Hidden Gems in the Troodos Mountains – Two Villages, Two Worlds
Cyprus – the island where, according to mythology, even the gods came to relax. While they bathed in the turquoise waters and rested on dreamy beaches, one might wonder: Did they ever venture into the island’s rugged interior? If so, the Troodos Mountains, rising in the heart of Cyprus, would surely have caught their divine attention.
Here lies a different side of the island – scenic hiking trails, forested peaks, and above all: charming mountain villages. Some are remote and untouched by tourism, while others are among the most visited destinations in Cyprus. Yet they all share a peaceful atmosphere, authentic flair, and heartfelt hospitality that leaves a lasting impression – even without famous landmarks.
In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to two such villages, each with its own unique character. Enjoy reading – and welcome to my travel blog!
Pano Lefkara – the most popular mountain village in Cyprus
Lefkara is a village located in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains at an altitude of about 600 meters. It is divided into Pano (upper) and Kato (lower) Lefkara and has about 750 inhabitants. The mountain village became famous for the art of embroidery, which was established during the Venetian rule in Cyprus. This craft was included in the UNESCO cultural heritage and can still be admired in the picturesque alleys of Pano Lefkara. In addition, the silversmith’s craft has been established here, which is also diligently advertised. Accordingly, Lefkara is a real tourist magnet and offers, in addition to the beautiful houses and alleys, a variety of tourist attractions. There are several museums, art exhibitions and churches worth seeing in Lefkara. Furthermore, souvenir stores, workshops for handicrafts or cozy cafes are waiting in the village. Not to forget, of course, the magnificent mountain scenery in the background. Overall, Lefkara is a great travel destination in Cyprus with many sights.
Getting to Pano Lefkara
Traveling by car
Pano Lefkara is located about 35 kilometers southwest of Larnaca in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains. The winding road E143 leads from the coastal highway A1 to the mountain village. From Larnaca or Limassol the drive to Pano Lefkara takes about 35 minutes. From Nicosia it takes 50 minutes. There are some paid and free parking lots in Pano Lefkara. However, many hotels also offer their own parking facilities. I have marked the parking places on the map.
By bus to Pano Lefkara
The mountain village of Pano Lefkara is a popular tourist destination and accordingly can be reached by bus. Bus lines 405 and 449 run between Kofinou and Vavatsinia with stops in Pano Lefkara. In addition, bus line 55 departs from Alampra, which is on the A1 north of the village. You can find more information on the website Cyprus by Bus. I have marked the bus stops on the map.
If you want to learn more about traveling by car or public transportation in Cyprus, check out my travel blog about Cyprus.
My visit to the mountain village Pano Lefkara
My tour of the beautiful Pano Lefkara begins in the early morning hours. There are no other tourists on the road yet and the main street in the village is deserted. Only the students make their way to school and some older ladies meet me on their way to the church.
I pass stores selling embroidery, cozy-looking restaurants, and small souvenir stores. At the end of the street, I reach a landmark of Pano Lefkara, which is a famous Instagram spot in Cyprus. It is a beautiful cafe with large blue doors and windows that contrast with the bright facade.
Short Facts for your Trip
A visit to Lefkara or Pedoulas is possible all year round, but in winter snow must be expected in the Troodos Mountains. In spring during the cherry blossom season Pedoulas is especially worth seeing and in summer an annual festival is held in Pano Lefkara. Since a visit to the mountain villages can be optimally combined with hiking tours, I recommend you to travel between March and May or between September and November.
The villages can be explored in one day. However, it is worth to stay longer in this area of Cyprus because some sights are waiting. For example, the Venetian bridges or the Caledonian waterfalls and the Millomeris Waterfall. In the Troodos Mountains you will also find several beautiful monasteries, which have the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, you will find countless hiking opportunities such as the Artemis Trail or the Madari Trail.
For overnight stays, both Pedoulas* and Pano Lefkara* offer a variety of cozy accommodations. If everything is already overbooked, there are other beautiful mountain villages nearby where accommodation is available. Under the following link you will find a selection*
The easiest way to get around Cyprus is with your own car. Parking lots are available at the villages.
