Quick answer
From Cyprus you can be in Beirut, Tel Aviv or Rhodes in about an hour, in Athens, Crete, Amman or Tbilisi in under two, and in Rome, Vienna, Budapest or Prague in three to four. Larnaca (LCA) has the most year-round routes; Paphos (PFO) is served mainly by low-cost airlines, with more routes in summer. Below are 23 weekend getaways with direct flights, with flight times, what to do and where to stay.
- About an hour: Beirut, Tel Aviv, Rhodes.
- Under 2 hours: Athens, Heraklion, Chania, Amman, Tbilisi.
- 2–4 hours: Thessaloniki, Yerevan, Sofia, Bucharest, Budapest, Rome, Bratislava, Kraków, Vienna, Warsaw, Venice, Milan, Prague.
- Long weekend: Dubai (about 4 hours) and Barcelona (about 4½).
- Routes change by season: always check the airline's current schedule.
Direct flights from Cyprus at a glance
| Destination | Fly from | Flight time | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | Larnaca & Paphos | about 1h 50m | Year-round |
| Heraklion, Crete | Larnaca | about 1h 25m | Year-round |
| Chania, Crete | Paphos | about 1h 30m | Summer only |
| Thessaloniki | Larnaca & Paphos | about 2h | Year-round |
| Rhodes | Larnaca & Paphos | about 1h | Summer only |
| Rome | Larnaca & Paphos | about 3h 15m | Year-round |
| Milan | Larnaca & Paphos | about 3h 40m | Year-round from Larnaca |
| Venice | Larnaca | about 3h 30m | Year-round |
| Barcelona | Larnaca | about 4h 30m | Year-round |
| Vienna | Larnaca & Paphos | about 3h 20m | Year-round |
| Budapest | Larnaca & Paphos | about 3h | Year-round |
| Prague | Larnaca | about 3h 45m | Year-round |
| Bratislava | Larnaca & Paphos | about 3h 15m | Year-round |
| Kraków | Larnaca & Paphos | about 3h 15m | Year-round |
| Warsaw | Larnaca & Paphos | about 3h 30m | Year-round |
| Sofia | Larnaca & Paphos | about 2h 15m | Year-round from Larnaca |
| Bucharest | Larnaca & Paphos | about 2h 20m | Year-round |
| Tbilisi | Larnaca | about 1h 50m | Year-round |
| Yerevan | Larnaca & Paphos | about 2h 5m | Year-round from Larnaca |
| Amman | Larnaca | about 1h 20m | Year-round |
| Dubai | Larnaca | about 4h | Year-round |
| Tel Aviv | Larnaca & Paphos | about 1h | Year-round (often disrupted) |
| Beirut | Larnaca | about 50m | Year-round (often disrupted) |
Flight times are approximate. Airlines add and drop routes each season, so check the current schedule before you plan.
Greece
Athens Greece
The easiest city break from Cyprus: short flights from both airports, no language jump if you are learning Greek, and enough ancient sites, museums and tavernas to fill any weekend.
A weekend in Athens
- Walk up to the Acropolis early, then see the finds in the Acropolis Museum
- Eat your way around Psyrri and Koukaki
- Take a half-day trip to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion for sunset
Airlines on this route include Aegean, Cyprus Airways, Sky Express and Wizz Air from Larnaca; Ryanair from Paphos.
Heraklion, Crete Greece
One of the shortest hops from Larnaca. Heraklion puts you next to the Minoan palace of Knossos and close to Crete's beaches, villages and wineries.
A weekend in Heraklion
- Visit Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- Drive to a hill village for a long Cretan lunch
- Spend an afternoon on a beach east of the city
Airlines on this route include Aegean and Cyprus Airways; Sky Express in summer.
Chania, Crete Greece
A Venetian harbour, lanes of old houses and some of Crete's best beaches within an hour's drive make Chania a favourite short escape from Paphos.
A weekend in Chania
- Wander the Venetian harbour and lighthouse at dusk
- Day trip to Balos or Elafonissi beach
- Try local cheeses and raki in the old town
Airlines on this route include Ryanair (seasonal, usually spring to late October).
Thessaloniki Greece
Greece's second city is known for its food, café culture and seafront promenade, with Byzantine churches and Roman ruins scattered through the centre.
