With an average of 340 days of sunshine per year, Cyprus is one of the sunniest places in Europe. In fact, the country’s weather is so good that a luxury holiday resort is offering a free future stay to guests who visit and don’t have a sunny day.
Thanks to the so-called ‘Sunshine Guarantee’, visitors to the five-star City of Dreams resort will be eligible for a complimentary one-night stay for every day the resort doesn’t see at least 70 percent direct sunlight between 9am and 5pm. “There’s nothing worse than planning your holiday to escape the cold and having the weather turn when you arrive at your destination,” says Grant Johnson, Senior Vice President and Property General Manager. “We’re blessed with sun almost every day in Cyprus, but to put our guests’ minds at ease, we’ll invite them back (on us) if they don’t get sun while they’re here.”
Just how sunny is Cyprus?
As mentioned, Cyprus is blessed with around 340 sunny days per year, making it a year-round holiday destination and a favourite with property buyers looking to own a home in the sun.
Located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, the country enjoys long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Temperatures during winter average around 15°C (59°F), soaring to a sweltering 30°C (86°F) and above in the summer months.
Cyprus experiences a moderate amount of rainfall throughout the year, the wettest month being January. The rainy season runs from November to February, when the island receives an average of 100 to 200mm of rainfall.
Sunset in Cyprus
Making the most of Cyprus’s sunny weather
During summer, temperatures in Cyprus can reach more than 40°C (104°F), which means heatwaves can be a problem. However, there are many advantages to the country’s hot weather.
Solar energy is a big deal in Cyprus. Solar panels are a standard fixture of many Cypriot homes and the government is encouraging the use of photovoltaic panels too, recently reissuing its renewable energy grants scheme. Not only is solar power a cleaner type of energy, it’s also cheaper. So, more sunshine equals lower energy bills.
Thanks to mild winter temperatures, there’s also more opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, helping you stay active all year round. Water sports like snorkelling, scuba diving and sailing can also be enjoyed throughout the year, as can more relaxing activities like picnics and barbecues.
How to stay cool in Cyprus
While heatwaves are common in Cyprus during the summer months, they’re not usually too much of a problem, provided you take the necessary precautions. Often, local authorities will implement measures like setting up cooling centres to protect locals and tourists from the heat.
Cooling down in the heat
Here are some top tips for staying cool:
- Relax – Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Cold drinks like iced frappes, soft drinks, beer and brandy sour (Cyprus’s traditional summer drink) are also refreshing in the heat.
- Take a dip – If you’re lucky enough to have a property with a swimming pool, dive in! Alternatively, head to the beach for a seaside swim.
- Run water over your pulse points – Run water over your wrists, neck, elbows, ankles and behind your knees and keep a water sprayer or wet flannel handy.
- Carry a fan – Portable battery-powered ones are relatively cheap and require much less effort than the traditional hand ones.
- Wear breathable clothing – Loose clothes made from natural fibres like cotton, linen and silk will help keep your body cool in the heat.
- Seek shade – Escape the sun’s powerful rays by seeking respite in the shade.
- Head to the mountains – On super-hot days, head to the mountains, where the air is noticeably cooler.
Tips for keeping your property in Cyprus cool
When viewing properties in Cyprus (or anywhere that experiences extreme heat), note how thick the walls are and how much glass there is. Many Cypriot buildings are made from stone, which, when heated by the sun, can radiate through the house. Older buildings tend to have thicker walls and stay cooler for longer, as it takes more time for the heat to get through. It’s also wise to avoid houses with big glass windows, as they make it harder to keep the sun out.
If, however, you’ve already bought a property in Cyprus – don’t worry! There are plenty of measures you can take to protect your home from the heat:
The Cypriot village of Kakopetria under a blue sky
1. Cover your windows
Remember to keep shutters, blinds and curtains closed during the day to keep the heat out. Blackout curtains are best for keeping the sun out, while louver shutters are great for letting air in through open windows at night.
2. Install air-conditioning
If your Cyprus property doesn’t have air-conditioning, you should seriously consider installing some, considering just how hot the weather can get. Air conditioners cool your home much faster than freestanding fans – although, fans are a lot cheaper to run. A compromise could be using your fans during the day and your air-conditioning unit at night. Just remember to close all the windows and doors in your home while your air-conditioning and fans are running to keep the cool air from escaping.
3. Create a through-breeze
Properties that are located near the sea often benefit from a refreshing sea breeze. If your property is further inland, you can create your own through breeze in the evening (when the air is cooler outside than it is in) by placing a fan in the doorway to suck the cool air in and openening a window on the other side of the room.
4. Paint the walls
White reflects the light, while black absorbs it. So, when painting your Cypriot home, it’s sensible to choose lighter colours and avoid darker ones.
5. Revamp your terrace or basement
If you’re lucky enough to have a property with an outside space or basement, turn them into havens from the heat. You can create shade outside by erecting a veranda or planting trees, while basements – which can be as much as 10°C (50°F) cooler) – can be great places for siestas.
Houses on a quiet street in Pano Lefkara
If you’re a sunworshipper looking to buy property overseas, Cyprus is the ideal location. Browse more than 17,500 Cypriot properties on our website.
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