A British holidaymaker has discovered a hidden gem in Cyprus where pints are a mere £2.50 (€3) and there’s even a friendly pig for company.
Sarah Holden, 48, from Preesall near Blackpool, Lancashire, fell in love with the Mediterranean island over 30 years ago and visits “every six weeks or so”. She even tied the knot there 24 years ago.
Recently, Sarah became a property owner on the island and plans to “relocate there in a few years.”
During one of her recent trips, the mother-of-two stumbled upon Riccos Beach Bar, a traditional Cypriot tavern in the popular tourist destination of Paphos, where local KEO beer is served for just €3.
In addition to the cheap drinks, visitors can enjoy stunning sea views and interact with local wildlife, including fluffy chicks and a friendly pig.
Sarah, who runs the ‘Cyprus_Adventures’ TikTok channel showcasing the island’s “hidden gems”, revealed that the bar first opened its doors in 1975.
“The owner usually has all sorts of animals wandering around,” she said. “He’s quite fond of his animals. And the bar itself offers a warm welcome and boasts fantastic views of the locals’ beach.”
In a viral video, Sarah compared the price of beer at Riccos with that in the UK. She captioned it: “UK: £6 for a pint and vibes. Cyprus: €3 for a KEO, a view, and a friendly pig!”
Her TikTok post quickly amassed 51,000 views, sparking a barrage of comments. In May, Sarah highlighted Ricco’s Beach Bar as an essential visit for anyone jetting off to Paphos.
Her video has now hit nearly 230,000 views on TikTok, with one fan commenting: “My favourite place.”
Another eager holidaymaker noted: “KEO may well be the finest lager I’ve had the pleasure of tasting, nine weeks till I’m sipping back on an ice cold KEO on Ayia Napa Harbour.”
An excited traveller echoed: “I’m coming to Paphos next week, and we are a 20-minute walk from there, definitely going to visit! Thank you for posting this video,”.
Someone else expressed their enchantment: “Wow, so cosy and beautiful, I would love to be there.
“Cyprus is a true paradise,” commented another, while a final user injected some whimsy: “Mmmm, bacon.”