What kind of money circulates in Cyprus? Currency of Cyprus. What is the currency in Cyprus? For a holiday in Cyprus, three visa options are suitable for you

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and Sardinia, the place where the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, emerged from the foam of the sea.

Cyprus is an independent island state in the Eastern Mediterranean that joined the European Union in 2004.

The island is divided into two parts - Greek and Turkish. The hotel base is entirely located in the Greek part of Cyprus, located on the south-eastern part of the island.

Geographical position

The Republic of Cyprus occupies the large, north-eastern part of the territory of the island of Cyprus, which it shares with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Great Britain.

The length of the island is about 230 km, and its width is about 80 km. The closest neighbors by sea are: Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt. The country's landscape is formed by two mountain ranges running parallel to each other across the island: Troodos (Olympos - 1952 m) and Kyrenia (Kiparisovunon - 1024 m).

The territory of the Republic of Cyprus is 5.9 thousand square meters. km, Northern Cyprus - 3.35 thousand sq. km. In the north, the coastline of the island is rugged and rocky, in the south it is flat, with long sandy beaches.

The capital of the island is Nicosia.

Climate

The climate is subtropical Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers starting in mid-May and ending in mid-October. The island has a fairly mild, rainy winter, lasting from mid-November to mid-March. Spring and autumn seasons are very short and characterized by comfortable weather. The average temperature in August is 28°C, in January - 10°C.

The average annual precipitation is 530 mm, which mainly occurs from October to March. The sun shines 342 days a year in Cyprus. The temperature here fluctuates within very minimal limits throughout the year, making the change of seasons smooth and almost imperceptible.

Difference in time

In winter, time in Cyprus lags behind Moscow by 1 hour, in summer time corresponds to Moscow.

Visa

The Republic of Cyprus is part of the European Union, but is not a party to the Schengen Agreement - there is no need to obtain a Schengen visa to visit the island.

How to get there

Direct flights from Moscow to Cyprus airports take an average of 3.5 hours.

History of the name of Cyprus

According to historical data, the name “Cyprus” was first used by the Hellenes in the era of Homer, from whom it was then borrowed by other peoples. In total, there are five different versions of the origin of the name of the island of Cyprus.

Some researchers believe that the name “Cyprus” comes from the ancient Greek name for the lawsonia plant, which sounded like “cypros”. However, it is worth noting that it is quite difficult to find it in Cyprus, so the theory about the origin of the name of the island from this plant raises some questions.

Another popular version is the origin of the name from the Latin word “cuprum” - copper. The fact is that it was in Cyprus that one of the first copper deposits in the world was discovered and began to be developed.

State structure

Cyprus is a democratic state governed by the rule of law with a republican form of government. The Constitution adopted in 1960 is in force (in the occupied territory - in 1975 and 1983).

The head of state is the president. According to the Constitution, the president must be Greek and the vice-president must be Turkish. Both are elected by the population for a term of 5 years; the president - the Greek community, the vice-president - the Turkish.

The highest executive body is the Council of Ministers, headed by the president and vice-president. It includes 11 ministries (foreign affairs, finance, internal affairs, defense, education, communications and public works, trade and industry, agriculture and natural resources, labor and social security, health, justice).

Armed Forces: Greek Cypriot National Guard. Military duty is for boys over 18 years of age.

Language

The official languages ​​are Greek and Turkish. In addition, due to the fact that Cyprus was a British colony for a long time, English is widely spoken on the island.

Religion

The main population of the island are Greeks and Turks. The British, Russians and Armenians also live here. Turkish Cypriots live in the north of Cyprus, and ethnic Greeks live in the south.

There are two main religions here: Orthodox Christianity and Islam. The church plays an important role in the state and influences many aspects of the lives of citizens. In this small area there are more than 500 temples and 10 monasteries. In addition to Orthodox churches, there are Catholic, Armenian and Maronite churches. Many also practice Judaism and other religions.

