Where to base yourself
- Platres — the traditional hill resort, near the waterfalls and Olympos.
- Kakopetria — a protected old quarter by a river, close to Asinou and Agios Nikolaos.
- Omodos — wine village with guesthouses.
- Pedoulas / Kalopanagiotis — quieter villages nearer Kykkos.
Food and drink
Mountain tavernas serve grilled trout, kleftiko, village sausages and halloumi. Look for loukoumades and spoon sweets made from local fruit, and taste wines made from the native Xynisteri (white) and Maratheftiko (red) grapes.
Visiting churches and monasteries
- Cover shoulders and knees; wraps are sometimes provided.
- Photography of frescoes may be restricted — ask first and never use flash.
- Opening hours are short and change seasonally.
Weather and safety
It can be 10 °C cooler than the coast. Summer afternoons bring occasional thunderstorms; winter brings snow and ice at altitude. Forest fire risk is high in summer — no fires, and dispose of cigarettes carefully.
Sample plans
One day (from the coast)
Drive up to Omodos, continue to Platres for the Millomeris waterfall, lunch, then a short trail near Troodos Square.
Two days
Day one as above, sleeping in Platres or Kakopetria. Day two: Kykkos Monastery and two painted churches (Asinou and Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis).
Three days
Add the Caledonia trail and a winery afternoon, and visit Lefkara on the way out towards Larnaca.
