In search of the ideal late autumn destination in Europe, you'll inevitably comes across Cyprus – the island of extended summer. November comes with temperatures of up to 22 degrees on the island located southeast in the Mediterranean Sea. As if the balmy temperatures and many hours of sunshine – up to seven in winter, in summer even up to 13 – weren't enough, the island still attracts with numerous sights and activities.

Good to know:

Weather: between 11 °C and 22 °C in November
Water temperature: up to 25 °C
Getting there: 3 hours non-stop from Vienna to Larnaca; 5 hours with variable stopovers from Frankfurt to Larnaca; 3.5 hours non-stop from Zurich to Larnaca

Where to stay

Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort

Luxury meets lifestyle: the new five-star hotel near Paphos was built from local stone. © Cap St. Georges

Newly opened, the Cap St Georges already a well known insider tip among Cyprus fans: The spacious luxury resort is located on a natural, protected beach. The elegant rooms and suites - if you want to treat yourself, book the private residence with pool! - all look toward the sunset. Relaxation is promised by the spa, sauna and water landscape. A variety of pleasures awaits in the various restaurants, bars and lounges of the five-star hotel. 

Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort
Maniki Street 3, Peyia 8570, Cyprus
Tel.: +357 26 000000
Web: capstgeorges.com
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from €226

Where to eat

La Maison Fleurie Restaurant Limassol

La Maison Fleurie serves guests atmospheric ambience and gourmet cuisine. Award-winning, authentic French dishes are artfully arranged and complemented with fine wines. Especially the delicious desserts are an insider tip for gourmets. lamaisonfleurierestaurant

Muse

Stylish ambience, fine drinks, and great snacks: The MUSE in Paphos knows how to convince with a great view in the trendy outdoor area as well as with traditional Cypriot food, including international classics like burgers or sandwiches. musecafekitchenbar

Highlights in Cyprus that you must have seen

Nicosia

The world's only bipartite capital, Nicosia offers a colorful mix of history, culture and gourmet offerings. © Shutterstock

The famous "divided city" is the only separated capital in the world. Nicosia's Greek and Turkish sides offer great restaurants as well as museums and sites that tell of the city's turbulent history. A guided tour to the Green Line UN zone is an absolute must (even if you are not allowed to take photos here) as is a walk along the Ledra road from Cyprus to "North Cyprus".

Rock of Aphrodite

The Rock of Aphrodite is one of the most popular photo motifs in Cyprus. © Andrey Andreyev

"Petra tou romiou" in the Mediterranean Sea on the southwest coast of Cyprus, ten kilometers south of Paphos, is not just any rock: according to legend, this is where the goddess of love, Aphrodite, rose from the waters. Whether one believes in this or not, remains to be seen. The fantastic rock formation and the great beach can be enjoyed even so.

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Kourion

The city-kingdom of Kourion was built on a hill overlooking the blue expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. © Shutterstock

The ancient city-kingdom of Kourion is one of the most significant excavation sites on the island. Destroyed by an earthquake in 365 AD, the remains of the city, which was built in the 13th century BC, can still be visited today. The buildings with their well-preserved floor mosaics, such as the House of the Gladiators or the House of Achilles, are definitely worth seeing. Great also the early Christian basilica, the Roman agora and the public baths of Kourion.

Salt lakes with flamingos

From December to March, the island's salt lakes fill with fabulous pink flamingos. © Shutterstock

This charming port city in southeastern Cyprus dates back to the ancient city-kingdom of Kition. There is much to see in Larnaca. You can visit the Cyclopean walls or stroll along the beach promenade. Absolute highlights are the Salt lakes in front of the city, where flamingos wade through the shallow water in winter.

Lara Bay

The enchanting Lara Bay becomes a breeding ground for sea turtles in spring. Seals and ghost crabs also make frequent appearances here. © Shutterstock

From monk seals to ghost crabs and turtles, the beach on the northwest coast of Cyprus near Paphos is not only ideal for a sunny beach day, but also an absolute highlight for animal and nature fans.

MUSAN Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa

Eco-Art off the coast of Cyprus: the MUSAN underwater museum is located in the nature reserve of Aiya Napa. © Mikhail Preobrazhenskiy

MUSAN is the world's first underwater museum: around 93 eco-art works - ranging from tree-like to figurative - are designed to create a marine jungle. The project is located off the coast of Aiya Napa and is accessible to divers and snorkelers. musan.com.cy 

St. Hilarion

St. Hilarion is said to be the template for the castle from Disney's Sleeping Beauty have been. © Shutterstock

The "Castle of 1,000 Chambers," St. Hilarion Castle in northern Cyprus, is perched on an imposing rocky hilltop 732 above sea level on the Kyrenia pass. The ruin is the best preserved summit castle of the three former fortresses of Cyprus, its origins dating back to the 9th century. Visitors will be amazed by the extensive grounds, especially the upper castle.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon of Cyprus, with its fantastic blue waters, is the most beautiful beach on the island. © DatingScout

The west of Cyprus is home to probably the most beautiful beach on the island: not far from Paphos, in the Akamas National Park, the Blue Lagoon enchants with its wonderfully turquoise waters. Thanks to the almost crystal clear water Diver and Scuba Diver at the local reef is just right. If you prefer to enjoy the sun, you can rent a small boat and sail along the bay.