A weekend in Thessaloniki
- Stroll the seafront to the White Tower
- Graze through the Modiano and Kapani markets
- See the Rotunda and the Byzantine churches
Airlines on this route include Aegean, Sky Express and Wizz Air from Larnaca; Ryanair from Paphos.
Rhodes Greece
The shortest flight on this list. A UNESCO-listed medieval old town, Lindos and long beaches make Rhodes an easy summer escape.
A weekend in Rhodes
- Walk the walls and Street of the Knights in the medieval old town
- Day trip to Lindos and its acropolis
- Swim at Anthony Quinn Bay or Tsambika
Airlines on this route include Aegean and Cyprus Airways from Larnaca; Ryanair from Paphos.
Italy & Spain
Rome Italy
Three hours to the Eternal City. A long weekend is enough for the classic sights, a few great meals and an evening walk through the centre.
A weekend in Rome
- Book timed tickets for the Colosseum and Roman Forum
- See the Vatican Museums early in the day
- Spend an evening in Trastevere
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air and Cyprus Airways (from December 2026) from Larnaca, Aegean in summer; Ryanair from Paphos.
Milan Italy
Fashion, design and the Duomo, with Lake Como and Lake Garda within easy reach by train for a second day.
A weekend in Milan
- Climb to the Duomo rooftop
- See the Last Supper (book well ahead)
- Take the train to Lake Como for the day
Airlines on this route include Cyprus Airways and Wizz Air to Malpensa from Larnaca (easyJet in summer); Ryanair to Bergamo from Paphos.
Venice Italy
Canals, palaces and lagoon islands. Venice is at its best outside the summer crowds, which makes it a great winter escape from Cyprus.
A weekend in Venice
- Get lost in Cannaregio and Dorsoduro away from San Marco
- Take a vaporetto to Murano and Burano
- Order cicchetti in a bacaro
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air (Cyprus Airways in summer).
Barcelona Spain
Gaudí, tapas and a city beach. At around four and a half hours it's the longest European flight here, so make it a long weekend.
A weekend in Barcelona
- Book timed tickets for the Sagrada Família
- Walk the Gothic Quarter and El Born
- Eat at the Boqueria and in a Gràcia tapas bar
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air (Cyprus Airways in summer).
Central Europe
Vienna Austria
Grand cafés, palaces and concerts. Vienna is a favourite winter escape from Cyprus, especially in Christmas market season.
A weekend in Vienna
- Tour Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens
- Order cake in a classic coffee house
- Catch a concert or the opera
Airlines on this route include Austrian Airlines and Ryanair from Larnaca; Ryanair from Paphos.
Budapest Hungary
Good value, beautiful on both banks of the Danube and famous for its thermal baths: an easy long weekend from Cyprus.
A weekend in Budapest
- Soak in the Széchenyi or Gellért baths
- Walk Castle Hill and Fisherman's Bastion
- Take an evening river cruise past Parliament
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air from Larnaca; Ryanair from Paphos.
Prague Czech Republic
A fairy-tale old town, a castle above the river and some of Europe's best beer, all walkable in a weekend.
A weekend in Prague
- Cross Charles Bridge early in the morning
- Explore Prague Castle and the Lesser Town
- Try a traditional beer hall
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air (Smartwings in summer).
Bratislava Slovakia
A compact, relaxed capital on the Danube, and only an hour from Vienna: two cities in one weekend.
A weekend in Bratislava
- Wander the old town and its quirky statues
- Walk up to Bratislava Castle for the view
- Hop over to Vienna by train or boat
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air from Larnaca (Smartwings in summer); Ryanair from Paphos.
Kraków Poland
One of Europe's best-preserved old towns, with a huge market square, Wawel Castle and a lively Jewish quarter.
A weekend in Kraków
- Start in the Main Market Square and Cloth Hall
- Visit Wawel Castle and Kazimierz
- Book a guided visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau or the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air from Larnaca; Ryanair from Paphos.
Warsaw Poland
A rebuilt old town, excellent museums and a lively food scene, at prices that stretch a weekend budget.
A weekend in Warsaw
- Walk the Old Town and Royal Route
- Visit the Warsaw Rising Museum or POLIN
- Eat pierogi in a milk bar
Airlines on this route include LOT and Wizz Air from Larnaca; Ryanair and Wizz Air from Paphos.
Balkans & Caucasus
Sofia Bulgaria
A compact, affordable capital at the foot of Mount Vitosha, with a lively café scene and easy day trips to mountains and monasteries.
