Cyprus continues to strengthen its position as one of the Mediterranean's most popular tourist destinations. According to new data from Eurostat, tourist accommodation establishments across the island recorded 5,580,873 overnight stays in July and August 2025, highlighting the strong demand for holidays during the peak summer season.
In July, the number of overnight stays reached 2,627,725, while in August the figure increased to 2,953,148. August traditionally remains the busiest month for hotels, aparthotels, and other tourist accommodation not only in Cyprus but across the European Union.
These results reflect the continued growth of the tourism industry, which remains one of the key pillars of the Cypriot economy. The island continues to attract visitors thanks to its warm climate, well-developed infrastructure, safe environment, and convenient air connections with Europe and the Middle East.
The shoulder season remains highly popular
Tourist numbers remain strong even after the peak summer months. In September 2025, Cyprus recorded 2,484,732 overnight stays, followed by 2,382,970 in October. These figures confirm that the shoulder season remains one of the most popular times to visit the island.
Visitor numbers begin to decline only with the arrival of winter. Overnight stays fell to 859,936 in November and 504,843 in December. Despite this seasonal slowdown, Cyprus remains a year-round destination thanks to its mild winters, cultural events, gastronomic tourism, and the growing popularity of outdoor activities in the Troodos Mountains.
Cyprus continues to experience strong seasonality
According to Eurostat, an average of 31.1% of all overnight stays in tourist accommodation across the European Union in 2025 took place during July and August. These two months were the busiest period for the tourism industry in every EU member state.
Seasonality is influenced by climate, geographical location, school holidays, and the traditional summer vacation period. In Cyprus, the summer months remain the peak season due to high sea and air temperatures, although autumn also delivers impressive tourism figures.
Croatia recorded the highest seasonal concentration of tourists, with 54.5% of all overnight stays occurring in July and August. It was followed by Bulgaria with 43.4% and Greece with 41.6%. The least seasonal markets were Malta (21.9%), Germany (24.0%), and Finland (24.1%).
Across the European Union, August was the busiest month of 2025. According to Eurostat, the number of overnight stays in August was 3.6 times higher than in January, traditionally the quietest month for tourism. Some countries showed particularly strong seasonal patterns. In Croatia, for example, overnight stays in August were 41.1 times higher than in January, while in Greece they were 20.5 times higher.
What this means for Cyprus' tourism industry
The strong figures confirm that Cyprus' tourism sector continues to expand steadily. Both the government and the private sector are focusing not only on summer holidays but also on extending the tourist season. In recent years, event tourism, sports tourism, gastronomic tourism, and business travel have all grown significantly, helping to attract more visitors during the off-season.
Experts believe that further expansion of air connectivity, the opening of new hotel developments, and continued investment in infrastructure will help Cyprus maintain strong international demand and reinforce its position as one of the Mediterranean's leading holiday destinations. If current trends continue, 2026 could also become one of the most successful years for the island's tourism industry.