Enjoy the Outdoors in a Cyprus Winter: Terrace Ideas and Where to Buy Outdoor Gas Heaters at the Best Price (2026)

A Cypriot winter is made for sitting outside. Most days are bright and mild enough for lunch on the terrace, and with a heater, a windbreak and a blanket or two you can keep the evenings going well into January. This guide covers what kind of heater suits your space, what it costs to run, where to buy one at the best price, and how to make the rest of the terrace cosy, dry and safe.

Prices checked on 5 November 2026. Shops change prices and stock often, especially once the cold arrives, so click through before you drive over.

Why a Cyprus terrace works in winter

From December to February, coastal towns average 17–19°C in the afternoon and get roughly six hours of sunshine a day, with sunnier spells in February. Most of the winter rain falls in short, heavy bursts, so there are plenty of dry, still days between storms.

Long-term averages. Cold spells can bring frost inland and much colder nights in the Troodos villages.

The catch is the evening. The sun sets before 17:00 in December, and the temperature drops quickly once it does, especially inland. That is when a heater earns its place: it turns a terrace you'd abandon at five o'clock into somewhere you can still have dinner at eight. For the full picture, see Cyprus weather month by month and our guide to winter weather and staying warm.

Which outdoor heater suits your space?

Electric infrared works like the sun: it warms people and furniture rather than the air, so it still works on a breezy balcony. Look for an IP65 rating if it will be exposed to rain, or at least IP34 under cover.

Fire pits and chimeneas are the most atmospheric option, but they produce sparks and smoke that neighbours on a shared terrace or in a block of flats will not thank you for. Use only in an open garden, well away from hedges, pine needles and dry grass, never on a windy day, and keep water or a fire blanket nearby. Restrictions on open fires apply during the fire season, so check before lighting one outside winter.

What does it cost to run?

Gas. A 10 kg cylinder exchange averaged €18.74 in February 2026, then rose by about 25% in late March 2026 to around €23–25. On 5 November 2026 one Larnaca supermarket was listing it at €22 online. Prices vary from shop to shop and petrol station to petrol station, and they assume you hand back an empty cylinder.

A standard 13 kW mushroom heater uses close to 1 kg of gas an hour on full, so a 10 kg cylinder gives you about ten hours on high and around 25 hours on the lowest setting.

Electricity. With all charges included, household electricity from EAC costs roughly 30 cents per kWh in 2026 (see our guide to heating your home for how that figure is made up).

In practice: an electric heater is cheaper per hour and ideal for two people on a balcony. A gas mushroom heater costs more to run but warms a whole table of six in an open garden. Turn gas heaters down once everyone is warm: the low setting uses less than half the gas.

Price comparison: outdoor heaters in Cyprus shops

All prices checked on 5 November 2026 on the shops' own websites, in euros including VAT. "Was" prices are the shop's own crossed-out price.

Gas patio heaters

Electric outdoor heaters

What the table tells you

• The cheapest way to heat an open garden is a basic 13–14 kW patio heater: two shops had one at €129.99.
• Compare the same model. The Matestar MAT-H1SS cost €185 at Electroline, €189 at Constantinou Electronics and €329 at Andreas Charalambous. The Matestar MAT-5004BK was €249–€249.99 in all four shops that sold it, and the Enders Polo 2.0 €269.99–€279.99 in three.
• "Special order" at Electroline means the heater is not on the shelf; ask how long delivery takes before the cold weather does.
• Budget for extras: most heaters come without the gas cylinder, and some without the hose and regulator (the Enders Polo 2.0 is one). A weatherproof cover cost €29.99–€44.99 at Superhome Center and €40 at Savvas Eracleous.
• Stock runs low in December. Several Superhome models were already showing low stock in some stores on 5 November.

More ways to make your terrace cosy in winter

Block the wind first. A breeze steals more warmth than the cold itself, and it blows the heat from a gas heater straight off the terrace. Glass or acrylic screens, bamboo or reed roll screens tied to the railing, or a row of tall potted plants on the windward side make an immediate difference.

