Category: Χωριά

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the picturesque village of Vasa Koilaniou sits at an altitude of 750 metres on the Troodos mountain range, just 35km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following the E601 route.

Vasa Koilaniou is one of the wine producing villages of the Troodos area, and famous since ancient times for its vineyards and its high-quality wines.

Its name is derived from the ancient Greek word ‘vassa’, which means ‘wooded area’ in reference to its landscapes. The village preserves its traditional limestone architecture, paved streets and old viticultural equipment, including old wine presses and distilleries for Zivania – the strong, local spirit.

Interesting sights include the Museum of Education, the Museum of Zivania, the Ecclesiastical Museum, a winery, the main church of the village, the Bridge of Gerovrysi, and a small nature trail near the village.

In mid-September, the village celebrates its harvest with a Grape Fest, where visitors can watch the locals make traditional delicacies from grape juice, and sample them with their compliments. There is also a programme of folkloric entertainment, as well as wine tasting.

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, Foini sits at an altitude of 920 metres on the Troodos mountain range, just 44 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following the B8 route, the E802 route and then the F804 route, or by following the B8 route, the F825 route and then the F804 route.

Foini is considered to be one of the most naturally beautiful areas of the island, thanks to a picturesque waterfall, pine thickets and forests.

The village is believed to have either taken its name from a Frank feudal lord, Juan De Fejniu, from the Greek word for palm ‘foinikas’, or its fruit ‘foiniki’. Its main produce are fruit, wine and nuts, whilst it is also famous for its traditional pottery, traditional furniture, and for its local delight sweet ‘Loukoumi’.

Interesting sights include the Pilavakeion Museum – a private museum of folk art – workshops for loukoumi and pottery making, and the main church of the village dedicated to the Holy Cross. At the entrance of the village there is an old fountain, whilst close to the village are the beautiful waterfalls of Hantara.

The village holds the Foini Traditional Festival on the first Sunday of every August. A traditional bazaar is held in the centre of the village with local products such as loukoumi, pottery and fresh fruit, whilst there is also a programme of folkloric entertainment. The village also celebrates its harvest with a Grape Fest in September. 

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the beautiful village of Pissouri is built on a green hillside, just 3 km from Cape Aspro, and affords stunning views of both mountain and sea. Pissouri is just 30 km from Lemesos town, and can be reached by following the A6 route, or by following the B6 route.

There are various theories on the origins of the village’s name, including the belief that it is derived from the resin (’pissa’) that comes from pitch pine, and was produced in the area during the Byzantine and Frankish period. It was originally known as ‘Piseeri’, and is also referred to as ‘Pisuri’ on old maps.

The village was once a small port from where carobs were exported during Medieval times, and its stone-built carob warehouses have been preserved and converted into restaurants and residences. Nowadays it is known locally for its Halloumi cheese, and also for its small, sweet and seedless green grapes – Sultanina.

Every September, a celebration is held in honour of Agios Andreas, whilst other annual summer and Easter events are held both in the village square and the open-air amphitheatre.

The beach area of Pissouri Bay has developed into a popular tourist resort, and offers the opportunity to enjoy water sports and hiking on its picturesque coast of fine golden sands, multicoloured small pebbles, and crystal-clear seawaters. Its naturally beautiful surroundings include the spectacular white cliffs of Cape Aspro (Cape ‘white’ in Greek), and there are five public footpaths for easy access and exploration of the area.

The resort also has a large variety of accommodation, including luxury, high-end hotels, a host of restaurants serving a selection of cuisines, as well as an array of shops.

Pissouri Bay is also a particular favourite with the locals, who tend to visit the resort during the high summer season, whilst the village is popular all-year-round.

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the pretty, wine producing village of Omodos sits at an altitude of 800 metres on the Troodos mountain range, in the beautiful area of ‘Krassohoria’, just 42 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following the E601 route, or by following the B8 route, then the E802 route and thereafter, the F825 route. Omodos is one of the most traditional and charming villages on the island.

The village has existed since the Frankish period and is marked as ‘Homodos’, and ‘Homoclos’ on old maps, with its name originating from the Greek word for street – ‘odos’.

Famous for its wine, Zivania spirit, handmade narrow-knit lacing and ‘arkatena’ bread, its quaint environs are perfect for agrotourism.

Despite its small size, Omodos has many interesting sights. Located within close proximity of one another are the cobbled square, old stone-built houses, local wineries, a Medieval wine press and the monastery of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross), with its old icons and impressive woodcarvings. There is also a museum dedicated to the National Liberation Struggle, as well as a centre for the preservation of narrow-knit lacing, and an Icon Museum.

Every September 14, the village holds one of the biggest religious fairs on the island, dedicated to the Holy Cross. The celebration lasts for three days, and vendors gather in the beautiful square in front of the monastery to sell their wares. The square is also the scene of many other events during the summer and Easter.

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, Louvaras sits in an altitude of 850 metres on the Troodos mountain range, in the picturesque Pitsilia area, just 28 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following the E110 route.

Louvaras is one of the wine producing villages of the island, and is particularly known for its Commandaria dessert wine.

