The European nation that’s technically in the Middle East and seeing a surge in tourism

Tucked away in the eastern Mediterranean Sea is a beautiful island that is quickly becoming a favourite holiday spot, especially for a certain group of British travellers.

This country sits close to countries like Turkey and Lebanon, which places it geographically in West Asia and the Middle East.

Despite this, it has been part of the European Union for more than 20 years, so politically it is classed as European.

Most people on the island also have Greek heritage, which gives it a strong Southeastern European feel. Because of this mix, Cyprus is often seen as a link between Europe and the Middle East.

Now, travel insurance company Just Travel Cover has shared new research showing a big rise in Cyprus holidays among a specific group of UK tourists.

One of the most interesting findings from their High Season Highlights: Summer 2025 Travel Trends report was the huge jump in Cyprus trips booked by older British travellers.

Their data shows a 68 percent increase in travel insurance policies for trips to Cyprus compared to last year.

For people aged over 60, quotes have risen by 20 percent, as more holidaymakers look for new places instead of sticking to Spain or Greece.

According to the company, this shows changing travel habits among older UK tourists, with many now searching for destinations that feel familiar but still offer something different.

Cyprus is actually the third biggest and third most populated island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily and Sardinia. Its capital and largest city is Nicosia, also called Lefkosia.

The northeast part of the island is controlled by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not widely recognised. This area is separated from the Republic of Cyprus by the United Nations Buffer Zone, a demilitarised strip set up in 1964.

Tourism plays a huge role in the Cypriot economy, with around four million visitors arriving each year. In 2024, the island reached a new milestone, welcoming 4.04 million tourists. This was a 5.1 percent rise from the previous year and even beat the record set before the pandemic in 2019.

Discover more hidden gems with our interactive map!

Did you know we have a Hidden Gem Finder on our website? This handy little map shows over 12,000 hidden gems across the entire world with their exact co-ordinates available to view on Google Maps as well as an image/description for each one!

Click to view Hidden Gem Finder!