Five picturesque villages in Cyprus
Published on 31th of March, 2024
Cyprus Island, located in the Mediterranean Sea, remains one of the most popular holiday destinations among tourists from various countries. They come here for the purest beaches, delicious food, warm sea, and mild climate. While vacationing in Cyprus, you can fully enjoy the bright sunshine and beautiful nature. But Cyprus is not just about beaches, sun, and water. Tourists who have not been to this island before may not even know that it is also famous for its beautiful picturesque villages.
If you want to learn more about the cultural heritage of Cyprus, see ancient architecture, stroll through cozy streets, and chat with friendly locals, it is definitely worth visiting several nice villages. Let's talk about five picturesque villages on the island of Cyprus that definitely deserve attention.
Best Picturesque Villages in Cyprus
In guidebooks, you can find numerous beautiful villages. Some are highly popular among tourists, while others are less known. We have gathered both so that tourists can choose the perfect holiday destination for themselves. These villages are Omodos, Kiti, Voroklini, Dierona, and Apecha.
Descriptions of Villages – Why You Should Pay Attention to Them
Omodos
Let's start with the village of Omodos, located in the Limassol district. It is a traditional village situated on the slopes of the Troodos mountain range. Wine and the alcoholic beverage zivania are produced here. Walking through Omodos, you will immediately be captivated by the ancient architecture, cobbled streets, stone houses with beautiful carvings, and lush fruit trees. Due to its mountain location, the air here is always cool and fresh.
Kiti
On the southeast coast of Cyprus, you can find the picturesque village of Kiti, located near the city of Larnaca. Here, ancient restored houses neighbor with modern buildings, yet this does not diminish the village's atmosphere in the slightest. Kiti is actively engaged in vegetable and fruit cultivation as well as animal husbandry. There is relatively little rainfall, so you can enjoy sunny and warm weather practically every day. The village boasts various sculptures, decorative plants, parks, and well-maintained lawns. There is plenty to see here.
Voroklini (Oroklini)
The third picturesque village in Cyprus worth visiting is Voroklini (Oroklini). The village is situated on the Oroklini hills, with the city of Larnaca just within 8 km. These Oroklini hills attract many tourists. Just near the foothills, traditional-style houses and modern villas are snugly nestled. Voroklini is a coastal village, so there are several beaches here. The most popular is Mackenzie Beach – an ideal place to swim and sunbathe without being in the midst of crowds.
Dierona
The village of Dierona, which we will discuss next, is not as popular, but here you can escape the crowds of tourists and enjoy hilly landscapes. Dierona is a semi-mountainous village located in the Limassol district, in the geographical region of Pitsilia. Citrus crops are actively grown in the village, and the vegetation is very lush and beautiful.
Apecha
Also in the foothills of Limassol, you can visit the village of Apecha. It is not a common route for tourists, but the village is gradually gaining popularity. Apecha is situated between the rivers Garillis and Limnatis. The village is small, with only about 500 inhabitants, but there are both traditional and modern structures here.
What to See/Sights to Visit
When visiting the picturesque villages in Cyprus, you'll probably want to see not only nature and colorful structures but also explore other interesting places. These villages are home to many landmarks that will particularly appeal to tourists interested in culture and history.
Omodos
In the village of Omodos, be sure to visit the Monastery of the Holy Cross. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Cyprus, considered a historical and cultural heritage of the island. The monastery was founded in the 4th century by Empress Helena, the first wife of the Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus. The Monastery of the Holy Cross houses relics from the place of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. The most important relic is the Holy Cross with a part of the rope that bound Christ, bearing traces of His blood. Therefore, numerous Christians visit this monastery to repent or simply pray. If religion doesn't interest you, you can view the Monastery of the Holy Cross simply as an ancient landmark. There are plenty of tourist facilities near the monastery – souvenir shops, stalls, restaurants, and taverns. You won't be bored there. Since Omodos is famous for winemaking, it's worth visiting vineyards and wineries. There are wine tours available where you can taste wine. And, of course, don't forget about traditional Cypriot sweets such as palouze, keftedes, and sujukos. In Omodos, you can also try various types of lokum, baklava, and halva.
