High above the island’s sun-soaked coastlines, the Troodos mountains reveal another face of Cyprus — one of pine forests, stone-built villages, and crisp mountain air scented with herbs and woodsmoke. Rising to nearly 2,000 metres at Mount Olympus, this region is the island’s green lung and cultural soul, where ancient monasteries meet cool streams and slow living still thrives.

Nestled beneath the slopes of Mount Olympus, Troodos Square is the mountain region’s meeting point — a cool-air crossroads where locals, cyclists, and tourists pause for coffee and mountain honey before venturing deeper into the forested trails.

Troodos offers a complete change of pace from the coast. Days start with the sound of church bells echoing across valleys, and evenings end beside wood fires and local wine. Life moves gently here — measured by the rhythm of seasons, village festivals, and the steady flow of hikers, locals, and weekenders escaping the summer heat. It’s a place for walking, tasting, and breathing deeply.

The Villages

Platres

Each mountain village has its own distinct charm:

  • Kakopetria: Set along the banks of the Kargotis River, Kakopetria is a picture-perfect mountain village where cobbled lanes, wooden balconies, and the sound of rushing water create a timeless calm. It’s one of Troodos’s most romantic getaways.
  • Kalopanayiotis Built amphitheatrically along the Marathasa Valley, Kalopanayiotis is a beautifully restored spa village known for its stone bridges, mineral springs, and the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Saint John Lampadistis.
  • Pedoulas Perched high in the Marathasa Valley, Pedoulas charms visitors with cherry orchards, crisp air, and sweeping views across pine-covered slopes. Its red-roofed houses and Byzantine church make it a quintessential Troodos village — simple, welcoming, and beautifully Cypriot.
  • Prodromos, Cyprus’s highest village, sits amid orchards and evergreens, offering panoramic views and a real taste of mountain life.
  • Platres, once a colonial-era hill retreat, remains the largest and most famous, with boutique hotels, waterfalls, and shady forest trails.
  • Omodos, a beautifully preserved wine village, centres on its cobbled square and the Monastery of the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros), surrounded by wineries and cafés serving Commandaria and homemade soutzoukos (grape sweets).
  • Fini is quieter, known for its pottery, fruit trees, and authentic rural feel — a true hidden gem for those seeking peace and tradition.
kalopanayiots
Kalopanayiotis

What to do

  • Hiking & nature: Follow the Caledonia or Millomeris Waterfall trails, or hike through the Troodos National Forest Park to experience the island’s wild beauty.
  • Monasteries & Culture: Visit the Kykkos Monastery, famed for its mosaics and treasures, or explore UNESCO-listed painted churches hidden across the region.
  • Wineries & local food: Sample wines at family-run vineyards, taste loukoumia, or linger over trout, stewed rabbit, and village meze in a stone taverna.
  • Winter Charm: In colder months, Troodos even offers skiing on Mount Olympus — a novelty few Mediterranean islands can claim.

When to go

Troodos is beautiful year-round. Spring brings wildflowers and waterfalls; summer offers cool refuge from coastal heat; autumn glows with vineyards and chestnut festivals; and winter means snow-dusted peaks and roaring fires.

Why go

In Troodos, Cyprus slows down — revealing its heart through mountain air, monastery bells, and the timeless welcome of its villages. It’s the island’s most authentic escape, where nature and tradition still live side by side.

For exploring more of Cyprus:
Limassol: The Mediterranean city that has it all
Paphos: Where myth, history and the sea meet
Nicosia: Inside Europe’s last divided capital
From flamingos to Finikoudes: Fall in love with Larnaca
Protaras – Cyprus’s family-friendly coastal gem
Ayia Napa: Cyprus’s sun-drenched blend of buzz and beauty