Attractions

Troodos- the largest mountain range in Cyprus, full of villages, wineries and monasteries. There is a ski resort, trout farms, donkey farms and much more.

Cape Cavo Greco- a landmark built by nature itself. This place attracts with its unusual caves. The cape gained fame as the most romantic place in Cyprus thanks to the “Lover's Bridge” - an arch made of rock hanging over the sea.

Lefkara village- the most famous village of Cyprus, in the vicinity of which there are 18 ancient chapels and architectural monuments, is famous throughout the world for its unsurpassed embroidery and silver filigree jewelry.

Sculpture Park in Ayia Napa- 155 statues by 115 sculptors from all over the world are exhibited here.

Church of St. Lazarus- the oldest and most beautiful church in Cyprus, which is one of the “calling cards” of the island.

Larnaca Fortress- a medieval fortress of the 14th century, which was intended to guard the harbor. Currently there is a medieval museum located here.

Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque- one of the most revered shrines in the Muslim world after Mecca, Medina and the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Kolossi Castle- a fortress of the Crusader knights, built in the 13th century.

Limassol Castle- at one time, the wedding of the English king Richard the Lionheart took place within its walls. Nowadays the castle houses a museum of the Middle Ages.

Archaeological Museum in Limassol- the main part of the collection consists of items discovered during excavations at ancient burial sites.

Archaeological Park in Paphos is an open-air museum where excavations revealed ancient mosaics, city walls, a bridge, basilicas and stone streets.

Byzantine Museum in Paphos- here are unique objects from Christian times, among which numerous icons are especially interesting.

Medieval castle in Paphos- a defensive fortress from the 13th century, which is now open to tourists as a museum. From the roof of the castle there is a magnificent panoramic view of the sea and the city.

Royal Tombs- catacombs, an almost underground city with towering buildings on the surface. Columns, wells, arches and passages have been preserved in many rooms.

Church of Panagia Theoskepasti- one of the points of Christian pilgrimage thanks to the silver-plated icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary kept there, according to legend, written by the Evangelist Luke himself.

Petra Tou Romio Beach- this is where, according to legend, the goddess of love emerged from the foam of the sea. Here you can also see a rock called “Aphrodite’s stone”, which is believed to have the magical power of love and youth.

Church of St. Elijah the Prophet- it is built on the top of a cliff, at an altitude of 115 meters above sea level. Next to the Church of St. Elijah there is a “wishing tree” on which visitors tie colorful ribbons, hoping for the fulfillment of all their wishes.

Wedding ceremonies

Cyprus is one of the most popular destinations for wedding ceremonies. After all, this is the island of the goddess of love - Aphrodite, the air of this place is saturated with love and romance.

The island offers several ceremony options for couples. One of the advantages is that a marriage registered on the territory of the Republic in Russia and other countries is recognized as valid. Symbolic ceremonies are carried out in compliance with ancient wedding rituals, a large selection of venues is provided, and transfers are organized for the couple from the hotel to the ceremony site and back. When holding an official wedding, a trip to the municipality is organized for the lovers to submit an application and documents, a consultation is held on collecting the necessary documents and checking them, on the wedding day, a representative of the company accompanies the couple to the municipality for the wedding celebration, and provides assistance with translation.

Myths and legends

One very ancient legend says: The Creator finished creating the world and then shook off the remaining lumps of clay from his hands that fell into the sea - from one of them Cyprus arose.

According to ancient legends, Cyprus is the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, which is why many memorable places on the island are associated with her name. Aphrodite was born from the seed and blood of her castrated father Uranus. Foaming, the sea gave birth to one of the most beautiful goddesses, who sailed to the shore of Cyprus and here came onto land. Aphrodite often helped the Cypriot lovers and was herself struck by Cupid's arrow. It was here that the goddess of beauty was inflamed with love for the mortal youth Adonis.

