The Troodos Mountains: A Visitor's Guide
Rising green and cool from the centre of the island, the Troodos massif is the other side of Cyprus — a world of pine forest, stone villages, and mountain streams a world away from the beach resorts, yet only an hour or so from the coast. Topped by Mount Olympus, it even holds snow in winter.
Painted churches
Troodos is famous for its Byzantine churches and monasteries, ten of them collectively listed by UNESCO. Modest stone barns on the outside, they hide extraordinary frescoes within. Kykkos Monastery, the grandest and wealthiest, and the smaller painted chapels tucked into the valleys, are the region's cultural highlights.
Villages and crafts
- Omodos and Kakopetria — cobbled wine and craft villages with restored old quarters.
- Platres — a leafy hill resort, cool in summer and a walking base.
- Lace, silverwork, wine, and preserved fruits are traditional local products worth seeking out.
The outdoors
Marked nature trails thread the forest — the Caledonia waterfall walk and the Atalante and Artemis loops around Olympus are favourites — passing springs, endemic plants, and viewpoints over the whole island. In winter a small ski area operates on the upper slopes; in summer the mountains are a refuge from the coastal heat.
When to visit
Each season shows a different face. Spring brings wildflowers and full waterfalls; summer offers cool, pine-scented relief from the coastal heat; autumn is grape harvest and mellow light; winter dusts the peaks with snow. The villages stay open year-round, though some mountain tavernas keep shorter hours out of season.
Practicalities
You really need a car: roads are scenic but winding, and public transport is limited. Fill up with fuel before heading in, pack a layer as it is markedly cooler than the coast, and allow more driving time than the map distance suggests. A day trip works, but an overnight in a village lets you enjoy the mountains after the coaches leave.