Painted churches
UNESCO-listed Byzantine churches with frescoes.
Worth it?Choose two or three rather than all ten, and check opening before you drive.
The Troodos Mountains, Cyprus
The Troodos mountains are the best contrast to the Cyprus coast: pine forest, cool air, painted churches, wine villages and walking trails. Most visitors under-allocate time here. You need a car and at least a full day, ideally an overnight.
- Best for
- Villages, painted churches, hiking and escaping coastal heat.
- How much time
- One full day minimum; one or two nights for a proper visit.
In this guide
- At a glance
- Best things to do in and around The Troodos Mountains
- Beaches
- Food
- How to get there
- How to use The Troodos Mountains in a trip
- A good day in The Troodos Mountains
- Where The Troodos Mountains falls short
- Our honest verdict
- Common planning mistakes
- Nearby destinations
- Who should visit The Troodos Mountains
- Who might prefer another destination
At a glance
| The Troodos Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Villages, painted churches, hiking and escaping coastal heat. |
| How long to stay | One full day minimum; one or two nights for a proper visit. |
| Where it is | Central Cyprus, between Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia. |
| Nearest airport | Larnaca (LCA) or Paphos (PFO); both need a road transfer. |
| Best time to visit | Spring and autumn for walking; summer as a cool escape; winter for snow. |
Best things to do in and around The Troodos Mountains
Caledonia and Artemis trails
Shaded forest trails, one to a waterfall and one around the island's highest peak.
Worth it?Good summer walks because both are in forest, where it is cooler than on the coast.
Omodos and the wine villages
Cobbled villages and vineyards.
Worth it?A natural lunch stop on a day in the foothills.
Kykkos Monastery
The best-known monastery on the island.
Worth it?Worth it if you are already in the western Troodos.
Kakopetria
A village with an old quarter beside a stream.
Worth it?A sensible base, with an old quarter and the painted churches within reach.
Beaches
There are no beaches in the mountains. The coast is a drive away on every side. See best beaches in Cyprus.
Food
Mountain village tavernas serve meze, grills and local wine. See the Cypriot food guide and Cyprus wine.
How to get there
Drive from Limassol, Paphos or Larnaca: mountain roads are winding, so allow more time than the map suggests and check live directions. Buses are limited: see Cyprus Public Transport. Fuel up before you climb.
How to use The Troodos Mountains in a trip
- Make it a full day from any coastal base, or stay a night in a village such as Kakopetria, Platres or Omodos.
- Choose one theme per day: churches, forest walking or wine villages.
- Check weather and road conditions in winter before you drive.
A good day in The Troodos Mountains
- Morning: two painted churches, with opening arrangements checked the evening before.
- Lunch: a village taverna, with meze to share.
- Afternoon: a shaded walk to a waterfall, or the Artemis Trail.
- Evening: dinner and wine in a hill village; stay the night if you can.
Where The Troodos Mountains falls short
- It has no beaches and needs a car.
- The roads are slow and winding.
- Some churches have limited opening, and winter weather can close roads.
Our honest verdict
The Troodos is the part of Cyprus most visitors give too little time. It is cooler, quieter and very different from the coast, and it is where much of the island's character lives. A single day is a start; two is better.
Common planning mistakes
- Trying to do all ten painted churches in one day.
- Underestimating how slow the roads are.
- Staying on the coast and doing the mountains as a rushed round trip.
Nearby destinations
- Limassol: the closest big base, see the Limassol overview.
- Paphos: the west, see the Paphos overview.
- Nicosia: the capital, see the Nicosia overview.
Who should visit The Troodos Mountains
- Walkers and nature lovers.
- Travellers who want to escape heat.
- Wine and village lovers.
Who might prefer another destination
- Anyone whose priority is the beach.
- Nervous drivers: mountain roads are winding.
Comparing destinations? See best places to visit in Cyprus, or plan the trip with the Cyprus travel guide.
Check before you go
Hours, prices and schedules change. Confirm them at the source:
- UNESCO World Heritage: Cyprus: painted churches
- Cyprus Department of Meteorology: mountain weather