Summarise this page 12 key points · 1 minute
- The 10 at a glanceFour of the ten museums are free, and the rest cost between 3 and 7 euros for adults at the time of writing.
- 1. Cyprus Museum, NicosiaThe Cyprus Museum is the island's largest archaeological museum, free to enter, accessible, and closed on Mondays.
- 2. Byzantine Museum, NicosiaNicosia's Byzantine Museum holds more than 200 icons and the returned Kanakaria mosaics, opens Tuesday to Saturday, and costs adults 7 euros.
- 3. Leventis Municipal Museum, NicosiaThe free Leventis Municipal Museum in Laiki Geitonia tells Nicosia's history through more than 10,000 objects and is closed on Mondays.
- 4. Cyprus Medieval Museum, Limassol CastleThe Medieval Museum in 13th-century Limassol Castle displays medieval finds, with entry costing 4.50 euros.
- 5. Paphos District Archaeological MuseumThe free Paphos District Archaeological Museum on Griva Digeni Avenue shows regional finds, including a rare marble bust of Aphrodite, and is closed on Mondays.
- 6. Larnaca District Archaeological MuseumLarnaca's District Archaeological Museum is free and fully accessible, showing finds from Kition and Choirokoitia, Tuesday to Sunday 09:00–16:30.
- 7. Pierides Museum, LarnacaThe Pierides Museum, described as Cyprus's oldest private museum, costs adults 3 euros and is closed on Sundays.
- 8. Thalassa Municipal Museum, Ayia NapaAyia Napa's Thalassa Museum centres on a life-size ancient ship replica, suits families, and costs adults 4 euros and children 1.50 euros.
- 9. Kykkos Monastery Museum, TroodosThe Kykkos Monastery Museum holds icons and manuscripts and costs 5 euros, while entry to the monastery itself is free.
- 10. Cyprus Wine Museum, ErimiThe Cyprus Wine Museum in Erimi charges 5 euros for entry only or 15 euros for a tour with tastings, and closes on Sundays in August.
- Which museum is closed at the moment?Nicosia's Ethnological Museum in the House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios has been closed since 1 September 2026 until further notice.
Quick answer
The best museums in Cyprus include the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia (the island's largest archaeological museum, free entry), the Byzantine Museum and the Leventis Municipal Museum, also in Nicosia, the Cyprus Medieval Museum in Limassol Castle, the Paphos and Larnaca district archaeological museums, the Pierides Museum in Larnaca, the Thalassa museum in Ayia Napa, the Kykkos Monastery museum and the Cyprus Wine Museum in Erimi. Several state museums are free; others charge between 3 and 7 euros as of October 2026.
- The Byzantine Museum in Nicosia displays 6th-century mosaics from the Panagia Kanakaria church that were returned to Cyprus after being illegally exported.
- The Thalassa museum in Ayia Napa is built around Kyrenia II, a life-size replica of a Greek trading ship that sank off Kyrenia around 300 BC.
- The Pierides Museum in Larnaca is billed as the oldest private museum in Cyprus, in a family home dating from 1815.
- The Leventis Municipal Museum won the European Museum of the Year Award in 1991, two years after opening.
- The Cyprus Museum is free and stays open until 20:00 on the first Wednesday of every month.
Museums are an easy way into the history of Cyprus, especially on a hot afternoon or a rainy winter day. We chose ten museums across Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca, Ayia Napa and the Troodos, with their opening hours and fees. Hours and fees can change without notice and most museums close on public holidays, so check before you go.
The 10 at a glance
| # | Museum | Town | Best for | Adult entry (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cyprus Museum | Nicosia | Archaeology | Free |
| 2 | Byzantine Museum | Nicosia | Icons and mosaics | 7 euros |
| 3 | Leventis Municipal Museum | Nicosia | History of Nicosia | Free |
| 4 | Cyprus Medieval Museum | Limassol | Castle and medieval finds | 4.50 euros |
| 5 | Paphos District Archaeological Museum | Paphos | Finds from the Paphos region | Free |
| 6 | Larnaca District Archaeological Museum | Larnaca | Ancient Kition and Choirokoitia | Free |
| 7 | Pierides Museum | Larnaca | Private collection, 4000 BC–15th century | 3 euros |
| 8 | Thalassa Municipal Museum | Ayia Napa | Maritime heritage, families | 4 euros |
| 9 | Kykkos Monastery Museum | Troodos | Religious art | 5 euros |
| 10 | Cyprus Wine Museum | Erimi (Limassol) | Wine history and tasting | 5 euros |
1. Cyprus Museum, Nicosia
What it is: The island's main and largest archaeological museum, covering Cypriot civilisation from the Neolithic Age to the Early Byzantine period (7th century). The building was begun in 1908 and finished in 1924.
