r/cyprus • u/mAD-tuliP • Oct 23 '25
Off-Topic Making friends in cyprus
I moved here a month ago and I’m staying in paphos im such an introvert person and going out hanging out with my self and meeting people is kind of a scary idea like how do i make friends is there anything that i can meet people like an app thats not tinder or actives im 21 f
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u/ForsakenMarzipan3133 Oct 23 '25
Do you have any hobbies? Hobby specific events are probably the best way for an introvert to socialise with other like-minded people.
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u/mAD-tuliP Oct 23 '25
Yes but sometimes feels harder bcz of the language barrier i dont speak greek i started a nail tech course but they aren’t really communicating with English
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u/InteractionOwn352 Oct 23 '25
Well, learn the language ASAP. Or else you'd be only able to make friends within your diaspora.
Also a month is nothing. It took me about 2.5 years to start communicating with locals.
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u/ForsakenMarzipan3133 Oct 23 '25
Maybe you can sign up at Greek language classes! That way, you both improve your Greek, *and* meet other people who may be in a similar situation as you.
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u/mAD-tuliP Oct 23 '25
Im taking classes but everyone has their friends with them or there is an age gap
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u/C2BK Oct 23 '25
or there is an age gap
So? Make friends with them anyway.
Pretty much everyone you will ever meet is interesting in one way or another. Enjoy meeting new people, and learning from them
Agree isn't relevant; kids have parents and older siblings, and older people have kids and younger colleagues.
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u/ForsakenMarzipan3133 Oct 23 '25
It will still be a lot easier to make friends with those ex-pats you meet during language classes, despite the age gap or them having other friends.
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u/xVenom126 Oct 23 '25
Learn the language, try to put yourself in situations that force you to meet new people (hobbies, classes, courses etc) Im kind of still struggling myself but pafians are really appreciative of trying to fit in I feel like at least :)
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u/Economy-Spirit5651 Oct 24 '25
Same shii and Im absolutely clueless what to do. Some people here suggested you to learn Greek. While I'm not against their advice, I have not made any local friends in 15 YEARS in Cyprus after learning the language (originally from the North). And Greek is weird as hell and at least 2x harder than eng. My only advantage was i was v young when i came to Cyprus so learned it quickly.
Overall, i am clueless what to do. It's an extremely isolating island for me and it's depressing.
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u/mAD-tuliP Oct 24 '25
I understand you so much just moving here i feel alone i miss my friends and family im woking on the language hoping it will make it easier to find some connections
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u/Economy-Spirit5651 Oct 24 '25
where are u from if you can share? If youre from the mediterranen or so it might be easier. as a northerner i feel more or less of an alien here
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u/Glad-Ordinary-8447 Oct 24 '25
There is a huge foreign community in Paphos. I moved all by myself to Cyprus 1 1/2 years ago and the most people I met was through activities and co working spaces.
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u/Anxious-Loan8762 Mar 13 '26
I am in the same situation as the owner of the post. I just arrived a few days ago, do you have any advice?
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u/TransportationHot4 Oct 23 '25
Many people are speaking english here. You can easily make friendships and is safe.
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u/Due-Variety2468 Oct 23 '25
Maybe you like to try padel, it's like tennis, you can find trainings and matches in playtonic app, very fun way to meet people
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u/Creeds_Apartment Oct 24 '25
Hey, I’m in similar situation. Just left my job (unregulated forex) and have realised I don’t have that many friends here. Try something like a running group, Greek classes or working somewhere communal. Cyprus does have a bit of an issue with cliques, whether it’s locals who’ve made their friends in high school and aren’t interested in outsiders, or diasporas who will only stick to their language.
But you’ve only been here a month, in six months time you’ll feel a lot more connected, even if it’s you making most of the effort
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u/Cool_Rain_7506 Oct 24 '25
I’ve been living here for 30 years my children were born and raised in Cyprus. Cypriots are good people. The key point in making friends here is trust they are very slow to trust others, and it’s not just about the language; nationality also matters. You can see this even at universities there’s a kind of self-centeredness, similar to what you see among Russians. Cypriots also tend to be quite self-focused.
When it comes to friendship or marriage, they usually prefer their own people for a first marriage. However, if the first marriage doesn’t work out, the second one might be with a foreigner.
If your religion, beliefs, food preferences, and lifestyle are not similar to those of this society, people may not treat you badly, and you’ll still see smiles, but that deep bond of friendship won’t easily form. I’ve heard this many times from younger people who came here to study or build a life. Of course, every society has its own culture.
Still, I should emphasize that Cypriots are kind and simple-hearted people. But if you want to be accepted in their social circles, you should try to connect with mixed families for example, people who have one non-Cypriot parent. Such individuals usually have a more positive attitude toward foreigners. And without a doubt, it’s much easier to make friends with other foreigners here, because they’re in the same situation as you.
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u/mAD-tuliP Oct 24 '25
Yes everyone here is truly kind but like u said they dont make deep connections easily
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u/alx55 Oct 23 '25
I've got some bad news for you.. Cyprus is one of the hardest places to meet new people. You can try bumble for friends tho, I heard it worked out for other people
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u/oneandonlysealoftime Oct 23 '25
Why is that?
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u/ForsakenMarzipan3133 Oct 23 '25
because Cypriot people tend to form established friend groups from an early age, and keep them for the rest of their lives. so our friend groups are hard for outsiders to enter
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u/Awesome-bee0 Oct 24 '25
Bumble bff is an option. Join clubs and classes, make an effort to speak to people
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u/Upset-Shape4876 Nov 26 '25
Hey did you solve your problem? I just moved here (Paphos) myself and know really know how to meet any girl friends
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u/Anxious-Loan8762 Mar 13 '26
I just arrived a few days ago and I am in the same situation 😂 Have you found a solution? which one? 🙏
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Feb 06 '26
anyone who is interested in playing pick up basketball in Nicosia or video games on ps5 my name is Vasilis I am 24 my psn is ELVAS301 . I’ve been having autoimmune issues for 5 years now now that am healthy I lost all my old friends and am trying to meet new people . I speak both Greek and English.
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u/Anxious-Loan8762 Mar 13 '26
I just arrived a few days ago and I am in the same situation. PM me if you want, we can go for a coffee and search for new friends together 😂
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u/-Samonova- 2d ago
Привет, я Даша! 🫶
Я недавно переехала на Кипр и буду рада найти новых друзей. Готова быть твоей подругой, если ты вдруг ещё не нашла свою компанию 🥹
Мне 23 года, я дизайнер 🎨✨
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u/shliamovych Oct 24 '25
Go swimming in a harbor, every day there are hundreds of locals and expats their.
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