“Open School”: Municipal Courses in Cyprus

Registration has opened in the Republic of Cyprus for the municipal “Open School” programmes for the 2026–2027 academic year. These are subsidised classes for children, teenagers and adults: dance, Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, drawing, robotics, chess, tennis, padel, martial arts and other activities. In Limassol, standard group classes cost from 60 EUR per year, while in Nicosia they cost from 80 EUR per year. In Strovolos, the cost depends on the programme selected: for example, Zumba Kids costs 70 EUR, while children’s padel preparation costs 110 EUR; the prices indicated by the municipalities are the cost of classes for the academic year.

• What is the “Open School”
• Programmes for children
• Programmes for adults
• How much the classes cost
• Limassol
• Strovolos
• Nicosia
• How to register
• Frequently asked questions

What is the “Open School”

The “Open School” is a municipal programme under which school, sports and other municipal premises are used after regular classes for additional education, sports and creative activities.

The aim of the programme is to make these classes more accessible to residents. Therefore, the annual cost of many courses is considerably lower than the cost of regular classes at commercial schools and studios.

The programmes are not intended only for schoolchildren. Depending on the municipality, children, teenagers, adults and older people may enrol.

Among the officially stated aims of the programme in Nicosia are the development of lifelong learning, the organisation of accessible sports, education and creative leisure activities, the use of school infrastructure in the afternoon and wider access to classes for socially vulnerable groups.

How the programme began

The “Open School” has been operating in different municipalities for several years. In Limassol, the history of the programme begins in 2007. Initially, the pilot project operated in Mesa Geitonia with approximately 200 participants, and in 2010 the programme appeared in Limassol.

According to the Limassol municipality, by 2026 the number of participants had reached approximately 1,600 people per year, while the programme had grown to more than 40 activities and groups. Following the local government reform, the Limassol and Mesa Geitonia programmes were merged.

In Strovolos, the “Open School” has been operating since 2008. The programme is subsidised by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth of the Republic of Cyprus.

What programmes are available for children

The range of activities depends on the municipality and the child’s age. The 2026–2027 programmes include both traditional clubs and modern sports and educational classes.

Sports

• padel;
• tennis;
• football;
• basketball;
• badminton;
• archery;
• inline skating;
• cycling;
• rhythmic gymnastics;
• Krav Maga;
• karate;
• taekwondo;
• judo.

Dance and movement

• Zumba Kids;
• Hip-Hop;
• ballet;
• Greek folk dancing;
• modern dance styles;
• joint Zumba classes for parents and children.

Education and creativity

• robotics and STEAM;
• chess;
• computers;
• English;
• drawing;
• ceramics;
• cooking and confectionery;
• creative workshops;
• music classes.

The specific age range should be checked when selecting a group. For example, in Strovolos, the children’s padel preparation programme in the published schedule is divided into groups for ages 8–11 and 12–15.

What programmes are available for adults

The “Open School” is not limited to children’s clubs. A significant part of the schedule is intended specifically for adults.

Fitness and sports

• Pilates;
• Yoga and Yoga Flow;
• Zumba;
• Zumba Gold;
• Strong Nation;
• functional training;
• padel;
• tennis;
• badminton;
• archery;
• Krav Maga;
• cycling;
• therapeutic physical activity.

Dance

• Latin American dancing;
• traditional Greek dancing;
• Zumba;
• other dance programmes depending on the municipality.

Creativity and learning

• drawing;
• ceramics and sculpture;
• icon painting;
• decoupage and handicrafts;
• cooking;
• chess;
• creative writing;
• computer skills;
• Photoshop, Graphic Design and Web Design;
• theatre workshops;
• language classes.

Nicosia also offers separate programmes for older people, including computer classes for those aged 55+ and therapeutic physical activity and music classes for those aged 65+.

How much do the municipal courses cost

Municipal courses cost from 60 to 120 EUR for the entire academic year. The price depends on the municipality, the course selected, its duration and the number of classes per week.

Thus, for most basic group classes, it is reasonable to expect a cost of approximately 60–120 EUR per academic year, although specialised activities may cost more.