Why it's on the list: Its chronological displays of pottery, jewellery, sculpture, coins and copper objects include a Chalcolithic cross-shaped idol, Late Bronze Age gold jewellery from Egkomi and the 1st-century BC statue of the Aphrodite of Soloi.
Where: Mouseiou 1, Nicosia.
Practical details: Tuesday to Friday 08:00–18:00, Saturday 09:00–17:00, Sunday 10:00–13:00, closed Mondays; open 08:00–20:00 on the first Wednesday of each month. Entry is free. There is a ramp, chair lifts between rooms and accessible toilets, plus an audio guide. A new Archaeological Museum of Cyprus is under construction and is expected to open in the second half of 2029.
Who it suits: First-time visitors and anyone with reduced mobility.
2. Byzantine Museum, Nicosia
What it is: The museum of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation, inside the Archbishopric in the walled city.
Why it's on the list: It holds what Visit Cyprus calls the richest collection of Byzantine art on the island, with more than 200 icons from the 9th to the 19th century. Its best-known exhibit is a set of 6th-century mosaics from the Panagia Kanakaria church in Lythragkomi, returned to Cyprus after being illegally exported. The museum reopened on 11 March 2025 after a renovation that added VR experiences and 3D holograms.
Practical details: Tuesday to Saturday 09:30–17:00. As of October 2026, adults pay 7 euros and groups of more than ten pay 4 euros each; children up to 18 and pensioners over 65 pay a reduced fee.
Who it suits: Anyone interested in icons and religious art.
3. Leventis Municipal Museum, Nicosia
What it is: A museum of the history of Nicosia, from prehistoric times to today, in three restored buildings in Laiki Geitonia.
Why it's on the list: It opened in April 1989 and won the European Museum of the Year Award in 1991. More than 10,000 objects, including maps, documents, paintings and costumes, are arranged chronologically from ancient Nicosia to the Republic of Cyprus.
Practical details: 15-17 Ippokratous, Nicosia. Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–16:30, closed Mondays. Free entry, with facilities for visitors with disabilities.
Who it suits: New residents who want to understand the capital. See our Nicosia Old Town guide.
Map it · Walking route
A museum walk in Nicosia
- Cyprus Museum
- Leventis Municipal Museum
- Byzantine Museum
Opens Google Maps with every stop in order. Opening hours can change, so check before you go.
4. Cyprus Medieval Museum, Limassol Castle
What it is: A museum inside Limassol's medieval castle, near the old port.
Why it's on the list: The castle was built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier Byzantine castle. Legend says Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre in its chapel in 1191. The museum displays medieval pottery, tombstones, Byzantine-era silver plates, weapons, crosses and coins.
Practical details: Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–17:00. As of October 2026, entry costs 4.50 euros. Department of Antiquities multi-site cards cost 8.50 euros (one day), 17 euros (three days) and 25 euros (seven days).
Who it suits: Visitors to the Limassol Old Town.
5. Paphos District Archaeological Museum
What it is: The museum for finds from the Paphos region, from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD, in five rooms.
Why it's on the list: Highlights include a rare marble bust of Aphrodite, a marble statue of Asklepios and a tombstone from Marion inscribed in the Cypro-syllabic script. Most finds come from Palaipafos (Kouklia), Nea Pafos and Marion-Arsinoe (Polis).
Practical details: Griva Digeni Avenue 43, Paphos. Tuesday to Sunday 09:00–16:30, closed Mondays. Free entry; a chairlift is available at the entrance.
Who it suits: Anyone visiting the UNESCO sites of Paphos.
6. Larnaca District Archaeological Museum
What it is: The museum for finds from the whole Larnaca district, including the ancient city-kingdom of Kition and the Neolithic settlements of Choirokoitia and Tenta.
Why it's on the list: Faience, ivory and alabaster pieces, along with objects of Egyptian, Mycenaean, Phoenician, Assyrian and Persian origin, show how connected ancient Cyprus was.
Practical details: Plateia Kalograion, Larnaca. Tuesday to Sunday 09:00–16:30. Free entry; fully accessible, with a virtual tour available.
Who it suits: Visitors with reduced mobility and families on a budget.
7. Pierides Museum, Larnaca
What it is: A museum run by the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation in the Pierides family home, a colonial-style building from 1815.
Why it's on the list: It is described as the oldest private museum in Cyprus. The family's collection runs from about 4000 BC to the 15th century AD, including Early Bronze Age red polished ware, Roman glass and medieval ceramics.
