Plan holidays to Cyprus and uncover a Mediterranean jumble of Crusader castles, Greek Orthodox cathedrals and golden, sun-drenched beaches.

Set on the eastern end of the Mediterranean, sunny Cyprus stands with one foot in Europe and the other pointed toward Asia. Golden sand beaches and aquamarine bays rim Cyprus' exterior, from antiquity-rich Paphos in the west to party town Ayia Napa in the southeast. Inland, the Troodos Mountains promise a curious mix of rugged alpine skiing and hidden, incense-scented Orthodox monasteries. Northern Cyprus is home to the island's Byzantine ramparts and mosques. Heady Turkish coffees and Greek baklavas fill bakeries in capital Nicosia, where the two cultures meld.

Best of Cyprus holidays for...

• Kids & teens: Kids of all ages will love splashing around by the Mediterranean beaches of Girne in Northern Cyprus. Spend the morning walking through Byzantine Girne Castle before heading to the beach to create your own sand imitations beneath graceful palm trees.
• Romance: Legend has it that Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty, was born near Limassol. Soak up her spirit on an afternoon visit, then head to Larnaca harbour for a romantic dinner overlooking the waterfront.
• Grown-up families: Intricate Roman mosaics and sombre-looking Byzantine icons fill museums in the seaside town of Paphos. When you've had enough culture, head to Paphos' excellent swimming beach.

• Relaxing: Want to do nothing more demanding than perfect your tan on your Cyprus holidays? Plant your umbrella at Nissi Beach, then compare it to the sun-drenched sands of Protaras Beach for a holiday free of deep thinking.
• Shopping: The narrow stalls of Nicosia's Büyük Han market have lightened shoppers' pockets for centuries. Shopkeepers call out the merits of their goods — pungent ground spices, coarsely-woven textiles and terracotta ceramics — at shops within the 16th-century caravansary.
• Nightlife: Join hordes of revellers diving into the energy of Ayia Napa, where hot all-night parties are cooled by a Mediterranean breeze and icy cocktails. Come morning, you can recover under the sunshine and rustling palms of Nissi Beach.
• Active types: Can't decide what to do? If you visit in winter, snowcover in the Troodos Mountains means you can go skiing in the morning, then make the short drive to coastal Limassol for an afternoon of windsurfing. Year-round, there are walking trails in the mountains and along the coast, so there's no excuse to sit around!