Panagia
Located in the Pafos (Paphos) region, some 33 km northeast of Pafos town, the beautiful village of Panagia offers agrotourism in its natural environs, with its largest part located within Pafos Forest, at an altitude of 850 metres above sea level. It can be reached by following the A6 from the town of Pafos, and then the E606.
The village’s name comes from Panagia (the Virgin Mary), to whom the neighbouring monastery of Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa is also dedicated. One theory believes that under Frankish rule, Panagia village was a fief called ‘Casal Nostra Donna’ (of the Virgin Mary). The monastery houses an interesting Icons and Utensil Treasury, whilst a large religious festival is held annually on August 14 in honour of the Virgin Mary.
The village is also famous for being the birthplace of the Republic’s first president – Archbishop Makarios III – with two museums dedicated to the late Archbishop; the family home of the Archbishop, and the Museum of Cultural Foundation Archbishop Makarios III.
Other interesting sights include the various local wineries, the monastery of Agia Moni and the Vouni Panagias Nature Trail, which begins at the town square, and takes three hours to complete. Visitors can also enjoy the festival ‘Ta Rogiatika’, which takes place annually on August 15, and includes a programme of music and dance.
The main crops of the village include grapevines, various fruit trees, pulses, almond and olive trees, amongst others.
Activities
Visit the churches Panayia Eleousa and Ayios Georgios and the Monasteries of Panayia Kykkoy, Ayios Nicolaos and Chrysoroyiatissa, the chapel of Panayia of Sarkas and Panayia of Karyon, Visit the House of the Archbishop Makarios III ,the Folk art museum and the Cultural Foundation library. You can also see the Ecclesiastical Treasury of Chrysorogiatissa Monastery and Chrysorogiatissa Library.
Visit the Kannaviou Dam, walk in the Cedar Valley stop by Savros tis Psokas camping site.
Follow the Nature Trail of Vouni Panagias and experience the beauty of nature, Wineries: Vouni Panagias and Chrysoroyia wineries in the village. follow the wine route no. 2 Vouni Panagias-Ambelitis
Services
Cultural Centre, Gallery and Conference Centre, coffee shops, restaurants, banks, 3 grocery stores, Bank, ATM, village taverns, public transport services
Distances
Larnaca Airport – 152km
Paphos Airport – 34.4km
Choulou
Some 22km from Pafos town lies the beautiful village Choulou, built at 350 m above sea level. The villagers’ main occupation is viticulture and the cultivation of grain, broad beans, tobacco, almond trees, olive trees, carob trees and citrus fruit. There was a time when the village had a mixed population of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, while in the Middle Ages it was a famous feudal estate, associated with the well known medieval Cypriot song ‘Arodafnousa’.
The name of the village comes from the founder and first settler of the area, who was from Syria. It is said that the name “Houlio” was the title that brought officials the Bektashi guild dervishes of Syria. Another version of the origin is that the founder of the settlement is of a Syrian family: “Goul”, or the Syrian original family of the white genoas’, with the surname “Guli”. Later, during the reign of King Peter the 1st Montolif and his family, whose origins were from the south of France.
The inhabitants of the village are no more than 120 locals, together with a few expats who moved permanently to the village.
Activities and Places of Interest
Visit the Holy Cross, Saint Kononas, the Venetian church, Saint Theodoros (8th century church), and the Byzantine church dedicated to Saint George, the watermill, the lower fountain (Kato-Vrysi), the Church of Panagia Pantanassas, the mosque, the Ezousa River and Ammati forest and the two stone arched ancient bridges in the village. Follow the wine routes of the area and visit the old village of Lemona and “Tsagkarides winery”. Walk through the villages of Choulou and Lemona to enjoy the sounds of nature.
