Cyprus or Turkey: what to choose for a vacation

Where is the best place to relax - in Turkey or in Cyprus? We compared countries in terms of water and air temperatures in summer, infrastructure development and cleanliness of beaches. They analyzed prices for tours, food and resort entertainment. Read and choose!

The two countries in the Mediterranean are not inferior to each other in terms of popularity, beauty of landscapes and quality of beach service. Regardless of when you are planning your vacation, Cyprus or Turkey awaits you all year round. In these regions, even in winter, the temperature does not drop below +10 ... + 15 ° С, and the water in the sea in winter reaches +17 ... + 19 ° С. Here spring begins in February, and the choice of equipped beaches with sand or pebbles will satisfy the needs of any tourist.

Beaches and sea in Turkey and Cyprus

Both countries have access to several seas, so the beaches on the coasts are different and the water does not warm up in the same way.

Turkey. It is washed by the Black, Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara seas. The latter is the strait that connects the Black and Mediterranean seas, so it warms up the best. On this side, the sandy coast stretches for 1 thousand km, there are no storms and many thermal springs. Therefore, having a rest with children is a pleasure.

The Aegean Sea warms up the longest (up to + 26 ° C in summer), so the season in this part of Turkey starts with a delay of 2-3 weeks. At the same time, the weather is mostly clear (up to + 30 ° С), which attracts a large number of tourists. However, the beaches are pebbly or covered with boulders, so sun loungers are indispensable. Some hotels with access to the sea equip artificial beaches with imported sand.

It is colder on the Black Sea coast, which stretches from Istanbul to the border zone with Georgia. In this part, incredibly beautiful nature, mountains, and the seabed is deeper and more rocky. The beaches are also covered with pebbles, and the water warms up to a maximum of +24 ... + 25 ° С. But the Mediterranean coast is the most popular. This part of Turkey has sandy beaches or small pebbles. Everywhere there are gentle entrances and warm water (in August and September it can be up to +28 ... + 29 ° С).

Map of resorts and beaches of Turkey

Cyprus. It is washed by the Cilician Sea in the north, the Levantine Sea - from the east, and the Cyprus (warmest) Sea - on the southwestern coast. The coasts of Larnaca, Ayia Napa and Protaras have fine sand beaches that are great for children. The coastal area of ​​Limassol is covered with volcanic gray sand, but in Polis and Paphos there are already stones. There are fewer tourists here, so the place is perfect for those who want to be in silence. In any water area of ​​the island, the water is transparent and capable of shimmering in different shades. This phenomenon causes the same delight among all guests of Cyprus. You can swim from mid-June to the second half of October. In the rest of the period, the sea is cool, so not for everybody.

Where is better. Many beaches in both countries have been awarded the Blue Flag award for cleanliness and order. Which is better, Cyprus or Turkey, it is difficult to choose. When planning, focus on the budget and the month you want to vacation. In both countries, the sea will be comfortable from the end of May to the beginning of October. In Cyprus, it is easier to endure the summer heat thanks to the dry air, the large number of lakes and dense plantations. In Turkey, there is less heat along the Black Sea coast. Even in winter, those who can safely tolerate the sea temperature of +17 ... + 18 ° C swim.

Cyprus resorts and beaches map

Infrastructure of resorts

Cyprus. The island's resorts have a developed tourist infrastructure. First-class hotels, Mediterranean cuisine, well-equipped beaches. If you want to relax during the day on a beach with white sand and turquoise clear water, and in the evening to light up in clubs and dine in good restaurants - go to Ayia Napa. For a quiet family vacation, Protaras is better - a minimum of entertainment, sandy beaches and a shallow sea. And if you want to see many historical sites - then choose Paphos. Sandy beaches that border a palm promenade and a lake with pink flamingos - this is Larnaca. An active nightlife rages in the clubs of Limassol.

Find out about all inclusive holidays in Cyprus.

Turkey. Everything is designed for tourists, so the beaches are equipped as much as possible. Well-organized animation, entertainment and all-inclusive food are the hallmarks of Turkish 4-5-star hotels (there are many of them on the first line of the coast). Separate programs are organized for children, so kids especially love Turkey. Here you pay for the service that is actually provided.