Under Frankish rule, the village belonged to the Grand Commandery of Knights Hospitaller, whose seat was in Kolossi near Lemesos, and the production of Commandaria dates back to this time. The sweet wine is made with the indigenous grape varieties of Xynisteri (white) and Mavro (red).

Aside from its traditional architecture of stone-built houses – with their wooden balconies and picturesque lofts – the old village church dedicated to Agios Mamas (built in 1454) is also an interesting sight. A short distance from the church stands an old olive press, which was recently restored, whilst there is also a beautiful picnic site ‘Kakomallis’ located 6 km from the village.

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the tiny village of Lofou sits at an altitude of 780 metres, just 26 km from Lemesos town. Lofou can be reached by following the B8 route and then the F617 route, or by following the E601 route, and then the F617 route.

The village takes its name from its position on top of a hill (‘lofos’), and has retained its name since Byzantine times. It is renowned for its pretty, old architecture, and the many winding, cobbled streets.

The leafy environs of this picturesque and traditional village are home to grapevines and almond trees, offering agrotourism in tranquil and scenic surroundings.

Among its interesting sights are a small agricultural museum, the old school of Lofou, and the traditional faucet of Elitji, dating back to 1842. The faucet is where the villagers of Lofou used to collect water in the olden days, and was an important part of their daily life.

The village also has two religiously significant monuments; the 19th century village church dedicated to the Annunciation of Virgin Mary, and the nearby small chapel dedicated to Prophet Elias, whose icon is believed to have miraculous powers to stop the rains from causing damage to the grain crops.

At the end of September, the village celebrates its harvest with a Grape Fest, where visitors can watch the locals make traditional delicacies from grape juice, and sample them with their compliments. There is also a programme of folkloric entertainment, as well as wine tasting. 

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the small, traditional village of Lania sits in an altitude of 570 metres on the Troodos mountain range, just 25 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following B8 road.

Lania is one of the grape cultivating villages of the island. Whilst its residents were mainly employed in the cultivation of vines – and the production of wines, Zivania (spirit) and Soutzoukos (grape sweet) in older times – due to urbanization, there are now only a few harvesters and grape producers left.

According to tradition,the village got its name from Lana, daughter of Dionysus, God of Wine, or it may be derived from the word ‘valania’ (acorn), due to the fruit of the oak trees growing abundantly in the region.

Interesting sights include the old wine press, the Commandaria Storage Museum, and an old olive press. The church of Panagia Valana is located in the centre of the village, whilst the chapel of Panagia Valana can be found just outside the village, near a small picnic area and a park.

Every May, the women of the village open their yards to welcome visitors to their houses in the ‘Lanes and Courtyards of Lania’ event.

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the charming village of Koilani sits at an altitude of 820 metres on the Troodos mountain range, in the ‘Krassohoria’ area,  just 35 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following the B8 route, and then the F606 route, or by following the E601 route, and then the F606 route.

There are various versions of how the village got its name. One believes that the village was once known as ‘Kourion’ after the son of the mythic King of Cyprus Kinyras – a name it kept until the Byzantine period. Under Frankish rule, it was renamed Koilani. A second theory is that it originated from the ancient city of Kyllene of Pelloponesos (Greece) from where the first inhabitants of the village came. A third version believes that the name may be derived from a standing in a valley.

Koilani is one of the island’s main grape cultivators, and is famous for its wines and grape-products, as well as its aromatic ‘arkatena’ (crunchy rusks with yeast), and sweet pastries ‘glitzista’ .

The village retains its traditional character of folk architecture with houses that have tiled or flat roofs, picturesque lofts, arches and decorated frames, built with regional, carved limestone walls. Visitors can see the old, traditional earthenware jars displayed in yards, whilst some also still retain their old equipment for the production of wine or the distilling of the strong spirit Zivania.

Interesting sights include the various churches, such as the church of Monogenis, and the chapel of Agia Mavri, which is located under a one of the biggest plane trees on the island, and has interesting and unusual architecture and important murals. The viticulture and the ecclesiastical museums, the olive mill and wineries are also major attractions, whilst the village also offers the perfect, idyllic destination for agrotourism.

An annual Grape Feast is held at the village on the first Sunday of October, and also in mid-November, where visitors can watch how the locals make traditional delicacies from grape juice, and sample them with their compliments. There is also a programme of folkloric entertainment, as well as wine tasting.

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the picturesque village of Arsos is built on the slopes of Laona mountain at an altitude of 850 metres, and just 42 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following the A6 route and then the E601 route.

Arsos has practised the tradition of winemaking since ancient times, having developed into a large wine-producing village with a rich viticultural history.

Its name is believed to either come from the Holy Alsos (grove) of the Goddess Aphrodite, where the village is built, or its status as one of the four towns founded by Ptolemy Philadelphos in honour of Arsinoe.

Interesting sights include the Folk Art Museum, the ‘Six Fountains’ nature trail (that joins six medieval fountains along the river), its churches and a winery. Arsos is also an idyllic destination for agrotourism.

The village holds a Grape Feast annually at the end of September to celebrate its harvest, where visitors can watch how the locals make traditional delicacies from grape juice, and sample them with their compliments. There is also a programme of folkloric entertainment, as well as wine tasting. A second major event is held annually on November 14, with a religious fair in honour of Apostle Phillipos – protector of the village, with traditional stalls.