10 Road Trips in Cyprus for Spring
The second month of Spring brings more warmth to Cyprus, and a comfortable atmosphere, allowing people the chance to escape to nature and explore the island’s beautiful villages.
It’s the perfect time to take a road trip, and these ten road trips around the island will give you experiences you will not be able to forget, along with some of the best tastes of Cyprus’ culture.
NICOSIA DISTRICT
Farmakas
Farmakas is an idyllic village in the Troodos area, and is located approximately 40 km from the capital.
When you arrive in the village you will want to leave your car in the large parking area in the town’s centre. There you can visit many of the main attractions in the town, including Farmakas’ church, Ayia Eirini. The church is built from local stones, and is a basilica style, with a dome.
Near Farmakas are the villages of Palaichori, Kambi, Gourri, Fikardou, and the monastery of Machairas.
Where to Eat:
Ierambelos, Farmakas
This restaurant is attached to the Saint Irene winery, which is located in the village and produces local varieties. The restaurant serves Cypriot and Greek dishes, along with other international choices, all made from fresh and local ingredients. For more information call +357 22 515515.
Potamos Restaurant, Kambi
Just a short distance from Farmakas, is the small town of Kambi and its restaurant Potamos (+357 22 643315). The restaurant has a fireplace, and large windows that look out to the river. They serve Cypriot cuisine including meze, which features many local delicacies.
Kalopanayiotis
The village is located in Troodos’ Marathasa Valley, which is approximately 70 km from Nicosia. Kalopanayiotis is famed for its natural healing springs, traditional architecture, and great view of the valley.
During your visit, you will want to explore the monastery of Ayios Ioannis Lambadistis, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located near the monastery is the village’s Venetian bridge and a watermill.
The town is known for its healing sulphuric springs, which can be found near the banks of the Setrachis River, near the bridge.
Where to Eat:
There are many options for food in Kalopanayiotis. For Cypriot meze and traditional foods, you can head to the Palio Sinema (+357 99 130275 and +357 99 191026). Alternatively, head to Tsimbimatouthkia, a Cypriot delicatessen, where you can sample meze with a twist. For coffee, you can go to CafeOinos (+357 99 789331). If you want a more international experience then you can head to Casale Panayiotis, which has two restaurants Vyzantino and Loutraki.
LIMASSOL DISTRICT
Anogyra
This village is located a few kilometres outside Limassol, and is famed for the production of pasteli and carob syrup.
During your visit, stop by the Monastery of Timios Stavros. Near the town’s square you can also see the old olive press once use to make oil.
Where to Eat
There are three restaurants in the village. One traditional tavern called Anogyra (+357 99 795468), which serves meze. There is also the restaurant Nikolas (+ 357 25 221584), which is located just outside the village.
Platres
Platres is one of the most popular villages in Cyprus, and a favourite spot for day trips. The village is idyllic, with friendly residents, a great climate, and places to stay and eat.
You can visit the Caledonia waterfall and the Millomeris waterfall, if you are ready to hike a few kilometres along a forested trail. There is even a chocolate workshop in the village, if you are looking for a relaxing activity to do with the family.
Where to Eat
There are four taverns that work all-year round in the village, and all the hotels offer coffee and food. The village’s restaurants are Anoi (+357 25 422900, Mimis Tavern (+357 25 421449), Pigasos (+357 25 421744), and Skylight (+357 25 422244). They all serve meze and grill items. For dessert, head to the Forest Park hotel and try the lavender flavoured ice cream.
LARNACA DISTRICT
Lefkara, Kato Drys, Tochni, and Psematismenos
These four villages are full of tradition and have lovely cobble-stone streets and traditional homes.
Walk to the top of Sotira hill in Lefkara and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding area and the sea. If you are in Kato Drys head to the Folklore Museum (+357 24 342833) and learn about the town’s history. In Psematismenos, you can visit the church of Ayia Marina, which has stood in the village since the 16th century. While in the village stop by the small churches of Ayios Andronikos and Ayia Athanasia, which was built by the Byzantines 600 years ago.
Where to Eat
Ellie’s Jar, Kato Drys
Get together a group of six people, make a reservation a week in advance, and head to Ellie’s Jar (+357 96 476265)where you can enjoy homemade bread, cheeses, eggs, and jams made by the owner’s mother (€10 per person).
Tasties, Pano Lefkara
A beautiful house, with a lush garden, and a welcoming host is waiting for you to try her food and coffee. The menu offers great international dishes, made with fresh ingredients. For more information call +357 24 343411.
Vavatsinia Tavern, Vavatsinia
The eponymously named tavern (+357 99 342780) of the village is owned by Mr Takis, who has been serving meze for 22 years. The tavern is open every day except Wednesday.
Tochni Tavern, Tochni
The tavern (+357 24 332998) has a view of the sea and the church of Ayia Eleni, in the village square. They serve meze for €19.50 per person.
PAPHOS DISTRICT
Miliou
The village is small but very beautiful. It has a church from the 13th century, called Ayioi Anargyroi, which is in the garden of the Ayii Anargyri Natural Healing Spa Resort. There is also a nature trail called Anerades, which is circular and starts in the village.
Where to Eat
To eat, you can head to one of the two restaurants at the hotel, Kava or Amaroula. In the village square, you will find the tavern Pangkratios (70003757), which is housed in a restored traditional home from 1847. They offer traditional meze and other grilled and home-cooked dishes.
Lysos
The village of Lysos is 40 km north-west of Paphos. The village is small, and has many traditional homes and buildings, which will travel you back to years gone by. To get to Lysos you will pass through the towns of Tsada, Stroumbi, Kathika, and Miliou. The road also head through the towns of Meladia, Peristerona, and Steni. There are also churches in Lysos, with the church of Panayia Chryseleousa having been built in the 16th century.
The town also has a circular nature trail, which can run for either six of twelve kilometres.
Where to Eat
There is a small tavern in the village named after the town. They offer meze, souvlaki, and other grill items (+357 99 876916). Near Lysos you will also find the taverns Yiannis (+357 26 633353), Petradaki (+357 26 814191), Pagkratios, and Letymbou (+357 26 642614).
