Cyprus: Travel Tips Between Culture and Casinos
- Written by Portal Editor
Cyprus - Its 330 days of sunshine a year make the Mediterranean island of Cyprus attractive to tourists from all over the world year-round. The water temperatures on the beaches around the island are so warm year-round that swimming in the Mediterranean is possible even in winter.
It's not just the Mediterranean climate that appeals to a holiday in Cyprus. With its over 10,000-year-old culture, the island attracts more than just sun-loving tourists. And when the desire for a change arises after a long day of visiting cultural institutions, the numerous casinos welcome their visitors. Cyprus is a mecca for gambling.
The Divided Island of Cyprus
The southern part of the island is home to two major airports. Most airlines fly to Larnaca International Airport. Arrival is also possible via Paphos, although the number of international flights is fewer. Theoretically, tourists from Germany can also arrive directly at the airport in the northern part of the island. Due to political conflicts, arrival is only possible with a stopover via Turkey.
The Mediterranean island has been de facto divided since 1974. Cyprus gained independence in 1960. However, unrest and conflicts between the ethnic groups led to tensions that ended with Turkish intervention in 1974. Since then, Turkey has occupied the northern part of the island, officially as a protecting power for Turkish Cypriots in the north. Attempts to reunify the island have so far failed due to political hurdles and popular opposition.
The Divided City in Cyprus
A demarcation line divides the island, also known as the Green Line. UN soldiers patrol the border strip, which covers four percent of Cyprus's land mass. The border between north and south is still visible in everyday life. This is most clearly visible in Nicosia, the divided capital of Cyprus. With 73,000 inhabitants, Nicosia is the largest city on the island.
Tourists in Nicosia are inevitably confronted with the city's division, as the border runs right through the city. Since 2007, it has been possible to cross the border within the city. At that time, Turkish Cypriots tore down the barricade on Ledra Street, and two months later, the southern barricade was also removed.
Since then, locals and tourists have been able to cross the border. German tourists only need a valid identification document, such as a new national identity card or a passport. Ledra Street is the city's most famous shopping street. Many international companies have offices in the southern part. At the end of the street on the southern side is Freedom Square. Politically, the two sides have grown closer and have lived together peacefully ever since.
Busy Border Traffic
Life has changed significantly since the permanent opening of the border, which was approved nationwide in 2008. The sovereign state of Cyprus does not conduct border controls. In Northern Cyprus, however, officials are stationed at the borders to document every entry. Border traffic functions smoothlyand is actively used by both locals and tourists.
People in the southern part are drawn to the north for shopping. The price gap is enormous. The recent decline of the Turkish lira has increased transit traffic for shopping. Those living near the border sometimes cross the border several times a day to shop. Tourists from all over the world have also long since realized that shopping in Northern Cyprus is very affordable.
Gambling is booming
And the people in the north? They too are benefiting from the opening. Gamblers who often travel to the southern part to visit a casino are also benefiting. Gambling is prohibited in the Islamic world. There is no casino in either Turkey or Northern Cyprus. Those who don't just want to gamble with real money at an online casino can use the border crossing to play slot machines or card games in a real casino. Cyprus has a very liberal attitude towards gambling.
Several trustworthy online casinos are based on the island. The same applies to real casinos. The government wants to transform Cyprus into a hotspot for gamblers in Europe. Europe's largest casino is scheduled to open its doors in Nicosia as early as 2021. The country hopes to attract up to 300,000 additional tourists to the island through gambling.
A new history
The transformation into a mecca for gamblers will only change the face of Cyprus in a minor way, but it will usher in a new history. Most tourists so far are cultural travelers or beach holidaymakers. Cyprus is the cradle of civilization and looks back on more than 10,000 years of history.
The island has Greek, Ottoman, and African roots. Over the centuries, the balance of power has shifted repeatedly. This is still reflected in the island's historical buildings. Some vacationers will feel like they are in a gigantic open-air museum when visiting Cyprus.
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