Zeus, the supreme god of Olympus, also loved the picturesque island very much and often walked here, turning into a beautiful young man. The Cypriots set a generous table for the handsome rich man, sang for him, all the beauties fawned over the unrecognized Zeus.

Another legend tells us about Pygmalion, a sculptor who lived in Cyprus. He created a statue of a beautiful woman from ivory and fell in love with her. He prayed to Aphrodite so that the goddess would breathe life into the statue. Touched by such love, Aphrodite revived the sculpture and it turned into a woman named Galatea, who became the wife of Pygmalion.

• There are approximately 40 thousand Russians living in Cyprus
• It snows every year in Cyprus
• When in Cyprus, you should not talk to Greek Cypriots about the division of the island, as this topic is extremely painful for them
• There is practically no theft in Cyprus
• There are no railways in Cyprus. More precisely, there is one, but it was closed due to unprofitability in the middle of the last century
• Most Cypriots have a very cool attitude towards alcohol, preferring non-alcoholic cocktails
• films in Cypriot cinemas are shown without translation, in the original language, with subtitles in Greek
• there are no paid beaches in Cyprus - they are all owned by the state, and therefore they are free
• Cyprus is the country with the most sunny days per year in the entire Mediterranean region
• from the northern coast of the island in good weather you can see Turkey
• At Cypriot weddings there are thousands of guests
• Cypriots do not meet on the street or in public places. This mostly happens through friends.
• The vast majority of Cypriots do not read books - newspapers and magazines are widely used here

Public transport

Public transport in Cyprus is not popular. There are no metro, trams, or trolleybuses here, and all locals travel by private car.

The bus is the most affordable, but not very convenient way to get around the island. Buses do not run frequently, with fewer services on Saturday and Sunday.

You can order a regular taxi that will take you anywhere on the island. Or rent a car.

Driving in Cyprus is on the left.

Kitchen

Cypriot cuisine contains elements of other cuisines, primarily Greek and Turkish. Unlike Turkish cuisine, in Cyprus they use less hot spices, but a lot of herbs.

Local products produced by farmers are used to prepare dishes in Cyprus. The climate is good for farming, allowing for high yields of fruits, vegetables and nuts. Therefore, vegetables in different forms are present in many dishes.

National cuisine:

Pete- local bread in the form of flat cakes made from unleavened dough, often used as a kind of plate for meat and vegetable dishes.

Meze- several small plates with snacks, ranging from vegetables and sauces to cold cuts of meat or fish.

Suvla- a Cypriot version of lamb, pork or chicken kebabs, prepared according to the original recipe. In Cyprus, it is not customary to marinate meat for souvla or use spices.

Kleftiko- lamb meat stewed in the oven.

Tzatziki (tzatziki)- unsweetened, thick yogurt with cucumbers, mint and garlic. Tzatziki is the Greek name for the dish; Cypriots call it talaturi. There is also a slight difference in preparation: Greeks grate cucumbers on a coarse grater, Cypriots cut them into small cubes.

Taramasalata- smoked cod roe puree soaked in milk, bread, potatoes and olive oil.

Sheftalia- an oblong cutlet made of minced meat, flavored with seasonings, herbs and wrapped in pork caul, and then fried over coals.

Halloumi- cheese, known in Cyprus since the mid-16th century, is made from sheep and goat milk.

Currency

The official currency in Cyprus since January 1, 2008 is the Euro (EURO).

Shopping and souvenirs

Probably the most popular purchase is olive oil. It is produced on the island not only in factories specially designed for this. Many villages in Cyprus still have oil mills that produce extra virgin oil.

Theoretically, you can exchange dollars for euros in Russia very profitably. To do this, we recommend finding aggregator pages on the Internet for exchange rates of different banks, finding banks with the best rates for selling dollars and buying euros, then go to exchange first at the first bank, then at the second. As a result, you can reduce losses to 0.8-0.9%, but is the benefit worth your time and effort? Decide for yourself.