Find out about an all inclusive holiday in Turkey.

Where is better. If you choose where it is better to have a rest - in Cyprus or Turkey, then the countries are about the same in terms of the quality of service. Turkey is distinguished by its rich nature and mountainous landscapes from the Black Sea coast. In this part, some of the hotels are located right at the foot of the mountain ranges, so the view is amazing. Also, rest in Turkey is well suited for families with children. But in Cyprus, you can relax on the coast with white sand and swim in turquoise water, which can sparkle with several colors - a bewitching sight.

Video - the beauty of the Turkish coast

Kitchen

In Cyprus and Turkey, hotels operate on a similar all-inclusive buffet system. At the same time, tourists are not advised to use this service in hotels of a 3-star level and below - it is better to find an inexpensive cafe nearby.

In Turkey grill menu is practiced. Also popular dishes of national cuisine: pilav (local pilaf with lamb and dried fruits), dolma (minced meat in grape leaves), manti and sausages. There is a selection of European cuisine, many oriental sweets, beautiful pyramids of fruits. A separate children's menu is offered, which is very convenient for traveling with kids.

In Cyprus the cuisine has combined Greek and Turkish traditions. There are always a lot of cheese snacks, hummus, takini, huge olives. Hot - soups. Salads with seafood or fresh vegetables (sliced) are popular. Almost every menu has pasta, there is a selection of kebabs. If you are traveling with small children, check in advance for a separate menu. Recently, many hotels are focusing on family vacations and offer kids cereals, dairy products, cheeses, juices, fruits.

Where is better. In principle, countries provide the same food conditions. What to choose - Cyprus or Turkey - decide for yourself. Prices in local cafes differ little from Moscow ones. You can save money by ordering only breakfast and dinner at the hotel, and eat in inexpensive cafes or buy fruit for lunch.

Prices for tours to Turkey and Cyprus

For both countries, May and October are considered the cheapest months to travel. Prices have been increasing since June.

Turkey. Prices for tours depend on the number of stars and the time of booking - it is beneficial either early or wait for the last tour. A week's vacation for two in the summer in a 4 * and 5 * hotel costs from 45 thousand, in 2 and 3 * - from 35 thousand rubles. Tours for 11 nights usually cost 20-30 thousand more.

And lower prices for tours in summer and in the velvet season to Turkey in all-inclusive hotels for two people:

Cyprus. A ticket for 7 nights for two in a 4 * or 5 * hotel on the first line costs from 70 thousand rubles, and for 11 nights - 90-120 thousand. Of course, you can find cheaper tours (3 * hotels far from the sea) or buy a hot tour.

Below average prices for tours in summer and in the velvet season to Cyprus in all-inclusive hotels for two people:

Where is it cheaper. Tours to Turkey are definitely cheaper, and the choice of hotels and resorts is much richer.

Prices for food, excursions and entertainment

In Turkey hotel recreation is very developed, therefore all possible entertainments are concentrated on the territory of the complexes.Separately, you can go on a sea sightseeing tour ($ 70), ride a yacht ($ 30), go diving - $ 60 for 40 minutes with an instructor. Fans of extreme sports are offered rafting for $ 30 or jeep safari for $ 30-40. The popular water park will cost up to $ 30.

Food:

• the average price tag in a cafe where locals eat will be about $ 11-15 for two;
• at a restaurant spend $ 40-60 for two;
• if you rent a house and cook yourself, then you can buy food in local supermarkets, which will be cheaper (in the markets, fruits can be bargained for up to $ 1-2 per kg).

In Cyprus lunch will cost about $ 45-50. And you can save money and dine at McDonald's for $ 7-11. Coffee costs about the same as Turkey ($ 3-4). The only difference is the cuisine and the portions - in Cyprus they are large, so lunch can be divided for two.

A sea cruise along the coast or a yacht trip costs about $ 65-70. You can go to the popular resort of Famagusta for $ 60. Excursions to the ancient ruins will cost up to $ 45, and a trip to the northern territory will cost $ 270-300. Ride an ATV - $ 55, a ticket to a zoo or an aquarium - up to $ 5-13, an amusement park - up to $ 12.