Services
2 Coffee shops and taverns in the village.
Distances
Larnaka airport – 143 km
Pafos airport – 25.7 km
Pano & Kato Akourdaleia
Built on a hill in the traditional architectural style of the area and situated about 23 km north of Pafos, is the village of Akourdalia, split in two parts, Pano Akourdaleia and Kato Akourdaleia. According to one tradition, the village acquired its name from the French phrase “au cours de I’eau” meaning in water. Another interpretation refers to the word “korda”, meaning the long strong rope made in the village. This small picturesque village offers a sense of serenity and calmness, accompanied by
the beautiful chirping of birds. The natural environment of the village, with the Chrysochou valley below, is rich in vegetation, vines, carob trees, almond trees,citrus trees and grain, inviting the visitor to go on an adventure of exploration. Akourdalia is part of the Laona project. Pano Akourdaleia
Walk through this attractive village to the Botanical and Herbal Museum, the oldest such museum in Cyprus, where you will see a wide variety of Cypriot aromatic herbs. It fell into disuse for a long time but is now functioning once more, the interest of botanists and nature lovers. The village has a traditional character and is ideal for photography. In Kato Akourdaleia visit the tiny, restored medieval chapel of Ayia Paraskevi, and the Millers House, set near an imposing gorge, about a 30 minute walk form the village (or a rough ride); Also visit the local community’s ‘Rural Life Museum’, which offers the visitor an insight into local art craft and culture.
Activities
Visit the church of Ayia Paraskevi and the Folk Art Museum, Swim in Latchi , Polis and Akamas Peninsula, Hike in the area’s Nature trails ( ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Adonis’ , ‘ Smigies’ and ‘Avakas Gorge’ trails) , follow the Wine Routes no. 1 (Laona – Akamas) and no. 2 (Vouni-Ambelitis), go to Lara Beach and walk through the Botanical and Herbal Museum.
Services
coffee shops, restaurants
Distances
Larnaca Airport – 156km
Paphos Airport – 37.3km
Amargeti
Amargeti, a village of unique beauty with magnificent archaeological findings, is located east of the town of Paphos and belongs to the geographical region of Ampelochoria.
The village is built on an altitude of 390 metres and the annual rainfall is about 600 mm. The scenery is divided by the river network consisted by the river Ezousa on the west and the river Xeropotamos on the east. As the Great Cyprus Encyclopaedia characteristically remarks, “the angle towards the two valleys is appreciable”. The relatively wide alves of Xeropotamos with the meanders and its small alluvial valley is really astonishing”. Vineyards, almond-trees, olive-trees, cereals as well as several fruit-baring trees such as apple-trees, pear-trees and peach-trees, thrive in the village. Both, during the period of the Frankish and Venetian occupation, Amargeti belonged to a feudal lord. In particular, Mas Latrie, includes Amargeti in the list of villages that used to be fiefs during the aforementioned periods. “Sculptures and inscriptions on bases of statues of the Hellenistic and Roman era” that were discovered in the area of Amargeti are of particular interest, both from a historical as well as from an archaeological point of view. The residents of the village deal with agriculture and stock-breeding, but mostly with the cultivation of vineyards. However, some of the residents of the village work in Paphos, since it is only a 25 minute drive. What is more, in the village, people deal with the production of wine and ‘Zivania’ which is the traditional alcoholic drink of Cyprus.
The main church of the community is dedicated to Zoodochos Pigi (Panagia) which was built towards the end of the 19th century, on the foundations of an older church and a chapel dedicated to Saint George. Ruins have found of Agios Agathonikos.
The imposing “Bridge of Routhouni (Nostril)” is located southwest of the community, in a distance of 1 kilometre, at the location “Zimpounieris”. It is a stone-built bridge, which was constructed during the Frankish period and which connected Amargeti community to the neighbouring community of Eledio.
Activities
Follow the Wine Route No. 2 (Vouni Panagias – Ambelitis). Go for hiking in Akamas peninsula. Taste traditional Cypriot food in the 2 tavernas of the village. Participate every October in the community Gastronomy Festival. Visit Kalamos and Eleonora wineries, Follow the community circular nature trail which starts from the village square and it is approximately 5.2 km. Visit the Folklor Art Museum which presents tools of many traditional professions such as the one of the shoe maker, the horseshoe fixer, the blacksmith, the bee keeper, the barber, the shepherd, the farmer and the weaver. Photo Exhibition is also available in a small traditional building. Visit the Horse Farm for riding and the traditional products shop to find local Olive Oil and other delicacies.
Services
Coffee Shop, Mini Market, Bank, Tavernas
Distances
Larnaca Airport – 137 km
Paphos Airport – 21 km
Lysos
Located in the Pafos (Paphos) region, at an average altitude of 560 metres, the village of Lysos has existed since Medieval times with legends of the Medieval hero Digenis still told in the area. The village is located about 36 km northeast of Pafos, and can be reached by following the B07 route and then the E723.
