Summer has always been my favourite season of the year: long days spent at the beach soaking in the sun and relaxing by the sea with friends. However, summer in Cyprus has proven to be a tough one with its very high temperatures and beaches full of people that threaten to take all the relaxing part out of the holidays. For this reason, I had to find new places to enjoy my summer days here on this beautiful island.
So, if the daily 40 degrees are holding you back and overcrowded places are not really your thing, I have the perfect solution for you! Even if Cyprus is best known for its wonderful beaches, you can find hidden gems laying further inland too. Idyllic and charming villages scattered across the central mountain area offer a unique opportunity to dive into old traditions and admire fascinating landscapes.
So here it is 5 of the most beautiful villages you can visit in Cyprus:
- Kakopetria – Nicosia
Located at the foothills of the Troodos Mountains and about 55 km away from Nicosia, Kakopetria is the highest village in the Solea Valley and one of the biggest in the area. There you can stroll around the picturesque narrow streets of the Old Town (Palia Kakopetria) surrounded by the rivers Karkotis and Garilis and appreciate the enchanting quaint stone houses and charming overhanging balconies. Moving to the beautiful central square of Kakopetria, you can find numerous coffee shops where you can try the traditional and delicious homemade sweets of the area.
- Lefkara – Larnaka
Lefkara is one of the most famous villages in Cyprus. Situated on the south side of the Troodos Mountains and about 40 km away from Larnaka, this charming village is well-known for its embroidering and silversmith’s craft tradition. According to the tradition, the famous lace embroidered here, called lefkaritiko, was bought by Leonardo da Vinci during his visit to Cyprus in the 15th century and now adorns the Duomo Cathedral in Milan. The work of crafted silver of the villagers is exquisite and the great variety of objects created can be the perfect souvenir to take home. Besides its old traditions of lace and silver work, Lefkara is a true idyllic place and wandering about its beautiful alleys you can admire its particular architecture. In fact, the houses are almost all built with local white stones that perfectly match the terra cotta roofs.
- Lofou – Limassol
Surrounded by vineyards, midway between Limassol and Paphos, Lofou is a small and charming village built on a hill between mountains. Inhabited by only 100 residents, Lofou is the perfect place to escape the crowds and enjoy nice summer days strolling around the cream-coloured buildings and eating traditional food in one of its lovely taverns. If you are a fan of nature, starting from the north side of the building area of the village you can follow a one-kilometre-long nature trail that will take you downhill to the faucet of Elitji, where the villagers used to get their water in the past.
- Omodos – Limassol
Built at the slope of the mountain, at the heart of the wine region of Limassol, Omodos is one of the most beautiful villages of the area, loved both by nationals and foreigners, and is renowned for its wine production and stunning monasteries. The well-preserved architecture gives this small village a unique charm with its wooden doors, the variously decorated gateways and picturesque upper storeys. The large central square offers a variety of shops, tavernas and cafes where you can truly appreciate the tastes and crafts of the village. Here you can also admire the magnificent Timios Stavros Monastery that is considered to be one of the oldest and most historic monasteries on the island of Cyprus.
- Platres – Limassol
The village of Platres, located about 5 kilometres away from Troodos square, offers yet another perfect escape from the sticky-hot Cypriot summer. Its strategic position at an altitude of 1.100 metres will allow you to be immersed in nature and the scent of pine will overwhelm your senses. This bucolic village is filled with charming old buildings and quaint little shops, but it also offers different attractions. In fact, here you can visit a chocolate workshop and its cultural centre or have fun at the adventure rope park. Moving from the village centre, make sure to take one of the nature trails that will lead you to breath-taking spots in the heart of the mountains, in particular, you will encounter the beautiful Caledonia Waterfalls enveloped by dense forest vegetation. If trekking is not really your thing, you can easily reach the Myllomeri Falls by car and admire the highest waterfall in the country, with the water falling from a height of 15 metres, and relax in this idyllic spot.