Where to change money in Cyprus?

The best place is at exchange offices; they are open from early morning until late evening. Many large hotels have exchange offices. You can even change it at the airport; the exchange rate here is not as bad as we are used to seeing at Russian airports.

You can change it at ATMs, they work 24 hours, but the losses will be about 4-5%. This is an emergency option.

The rate at banks is much better, but they are open in the summer season from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00. They don't work at all on weekends. This is a typical bank operating schedule in Cyprus, of course, each bank's operating schedule is slightly different.

Should I take rubles?

Naturally not! Neither taxi drivers, nor merchants, nor ticket offices at attractions will accept rubles. Not a single exchanger works with Russian rubles, not a single ATM accepts them. You can only exchange rubles at a bank, and you will still have to look for such a bank. Leave your rubles at home.

How much money should I take?

Bank cards VISA and MASTERCARD

All hotels, large stores, supermarkets and restaurants accept VISA and MASTERCARD cards. Taxi drivers are NOT accepting taxis yet. Small souvenir shops, cafes and taverns may NOT accept cards.

Unfortunately, while in Cyprus you objectively need cash - buy a bus pass, pay for a taxi, buy water in a small shop, pay for a ticket to an attraction.

If you prefer cards, then you don’t need a lot of cash in your pocket; about 50 euros for small expenses will be enough for your eyes.

Cardholders should take into account that there is a loss of money when paying. If the card is in rubles, then the exchange for euros will not take place at the best rate. Prepare for losses of 3-5% compared to using cash.

When planning a trip to the island, you should take care of exchanging Russian currency for foreign currency. The currency of Cyprus has undergone significant changes in recent years. Are Cypriot liras in circulation today and are euros relevant for travel?

What currency is accepted in Cyprus

Before Cyprus joined the European Union in 2008, the currency of the republic and the main monetary unit was the Cypriot pound - CY£ or CYP. This money has been around since the 19th century. One Cypriot pound at that time was equal to one British pound sterling.

What was the currency in Cyprus before the euro?

The national currency of Cyprus - the Cypriot pound is also called " lyre» ( CYP). Cypriot pounds are exchanged at the rate of 1 CYP to 2 US$. Cypriot pounds were issued in three languages: Greek, English and Turkish.

Coins Cypriot pounds:

• one cent - 1/100 of a pound;
• two cents - 2/100th of a pound;
• five cents - 5/100th of a pound;
• ten cents - 10/100th of a pound;
• twenty cents - 20/100ths of a pound;
• fifty cents is 50/100th of a pound.

The Government of Cyprus has established that the exchange of currency, Cypriot pound, ended December 31, 2009. And the exchange period for Cypriot pound banknotes, which are still in use, will last until December 31, 2017.

A complete list of local currency currencies can be found on the Bank of Cyprus website.

Cypriot pound notes (CYP)

What currency to pay in Cyprus: introduction of the euro

With the adoption of the common currency of the member countries of the European Union, the transition to the euro was carried out at the rate € = CY£ 0.585274.

The Euro currency, adopted as the main monetary unit in Cyprus, is issued in banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros.

One Euro is equal to 100 cents. Euro cents come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 units.

A feature of the international currency Euro, recognized in the territory of the European Union as the official currency of the country, including Cyprus, is that one side of a banknote or coin is the same for everyone. The other side reflects the national status of a Eurozone member state. All of them are freely convertible throughout the Union, regardless of nationality.

Take a trip on tour to Cyprus from 10,000 rub..

Cyprus currency for 2017

In 2015, you can pay for goods and services on the island using the single European currency - the euro. Cypriot pounds remain in circulation for another two years.

Ratio of Cyprus currency to ruble

You can find out the exchange of euros to Russian rubles at the exchange office of the bank where your card is serviced or your deposit is opened. The rate set by private banks may differ from that announced by the Central Bank of Russia.

