PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 6: Epiphany Day
Variable: Green Monday (50 Days before Greek Orthodox Easter)
March 14: Clean Monday
March 25: Greek National Day
April 1: Greek Cypriot National Day
Variable: Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church) 29 April 2005
Variable: Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church) 2 May 2005
Variable: Pentecost-Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood) 20 June 2005
August 15: Assumption Day
October 3: Cyprus Independence Day
October 28: Greek National Day
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Boxing Day
Notes: All Public Services, private enterprises, banks and shops are
closed on Public Holidays. In resort and coastal areas, however, shops
and certain services remain open. Banks are closed on Easter Tuesday but
not on December 24.
BUSINESS / SHOPPING HOURS
PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS
Winter Period (September 1 - June 30)
Monday - Friday: 07:30 - 14:30
Thursday: 07:30 - 14:30, 15:00 - 18:00
Summer Period (July 1 - August 31)
Monday - Friday: 07:30 - 14:30
SHOPPING HOURS
Winter Period (November 1 - March 31)
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: up to 18:00hrs
Wed, Sat: up to 14:00hrs
Spring Period (April 1 - May 31) and
Autumn Period (September 15 - October 31)
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: up to 19:00hrs
Wed, Sat: up to 14:00hrs
Summer Period (June 1 - September 14)
Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri: up to 19:30hrs
Summer afternoon recess from 13:00 - 16:00 hrs
Wed, Sat: up to 14:00hrs
OFFICES HOURS
September 15 - May 31
Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 18:00
June 1 - September 14
Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 19:00
BANKING
There are commercial banks everywhere in Cyprus.
Banking hours for the public:
Monday- Friday: 08:30-13:00.
Monday: 15:15-16:45.
(June,July,August: Monday-Friday: 08:15-13:00)
Centrally located Banks on all tourist regions provide "afternoon tourist services".
Banks at the Larnaka and Pafos International Airports provide services
in the daytime, as well as a night service for most flights.
A number of Automatic Exchange Machines (ATMs) operate on a 24hrs basis
in central places of all towns and the main tourist resorts, Agia Napa
and Paralimni. Most currencies and denominations are acceptable.
Bank holidays are the same as Public Holidays plus Easter Tuesday. Christmas Eve is a working day for banks.
Credit Cards
Most credit cards are widely accepted, both at shops, restaurants etc and commercial banks for cash withdrawals.
Currency - Exchange Rates
The currency of the Republic is the European Currency (Euro) - EU €.
Notes and coins currently in circulation are as follows:
There are €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 bank notes in circulation and 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents, 1 euro and 2 euro coins.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
In case of emergency, immediate response is given by the following telephone numbers, where English is spoken:
Ambulance: 199, 112
Fire Service: 199, 112
Police: 199, 112
Night Pharmacies: 192
DRIVING IN CYPRUS
Excellent, four lane motorways connect the capital, Lefkosia with the
coastal towns of Lemesos, Larnaka and Pafos, as well as these towns
between them.
Good surfaced roads complying with international traffic requirements link the towns and the various villages.
Forest roads are still largely unsurfaced but in good to fair condition.
Appropriate care should be taken when using these roads, especially
during wet weather.
Driving in Cyprus is in accordance to the British way, i.e. the cars
wheels are on the right side of the car and drivers must drive on the
left side of the road.
Hands free during driving is mandatory
During driving, the driver should take all necessary measures, so that
his/her hands are free at all times in order to have full control of the
vehicle. Therefore the use of a mobile phone is strictly prohibited,
unless a hands free devici is used.
Driving licence
Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a valid International driving
licence, or their National driving licence, provided it is valid for the
class of vehicle they wish to drive.
Gas fueling
Motor fuel and unleaded petrol may be bought in unlimited quantities at Petrol stations.
Petrol stations in Nicosia, all seaside areas and many rural areas are
equipped with petrol vending machines, accepting bank notes and credit
cards. Vending machines operate during non-working hours, on weekends
and on holidays. Petrol stations in rural areas may be found open on
Weekends and on Holidays.
MINI GUIDE TO DRIVERS
Traffic moves on the LEFT hand-side of the road, NOT on the right.
International road traffic signs are in use, and placed along the roads and highways, on the left hand-side.
Distances and road speed limits are posted in kilometres and kilometre-per hour (km/h) respectively.
The use of front and back seat-belts is compulsory.
Children under the age of five MUST NOT, under any circumstances, sit in the front passenger seat.
Driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle or pedal cycle with
alcohol concentration in breath or blood above the prescribed limit, is
an offence.
Safety in Cyprus
Cyprus is a very safe place, either to visit or stay. Crime in Cyprus
is, comparatively, at a very low level. The Police is always ready to
assist anyone who needs help. In case of emergency, one may telephone
199 or 112 (in all towns). All policemen speak good English.
Drugs
According to Cypriot Law, the importation, possession and use of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, is strictly prohibited.
There are imprisoning penalties for importing or using such substances.