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Last Update: 06 Aug 2010

Riding Holidays | Cyprus

Cyprus is an extremely popular tourist destination in the eastern Mediterranean. It is famous for sun, warm sea, sandy beaches and busy coastal resorts such as Pafos and Agia Napa. However visit Cyprus for a horse riding holiday and you will find a different side to the island. Experience the peaceful inland areas, with rides through quiet pine forest and high mountain tracks, past old castles and pretty rural villages and across beautiful unspoilt open countryside. Visit citrus groves and have canters through grassy meadows, before venturing down into quiet coastal bays for some fantastic beach riding.

Holidays on horseback are a great way to see the traditional Cypriot way of life. There are many horse riding stables throughout the island and many offer short treks and day trails into the local area. Riding lessons are available for people of all ages and riding abilities. For longer horse riding vacations visit Tochni in southern Cyprus for a six day horse riding holiday with morning and afternoon trail rides through the countryside. Non riders are also welcome and can try mountain biking or hiking. Weekly riding treks are also found near Lysos in western Cyprus. Ride across volcanic mountain slopes and pine forest, through orchards and almond groves, vineyards and hills with stunning views.

Northern Cyprus also has much to offer enthusiastic horse riders. Travel to the foothills of the Kyrenia mountain range for a week long riding vacation. This holiday is geared to experienced riders, happy with fast paced riding on well mannered forward going horses and visits some of the best sites in the region. Day rides are also available for people on a tight holiday schedule.

Cyprus is an interesting island and is divided into two halves with the northern Turkish region and southern Greek region. Travel between the two is relatively easy and allows visitors to see both sides of the island.