The Cypriot pound is recognized as a non-convertible currency. You can exchange for rubles in a limited number of banks in Russia.

The exchange rate is set by the servicing bank. You can find out the level of currency value ratio, for example, using the reference resource forexcity.ru.

Cyprus currency which is better to take

Since the circulation of Cypriot pounds in Russia is limited, tourists are advised to take euros with them in cash or on a card. Due to economic unrest on the island, it is advisable to hold a certain amount of paper notes due to the possible suspension of cash withdrawals from ATMs in the country. American dollars are accepted for payment, however, at a less favorable rate than in Russia.

Forms of payment in Cyprus

Payment in Cyprus is accepted in cash in euros and convertible currency US dollars. Cashless payments are possible using cards of international payment systems Visa, Mastercard, American Express traveler's checks.

The exchange rate for the local currency, the Euro, against other foreign currencies is published daily by all banks in Cyprus. You can find out the official exchange rate on the Bank of Cyprus website.

Before traveling to Cyprus, you must make sure to exchange Russian rubles for EU banknotes or any other convertible currency, for example, US dollars. Ruble banknotes are not accepted for payment or exchange in Cyprus.

Banks of Cyprus

The largest bank in Cyprus is the Central Bank of Cyprus.

Money in Cyprus can be exchanged at banks, hotels and ATMs.
Operating hours of banks in Cyprus:

• Summer time (from May to September) – from 8:15-1:30.
• Winter time (October to April) – from 8:30 to 13:30, from 15:15 to 16:45.
• Saturday, Sunday are days off.

Find out the exchange rate in Cyprus today

Information on the ratio of the Cypriot pound to the ruble is for reference only. The ratio is determined by fluctuations in the convertible currency euro.

Approximate course 1 CYP to 47.04 RUR.

Currency exchange offices in Cyprus

It is more profitable to exchange currencies on the island in banks. It is advisable to choose institutions with a fixed commission. Typically its size is 1-2% of the exchanged amount. For foreign currency withdrawals, banks typically charge 4% of the cash amount.

Starting on January 1, 2008, Cyprus officially switched to the euro (the state has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and is also part of the so-called Eurozone). Accordingly, the official currency of Cyprus is the euro. Until the transition to Euromoney, the country had been using its own national currency since 1879 - the Cypriot pound (international code - CYP).

“Please note: we are talking about the southern part of the island. In Northern Cyprus, which, as is known, is a separate territory, since the mid-70s. Since the last century, Turkish lira have been used as currency.”

What currency should I pay in Cyprus?

As in other EU countries, all payments in the southern part of the island of Cyprus are carried out in a single euro currency - the euro. Among other things, bank cards are accepted for payment - and almost everywhere. As is the case with other European countries, we recommend that you open a MasterCard bank card when traveling in Cyprus, which will avoid the internal conversion of euros into dollars, as is the case with card products of the Visa payment system.

Currency of Cyprus to ruble

In order to find out how the national currency of Cyprus is quoted against the Russian ruble, it is enough to inquire about the current exchange rate of the euro, which can be found almost everywhere. You should not go on vacation to Cyprus with rubles - 99% of local exchange offices do not accept them for exchange. If you are lucky enough to find an “exchange” willing to buy your rubles, the exchange rate for such an exchange will be unpleasantly surprising.

According to information as of September 2015, the official euro/Russian ruble exchange rates were as follows:

• For 1 EUR you could get 74.97 RUB,
• 1 RUB was equal to 0.01 EUR (that is, for 100 rubles you could buy 1 euro).

Data from the European Central Bank are shown as of September 19, 2015. Please note that this is an official rate. In addition, in Cyprus itself, actual exchange rates may also differ from those shown above.

