Everybody loves a market, the haggling plus the sights and sounds of a traditional Cyprus Nazapaki make for a great few hours whether shopping for gifts or checking out some local fayre. Along with all the usual tourist tat there are plenty of traditional Cypriot foods to try out such as home made haloumi cheeses, nuts and tasty Cyprus breads. If wandering around a market in the summer sun is not your idea of a day out you can relax in one of the Nazapaki tavernas with a nice cold beer or even treat yourself to a traditional sovalaki lunch cooked right there on the barbi. Remember that markets are supposed to be about bargains so don't be shy about haggling over the prices because you might surprise yourself at the deals you can get.
If you want big then the Oroklini Sunday market is the place to visit. With hundreds of stalls you are sure to find something to take back home even if its some fresh fruit and veg for your dinner. Most of the excursion companies combine a visit to Oroklini market with a trip to the nearby camel park and it's a nice break from the journey especially if you need the loo. Don't go looking for the Oroklini market however after the end of April 2011 because it won't be there. From the beginning of May 2011 the market will be moving to its old home on the Dekelia road just outside Larnaca town. Apparently there have been some ongoing problems at Oroklini due to the event being held next to a conservation area frequented by migrating birds during the winter months.
A few miles up the highway towards Agia Napa you can have a great day out at the Agia Theakla Wednesday market that is held throughout the year right across the road from the beach. The place is very popular with tourist during the summer months and the local expat community keeps it a busy place through the winter. There is a large restaurant on the site as well as several other food vendors including a jacket potato barrow so snacks or even dinner should be no problem. Combining a trip to the market with a visit to the little church of Agia Theakla and the secret cave used by early Christians make it a nice day out for the whole family.
If Fridays are better for you there is a brand new purpose built market just around the corner near the Agia Napa water park and go-kart track. Why not visit the market in the morning and then have a fun filled day at the water park afterwards? Visitors to Cyprus during the winter months can also take advantage of the Agia Napa open market in the square. This event is held every Saturday from the beginning of November until mid April. It is very popular with the many long stay visitors from Norway, Sweden and Scandinavia who winter in Cyprus every year. So if its markets in Cyprus you are looking for there are plenty to choose from. Enjoy Cyprus!