15 reasons to head to Deryneia on the weekend
The weather is now perfect for excursions to the island;s villages. Along Famagusta Bay, in the Kokkinochoria area, famous for its juicy and sweet fruit, Deryneia is the perfect choice for a day or weekend out.
Deryneia has become known for its strawberry production of the years, and even host a strawberry festival during the year.
Deryneia has many monuments, museums, and the Famagusta Cultural Centre, which will make your excursion very interesting.
You can visit the monument of heroes, and the bust of the poet Paul Liasides, one of the most important contemporary folk poets of the town, which is located in the park of the village. The Folklore Museum of Deryneia (+357 96 529707) is one of the sights of the village, where the equipment of a traditional Cypriot house and the farm tools used in the area are exhibited.
In the courtyard of the museum you will find the bakery, which Margarita Chatziliassis often uses to bake breads and buns. Opposite, there is the open-air Museum of Folk Art of Traditional Occupations with exhibitions/rooms of traditional occupations and objects, as well as a cafeteria. On your stroll, you will find remarkable churches, including the 15th-century church of Ayia Marina, the Byzantine church of Panayia (with preserved icons of the 17th century), and the small medieval church of Ayios Georgios.
What to eat
In Deryneia there are various taverns for lovers of authentic Cypriot cuisine. You must try Kostaris (+357 23 822046) and his famous kleftiko (€11).
At the ouzeri, Logo Timis (+357 99 607508) meze stands out with their excellent squash keftedes. At the tavern Misochoro (+357 23 743943) you will enjoy meze (€17). The tavern O dikos mas mezes offers besides meze, refined steak dishes and homemade strawberry sorbet for dessert.
The Amphitheatre bar & more (+357 23 744944), is a place for all hours of the day, where you can start with breakfast or end the evening enjoying a summer cocktail.
Where to stay
In Deryneia, you can stay at Shongas Inn Boutique Hotel (+357 23 828292), the only one in the area. A small hotel with a special vintage style that will surely impress you, since it is housed in a traditional 100-year-old Cypriot mansion.
Worth a try
Definitely buy locally produced strawberries and pay a visit to the famous bakery in the area, Thimonia (+358 23 827373), and taste its adorable sweets.