Currency exchange in Cyprus

Without exaggeration, you can exchange dollars and other currencies for euros everywhere. There are a sufficient number of exchange offices at post offices, hotels, transport agencies, shops, large shopping and entertainment centers. Naturally, currency exchange is carried out by bank branches. In addition, you can make an exchange at many ATMs that operate 24/7 (just keep in mind that the commission in this case will be much higher and amount to 4-5%).

“Be prepared for the fact that in order to exchange one banknote for another, you will be required to present a passport.”

Exchange rates in Cyprus

How can I find out about current exchange rates in the southern part of Cyprus while outside the country? Reliable information about fluctuations in the euro exchange rate on the island can be found on the official website of Eurobank Cyprus or on numerous RuNet resources dedicated to currency conversion. In addition, the euro exchange rate against the ruble, dollar and many other world currencies is regularly published in the corresponding section of Sravni.ru. You can calculate the amount of rubles or dollars required to exchange for euros using a currency calculator.

Cyprus: currency for tourists

Experienced travelers who have already visited the countries of the Eurozone know that they need to travel to such countries (including Cyprus) with euros in the form of cash or on a card account. Of course, on the island it is possible to exchange American dollars for euros, but, as practice shows, such an exchange operation will not be the most profitable solution. It is for this reason that most Russian tourists prefer to exchange rubles for euros back in Russia, as well as open bank currency cards of the MasterCard payment system in euros.

Currency in Northern Cyprus

The lira is used as the currency in Northern Cyprus; the euro is also considered the official currency. Its official designation is TL. It is worth checking the exchange rate of the Turkish lira to the euro or US dollar at official exchange offices, which operate almost everywhere in the country. By the way, it is worth noting that at the current rate you can pay in euros, pounds sterling or US dollars in Cypriot restaurants and small shops. Moreover, property prices in Northern Cyprus are also set in pounds sterling. Many large contracts are concluded in terms of pounds, euros or US dollars. Such contracts indicate the actual exchange rate.

VAT and tax-free

When making various types of purchases in Northern Cyprus, pay attention to whether the international tax refund system operates at a particular outlet. The fact is that in Northern Cyprus this system is represented by Global Refund Cyprus, Euro Refund Cyprus and Global Blue Cyprus. If you come to the country on vacation and are not a citizen of a country that is part of the European Union, you can use the VAT refund system, which is about 19% of the cost of the goods. You can get a VAT refund only if you are in the country for up to 90 days. At the store where you make your purchase, ask for the appropriate voucher for your return. And remember that this rule does not apply to many food products, tobacco products, and some types of services.

What is better to take to Cyprus: a bank card or cash?

Bank cards of international payment systems in Northern Cyprus are accepted almost everywhere. You can pay with a card in a souvenir shop or in a small cafe, not to mention hotels, shopping centers and restaurants. Cash may be needed if you need to buy cigarettes or a phone card. Sellers in Cyprus are reluctant to accept bank cards to pay for these goods, since bank interest on services “eats up” their revenue. You will need cash if you want to go on an excursion to a Cypriot village or are planning a trip to the mountains. Bank cards are rarely accepted in provincial towns.

How much money to take on a trip?

If you are traveling to Northern Cyprus at an all-inclusive hotel, you will need relatively little cash. To help you determine prices, consider the following factors. In chain supermarkets, the cost of a kilogram of meat is about 5-7 euros, fish – 7-8 euros. Fruits and vegetables are cheap in Cyprus. A regular lunch for two in a business-level restaurant will cost 30-40 euros. With alcohol, the check amount will double. The cost of water in stores ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 euros per two-liter bottle. A can of beer will cost you 1.5-3 euros. To travel you need to take money at the rate of 50-100 euros per day. Additionally, it is worth taking money for souvenirs and excursions.

What was the currency in Cyprus before the euro?

