Day Trips out & about
Cyprus Is an island where discovery lurks around every corner. We have compiled some of the best day trips to help you discover Cyprus heritage, culture and life-Bon Voyage.
Short Trips
Pissouri Village
Have a coffee or a drink in Vrakas Tavern and watch the world go by with the locals by day.
Turn left out of Aphrodite hills and follow the B6 passing APHRODITE ROCK until you reach the outskirts of Pissouri.
Take the right hand turning next to a small garden shop. At the top of the hill take the first lane left foe easy parking.
A few minutes’ walk brings you to the cobbled village square below the church.
Kourion
Acres of well preserved columns, mosaics and archaeological remains to explore plus an impressive amphitheatre with views over KOURION BEACH and the sea (chris blue bar is good for lunch if you are peckish).
If time allows, head towards Limassol and park near the castle. The old town streets are full of Tavernas, antique shops, tailors and metal workers.
Turn left out of the resort and stay on the B6 all the way through Episkopi (UK army base, about 30 min drive).
About 4 miles further turn right into KOURION. (small payment at gate).
Day Trips
Akourdaleia
Akordaleia is a quaint hill village surrounded by vineyards.
The HERB GARDEN is worth a visit followed by a trip to STERNA WINERY not far away.
A further 5 min drive brings you to Kriton Terra where you can take a 4K walk into a deep canyon.
VASILIKON WINERY is also nearby. Monstakallis tavern recommended for lunch.
From Paphos, take rhe B7 to polis through StroumbiVillage and turn left to Kathikas, follow signs to Pano Akourdaleia.
Paphos Harbour
There are various options for boat trips here. The harbour ia a popular spot for lunch and the MOSAICS are recommended, the entrance is between the harbour and parking area, allow one to two hours. The old town has an indoor market, which is about a 10 minute drive up the hill from the harbour.
Turn right out of Aphrodite Hills and follow the signs to Kato Paphos.
Turn right when you reach the Amathus Beach Hotel, and follow the sea along to the harbour area (parking on the right hand side).
Kouklia
A visit to APHRODITES SANCTUARY is recommended and also the small PANAGIA KATHOLIKI CHURCH which is opposite.
There is a small family run SNAKE FARM in the village showing local snakes of Cyprus, not for the faint hearted.
Turn right from Aphrodite Hills and continue along the B6 for about 3 miles. Follow signs to Kouklia up hill on right hand side.
Kolios Winery
Visit Kolios to discover some of the island’s best wines and learn about the process that goes into making them.
Linch is popular option but booking required. Wine boxes here are good value, but do try the wine first.
Turn right out of Aphrodite Hills and get on the motorway towards Paphos. Go past the airport turning and turn off at signs to Troodos/Agia Varvara (E606). Follow the road up into the hills for approx 35 mins. (You pass through several small villages, and see some wonderful views.) Finally you will come to STATOS AGIOS FOTOS and the winery will be on your left hand side.
Continue along this road a couple of miles and you will come to CHRISORROGIATISSA Monastery.
It is worth a wnader around this peaceful enclave. For a full day out, continue up into the Troodos to KYKKOS MONASTERY.
Anogyra
Anogyra is a pretty stone village with a ruins monastery, OLIVE OIL MUSEUM with tasting and NICOLAIDES WINERY.
Turn left out of Aphrodite Hills and get on the motorway towards LIMASSOL. Take the turning off to Anogyra/ Avdimou.
Just at the end of the village turn left. Follow the signs for Anogyra qhich you should reach in 20 mins.
Full Day Trips
Artist’s Village Tour
Take the motorway towards Limassol and get off at the Polemidia exit. Take the B8 to Troodos. MONAGRI is approx 13 miles from Limassol, and here you will find the 12C Monastery of Archangelos.
The village church is now used as a gallery for local artists. Further up the B8 is a right hand turn to LANIA, a charming village with pretty cottages and alleys. Here there are several artist studious and galleries. Saturday is when most are open.
Back on the B8 and follow signs to PLATRES (TSIAKKAS WINERY is en route in Pelendria) . Pano Platres is 1,150m high and LAMBOURI WINERY can be found here, along with PSILODENDRO TROUT FARM (lunches available) . Next to the trout farm is the start of the KALENDONIAN NATURE TRAIL.
Kakopetria – Troodos
This scenic drive up into Troodos to Kakopetria takes about an hour and a half. Park in the centre and enjoy the back streetsand cobbled alleys in the old quarter. There are several churches in the area with well preserved frescoes. Cross the river and have lunch in The MILL where the speciality is local Trout.
Turn left out of Aphrodite Hills and take the motorway towards Limassol. Take the B8 through Trimiklini. (Outskirts of Limassol).
Larnaka & Ayia Napa
Larnaka – Salt Lakes where the flamingos stop on their migration. Pleasant sea front, 1 hour drive.
Hala Sultan Tekke historical mosque built in 1816 on the site of a sacred shrine.
Ayai Napa- Good waterpark, Best beaches in Protaras. All the above are about a 2-2.5 hours drive.
Nicosia
The old town is a higgledy piggledy area of small streets, abandoned buildings, wonderful old balustrades, doorways and small shops. Take your passportand head to Ledra street on foot for a trip to the Turkish side (officially known as the occupied territories).
It is possible to visit the Turkish side i.e. Kyrenia and beyond, but hire cars are not allowed. A visa can be bought at the boarder. Coach trips from Paphos are available.
Turn left out of Aphrodite Hills and get on motorway towards Limassol. Follow signs to Nicosia (Lefkosia) which will take just under 2 hours. Stay on the same road which runs into Archbishop Makarios Avenue and either park in the Hilton Hotel car park (left), or continue to the centre past main shops (M&S, Mango, Ect), and park in the car park on the left. The OLD TOWN is found behind the Holiday Inn.
Akamas
Day trips around the Akamas Peninsula can be arranged by both quad and jeep safari. A wonderful and thrilling way to soak in this beautiful coast line, the trips tend to start in coral bay at 9am, returning at around 3/4pm and the prices generally includea lunch. Our recommended hire company for such day trips are Chris Andreou Rentals in Paphos: 26 913 995
Polis and Latsi
Approx 40 mins drive north of Paphos you will find Polis and Latchi (Latsi on maps).
Polis is busy in high season, but worth a stop and a coffee in the village square. A 10 min drive to the West you will find Latsi. The harbour area is full of fish restaurants, and boats charters are available from here. The ALKION runs short boat trips along the coast with a stopover for a swim before returning.
The coastline is very pretty, and is where the AKAMAS peninsular begins in the north. The long beach is great for children to run around and kite flying is a favourite here for the locals. The baths of Aphrodite are a short drive past Latsi.
DRIVING TIP
Most minor roads are mostly unmade and can make for a very bumpy ride.
Take a good road map if venturing off the main road.