A weekend in Sofia
- See the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Hike or ski on Vitosha, depending on the season
- Day trip to Rila Monastery
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air from Larnaca; Ryanair from Paphos.
Bucharest Romania
Belle Époque streets, huge parks and a buzzing old town, at prices that make a weekend away good value.
A weekend in Bucharest
- Tour the Palace of the Parliament
- Spend an evening in the Old Town
- Relax in Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air from Larnaca; Ryanair from Paphos.
Tbilisi Georgia
Sulphur baths, wine bars and dramatic architecture. Tbilisi is one of the most rewarding, and least expected, short trips from Cyprus.
A weekend in Tbilisi
- Bathe in the Abanotubani sulphur baths
- Take the cable car up to Narikala Fortress
- Taste Georgian wine and khachapuri
Airlines on this route include Georgian Airways.
Yerevan Armenia
Pink-stone boulevards, Mount Ararat on the horizon and ancient monasteries an hour's drive away.
A weekend in Yerevan
- Climb the Cascade for the view of Ararat
- Day trip to Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery
- Visit the Vernissage market at the weekend
Airlines on this route include Wizz Air and FlyOne from Larnaca; Wizz Air and FlyOne from Paphos (may be seasonal).
Middle East
Amman Jordan
A short flight to the gateway for Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Add a day or two if you can.
A weekend in Amman
- Explore the Citadel and Roman Theatre
- Day trip to Jerash or the Dead Sea
- Stretch to Petra on a long weekend
Airlines on this route include Royal Jordanian (Ryanair has also flown from Paphos).
Dubai United Arab Emirates
Winter sun, beach clubs and big-city dining. The longest flight on this list, so it works best as a long weekend.
A weekend in Dubai
- See the view from the Burj Khalifa
- Walk the old souks around Dubai Creek
- Book a desert safari
Airlines on this route include Emirates and Cyprus Airways.
Tel Aviv Israel
Beaches, Bauhaus architecture and one of the region's most exciting food scenes, under an hour from Larnaca.
A weekend in Tel Aviv
- Walk the beachfront promenade to Old Jaffa
- Graze through the Carmel Market
- See the White City's Bauhaus buildings
Airlines on this route include Several Israeli airlines plus Aegean, Cyprus Airways and Wizz Air from Larnaca; Israeli airlines from Paphos.
Beirut Lebanon
The closest capital to Cyprus: famous food, a seafront Corniche and Roman and Phoenician history, less than an hour away.
A weekend in Beirut
- Walk the Corniche to Pigeon Rocks
- Eat mezze in Mar Mikhael or Gemmayzeh
- Visit the National Museum of Beirut
Airlines on this route include Middle East Airlines and Cyprus Airways.
Tips for a weekend away from Cyprus
- Bring your passport or ID card. Cyprus is in the EU but not yet in the Schengen area, so every flight goes through passport control, even to Greece.
- Check entry rules. Georgia, Armenia, Jordan, the UAE, Israel and Lebanon have their own visa rules depending on your nationality. Check before you book.
- Pick the right airport. Larnaca has the most routes all year. Paphos is often cheaper with low-cost airlines, especially in summer, and is closer if you live in the west.
- Book early for holidays. Flights around Greek Orthodox Easter, Christmas and school holidays fill up fast.
- Stay connected. EU roaming covers Greece, Italy and the rest of the EU, but not countries outside the EU: an eSIM is usually cheaper there.
Plan your getaway
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Frequently asked questions
Which airports in Cyprus have direct flights abroad?
Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO) both have direct international flights. Larnaca has the most routes year-round; Paphos is served heavily by low-cost airlines, with more routes in summer.
What are the shortest flights from Cyprus?
The quickest trips are to the Eastern Mediterranean: Beirut and Tel Aviv take about an hour, Rhodes about an hour, and Amman, Heraklion and Athens under two hours.
Do I need a visa for a weekend trip from Cyprus?
It depends on your passport and where you are going. Greece, Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania are in the Schengen area, which Cyprus has not yet joined, so you go through passport control. Check entry rules for your nationality before you book, especially for Georgia, Armenia, Jordan, the UAE, Israel and Lebanon.
Are these routes year-round?
Some are, many are seasonal. Airlines add and drop routes each season, so always check the current schedule before planning a trip.