in the snowy pines around Troodos Square is just as memorable. On weekdays, the Troodos Visitor Centre (09:00–14:30, entry €1) has a short botanical and geological trail outside. Read more in our skiing in Troodos guide.

4. Watch the flamingos

The salt lakes come alive in winter. Greater flamingos usually arrive in November and stay until late February, mainly on the Larnaca and Akrotiri salt lakes, though numbers depend on the water: only 30 were counted at Akrotiri in January 2025. It recommends three hides: Oroklini Lake, Larnaca Salt Lake and the Akrotiri Environmental Education and Information Centre, which is free and opens Monday to Friday, 08:00–13:30. In Larnaca, combine the flamingos with the 4 km trail past Hala Sultan Tekke; see our Larnaca Salt Lake flamingos guide.

5. Hike the coast while it is cool

Summer is too hot for the Akamas and Cape Greco; winter is ideal. Stay low when snow or storms are forecast and start early, as the light goes before 17:00 in December.

Our Aphrodite trail, Cape Greco and Troodos waterfalls guides have more, and the waterfalls are at their best after the winter rains. Note that the Avakas Gorge trail was temporarily closed in October 2026, so check before you go.

6. Follow the blossom and the citrus

Late winter is when the countryside wakes up. Almond trees reach full bloom around mid-February: the village of Giolou in the Paphos district held its seventh Almond Blossom Festival on Sunday 15 February 2026, timed to the peak. Mandarins are celebrated too: Arakapas, in the Limassol district, held its third Mandarin Festival on 1 February 2026, with mandarin dishes, liqueurs, music and workshops. The 2027 dates for both had not been announced on 19 October 2026. By late February, botanical tour groups find wild orchids and anemones in flower in the Akamas.

7. Fill rainy days with concerts and museums

The cultural season is in full flow in winter. The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra usually starts its year in mid-January, playing in Limassol at the Pattihio Municipal Theatre, in Nicosia at the Municipal Theatre and the Pallas, and in Larnaca, while the Rialto Theatre in Limassol hosts the Cyprus Jazz & World Music Showcase on 5–6 December 2026. Museums are pleasant and quiet in winter; note that the new Cyprus Museum building in Nicosia will not be ready before 2028. Find ideas in art in Cyprus and the best museums in Cyprus.

8. Join a winter race or a winter swim

Winter is racing season, because it is cool enough to run hard. The Agia Napa Half Marathon is on 20 December 2026. In January 2026 the Bank of Cyprus Nicosia Marathon was held on 18 January from Eleftheria Square, the Kambos Mountain Race on 25 January, and the Ayia Napa Winter Swimmers Club hosted its third Winter Swimmers Festival from 17 to 20 January; their 2027 dates haven't been confirmed yet. If you fancy the sea, the winter swimmers are proof that 16–17°C water is perfectly swimmable with company.

9. Get ready for carnival

Carnival season (Apokries) comes late in 2027 because Orthodox Easter is on 2 May. The Limassol Tourism Board lists the Limassol Carnival from 4 to 14 March 2027, closing with the Grand Carnival Parade on Sunday 14 March. Green Monday, a public holiday, is on 15 March 2027. The detailed programme had not been announced on 19 October 2026. February is when groups sign up for the parades, so read our Limassol Carnival guide and start on the costumes.

Practical winter tips

• Driving in the mountains: high roads can be icy or need chains after snowfall. Check the forecast and the Cyprus Ski Club before you go.
• Opening times: many visitor centres in nature areas open only on weekdays in winter, and close on public holidays.
• Short days: plan walks so you finish well before sunset.
• Rain: storms can flood low roads quickly; never drive through running water.

What to do next

• Prefer to travel? See best winter trips from Cyprus with direct flights.
• Browse our Cyprus events listings and festivals month by month.
• New to the island? Start with our hiking routes and wine routes.