You need a lot of time to travel by bus because the bus network is poor. Bus lines 55, 405 and 449 go to Pano Lefkara and bus line 35 to Pedoulas. You can find more information on the website Cyprus by Bus.
No special equipment is needed for a visit to Pedoulas or Lefkara. Pack what you would take for a normal city trip. I recommend sturdy shoes for the bumpy streets. You should also bring weatherproof clothes, because in the Troodos Mountains the weather can change quickly. It is also much cooler there than at the sea.
The beauty of the narrow streets and alleys in the villages is best captured with a wide-angle lens. But the viewpoints of the Troodos Mountains also offer optimal conditions for landscape photography. A tripod and filters might be interesting if you don’t want tourists in your pictures.
The narrow streets in Pano Lefkara
Turning off from the main mile, narrow stone paths lead through the beautifully decorated alleys of Pano Lefkara. Colorful flowers and green plants bloom everywhere, large colorful doors and windows decorate the houses and small works of art hang on the walls. It is easy to get lost here because of the many junctions, but somehow all the alleys meet back up with the busy main street of Pano Lefkara.
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The sights of Pano Lefkara
As if the lovingly prepared streets in Pano Lefkara were not reason enough for a visit, there are additional attractions in the mountain village. For example, the white church in the center, called the Church of the Holy Cross, is striking. Furthermore, there are several small museums in Pano Lefkara, such as the Museum of Folk Art or the Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmithing. In the latter you can learn about the crafts typical of the village. Just outside the village there is also an organic olive farm where you can taste delicious olives. For more information and sightseeing, visit the website of Lefkara.
The postcard motif of Pano Lefkara
Other points of interest are the many viewpoints that await you in the Troodos Mountains. For example, at the entrance of Pano Lefkara south of the gas station. There is an excellent opportunity to shoot your own motif for your postcards. Especially in the morning, when the sun casts a warm coat of sunlight over the houses of Pano Lefkara, a magnificent atmosphere awaits you.
The viewpoint of Pano Lefkara
Southwest of Pano Lefkara stretches the mountain Sotira, on the top of which there is a small chapel and an illuminated cross. From up there you have a magnificent view of the mountain village and the Troodos Mountains. Especially the sunrise over Pano Lefkara is worthwhile from this vantage point. However, I took a look at the village at night from there and was not disappointed. An asphalt road leads to the top, but there is also a hiking trail to the top.
After a challenging hike through the impressive landscapes of the Troodos Mountains, you’ll be craving a well-deserved cool down. And what could be better than diving straight into the refreshing pools of the Aphrodite Waterpark* in Paphos?
Hotels and accommodation in Pano Lefkara
Since Pano Lefkara is a popular tourist destination, there are also many accommodations in the town. However, you have to expect quite high prices and often the hotels are already fully booked. I myself stayed at Kozakos Luxury House* and was very satisfied. Contrary to the name, it is not very luxurious, but still very cozy and lovingly furnished. In addition, the hotel is located directly in the center of the mountain village and has a free parking lot. The accommodation is family-run, and the owners were very friendly and helpful.
Of course, there are other great accommodations in Pano Lefkara. Below you will find a selection for your overnight stay.
If you prefer to travel in a group, there is a possibility to join a guided tour. You don’t have to worry about transportation, excursion planning, or food, but you can completely focus on the beauty of the mountain villages. I recommend booking a tour through Viator portal, where countless activities around the world can be booked easily and safely.
Pedoulas – Cypriot life in the Troodos Mountains
Pedoulas is a small mountain village located at 1100 meters above sea level in the Marathasa Valley region. It has only 200 inhabitants but is a popular destination for tourists. However, many just make a stopover on their way to Kykkos Monastery or Mount Olympos. These two sights are both located in the region. In Pedoulas itself, the more than 10 churches are worth seeing, of which the barn-roofed Church of St. Michael the Archangel with beautiful frescoes is particularly impressive. Other highlights are the cherry orchards in the village, which bloom in spring. In summer you can buy the products made from them from the villagers. Furthermore, two interesting museums, small waterfalls and a breathtaking viewpoint are waiting in Pedoulas. In general, Pedoulas is more authentic than Pano Lefkara and not as crowded.