Kiti
If you're in Kiti, we recommend visiting the Kition Planetarium and Observatory. It will be interesting for both children and adults. The planetarium and observatory offer tours dedicated to astronomical themes. You can observe stars, see planets, and other celestial objects. But the main landmark of the village of Kiti is, of course, the church. It's the Byzantine Church of Panagia Angeloktisti, considered one of the oldest in Cyprus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year on August 15th, the church hosts a grand celebration with various exhibitions and entertainments. The church also initiates many charitable events. Since the picturesque village of Kiti is located near the coast, you can not only relax on the beach and swim but also take surfing and windsurfing lessons from professional instructors.
Voroklini (Oroklini)
What to see if you've come to the village of Voroklini? As we've already mentioned, it's definitely worth visiting the Oroklini hills, which offer stunning views of Larnaca Bay. The village of Oroklini is also known for its monasteries and churches. One of the most famous is the Church of Archangel Michael, built in the late 17th century. It is located at the foot of the hill. And on top of the hill, you can find the Church of Prophet Elijah. If you're tired of beaches and the Mediterranean Sea, you can visit Oroklini Lake and admire exotic bird species. This lake is recognized as an important ecological site, largely because of its rare birds. It's the perfect place to relax and escape the urban hustle and bustle.
Dierona
Fourth on our list is the village of Dierona. It's definitely worth visiting this village if you enjoy discovering interesting and unconventional landmarks. In Dierona, there's an unusual triangular wooden house, which is quite large. The house is located amidst lush pine vegetation, making it an ideal location for beautiful and original photos. Also, when visiting Dierona, don't forget to check out the stone bridge, which is over 200 years old. The bridge is old, and part of the passage is partially ruined, but there's a dirt road nearby where you can walk. The bridge is surrounded by lush greenery and orange trees. Dierona is crossed by the Germasogeia River, and on its banks, you can find an old watermill. Although the mill is no longer functional, it operated until the mid-20th century.
Apecha
And the fifth picturesque village in Cyprus that we're talking about today is Apecha. The village is small, with no world-famous landmarks, but it still has interesting places to visit. Apecha is engaged in regular agriculture, but there's also a donkey farm that doubles as a petting zoo.
The donkey farm can be especially interesting for children, but adults won't be bored either. The zoo is designed for tourists and offers all the amenities and entertainment – a restaurant, a children's playground, and even a swimming pool. The farm is home to approximately 100 donkeys, which you can feed or ride (for an additional fee).
In addition to donkeys, this zoo also has other animals. Turkeys, chickens, ducks, or geese are familiar to us, but exotic birds like peacocks will definitely interest tourists.
Where it's located and how to get there
Omodos
The village of Omodos is located approximately 42 kilometers from the city of Limassol. Limassol is a large city in southern Cyprus, highly popular among tourists. Therefore, you'll need to get to Limassol first. From there, it's just over an hour's drive by car to reach the village of Omodos.
If you're driving your own car, follow this route: take the B8 road to the village of Trimiklini. When you reach the exit, turn left following the sign for Pera Pedi village. Pass through this village and continue straight towards the village of Mandria. Turn left to see the sign for Omodos. After about a kilometer, turn left again, and you're there.
Kiti
If you need to get to the village of Kiti, you can start your route from the city of Larnaca or directly from Larnaca International Airport. If traveling from the city, simply take the Cyprus Public Transport bus and inquire about the route to Kiti village. The distance is short, and the journey will take about 30 minutes. You can also drive your own car, or hiking enthusiasts can walk from Larnaca to Kiti in about two and a half hours.
Voroklini (Oroklini)
The village of Oroklini is even closer to Larnaca, just 8 kilometers away. From Larnaca to Oroklini, you can also take a bus, drive by car in about 10 minutes, or walk (the walking route takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes).
Dierona
Dierona, like the village of Omodos, is located not far from Limassol. The distance between them is just under 40 kilometers. You can get there by bus from Limassol or by your own car. On average, it takes about an hour to drive to Dierona.
Apecha
In the Limassol district of Cyprus is also the village of Apecha. You can get there by bus or car. The journey takes just about an hour.
For a tourist, it's very convenient that many picturesque villages in Cyprus are located near each other, close to major cities. This allows you to visit several beautiful villages in one day and return to your hotel. So don't postpone your trip to the picturesque villages in Cyprus. Such a weekend will definitely bring pleasure, allow you to relax, and learn a lot about another culture and history. It's an ideal option for travelers who are tired of popular tourist spots and well-trodden routes.