Additional equipment and materials are not always included in the price. For example, in Strovolos, participants pay separately for equipment or materials required for a particular course — a racket, mat, bicycle, protective gear, books, craft materials and other supplies, if required.

Limassol: classes from 60 EUR per year

The Limassol municipality opened registration for the 2026–2027 academic year on 1 September 2026. Classes are scheduled to start on 5 October 2026.

The programme is intended for children, teenagers and adults.

Duration	Cost
1 hour	60 EUR per year
1.5 hours	70 EUR per year
2 hours	80 EUR per year
1.5 hours twice a week	90 EUR per year

A discount of 10 EUR is available for each additional child from the same family. Recipients of Guaranteed Minimum Income, unaccompanied children and children living in residential care institutions may participate free of charge.

What can be chosen in Limassol

The programme includes Fitness-Pilates, Yoga, Yoga Flow, functional training, Krav Maga, judo, archery, Zumba, Latin American and traditional Greek dancing, drawing, chess, cooking, handicrafts and other activities.

For example, adult Fitness-Pilates groups in the published catalogue cost 60 EUR per year, Yoga costs 60 EUR, while archery for children and adults costs 70 EUR.

Where the classes take place

Classes are distributed among schools and municipal facilities in Limassol. The listed venues include schools in Panthea, Chalkoutsa, Ekali, Zakaki, Agia Fyla, Omonia and other districts, as well as the Mesa Geitonia Cultural Centre. When registering, it is necessary to check the venue for the specific group selected.

How to register in Limassol

Fill in the registration form for the 2026–2027 academic year

View the programme and conditions on the Limassol municipality website

Open the full Limassol class catalogue for 2026–2027

Strovolos: from Zumba to padel

The Strovolos municipality “Open School” has been operating since 2008 and offers subsidised classes in sports, education, creativity, dance and music.

In 2026, registration for children and teenagers opened on 7 September, and for adults on 10 September. Applications can be submitted until 30 September 2026. Classes take place from 12 October 2026 to 12 June 2027.

For children and teenagers

• padel;
• basketball;
• tennis;
• inline skating;
• badminton;
• cycling;
• Zumba Kids;
• Zumba for parents and children;
• Krav Maga;
• taekwondo;
• karate;
• rhythmic gymnastics;
• robotics and STEAM;
• chess;
• English;
• computers;
• cooking;
• ceramics and creative classes.

For adults

• padel;
• Zumba Fitness and Zumba Gold;
• Strong Nation;
• functional training;
• tennis;
• badminton;
• cycling;
• Krav Maga;
• dance;
• chess;
• theatre;
• creative and educational workshops.

How much classes cost in Strovolos

Programme	Cost	For whom
Zumba Kids	70 EUR	children
Zumba Moms/Dads & Kids	70 EUR per participant	parents and children aged 6+
Padel preparation	110 EUR	children aged 8–15
Tennis	120 EUR	according to skill level
Rhythmic gymnastics	130 EUR	children and teenagers
Zumba Fitness	80 EUR	adults

The number of places in some groups is limited. For example, for children’s padel preparation groups, the municipality indicates a maximum of 8 participants.

Where the classes take place

Municipal schools and sports facilities in Strovolos are used. Children’s padel classes take place at the Strovolos Municipal Sports Centre, while Zumba and other programmes are distributed among municipal schools and halls.

Where the classes take place

Classes do not take place in a single centre: municipalities use schools, sports complexes, cultural centres and other municipal venues. The specific location depends on the programme selected.

In Strovolos, children’s and adult groups are distributed among municipal schools, sports facilities and other venues. When selecting a course on the “Open School” website, it is necessary to check the page for the specific programme: it states the venue, days and times of the classes.

In Limassol, venues for the 2026–2027 academic year include municipal schools in Chalkoutsa, Apostolou Andrea, Omonia, Ekali, Panagia Tricherousa, the Tsirion district and Gladstonos, as well as the Mesa Geitonia Cultural Centre.

In Nicosia, classes take place, among other venues, at schools in Aglantzia, the Aglantzia Plateia Gymnasium, sports facilities of the University of Cyprus, the Nicosia Multifunctional Municipal Centre and the Agios Dometios Multifunctional Centre.