In 2008, Cyprus officially joined the European Union. Until this point, the official (and main) monetary currency of Cyprus was the Cypriot pound. In the international system it was designated as CYP. The monetary unit has been in force in Cyprus since the 19th century. The Cypriot pound was officially equivalent to the English pound sterling. The Cypriot pound was also popularly called the “lira” and was issued in English, Greek and Turkish. In December 2009, the Cypriot pound was officially withdrawn from circulation. The government of the country has established that those pounds that are still in circulation can be exchanged until the end of 2017.

Forms of payment in Cyprus

Most shops, restaurants and hotels in Cyprus accept euros as cash payment. Various forms of payment are available. It is also possible to make payments in US dollars. Many purchases and services in the country can be paid for by cashless payment with a bank card belonging to such international payment systems as VISA and MasterCard. You can also pay with AmericanExpress traveler's checks. Every day, banks in Cyprus publish currency exchange rates. If you are planning to travel to Cyprus, take convertible currency with you. It is better to exchange Russian rubles for US dollars or euros. There will simply be nowhere to exchange Russian rubles directly in Cyprus.

Advice from Sravni.ru: When changing money in Cyprus, be careful. There are quite a lot of counterfeit banknotes in denominations of 100 and 200 euros circulating on the island. Make sure you always have small bills in your wallet.

Cyprus is an island state in the Mediterranean Sea. Cyprus' application to join the EU was approved in 2004, after which the euro became the main currency. Before this change, the currency was the Cypriot pound.

Features of the Cypriot pound

This monetary unit was adopted back in the 19th century. The first pounds were used on the island in 1879. At the time of its adoption, it was equal to one British pound sterling. The history of its use lasted until the end of 2007.

Post-war shilling

The Cypriot shilling, which appeared after the Second World War, deserves special mention. The front side has an openwork frame in the upper left and right corners. On the sides there is an openwork frame with patterns that were previously used by such ancient civilizations as Greek and Roman. The central part is a seascape with the outlines of an island, and there is also an image of the ruler of Cyprus.

The reverse part is completely uninteresting and is a meager picture with intertwining patterns and figures. Each corner contains the denomination of the banknote. The banknote itself is not too valuable for bookmakers, but it has a worthy place in collections.

It deserves special mention because the inscription on it is made in English, Greek and Turkish. It was between these three countries that before the outbreak of World War II there were lively disputes about who should own the island.

Currency development after 1955

Until 1955 it was equal to twenty shillings. From 1955 to 1960 it was directly linked to the pound sterling. After October 1983, one pound was equal to one hundred cents. Speaking about the currency of Cyprus, it should be noted that several countries are involved in its history: Greece, Turkey and Great Britain. For example, the northern Turkish part of Cyprus began to use the Turkish lira in 1973. Only after the country joined the European Union did the euro become the currency. The last exchange of the Cypriot pound as a currency took place on December 31, 2009. Banknotes that are still in use can be exchanged until December 31, 2017.

What kind of money should you take to Cyprus now?

It is best for tourists from Russia to take euros with them to the island, because Cypriot pounds are in limited circulation in Russia. Economic unrest on the island is not an uncommon event, so it is best not to keep most of all your money on the card. Cash is needed to be able to pay if ATMs stop working. If you want to take American dollars with you and then exchange them for euros in Cyprus, then it is better to do this in Russia, since the exchange rate will be more favorable.

Form of payment in Cyprus

Payment in Cyprus is carried out in Euros. You can pay by bank transfer using Mastercard, Visa and American Express checks. Exchange rates are constantly published by Cypriot banks, and the official rate is always available on the Bank of Cyprus website.

Russian rubles are not accepted as payment on the island, so you need to convert them into dollars or euros before your trip. In the Turkish part, the most popular currency is the Turkish lira, but euros and dollars are always accepted there without any problems.

We must not forget that Cypriot banks are open only in the first half of the day. To exchange money, you need a passport. The commission differs in different places, so it is better to choose offices and bureaus with a fixed rate of 1-2%. There are not too many 24-hour ATMs that work with foreign currency, and their commission reaches up to 4%.