Cyprus's mild weather and its temperate climate are one of the main reasons why tourists and digital nomads storm the island's shores every year. If you're planning to visit or to relocate to Cyprus, our short guide to its weather patterns will help you pack up adequate clothes, shoes, and equipment. You'll also learn in what month or season it would be best to visit if you'd like to engage in a specific activity that can be affected by the weather. Without any further ado, here's all you need to know about the weather in Cyprus.

A Brief Guide to Cyprus Weather

Did you know that Cyprus's climate is one of the hottest among European countries? Throughout the year, the whole island is literally drenched in the sun. Summers here are all about long, sunny days, with up to 10 hours of sunshine per day and temperatures rising above 30°C. It’s highly unlikely you’ll see rain during this season. December and January, on the other hand, are the months when it rains the most. Even though you may experience a few colder days in the spring, there’s always plenty of sunshine to enjoy. Temperatures usually hover in the low to mid-20s, making it the perfect season to explore the island.

Whether you’re heading to the north or the south of the island, you’ll find sandy beaches galore and average temperatures of 30°C or more in the peak of the summer. However, head inland, the part of the island that's home to vineyards and mountain ranges, and the Cyprus weather changes; the higher altitude makes this part of the island around 4°C cooler, dropping even lower at the highest points.

Sea Temperatures

The temperature in the open sea hovers above 22° C from June to November, rising up to 27° C in August. Even during the three coolest months - from January to March - the average sea temperature doesn't go lower than 16-17° C which is still quite pleasant.

Air Humidity

During the winter days, humidity levels range from 65% to 95%. The same levels of humidity are also registered at night regardless of the season. During the summer, however, humidity drops to very low levels near midday, ranging from 15% to 30% on the island's central plain. Fog is rare and, if it occurs, it typically appears in the early hours of the morning.

Winds

Winds over the island are relatively variable in direction and strength, depending on the elevation of the land and local temperatures.

Weather by Location

• The coast: Along the coast, the climate is perceivably warmer. Here, you can experience typically Mediterranean weather with average daily temperatures in winter around 12°C. Summer along the coast is long since and lasts from late May to early October. It's hot and sunny, a little muggy but also tempered by steady breezes with an average temperature of 26°C. Rainfall is not abundant, about 350/400mm yearly.
• The interior (plains): In the Mesaoria Plain, winter is still mild, but it's slightly colder. The average temperature in January is about 10°C, and the temperature at night can drop to around the freezing point. Summer is very hot, with highs of about 37°C in July and August.
• The interior (mountains): Apart from the plains, there is also a mountain range in the interior of the island called the Troodos Mountains. The highest peak of the range is Mount Olympus with the elevation of 1,952 meters above sea level. The village of Prodromos is located at the foot of the mountain and there you can experience much cooler weather. The average temperature in the winter is around 3°C. There actually are ski lifts for winter sports going up the slopes of the mountain! In the summer, the temperature averages 23°C. The two mountain ranges are covered in forests, making for a much a greener landscape in comparison to the rest of the island.

Weather in the Major Cities

Being a small island, all major cities in Cyprus are located in relative proximity to one another. This means they are situated in roughly the same climate zone and the weather they experience is similar. Below you will find more specific information about temperatures in Cyprus's major cities throughout the year.

Paphos

Paphos is situated on the coast. For Paphos, August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 26°C, while January is the coldest with the temperature of around 13°C. July is the month with the most daily sunshine hours with an average of 13 hours of sun each day. December is the rainiest month with an average of 93.9mm of rain.

Larnaca

Larnaca is located on the coast as well. July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 27°C. January is the coldest month with temperatures averaging 12°C. July is the month with the most daily sunshine hours with an average of 12 hours of sun each day. December is also the rainiest month here with an average of 93.9mm of rain.

Limassol

Limassol is another Cyprus city situated on the coast. In January and February, the temperatures average 17-18°C during the day and 8-9°C at night. From June to September, the average temperature on the coast reaches 28-30°C during the day and drops to 18-20°C at night.

Nicosia

Nicosia is located in the interior of the island and its weather is influenced by the local steppe climate. Therefore, Nicosia receives very little rainfall throughout the year. In Nicosia, the average annual temperature is 18.8°C. Precipitation here averages 329 mm.