While staying in one of our holiday villas in Cyprus, here are some recommendations of what is not to be missed whilst on our beautiful island:
1. Explore the old city of Nicosia!
Walk the narrow streets of the Old City of Nicosia and discover the beautiful corners of it!
Admire the Venetian Walls designed and built by engineer Giulio Savorgnan in the 16th century where the Frankish Walls of the 14th Century once stood. Do not ignore the Famagusta Gate with the impressive facade, the nicest of the gates of Venetian Nicosia. Its name is originates from the fact that it opened on the road leading to a historical port of the island, Famagusta.
Look through history and culture at the Museum of Cyprus – where you have the opportunity to see exhibits from the Neolithic to the Roman period; and the Old Archbishopric, a beautiful 18th century building in the heart of the historic centre of Nicosia that is intimately connected with modern Cypriot history and today hosts the Cyprus Folk Art Museum and the Raccoon Museum dedicated to the EOKA struggle (1955 – 1959).
The New Archdiocese and Cultural Center of the Archbishop Makarios III Institution is an impressive two-storey building of the Neo-Byzantine period that houses the offices of the Archbishopric and the Archbishop’s residence. It houses the Byzantine Museum, the Art Gallery and the remarkable Library of the Archdiocese.
2. Dating with the glorious past in Paphos!
Take a Time Trip to New (Lower) Paphos!
The Archaeological Park of Kato Paphos includes places and monuments from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Admire the Asclepieion, the Conservatory, the Agora, the ruins of the Castle, the ruins of Limeniotissa (an Early Christian Basilica) and the famous Tombs of the Kings. At Nea Paphos you will also find the atmospheric Castle of Paphos and Faro – two very romantic locations to mark them on the map of Cyprus!
Tip: near Paphos you will find the Stone of Rome, where the goddess Aphrodite was born according to the Homeric myth.
Present and past, old and modern, are unique in Paphos!
So spend time at the Pafos Center (known as Ktima or Pano Paphos). Wear comfortable shoes to explore the different regions and learn their stories: Mussula in the east, the area of the Municipality, school clusters, Post Office along with the Agora, and Muttallo, the old traditional Turkish Cypriot quarter.
3. Discover the southernmost city of Europe, Limassol!
Discover every beautiful and colorful corner of the Historic Center of Limassol!
Start from the scenic streets next to the Old Port, heading east along the beach. Here dominates the imposing Castle of Limassol, a remarkable medieval building, whose chapel is said to have married Richard the Lionheart his beloved Berengaria! Today the castle houses the Medieval Museum of Cyprus.
In the afternoon take a stroll in Limassol ‘s vast marina! Flowers and palm trees along the road bring something from Los Angeles to the mind, but with a wonderful Mediterranean climate! Ideal place for cycling ! Here is the heart of the city!
4. Follow the Wine Route!
Discover the scenic Krasohoria of the Limassol province!
The wine-producing villages of Limassol are located on the slopes of the Troodos mountain range and are famous for their vineyards, agrotourism, their picturesque beauty and the preservation of tradition! These villages offer us a wide variety of strong red dry wines, as well as the well-known sweet Commandaria wine, which derives its name from the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem whose La Grande Commanderie was the castle of Colossus, a medieval fortress a few kilometers outside the city of Limassol.
If you follow the Wine Route passing through the Krasohoria of Cyprus, you will experience 20 traditional villages with cobbled streets and beautiful squares and 16 wineries! This beautiful route passes through: Limassol, Kolossi, Erimi, Kounou, Souni-Zanakia, Pano Kyvides, Agios Amvrosios, Lofou, Vouni, Koiliani, Pera Pedi, Mandria, Kato Platres, Arsos, Pachna, Anogira and Avdimou.
7. Dive to tradition in Lefkara and Kalavasos!
Two wonderful traditional places to explore in the province of Larnaca! Lefkara and Kalavasos!
Lefkara, a village (about 40 km. From Larnaca) on the slopes of Troodos, known for embroidery – so called Lefkaritika – and for the goldsmith. It is said that in 1481, Leonardo Da Vinci visited Lefkara and took one of the embroidery at the Cathedral of Milan!
Kalavasos – a picturesque village built on the west bank of the Vasilikos river in the province of Larnaca. Drink your coffee here and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals! The beautiful church of the village is dedicated to Virgin Mary and next to it you will find an ancient cemetery. There is also a Turkish mosque in the village.
Here you will find the Neolithic settlement of Tentas where, along with Choirokoitia , is an example of an early permanent settlement of populations in Cyprus during the Neolithic period of the Aceramic!
10. Become one with nature and the past in Pedoulas and Kakopetria!
On the northern slopes of the Troodos Mountains you will find a village in the nature, Pedoulas!
Here you will find many natural paths – to the Kykkos Monastery and to the surrounding villages of Moutoullas and Kalopanayiotis.
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