Discover the hidden gems: holidays in Paphos, Cyprus!

Discover the hidden gems: holidays in Paphos, Cyprus!

Holiday planning for the coming summer is just around the corner, and many travelers are looking for lesser-known but still attractive destinations on the Mediterranean. Popular travel destinations such as Mallorca, Crete and the Côte d’Azur are often overcrowded. That's why TUI and the AI ​​tool Perplexity have discovered three exciting alternatives that are perfect for a relaxing summer vacation.

First up is Paphos in Cyprus. As well as being the administrative headquarters of the Paphos district, this port city offers impressive weather conditions with over 11 hours of sunshine daily and hardly any rain - only half a rainy day per month. With 520 restaurants, 95 of which have received Traveller’s Choice Awards, Paphos is a gastronomic paradise. The city secured first place in the Sunny Season Hidden Gem Ranking, with a Sunny Season Score of 77.1.

Top travel destinations away from the crowds

Calvià in Spain and Larnaka in Cyprus follow in second and third place. Calvià, known for its beautiful beaches, offers 11.7 hours of sunshine daily and two rainy days per month. With 702 restaurants, including 80 that received the Traveller’s Choice Award, the culinary diversity here is great. Larnaca, on the other hand, delights with 11.95 hours of sunshine and only half a day of rain per month. There are 320 restaurants open here, including 24 with the Traveller’s Choice Award.

These destinations are also selected based on their climatic conditions, culinary offerings and safety. In addition to Paphos, Calvià and Larnaca, there are many other sunny destinations to explore. Places like Chios in Greece, Seferihisar in Turkey or Šibenik in Croatia offer similar weather conditions and are ideal destinations for travelers who want to relax away from the classic hotspots.

Culinary highlights in the Hidden Gems

The culinary selection in these lesser-known places is extensive. In Paphos, visitors can expect fresh seafood, halloumi and hearty lamb dishes. Calvià tempts with traditional dishes such as paella and tumbet, while in Larnaka a variety of dishes delight the taste buds. The selection of authentic restaurants helps you experience the local lifestyle up close.

Paphos, Calvià and Larnaca are not only perfect destinations for sun worshipers but also for gourmets. TUI's ranking shows that a holiday doesn't have to take place in overcrowded tourist destinations, but that there are many hidden gems in the Mediterranean that are worth discovering. A holiday in these places not only promises ideal weather, but also an authentic experience. Discover the diversity of these Mediterranean destinations and enjoy an unforgettable summer.

For more information on the best travel recommendations in the Mediterranean, visit the pages of derwesten.de and tui.com.