Cyprus and Greece: are they the same country? How to visit Cyprus via Greece

Oddly enough, many travelers often have this question when choosing a resort destination. The answer is unequivocal - the Republic of Cyprus and the Hellenic Republic are two completely different countries. Although, not quite so perfect. It's all about the shared history.

Depositphotos

History of the Greeks in Cyprus

The legend says that more than 3 thousand years ago the island of Cyprus was inhabited by the Achaean Greeks, the descendants of the conquerors of Troy. The gradual displacement and aggression of the wild tribes of the Greek Dorians forced them to leave Greece and develop more and more new territories of the island. Over time, the number of ethnic Greeks in Cyprus has increased significantly, and the island has forever remained an integral part of Greece.

Over the ages, Cyprus has been attacked many times and has been the center of interethnic conflicts, which, in essence, continues into the 21st century between Cyprus and Turkey. Relations with Greece also changed, although the two states were linked by close national ties, similar cultural and religious traditions. With no other country does Cyprus have as much in common as with Greece. At least this applies to the territories of Southern Cyprus. The northern part of the island is occupied by a separate state - the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. But that's a completely different story.

Depositphotos

Greek Cypriot relations

In 1960, according to the Cypriot constitution, Greece acted as the guarantor of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus. Perhaps this was the most important event in the history of the island in recent centuries. Unfortunately, the consequences of such a decision led to an armed invasion by Turkish troops in 1974. Turkey has historically claimed the territory of Cyprus since the time of its stay under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

Today the island is divided into two countries - the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Greece continues to maintain warm diplomatic and economic relations with South Cyprus, and participates in every possible way in resolving political issues. Since 2004, the Republic of Cyprus, like Greece, has been a member of the European Union.

Depositphotos

Cyprus and Crete

Questions about whether the island belongs to Greece often arise because of the consonance of Cyprus with Greek Crete, no less popular tourist mecca of the Mediterranean. For understanding, Cyprus is a separate island state, and Crete is one of the islands of the Hellenic Republic, although the islands are in the same climatic zone and are culturally similar. At both resorts, Greek is the official language, which further confuses travelers. However, Cypriot Greek differs significantly due to local dialects.

Depositphotos

Cyprus or Greece - where is it better to relax

Cyprus, like the popular islands of Greece, has all the tourist infrastructure - resorts and hotels of different levels, amazing Mediterranean cuisine and gorgeous beaches. In terms of the number of attractions and historical architecture, Cyprus is also not inferior to diversity. However, Greece belongs to the southeastern part of Europe and is washed by three seas: the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean. Cyprus is located on the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea.

Both in Cyprus and in Greece, tourism has a special place. Therefore, it is not easy to make a clear choice. These stunning resort countries, of course, are worth visiting in equal shares.

Depositphotos

How to get to Cyprus through Greece

By plane:

Transfer from Greece to Cyprus is carried out by international flights only to the airports of Southern Cyprus in the following directions:

• From Heraklion in Crete (Irakleion Airport) to Larnaka Airport.
• From Thessaloniki Airport to Larnaka Airport and Paphos Airport.
• From Athens to Larnaka Airport and Paphos Airport.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus can be reached by plane only from Turkey, to the only Ercan airport (Ercan International Airport).

By sea:

You can get from Greece to Cyprus during the warm season on the ferries of the Louis-Cruises or Salamis-Lines companies, following from Italy, with the final destination in Israel. Cruise liners of this direction operate regular flights on the Greece-Cyprus section with a frequency of up to 3 times a day. To Northern Cyprus only by ferries from Turkey.

Depositphotos