Two weeks in Cyprus: the island at a slow pace

A fortnight in Cyprus is a luxury, and worth using well. Not to cram in more places, but to stay longer in each. The island has mountain villages, valleys and wine hamlets that you can’t enjoy in passing, and with fourteen days you can sleep two, three or even four nights in one place. This is my slow route, west to east, by hire car. With fewer days, start with places to visit in Cyprus.

Days 1 to 4, Paphos without hurrying

Four nights in Paphos cover the mosaics of Kato Paphos and the royal tombs, the boat to the Blue Lagoon from Latchi, the Kouklia sanctuary and Aphrodite’s Rock, and a free fourth day. I’d use it for Avakas Gorge, on the western side of Akamas, or for Akamas villages such as Kathikas, with a long lunch. For a beach day, Coral Bay is about 10 km from Paphos.

Days 5 to 7, three nights in the Troodos

This is the heart of the trip. One night isn’t enough for the mountains, and three let you see all their faces. One day for Marathasa, with Pedoulas, Kalopanayiotis and Kykkos Monastery. One for Solea, with Kakopetria and Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis. And the third for Mount Olympus, the island’s highest point, with its trails and the Caledonia waterfall near Platres. The ten painted churches have been World Heritage since 1985 and charge no entry, according to UNESCO.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Platres on Expedia and filter by area before price.

Day 8, what’s special about Pitsilia?

It’s the part of the Troodos fewest visitors see, to the east, and for me one of the loveliest. Agros, with its houses spread over the hillside, and Panagia tou Araka, between Lagoudera and Saranti, one of the World Heritage painted churches, with frescoes dated 1192. From there I’d head down to Limassol for the night. More in Pitsilia.

Days 9 and 10, Limassol and wine

One day for the town and coast, with the old town, the Molos, Kourion and Kolossi Castle, and a whole day for the wine villages, from Omodos to Lofou, on the southern slopes of the Troodos. Commandaria, their sweet wine, joined the UNESCO intangible heritage list in 2025.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Platres and pick one that fits your day.

Days 11 and 12, Nicosia and its other half

Nicosia is about 62 km from Limassol as the crow flies. Two nights give you time for the Venetian walls, the Cyprus Museum, the churches and mosques of the centre and half a day in north Nicosia, walking across at Ledra Street with your passport. Crossing is straightforward, and the contrast between the two halves of one city is something no museum can show you. Since 1974 the government has not controlled the north, and the Foreign Office publishes separate guidance for it; I’d read it first and leave the car in the south, as its insurance doesn’t apply there. If you’re there on 1 October, you’ll also see the Independence Day parade in the south of the city.

Days 13 and 14, the east coast and Lefkara

On the second-to-last day head east to Cape Greco, about 61 km from Nicosia and 9 from Ayia Napa, with its cliffs and caves. Sleep in Protaras or Larnaca. On the last day, Lefkara and Choirokoitia, 8 km apart and about 30 km from Larnaca, before your flight. That way you finish with the island’s third World Heritage property and a lace-making village. If the flight is late in the day, the Larnaca Salt Lake, where flamingos winter and an Ottoman mosque stands by the water, is a gentle last stop close to the airport.

Where the bus does not go, a car does: compare car hire in Limassol before you arrive rather than at the desk.

Before you go

Book the car to collect in Paphos and return in Larnaca, and reserve the mountain nights early. In winter, expect possible snow on Mount Olympus between January and March. For the budget, going by CYSTAT’s figure of roughly €72 a day for independent British visitors in 2025, a fortnight comes to roughly €1,000 each before flights and the car. Bring your GHIC and travel insurance, and remember gov.uk says consular help in the north is limited.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Platres on Booking.com and filter by area before price.