Top 5 Cyprus Cultural Tours: A Traveler’s Guide
So, if you’re thinking of seeing Cyprus, and you want to do more than just lounge on a beach, you’re maybe in luck! There are actually several tours available that’ll show you the cultural treasures of this stunning island. From checking out old ruins and hidden villages to sampling tasty food and drinks, these organized excursions offer a more complete experience than you might have otherwise. Figuring out where to start can feel a bit overwhelming with all sorts of trips available. Let’s get into some of the best tours in Cyprus.
1. The Troodos Mountains Villages Tour
Actually, taking a trip to the Troodos Mountains is like getting a look into the old soul of Cyprus. That said, way up in the mountains, you’ll find a completely different world. Here, little villages cling to the hillsides, and their twisting streets are packed with stories. In some respects, these tours usually cover places like Lefkara, famous for its fancy lace and silversmithing, and Omodos, where there’s an old monastery and you can sample wines. Oh and that crisp mountain air? That is so incredibly invigorating. We typically visit some of the Byzantine churches here too, adorned with old paintings that tell the tale of times way back.
That’s important, visiting these mountains gives you insight into old crafts that are getting forgotten, while offering chances to meet with the families who’ve kept the traditions alive. A bite of homemade halloumi or a sip of local wine can provide a little moment in the mountains to think about. Usually, it’s almost a really lovely experience where history is very much alive around you.
2. Kourion Archaeological Site and Paphos Tour
Visiting the Kourion site can truly provide you with a little sense of stepping back into time! After all, with this particular tour, you’ll want to visit places, for example, Kourion, where you’ll come across a super breathtaking Greco-Roman theater with wide open views. Just a little further along the road and you can check out the House of Eustolios, which has incredible mosaics. That is very amazing to see!
Visiting Paphos may present an encounter with even more old stuff, for example, the Tombs of the Kings and Paphos Archaeological Park where the old mosaic floors are still there. These tours usually also show you around the harbor, giving you some time to enjoy a bit of local food. Clearly, it can be quite informative when you see things that are hundreds of years old with a guide to kind of paint a mental picture.
3. Akamas Peninsula Jeep Adventure Tour
Frankly, if sitting on a bus isn’t how you like to roll, think about getting into a jeep for a drive all across the Akamas Peninsula. Basically, the rugged views here can be very beautiful! After all, many jeep trips go all across places like the Baths of Aphrodite, which are almost legendary. A visit will allow you to stop at Lara Bay to keep an eye on some turtles, and then explore the Avakas Gorge, so you can hike a bit to take it all in.
Okay, the off-road parts of these drives provide you with almost something a bit different, away from any crowded tourist paths. Getting bouncing about and watching wildlife? It is sometimes more attractive to some people compared to staying in town!
4. Larnaca and Famagusta Historical Tour
In fact, Cyprus has maybe been caught up in conflict over the years. That’s so plain with this visit to Larnaca and Famagusta. Typically, from Larnaca, you get a look at the church of Saint Lazarus and get to amble along the Finikoudes promenade. Clearly, a very popular area to see.
Next, a trip to Famagusta shows you the old town enclosed by walls, including a look at the abandoned Varosha, a ghost town due to being abandoned during the conflicts. Naturally, it’s quite thought-provoking to have those divided sides so clearly demonstrated.
5. Wine Tasting Tour
Typically, not all experiences have to be all about looking at old buildings; you can just as easily go all around wineries. Oh and in Cyprus, they have been doing that for ages! Seemingly, several wine tours will take you out into the countryside to smaller family-run wineries where they continue making the local varietals. Here, tasting stuff like Commandaria, one of the most historic wines, and getting taught a little about how they develop the taste is what many find interesting. Also, most vineyard trips feature regional snack foods such as cheeses and olive bread alongside the wines.
Key points:
- Troodos Mountain village tours will offer insights into craft techniques along with monastery visits.
- Touring archaeological sites such as Kourion and Paphos mixes seeing old theaters as well as mosaics, giving one insight into life during that historical period.
- Jeep tours of the Akamas peninsula are actually a lot more exciting; consider those.
- Wine tasting tours expose old practices through regional wineries alongside local tastes.
- A trip that deals with conflict points toward a region’s issues by showing sites and stories from that moment.