How to register

Registration is carried out separately by each municipality. Registration for the 2026–2027 academic year is already open, but the procedures and dates differ.

Municipality	Registration	Classes start
Limassol	Programmes and registration	2026–2027 academic year
Strovolos	Registration and information	12 October 2026
Nicosia	Online registration	5 October 2026

Limassol

The municipality’s official page publishes the programme for the 2026–2027 academic year, the electronic registration form and a payment link. The full list of classes and venues can also be viewed there.

Open the Limassol municipal courses page

Strovolos

In Strovolos, registration for children and teenagers began on 7 September 2026, and for adults on 10 September. Registration is possible until 30 September 2026. Classes begin on 12 October 2026 and continue until 12 June 2027.

Registration and payment are available online. If it is impossible to use the electronic system, the municipality allows participation to be arranged at the municipal building from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 14:00.

Register for Strovolos municipal courses

Nicosia

In Nicosia, registration for the 2026–2027 academic year takes place from 1 to 30 September 2026. Applications are accepted only online through the municipal “ΝΟΙΑΖΟΜΑΙ” platform. After submitting an application, it is necessary to wait for confirmation by email and pay for participation.

Classes are scheduled from 5 October 2026 to 5 June 2027, except for the Christmas and Easter school holidays. The municipality warns that places are allocated according to the order of registration.

Register for Nicosia municipal courses

View programmes, prices and conditions in Nicosia

What to consider before registering

• Places in some groups are limited.
• Participants’ ages depend on the specific programme.
• The schedule and venue must be checked for the selected course.
• For some classes, participants will need to provide their own equipment or materials.
• In Strovolos, the municipality specifically warns that rackets, mats, bicycles, protective equipment, musical instruments, books and materials, if required for the course, must be paid for by the participant.
• Some groups open only when the required number of participants has been reached.

Why municipalities offer these courses

The “Open School” was created as a programme for accessible additional education and the use of school infrastructure after regular lessons. For example, the Limassol municipality states that the programme has been operating for 20 years. Its aim is to use school premises as centres of culture, sports and creative activity for residents.

In Strovolos, the programme has existed for more than 19 years. In Nicosia, it is considered part of the lifelong education system: the municipality lists creative activities, sports, leisure and education for children, teenagers and adults at an accessible cost among its aims.

Therefore, these are not professional sports or art schools, but primarily accessible classes for residents: a child can try a new activity, while an adult can take part in sports, dance or art, or develop a new skill without paying the cost of a commercial studio.

Is it worth registering now

Yes, if the appropriate programme has already been selected. September 2026 is the main registration period for the new academic year. It is especially important not to delay registration in Nicosia and Strovolos: the officially established registration deadline is 30 September 2026, and the number of places in groups is limited.

Before paying, it is best to open the programme for your municipality and check three things: the participant’s age, the venue and the schedule. A low annual cost does not mean that all classes have the same price or last for the same number of hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is this really the price for the year, not the month?

Yes. For example, the Limassol municipality states a price of 60 EUR per year for classes lasting one hour once a week. The price is different for longer programmes.

Can I register a child?

Yes. The “Open School” offers separate programmes for children and teenagers. Age restrictions depend on the class selected.

Are there classes for adults?

Yes. Sports, dance, creative and educational programmes are offered for adults. Some municipalities also provide groups for older people.

Where can I register for padel?

Padel is included in the Strovolos municipal programme. The current group, age range, schedule and availability must be checked directly on the Strovolos “Open School” website before registering.

Do I need to live in this particular municipality?

Participation requirements must be checked with the specific municipality and for the programme selected. It should not be automatically assumed that the admission rules are the same in Limassol, Strovolos and Nicosia.

Can I register after the official registration period has ended?

This cannot be guaranteed. Additional enrolment is possible only if the municipality makes the relevant decision and places are available. It is best to follow the officially published deadlines.

When do classes begin?

In Nicosia, classes begin on 5 October 2026, and in Strovolos on 12 October 2026. For Limassol, the date for the selected course should be checked in the municipality’s current programme.

Official pages

• Limassol municipal courses
• Strovolos municipal courses
• Nicosia municipal courses