Troödos Mountains

Home to Mt Olympus (1952m), the island’s highest peak, this stunning mountain range provides visitors with a forested flip side to the coastal resorts and big-city clamour. Overlooking the valleys of Lemesos (Limassol), Larnaka and the greater Mesaoria plain, this region covers over 90 sq km and is a protected natural park which safeguards its wildlife, ecology and geology. In winter, skiers and snowboarders populate the ski resorts of the northern slopes, while at other times of the year the park is ideal for camping, picnicking, hiking, cycling and birdwatching.

In addition to the natural beauty of the landscape, the Troödos Mountains are home to a variety of postcard-pretty villages with cobbled streets, terraced slopes and vernacular architecture. The region’s peaks and valleys also hide some of the island’s most important medieval frescoed churches, along with unexpected monasteries, museums and some of the Republic’s finest wineries.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Troödos Mountains.

Monastery
Agios Ioannis Lambadistis Monastery
This Unesco-listed site is a complex of three churches in one, dating from the 11th century and built over 400 years. Now under one huge pitched wooden roof, they represent some of the region's most wonderfully preserved churches. The monastery also houses an icon-filled Byzantine Museum. Get there by following the narrow, winding main street to the opposite side of the valley. Opening hours can fluctuate; you can generally find the priest (plus key) at the nearby coffee shop.
Monastery
Kykkos Monastery
The island’s most prosperous and opulent Orthodox monastery was founded in the 11th century by Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komninos after a bizarre series of events. Over the centuries, a series of fires all but destroyed the original monastery. The surviving building, an imposing and well-maintained structure, dates from 1831. The monastery is about 20km west of Pedoulas; try to visit early, as it can get busy from late morning onwards. Dress conservatively (though shawls and cover-up clothing are provided).
Church
Archangelos Michail
Most people visit Pedoulas to see this extraordinary Unesco-listed church. Dating from 1474, the gable-roofed building sits in the lower part of the village. Its evocative and brightly coloured frescos, restored in 1980, show a move towards the naturalism of the post-Byzantine revival. The works are credited to an artist known only as Adamos, who, unusually for that time, signed his work. If it's not open, the key is held at the Byzantine Museum across the street.
Church
Panagia tou Araka
This 12th-century Unesco-listed church is on the outskirts of Lagoudera. From the outside, it appears enormous, the pitched roof and wooden trellis concealing the church within. Inside, it has some of the finest examples of late Comnenian style (1192) frescos in the Orthodox world. Its neoclassical works by artists from Constantinople display such images as the incredible Pantokrator featured in the tholos (beehive-shaped stone tomb). Other excellent frescos include the Annunciation, the Four Evangelists, the Archangel Michael and the Panagia Arakiotissa.
Monastery
Timiou Stavrou Monastery
Fronted by the town’s impressive, massive cobbled square, the monastery’s entrance is guarded by a statue commemorating Dositheos, a former abbot murdered by Turkish troops during the Greek War of Independence in 1821. Now acting as the parish church, the monastery was originally built around 1150; it was extended and extensively remodelled in the 19th century. Several of the outbuildings now house small museums.
Church
Panagia tis Podythou
Located in the village of Galata, on the Nicosia road, this 16th-century Unesco-listed church was established in 1502 by Dimitrios de Coron, a Greek military officer in the service of James II (king of Cyprus). Its 17th-century frescos cover the pediment of both the east and west walls. The two striking frescos on the north and south walls appear uncompleted. They depict the apostles, Peter and Paul, in a Renaissance-influenced (Italo-Byzantine) style with vivid colours that provide a three-dimensional appearance.
Church
Panagia Forviotissa
This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of ‘Phorbiottissa’, it has arguably the finest set of vibrant and colourful Byzantine frescos in the Troödos Mountains. They date from the 12th to the 17th centuries. To view the church, you’ll need to ask its priest and caretaker, Father Kyriakos, who can usually be found at Nikitari’s coffee shop.
Church
Panagia tou Moutoulla
The oldest of the 10 Unesco-listed painted churches in the Troödos Mountains, this church is believed to have once been a private chapel. It has the steep aisle and pitched roof common to the region. The rare unrestored paintings include depictions of St Christopher, St George and the Virgin, and date back to AD 1280. You will need to seek out the key, held by Eleni at a nearby house; the village coffee shop will direct you.
Gardens
Troödos Botanical Gardens
Part of the excellent Troödos Geopark, this is a small but well-laid-out botanical garden with a lily pond and other water features, including a tumbling waterfall. Species in the park include common, rare and endangered flora, with the garden split into thematic sections including aromatic, endemic and traditional garden plants. There's a short audiovisual presentation about the local flora, and a photographic exhibition covering the history and restoration of the site's former (somewhat alarming) asbestos mine.