The name of the village is believed to have its origins in the ancient Greek settlements in Asia Minor that settlers had brought to Cyprus, and an archaeological site in the area has unearthed tombs chiseled out of rock and geometrical vessels that further cement this theory.
The village is the largest in the Pafos region, with its territory extending to the peak of Pafos Forest where the rare bird of prey – Bonelli’s eagle – can be spotted, along with the shy and rare Mouflon – an endemic species of wild sheep found exclusively on the island.
Sights of interest in the village include its series of old churches, including the main church dedicated to Panagia Chryseleousa – constructed around the end of the 15th century or the beginning of the 16th century. The church is believed to have originally been a Latin temple since its two doors are decorated with blazons.
The village is also known locally for its unique, traditional delicacy of ‘Maxilles’ – a type of dry fig that is consumed as a sweetener, or eaten with almonds or walnuts.
Activities
Visit the Church of Panagia Chryseleousa and the other chapels around the village, the Holy Water and Cave of Agios Charalambos. Follow the wine routes No. 1 (Laona – Akamas) and No. 2 (Vouni Panagias – Ambelitis) which are the nearby areas. Visit “Stavros tis Psokas” to see the famous Cyprus Mouflon(Agrino). Go for hiking in Akamas Peninsula and Troodos Mountains.
Services
Coffee Shop, Mini Market, Tavernas, Training Facilities
Distances
Larnaca Airport – 166 km
Paphos Airport – 51 km
Kallepeia
To the northeast of Pafos, some 13 km away, is Kallepeia, built at 500m above sea level. The village of Kallepeia is so well known for its beauty, that its name actually derives from the Greek word of the same meaning.
Today Kallepeia preserves many of its old, authentic features such as the stone built houses with the large courtyards, the great number of pitchers, clay pots and earthenware jars, the stone built wine-press, the abundance of marble rocks (of the area) most impressively seen on the Monastery of the Holy Cross which is built entirely out of marble. Of great importance is also the old church of Ayios Georgios.
The surrounding area is overgrown with rich vegetation, plantations and vineyards and lends itself to beautiful walks.
Activities
Visit the churches/chapels and the stone monument in the village square consisting of three plates ,one for the heroes of the community, one for benefactors and one for those offered to their work in education and culture,Enjoy a walk in the Ezousa crossing river.
Swim and hike in Latchi , Polis and Akamas Peninsula,and in the area’s Nature trails ( ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Adonis’ , ‘ Smigies’ and ‘Avakas Gorge’ trails) , follow the Wine Routes no. 1 (Laona – Akamas) and no. 2 (Vouni-Ambelitis).Minthis hill golf court is just few minutes away.
Services
Cafe-restaurant, Tavern, two Coffee shops, Youth Club
Distances
Larnaca Airport – 138km
Paphos Airport – 21.3km
Arodes
Located in the Pafos (Paphos) region, about 23 km northeast of the town of Pafos, the village of Pano Arodes is stunningly-positioned on the Laona plateau, 590 metres above sea level – at the edge of the Akamas Nature Reserve leading down to the breathtaking Avakas Gorge and the coast. The village can be reached by following the B07 route turning into the E711, and then the E715 and the E09, or by following the E701 route and then the E709.
Immersed in a landscape of vineyards and orchards, the village is tranquil and green, and popular for walks where visitors can discover the various flora and fauna of the area, as well as its little lanes of traditional stone houses.
The village is also religiously significant, thanks to its main church of Pano Arodes, which is believed by some to be the only church in the world dedicated to Agios Kalandionas, who is also the patron saint of the village.
The neighbouring sister-village of Kato Arodes was mainly Turkish Cypriot until the Turkish invasion of 1974 when it was largely abandoned.
Activities & Places of Interest
Visit Saint Kalandion and the ‘Virgin of Chrysospiliotissa’ churches and Avakas Irinis and Dipotamos gorges, some of the most impressive gorges in Cyprus. The Holy well of Saint Kalandion, in a peaceful valley one kilometre outside the village, has recently been restored. Water from this well is said to be beneficial for sufferers from skin diseases. Hike in the areas many nature trails.
Services
Grocery Shop, Coffee shop, Tavernas and Bank can be found in Kathikas village which is 5 minutes drive away.
Distances
Larnaca Airport – 154km
Paphos Airport – 35.9km
Source: Courtesy of the CTO
