Mountain Village Exploring
AMBELIKOS TRADITIONAL AGROHOTEL
Mountain Village Exploring
Guests can visit the nearby villages to see points of interests, or buy famous local products or meet with local people in kafeneia.
PEDOULAS
Address: Pedoulas (32 Km)
Pedoulas is situated on the northern flanks of the Troodos range, 1200 meters, above sea level, and is thw loftiest village of the Marathasa valley.
Its history dates back in the Byzantine times. According to tradition, Pedoulas, as well as many other Marathasa settlements, were established during the Byzantine period, when the Arab raids forced the Cypriots to leave the coastal areas and move to safer places in the mountains. During the Frankish and Venetian periods, Pedoulas was considered a royal estate. Pedoulas was the pioneer centre for tourism, due to its excellent climate and picturesque scenery. Initially, visitors in the 19th century were accommodated in local traditional houses and hotel tourism wasn’t developed until the beginning of the 20th century.
KAKOPETRIA
Address: Kakopetria. (19 Km)
Kakopetria is located south-west of the capital Nicosia and it is built upon the foothill of the Troodos Mountain -specifically in the north side of the mountain range. It is a village of the Nicosia district and stands at a distance of about 55 kilometres from the capital and about 55 kilometres from the second largest city of Cyprus, Limassol. It stands at an altitude of 667 metres (it is the highest village in the valley of the "Solea" region), the climate is rather dry, and it receives an average annual rainfall of about 648 millimetres.
Fruit-bearing trees (mainly apple, pear, plum, apricot, peach, and cherry trees), vegetables (mainly potatoes and tomatoes), vines (of table and wine-making varieties), and a few cereals are cultivated in its area. Kakopetria is especially known for the quality of its apples.
OMODOS
Address: Omodos (24 Km)
Omodos is located about 42 kilometres north-west of the city of Limassol, in the geographical region of the wine-making villages. It is built near the west bank of the Cha-potami river at an average altitude of 810 meters. The village is surrounded by tall mountaintops, the tallest of which are "Afames" (1153 m.) and "Kremmos of Laona" (Laona's Cliff, 1092 m.).
The village receives an annual average rainfall of about 760 millimetres; vines and various fruit-trees (apple, plum, pear, peach, and apricot trees) are cultivated in the region. There also are uncultivated areas that are taken over by varied natural vegetation. A small part of the village -in its north part -is taken up by the state forest of Pafos.
LOFOU
Address: Lofou . (23 Km)
The village of Lofou is in the district of the ‘ampelochoria’ between Limassol and Paphos, about 26 kilometers northwest of the city of Limassol.
KALOPANAYIOTIS
Address: Kalopanayiotis (48 Km)
Kalopanayiotis is located in the evergreen valley of Setrachos river on the northern slopes of the Troodos range. It is one of the fourteen villages of the Marathasa area, the most mountainous area of Cyprus. The village is 70 km away from Nicosia and Limassol and is the first village to come across as one enters the Marathasa valley driving up from Nicosia.
Coming from Nicosia follow the road to Kykko Mon turning left at Astromeritis and right just before Evrichou heading towards Kalopanayiotis – Kykko. Driving up from Limassol the easiest route is to drive towards Moniatis – Saitas turn right just before Moniatis through the village of Kato Amiantos, past Kakopetria and Evrichou and left at the junction 3 km past Evrichou torward Kalopanayiotis – Kykkos.
PLATRES
Address: Platres. (19 Km)
Today the village is well known as Platres, without the prefix "Pano" (Upper) preceding it, in contrast to the neighbouring village Tornarides as is referred to "Kato Platres" (Lower). It’s a misperception that Platres is a quite new village founded during the recent years. Platres is a very old village and is mentioned among the 119 villages of the Limassol district that existed during the Lusignan (Frank Rule, 1192-1489 AD) and the Venetian Era (1489-1571 AD).
ARSOS
Address: Arsos (35 Km)
The village of Arsos is one of the biggest wine producing villages in Cyprus. It lies 40 kilometres from Limassol and 45 kilometres from Paphos It is built on the slopes of Laona mountain, 1092 metres above sea level, with an open horizon on the Valley of the Diarizos River, as far as the sea of Paphos. Thanks to this geographical position, it enjoys a wonderful cool and dry climate in summer and attracts therefore hundreds of holidaymakers.
There are two versions about its name. One says that it comes from the Holy Alsos (grove) of the goddess Aphrodite, where the village is built, and the other tells us that it was one of the 4 towns founded by Ptolemy Philadelphos in the honour of Arsinoe.
GALATA
Address: Galata . (20 Km)
Galata is located 60 kilometres west of Nicosia in the beautiful valley of Solea. It has an altitude of 620 metres above sea level.
It is built in the two banks of the River Klarios that crosses through it and it is literally drowning in green. It is conjunct with the neighbouring community of Kakopetria. Both these twin hamlets receive thousands of tourists throughout the year.
AGROS
Address: Agros
Located in the Troodos mountain range, in Pitsilia region of Lemesos (Limassol) district, Agros sits at an altitude of 1.100 metres.
The layout of this picturesque village resembles that of a theatre, embraced by the surrounding mountains, Agros is nestled in stunning environs with panoramic forest views, making it ideal for agrotourism. It has maintained its traditional character and customs and grows a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
The village is famous for its cultivation of roses, along with its production of cured meats (sausages, ‘Lountza’ and ‘Hiromeri’), homemade marmalades and sweets. Visitors can see these traditional practises at the local workshops where rose oil distillation, sweet making and meat processing take place.
Pelendri
Address: Pelendri
Set against the backdrop of tall peaks and a lush valley burgeoning below, the village of Pelendri in the Limassol district is a great place to escape for the weekend. My Cyprus Travel has gathered some fun activities to make the most of a weekend in the mountains.
Located 880 metres above sea level, the village is on the western edge of the Pitsilia region – known for its viticulture.
Pelendri has been a settlement since the middle ages and the area has been known for its agricultural life. Farms have existed in the area since that time and the climate now gives way for the production of various fruits and vegetables.
So what is there to do in Pelendri, you might ask? Here are some suggestions for a perfect weekend escape.
Religious tourism: If you like to explore old churches and learn about their history or if you are into art, then you should head to the Panayia Katholiki church in the village. The church was built in the 17th century and there is an ecclesiastical museum attached to it. Pelendri is also home to the 12th century church of Timios Stavros, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Palechori
Address: Palechori
Located in the Troodos mountain range in the Pitsilia region of the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, the village of Palaichori is just 40 km from Lefkosia and can be reached by following the E903 route, then the F915.
The tranquil village is separated in two by the Serrache River, which springs from the Papoutsa mountain, and offers accommodation in beautiful, traditional houses.
The village is home to vineyards, nut and fruit trees, and produces the spirit Zivania in the traditional way. The spirit also plays a role in important village traditions, such as sharing it with friends in the church courtyard on name days.
A number of old and interesting churches, including significant Byzantine churches are worth a visit, whilst other sights include the village square, a museum exhibiting Byzantine Heritage, the restored hideout of the Gregoris Afxentiou, and the statue of the Cypriot Mother.
Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy partaking in the leisurely hobby at Palaichori Dam, which is constructed on the river of Kampiou.