Practical details: Zinonos Kitieos 4, Larnaca. Monday to Thursday 09:00–16:00, Friday and Saturday 09:00–13:00, closed Sundays. As of October 2026, adults pay 3 euros and students 1 euro.
Who it suits: Visitors exploring Larnaca town centre.
Map it · Walking route
A museum walk in Larnaca
- Larnaca District Archaeological Museum
- Pierides Museum
Opens Google Maps with every stop in order. Opening hours can change, so check before you go.
8. Thalassa Municipal Museum, Ayia Napa
What it is: A modern, interactive museum of the marine heritage of Cyprus.
Why it's on the list: Its centrepiece is Kyrenia II, a life-size replica of a 4th-century BC Greek trading ship that sank off Kyrenia around 300 BC, which you can view from several levels. The basement covers marine life, with fossils some 130 million years old.
Practical details: Leoforos Kryou Nerou 14, Ayia Napa. October to May: Monday 09:00–13:00, Tuesday to Saturday 09:00–17:00, closed Sundays. June to September: the same, plus Sunday 15:00–19:00. As of October 2026, adults pay 4 euros and children 1.50 euros. Wheelchair accessible.
Who it suits: Families with children.
9. Kykkos Monastery Museum, Troodos
What it is: The museum of Kykkos, which Visit Cyprus calls the wealthiest monastery on the island, at about 1,318 m in the Marathasa area, 13 km from Pedoulas.
Why it's on the list: It holds icons, consecrated vessels, manuscripts and Cypriot antiquities. The monastery keeps one of three icons attributed to Saint Luke, and Archbishop Makarios III served there as a novice.
Practical details: November to May daily 10:00–16:00; June to October daily 10:00–18:00. As of October 2026, museum entry costs 5 euros (3 euros in groups); entry to the monastery itself is free. Read our Kykkos visitor guide.
Who it suits: Visitors on a Troodos day trip.
10. Cyprus Wine Museum, Erimi
What it is: A museum about the island's long winemaking tradition, with ancient storage jars, medieval drinking vessels, documents and tools.
Why it's on the list: It combines the history of Cypriot wine with optional tastings.
Practical details: 42 Pafos Street, Erimi, about 13 km west of Limassol. Open daily 10:00–17:00 (the site footer says 09:00, so confirm), closed on Sundays in August and from 13 to 15 August. As of October 2026: entry only 5 euros; entry with a glass of wine or Commandaria 10 euros; a tour with tastings 15 euros; children 2 euros.
Who it suits: Wine lovers; see our 10 best wineries to visit in Cyprus.
Which museum is closed at the moment?
The Ethnological Museum in the House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios in Nicosia, an 18th-century mansion completed in 1793, has been closed since 1 September 2026 until further notice because of technical issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Which museums in Cyprus are free?
As of October 2026, entry is free at the Cyprus Museum and the Leventis Municipal Museum in Nicosia, and at the Paphos and Larnaca district archaeological museums. Fees and hours can change without notice, so check before you go.
What is the best museum in Nicosia?
The Cyprus Museum is the island's main and largest archaeological museum, covering the Neolithic to the 7th century AD. For icons, the Byzantine Museum has more than 200, and for the city's own story the Leventis Municipal Museum covers prehistoric times to the present.
Is there a pass for museums in Cyprus?
Yes. The Department of Antiquities sells multi-site cards valid at its museums and ancient monuments. As of October 2026, they cost 8.50 euros for one day, 17 euros for three days and 25 euros for seven days.
Are Cyprus museums open on Mondays?
Many are not. The Cyprus Museum, the Leventis Museum and the Paphos and Larnaca district archaeological museums close on Mondays. The Cyprus Medieval Museum in Limassol Castle, the Pierides Museum and the Thalassa museum do open on Mondays.
When will the new Cyprus Museum open?
As of March 2026, the new Archaeological Museum of Cyprus in Nicosia is expected to open in the second half of 2029. The old building is a listed monument and will be kept for other exhibitions.
Useful links
Sources (14)
- Cyprus Museum – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- Byzantine Museum – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- Cyprus Medieval Museum (Limassol Castle) – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- Archaeological Museum of the Pafos District – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- Archaeological Museum of the Larnaka District – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- Pierides Museum – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- Thalassa Agia Napa Municipal Museum – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- Museum of Kykkos Monastery – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- Kykkos Monastery – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- Cyprus Wine Museum – Contact, opening hours and tickets
- The House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios / Ethnological Museum – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com)
- ART.Cy – The Byzantine Museum reopens with a fresh look and expanded collection (10 March 2025)
- Politis – New Cyprus Museum to open in second half of 2029 (19 March 2026)