Add outdoor curtains. Heavy outdoor curtains on a pergola or covered terrace keep out the wind and give a snug, room-like feel. Choose fabric rated for outdoor use that dries quickly, and tie them back on stormy days so they don't act as a sail.

Cover overhead. A pergola with a retractable awning, an aluminium louvred roof or a simple sail lets you sit out through light showers and holds a little warmth at night. Check with your landlord, building management committee or municipality before installing anything fixed, as permanent structures can need permission. Fabric awnings and gas heaters do not mix (see safety below).

Keep people warm, not just the air. Fleece throws, outdoor cushions, sheepskins and hot-water bottles cost little and make a bigger difference than an extra kilowatt. Keep them in a waterproof storage box on the terrace so they're always to hand. An outdoor rug takes the chill off tiled floors.

Light it warmly. Warm-white festoon lights, solar lanterns and LED candles make a terrace feel inviting on long December evenings. Use lights rated for outdoor use, plug them into an outdoor socket protected by a residual-current device, and put them on a timer. See our Christmas lights guide for festive ideas.

Think about food. Winter is barbecue season in Cyprus too: a souvla or a pot of something warm makes the terrace the centre of the evening. Our winter comfort food guide has ideas.

Look after your furniture in the winter rain

• Cover or stack cushions and fabric furniture before every storm; Cypriot winter rain arrives fast and heavy.
• Raise feet of wooden and rattan furniture off wet tiles with rubber pads, and tilt tables so water runs off.
• Oil wooden furniture in autumn and wipe metal furniture dry to stop rust.
• Clear drains and gutters on terraces and balconies before the first big rain, so water doesn't pool or seep into the flat below.
• Tie down or bring in umbrellas, parasols and lightweight chairs when strong winds are forecast; check the yellow and orange warnings in our weather warnings guide.

Safety: read this before you light up

Gas heaters are for outdoors only. Never use a patio heater indoors, in a garage, in a tent or in a terrace that has been closed in with glass, plastic sheeting or curtains on all sides. It uses up oxygen and produces carbon monoxide, a gas you can't see or smell. Early signs of poisoning include headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, shortness of breath and confusion; if anyone feels unwell, turn the heater off, move into fresh air and call 112.

Keep your distance. Patio heater manufacturers typically ask for at least 100 cm of clear space above and to the sides of the heater. Keep it well away from awnings, sun sails, parasols, curtains, cushions, trees, hedges and walls, and never hang anything on it to dry.

Mind the wind. Stand the heater on firm, level ground, anchor the base if the manual allows, and turn it off when the wind picks up. A falling patio heater is a fire risk, and most models have a tilt switch for that reason.

Handle cylinders with care:

• Change cylinders outdoors, away from flames and sparks, and close the valve after every use.
• Check the hose and regulator each season and replace them if cracked or past their date; use the regulator pressure stated in the manual.
• Test new connections with soapy water (bubbles mean a leak), never with a flame.
• Store spare cylinders upright, outdoors or in a well-ventilated place, never in a basement or a closed storeroom, and away from heat.
• If you smell gas, close the cylinder valve if it's safe, keep flames and switches away, and call your gas distributor or 112.

Electric heaters need the right socket. Plug outdoor heaters straight into an outdoor socket with a residual-current device rather than an extension lead, keep cables out of puddles, replace any cable that looks worn, and switch off when you go inside. Place them away from curtains and furniture.

Fire pits and chimeneas: only in open gardens, never on balconies or under cover, never with petrol or spirits to light them, and always put out completely before bed.

Where to buy by district

What to do next

1. Measure your space and check what is overhead: open garden means gas is fine; a covered balcony or pergola means electric infrared.
2. Compare the same model in two or three shops using the table above, and ask whether the price includes the hose and regulator.
3. Buy a gas cylinder from your local supermarket, kiosk or petrol station, and a cover to keep the heater dry.
4. Add a windbreak and blankets, then plan a long winter lunch outside: our winter in Cyprus guide has ideas for the rest of the season.