Shopping opportunities in South Cyprus
Cyprus is widely known as a tourist destination and hence provides all international students with a diverse range of products and places to shop from. Some of the main shopping feature to look out or include:
- Local stores (usually in close proximity and close late)
- Supermarkets and departmental stores (usually less pricey and have a wider range of products)
- Shopping malls (all in one stop shop facilities)
- Cafes, restaurants, fun parks, bookshops, art galleries
- Street markets
The island has a modern European touch, with most brands be it fast food or clothing lines being found in Cyprus. That said, Cyprus has its own local unique street markets which usually sell items at bargain prices and are run weekly in cities throughout the island. Most shops accept both credit and debit cards as well as cash in hand.
The main currency exchange in Cyprus is Euros, however other international currencies such as the pound and dollar are usually accepted. In cities such as Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos, huge multinational company brands and factories are a common scene.
Some reputable names include Nike, Adidas, Mango and Zara, MacDonald’s, KFC etc. the island has beautiful and stylish shopping malls that dazzle all their consumers with a not only pleasant experience but an unlimited number of shopping options.
With a largely British culture and population, students will definitely have a pleasant shopping experience and language is likely not to be a barrier to another awesome advantage of the shopping experience of studying in Cyprus.
Although on average cost of living in Cyprus is a bit costly with average monthly expenditure being approximated at 600Euros (inclusive of private accommodation, utilities, food and transportation etc.) students would be delighted to know that most places have sales offers, discounts and certain markets, facilities and products have set aside student prices so as to reduce financial burden.
Some shopping places to look out for in Cyprus’s major cities are:
Ayia Napa:
- Kriou Nerou St
- Nissi Avenue,
- Protaras Avenue
Paphos:
- Apostolou Pavlou St
- Posidonos Avenue,
- Makarios Avenue
Nicosia:
- Makarios Avenue
- Stasikratous St
- Ledra Street
Limassol:
- Georgiou A seaside road
- Anexartisias St
- Makarios Avenue
Ultimately shopping in Cyprus is certainly an experience one should look forward to and RocAppply has compiled a basic run down to equip our dear international students on what to expect cost wise on a wide range of products and services:
Food
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district €12
- Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) €6
- 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast €3.80
- 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk €1.37
- 12 eggs, large €3.11
- 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes €1.48
- 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese €3.55
- 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples €1.83
- 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes €0.79
- 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket €1.11
- 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality €5.35
- 2 liters of Coca-Cola €1.90
- Bread for 2 people for 1 day €1.34
Housing
- Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in flat €105
- Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in studio €64
- Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)€27
- 40” flat screen TV €344
- Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) €85
- Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) €5.58
- Hourly rate for cleaning help €6
Clothes
- 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) €63
- 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) €36
- 1 pair of sports shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) €70
- 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes €87
- Transportation
- 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas€1.22
- Monthly ticket public transport €39
Personal Care
- Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) €5.50
- 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) €13
- Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) €48
- 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB ...) €4.58
- Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) €3.48
- Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) €3.54
- 4 rolls of toilet paper €1.85
- Tube of toothpaste €2.24
- Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city €11
Entertainment
- Basic dinner out for two in neighbourhood pub €31
- 2 tickets to the movies €16
- 2 tickets to the theatre (best available seats) €35
- Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetizers, main course, wine and dessert €43
- 1 cocktail drink in downtown club €8
- Cappuccino in expat area of the city €2.97
- 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) €3.04
- iPad Wi-Fi 128GB €493
- 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) €0.09
- 1 month of gym membership in business district €56
- 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes €4.72
