Groceries and Shopping in Cyprus
The retail landscape in Cyprus is a mix of large international supermarket chains, local hypermarkets, and smaller neighborhood "peripteros" (kiosks). Most residents fulfill their primary grocery needs at major chains such as Alphamega, Sklavenitis, Lidl, Metro, and Papantoniou.
Supermarkets generally operate from 07:30 to 20:00 or 21:00 from Monday to Saturday, and 09:00 to 20:00 on Sundays. In smaller villages, shops may close for a few hours during the afternoon ("siesta") or remain closed on Sunday afternoons. Under 2025 regulations, most supermarkets charge a mandatory fee for plastic bags, currently 0.06 EUR ($0.07 USD, Jan 2026) per bag, to encourage the use of reusable alternatives.
Estimated Grocery Costs (Jan 2026)
- 1 Liter of Milk: 1.65 EUR ($1.82 USD, Jan 2026)
- Loaf of Fresh Bread (500g): 1.80 EUR ($1.98 USD, Jan 2026)
- 12 Chicken Eggs: 3.90 EUR ($4.29 USD, Jan 2026)
- Local Beer (0.5L): 1.50 EUR ($1.65 USD, Jan 2026)
For fresh produce, many expatriates and locals frequent weekly open-air markets ("laiki agora") held in municipal parking lots. These markets offer seasonal fruits and vegetables at lower prices than supermarkets. You can find more information on supermarket locations via the Alphamega or Sklavenitis Cyprus official websites.
Postal Services and Deliveries
Postal services are managed by Cyprus Post, a government-regulated entity. While domestic mail delivery is generally reliable, home delivery of international parcels can vary by district. In many urban areas, small letters are delivered to home mailboxes, but larger packages usually require collection from the local district post office.
To receive a package that does not fit in a mailbox, the recipient typically receives a "Notification of Arrival" slip. You must present this slip along with a valid ID (Passport or ARC) at the specified post office to claim the item. For residents in remote areas or those seeking more security, renting a Post Office (P.O.) Box is common. The annual rental for a P.O. Box is approximately 35.00 EUR ($38.50 USD, Jan 2026).
Private Courier Alternatives
Due to the specific logistics of island delivery, private couriers are frequently used for time-sensitive or high-value items. Major providers include:
- ACS Courier: Extensive network for domestic door-to-door or point-to-point delivery.
- GAP Akis Express: Popular for fast internal transfers between cities.
- DHL/FedEx: Primarily used for international shipping.
For tracking and official rates, visit the Cyprus Post Official Portal.
Waste Management and Recycling
Waste management in Cyprus has undergone significant reform in 2025 and 2026 with the expanded implementation of the "Pay-As-You-Throw" (PAYT) system in various municipalities. Under this system, residents must purchase specific pre-paid bags for general (non-recyclable) waste, the price of which includes the waste collection fee.
Recycling is managed primarily by Green Dot Cyprus. The system is categorized into three main streams, each with specific collection methods:
Recycling Categories
- PMD (Plastic, Metal, Drink Cartons): Collected in transparent blue bags. This includes plastic bottles, cleaning product containers, metal cans, and Tetra Pak cartons.
- Paper: Collected in brown bags or tied bundles. This includes newspapers, magazines, and cardboard boxes.
- Glass: Glass is not collected from households. Residents must take glass bottles and jars to large, bell-shaped green bins located at designated points in every neighborhood.
Note: General waste collection schedules vary by municipality. PMD and Paper are typically collected once a week, often during the night or early morning hours.
Hazardous waste, such as batteries and small electronics, should be disposed of in dedicated bins found in supermarkets and public buildings through the AFIS and WEEE schemes. For detailed collection schedules for your specific street, residents can download the "Re-CY-CLing" mobile app or visit Green Dot Cyprus.