Getting to Pedoulas
Traveling by car
Pedoulas is located 9 kilometers north of Pano Platres and 8 kilometers east of Kykkos Monastery. The winding road E912 leads to the village. From Nicosia, Paphos or Limassol the drive to Pedoulas takes about 90 minutes. From Larnaca it takes 110 minutes. There is a free parking lot behind the Two Flowers Café in Pedoulas. I have marked the parking lot on the map.
By bus to Pedoulas
The mountain village of Pedoulas lies in the depths of the Troodos Mountains and is accordingly relatively difficult to reach by bus. Bus line 35 runs between Prodromos and the village of Atsas, which lies to the north on the B9, stopping at Pedoulas. You can find more information on the website Cyprus by Bus. I have marked the bus stops on the map.
If you want to learn more about traveling by car or public transportation in Cyprus, check out my travel blog about Cyprus.
My visit to the mountain village Pedoulas
My tour of Pedoulas begins in the evening hours at the village’s small mini market. Unfortunately, it is not very busy in November in Cyprus and there are no tourists sitting in the restaurants or cafes on the main road. From there I follow an asphalted side road further towards the center of Pedoulas.
I stroll past dilapidated house walls with colorful doors and windows. On the roadside are old cars that would certainly no longer get a TÜV in Germany. Cats run in paws through the alleys and birds sing on the roofs of the houses. On the one hand, the alleys seem dirty and shabby, but on the other hand, they radiate a special charm that gives Pedoulas something like authenticity. In fact, this is how I imagined village life in the mountains of Cyprus.
The sights of Pedoulas
Pedoulas is especially known for the high density of churches, as 10 churches are located in the village. The most famous is the Byzantine barn-roofed Church of St. Michael the Archangel, which houses beautiful frescoes. There is also a Byzantine Museum and a folk art museum, where customs and traditions of the villagers are taught. Furthermore, Pedoulas is located in the middle of cherry orchards, which bloom in full splendor in spring. Another attraction is the nature experience at Vryssi Poumi. For more information and sightseeing, visit the website of Pedoulas.
Small paradise at Vryssi Poumi
If you follow the alley behind the barn-roofed church, you will reach a plantation and finally a road. From there, a narrow path leads down the slope to the left. The small trail takes you directly to a stream whose water flows over several small waterfalls. In my case, the autumn colors give a very special atmosphere to this little idyll called Vryssi Poumi. Furthermore, it is possible to follow the path from Vryssi Poumi to the church of Panagia Vorini.
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The viewpoint of Pedoulas
Northwest of Pedoulas stretches a mountain, on the top of which there is a small chapel and a huge white cross. From there, a small path leads to a spectacular viewpoint. A magnificent 360-degree panorama of the mountains of the Troodos awaits you. Especially at sunset, a visit to this viewpoint is worthwhile, which promises partial views to the sea.
Hotels and accommodation in Pedoulas
Pedoulas is located in the heart of the Troodos Mountains and therefore offers some accommodation options. Most of the hotels are family-run and specialized for outdoor and hiking vacationers. I myself stayed at Christys Palace Hotel* and was very satisfied. It is a quiet accommodation located right on the thoroughfare. The rooms are simple, but versatile. There is also a cozy rooftop terrace on the roof. The accommodation is family run and the owners were very friendly and helpful.
Of course, there are other great accommodations in Pedoulas. Below you will find a selection for your overnight stay.
I hope you enjoyed my travelogue about the two mountain villages in Troodos Mountains. On my Cyprus Blog I show you other beautiful travel destinations in Cyprus and share valuable tips and experiences for your trip to Cyprus. Did you like my blog post? Was I able to help you? Then I would be happy if you recommend my travel blog, leave a comment, or follow me on Instagram. Thanks for reading and have fun on your vacation in Cyprus.
The references marked with an asterisk (*) are so-called commission links. If you click on such a referral link and buy something, I get a small commission from the provider. For you, the price does not change! I see it as a small thank you for my work and look forward to any support.
