10 Best Sights in Cyprus

In the town center stands one of the island's more important churches, Ayios Lazarus (Church of Lazarus), resplendent with gold icons and unique wood carvings. Constructed in AD 890 by Byzantine Emperor Leo VI and restored to its glory in the 17th century, it is a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture. The church includes a fascinating crypt containing the sarcophagus of the Biblical Lazarus mentioned in Luke; Jesus is said to have resurrected Lazarus four days after his death, after which time Lazarus traveled to Kition (Larnaca's ancient city), where he became a bishop for 30 years.

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, or Church of St. Nicholas of the Roof—so named for its steep, pitched roof, built for protection against the weather—is an 11th-century Byzantine church and UNESCO World Heritage Site containing stunning frescoes. The frescoes were painted between the 11th and 17th centuries and depict such iconic scenes as the Crucifixion and the Nativity. You'll need a car to reach the church, which is located in the Troodos Mountain region.

The Apollo Hylates (Sanctuary of Apollo of the Woodlands), an impressive archaeological site, stands about 2.5 km (1½ miles) west of the temple of Apollo at Kourion. It includes a partially restored main sanctuary with enormous Roman columns.

One of the best preserved painted churches in Cyprus, Asinou Church (also known as Panagia Forviotissa) was built in the early 12th century; it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 3 km (2 miles) south of Nikitari village. The church's brightly colored frescoes—which cover the entire inside of the structure—date from the 12th to the 17th centuries. If there isn't a church caretaker around to let you in, you'll need to stop by Nikitari village to ask for the priest to escort you; he can usually be found at the local kafeneio (coffeehouse).

Don't miss Ayios Ioannis (St. John's Cathedral), built in 1662 within the courtyard of the archiepiscopal palace (Archbishop's Palace). Look for the 18th-century murals illustrating important moments in Cypriot religious history, including a depiction of the tomb of St. Barnabas.

In 1159 the hermit and scholar Neophytos settled at what's now referred to as the Ayios Neophytos Monastery, carving a home for himself out of the rock. Known in his time as the leading critic of Richard the Lionheart and the Byzantine tax collectors, today he is best known for what became a series of grottoes hewn from the hillside rock and the evocative religious frescoes—some actually painted by Neophytos—they contain. The monastery itself, with no more than a half-dozen or so monks, is situated below the grottoes.

On the edge of Larnaca Salt Lake, a mosque stands in an oasis of palm trees guarding the Hala Sultan Tekke—burial place of the prophet Muhammad's foster mother, Umm Haram, and an important Muslim shrine.

The 11th-century Panayia Angeloktistos church, 11 km (7 miles) south of Larnaca, has extraordinary Byzantine wall mosaics that date from the 6th and 7th centuries. Large groups should call ahead, and request a guide in either English or Greek.

On a mountain approximately 40 km (25 miles) west of Larnaca stands the Stavrovouni (Mountain of the Cross) Monastery. It was founded by St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, in AD 326; the present buildings date from the 19th century. The views from here are splendid. Ideally, you should visit the monastery in a spirit of pilgrimage rather than sightseeing, out of respect for the monks. Only male visitors (no women) are allowed inside the monastery daily. The use of cameras or video cameras is prohibited.

Head north to visit the tiny Greek Orthodox Tripiotis church, which dates from 1690 and is decorated with an ornately carved golden iconostasis and silver-covered icons.