We’ve put together a short list of things you can’t miss near Kalavasos and around the island. The country has so much to offer, it was a real challenge to keep it short. Take these as a few starting points and get ready to unravel its ancient treasures and history.
Nearby places to visit
- Take B1 to Larnaca and visit Chirokitia (Neolithic settlement), drive up to Vavla, visit the Ayios Minas monastery the local winery of Christoudia (variety of local wines, honey and grape juice sweets) and then to Kato Drys for the Bee and Laces museum, go to Pano Lefkara to the laces museum and buy local silver jewellery.
- Off B1 towards Larnaca visit the Golden donkey farm in Skarinou and sample all their donkey milk products or even meet the cute donkeys.
- Be a real Beekeeper for a day at Vavlas Ecophysis (suit and gear provided) and sample their different varieties of honey and cosmetic products made from honey and beeswax.
- Visit Petros basket weaving workshop at Chirokitia join in and you may actually learn the skill!
- For Seafood go to Zigi and for swimming take B1 to Limassol and go to Governors Beach.
- Take the Zigi coastal road to Larnaca and visit the Camel Park, Petreon Sculpture Park, Kiti Church and the Mosque/Salt Lake outside Larnaca, seasonally visited by flocks of Flamingos.
Limassol
- Take B1 and drive through the city’s long coastline passing the main hotels or walk along the 14kms coastline. Find the Molos area (park by the sea front park with sculptures and check them out).
- Go camping by the sea in Dasoudi forest beach (nearby restaurants and cafes).
- Visit the old port and new marina areas and old city (start on the coast off the old port) the crusaders castle now a museum and get a feeling of that era. Around the castle visit the many cafes and restaurants, small galleries/boutiques and workshops, Saripolou street where young students go for a snack or freshly baked food of the day (gets wild in the night with many surrounding bars and clubs), the old market (Pantopoulio) with villagers daily bringing their own produce to sell, Ayiou Andreou street for souvenirs or Anexartisias street for clothes shopping.
- On the coast line road before the old city visit the local zoo/park, the municipal museum and gallery or just relax under the many sunbeds swimming and enjoying your iced coffee (we call it Frappe)!
- Visit the Limassol Mall or the long beach in Lady’s Mile with the seafood restaurants.
- Take A1 to Limassol and exit to visit Troodos mountain range or continue to exit at Kolossi or Erimi to visit the crusaders castle, Kourion with the ancient amphitheatre, Apollo temple, Aphrodite birth rock and Aphrodite temple in Kouklia village.
Troodos area
- Up the mountain after the water dam visit Katerina fruit sweets before Trimiklini village and thereafter the local market outside the church.
- Go to Omodos, Pano Platres (chocolate workshop), Kalidonia waterfalls and trout farm/restaurant and up to the top of the Olympus mountain (if winter you may also rent ski gear).
- Visit Kakopetria/Kalopanayiotis for the many Unesco protected churches.
- Kikos Monastery is the richest monastery however Trooditisa is more down to the religion.
- Nearby is “Stavros tis Psokas” with the indigenous mouflon roaming free and protected.
Paphos
- Visit the old harbour and the Governor’s mansion mosaics (end of Parking just behind the restaurants), St Paul’s pillar, Tombs of the Kings, a gelato at Pinguino café at Paphos port, swim at Peyias Coral Bay or visit the local zoo.
- Make sure to visit Akamas peninsula (if you have a 4×4 car) especially in spring or during July where turtles lay their eggs in Lara beach (make sure to take with you water and some food).
- Drive to Latsi to visit Adonis/Aphrodite’s baths, eat at Yialos restaurant or a drink at Anassa Hotel.
- Take a boat to Blue Lagoon from Latsi and if possible to rent your own boat visit the caves cove right before Blue Lagoon for a stunning marine life.
Larnaca
- Visit Pierides Museum and St Lazaros Church (the Saint pilgrimaged and passed away there) and the many cafes and restaurants.
- Visit the old Turkish area full of local artists workshops
- Phinikoudes area is a long stretch with palm trees many cafes and restaurants overlooking the sea.
- Joint a fishing boat at Larnaca port.
- Swim at Phinikoudes area or choose the more fancy area near the airport called Makenzy beach.
Ayia Napa
The most touristic and yes overcrowded place in Cyprus with beautiful beaches and long night partying!
- Visit Makronissos beach (family oriented) or Nissi Beach (younger people) or in Protaras the Fig bay.
- For seafood try Potamos (Liopetri port) or in Paralimni the Tappis tavern.
Nicosia
A divided capital city that is worthwhile visiting especially in the walled centre (Laiki Geitonia) for the many museums (National Archaeological, Leventis, Byzantine, War, Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios mansion).
