Most Beautiful Villages of Cyprus

The best charm of Cyprus are its villages. No stay in Cyprus can be complete without visiting Cypriot villages on the plains and in the mountains. There are dozens of quaint, charming and peaceful little villages tucked in small corners, hill sides or valleys of Cyprus. They are near picturesque hill resorts like Platres, Kakopetria, Pedoulas, Prodomos and everywhere there is the rural charm surrounded by history, religious heritage and vineyards like Pegeia, Yialia and Kalopanagiotis.

These are some of my personal picks for that ‘something special’ : And I am constantly adding more:

Paralimni

This is a quiet village near Ayia Napa and is the administrative centre of the district since the invasion of 1974. Besides its secluded beaches, the village is famous for its various churches especially the 13th century vaulted church dedicated toVirgin Mary which also has a small museum.The landscape is beautiful with a fishing harbour, windmills and quiet little churches, all in the neighbourhood. Paralimni is part of the set of villages called the ‘red soil villages’in the region. For more information on Paralimni , visit the its municipality web site : http://www.paralimni.org.cy/

Potamos Liopetriou

The village is well worth the visit if only for the ancient Venetian watch tower and the fresh fish served in the village taverns. The fish are part of the catch from the passing traditional fishermen’s daily haul. The beauty of this village is so breathtaking that the French poet Arthur Rimbaud was inspired by it and did a lot of his work here in the late 19th century.

Pedoulas

Nestling in the Troodos mountain range is this picturesque village famous for its cherries. It is a summer resort and offers a lovely walk through narrow lanes lined with stone house on one side and fruit orchards on the other. The village also has a beautiful 15th century church and a Byzantine museum.

Omodos - The Model Village

Some 20kms outside Limassol & 10 kms off Platres, Omodos has preserved its traditional character and charms the visitors with its stone houses, cobbled streets and a very beautiful village square. Omodos is also the largest of the wine producing villages in Cyprus. The trip is incomplete without visiting the inside of traditional house and in some you will be taken through a puzzling mystery of how to open a locked door and close look at restored traditional winepress! Its also a great place to enjoy the Cyprus Coffee and several local delicacies. Old women sitting outside their homes and doing the intricate lace work add to the mystical charm of this beautiful village. For more information on Omodos, visit the its Community Council web site: http://www.omodos.org/

Lania

Popularly known as the ‘Painter’s village’ and ‘Artist’s heaven’ , Lania is the prettiest village in Cyprus midway between Limassol and Troodos. There are several art galleries around and you will come across many painters at work. Lania also has a Mosaic workshop.

Lefkara
Lefkara has a rich history and is famous for its local handmade lace work (known as ‘lefkaritika’) , silverware and its traditional architecture. There are as many as 18 churches around the village. For more information on Lefkara, visit the its Community Council web site : http://www.katolefkara.org/

Vouni Village

Ride into this tiny village in traditional bus, walk through the pebbled streets and simply enjoy this beautiful place at the foothills of Troodos range. Some of the traditional houses date back to the Venetian era.

Oroklini Village

Close to Larnaca it’s famous for being a village where locals and foreigners meet and mix at coffee shops and over a dozen local taverns.

Nikokleia Village

In the valley of Diarizos which is famous for being a sanctuary for birds and lot of vineyards and fruit plantations this village offers a unique experience of its own.

Pissouri

Situated between Limassol and Paphos, close to Cape Aspro, Pissouri is a hillside village, one of the very few in such surroundings in Cyprus. It is home to several expatriates who have made Cyprus their home and has retained its traditional Cypriot character. Its like a small world of its own and vineyards add to the beauty of the village. The Pissouri beach is just a few distance away.
For more information on Pissouri , visit the Community Council of Pissouri web site : http://www.pissouri.org/

Zygi
Along with its twin village Psematismenos, Zygi is situated between Larnaca and Limassol along the coastline. Its famous for authentic its sea food taverns. Fishing village of Zygi has perhaps the best fresh fish on the whole island. There is strong focus of the authorities to develop the area as a popular tourist village and retaining Zygi's rich cultural past.
For more information on Zygi, visit the Community Council of Zygi web site: http://www.zygi.com/

Panagia
Its said to be named after Virgin Mary and is famous for its wines. Situated in Paphos municipality it is perhaps the highest village in the area.

Tochni
Situated between Limassol and Larnaca, Tochni villags is spread over slopes of two hills. What enhances its beauty are its narrow streets with traditional Cypriot stone houses and churches.