Travel & Wine · Cyprus

Planning a Wine Trip to Cyprus: Wineries, Villages and Tasting Routes

Most people think of Cyprus as a beach holiday. They’re right but they’re missing half the island. Up in the Troodos mountains, some of the most interesting wine in the Mediterranean is being made.

By CWFexpo Editorial14 min readUpdated May 2026Part of our Cypriot Wine series

In this guide

The wine lover’s case for Cyprus is not difficult to make once you understand the geography. The island’s famous coastline, the beaches of Ayia Napa, the resorts of Paphos, the harbour of Limassol is a perfectly good reason to visit. But inland, above the tourist infrastructure and the summer heat, there is a different Cyprus entirely.

The Troodos mountain range rises to nearly 2,000 metres at its highest point. At altitude, the air is cooler, the growing season is longer, and the limestone soils hold memory. Vineyards cling to terraced hillsides at 600, 800, 1,000 metres above sea level. In the villages tucked between them, winemaking has continued without interruption for longer than most of the world’s famous wine regions have existed. The wine producers here are not chasing trends. They are working with grapes that grow nowhere else on earth, in conditions that cannot be replicated, making wines that cannot be made anywhere else.

This guide is for the wine lover who wants to find that Cyprus. It tells you which wineries to visit, which villages to walk through, when to go, how to get around, and how to build a route that does the wine justice. And for those who want a preview before booking flights, it ends with the best way to meet the same producers in London.

Cyprus wine trip at a glance

The core wine region is the Troodos mountain range in the south and west of the island, centred on the Limassol district. The best base is Limassol city, good accommodation, easy access to the mountain roads, and excellent Cypriot restaurants. Minimum recommended time: two full days in the wine villages, with Limassol as your base. Best season: September to November (harvest) or April to June (cooler, greener, less crowded).

Why Cyprus Belongs on Every Wine Lover's Travel List

The straightforward argument is this: Cyprus has indigenous grape varieties that exist nowhere else, a winemaking tradition stretching back 5,000 years, and a mountain terroir, altitude, limestone, diurnal temperature variation that produces wine with genuine distinction. None of that is available anywhere else at any price.

The practical argument is equally persuasive. Cyprus is a short flight from the UK, four and a half hours from London with good air connections year-round. The island is easy to navigate by hire car. English is widely spoken. The cost of eating and drinking well is considerably lower than in comparable wine destinations: a tasting flight at a Burgundy domaine costs the same as a full winery lunch in the Troodos. And unlike the queues at Tuscany’s most famous estates or the booking-months-in-advance reality of visiting Burgundy’s best producers, Cypriot wineries are almost universally welcoming to visitors who show up with genuine interest and a few days to spare.

There is also the food. Cypriot cuisine is one of the great underrated food cultures of the Mediterranean, and the combination of eating properly in Troodos mountain tavernas, kleftiko from a clay pot, fresh village bread, halloumi straight from the pan and drinking the wines made within sight of where you are sitting is an experience that wine tourism in more crowded destinations rarely delivers.

Unlike the queues at Tuscany’s most famous estates, Cypriot wineries are almost universally welcoming to visitors who show up with genuine interest and a few days to spare.

— CWFexpo Wine Guide, 2026

The Troodos Mountains: The Heart of Cypriot Wine

The Troodos range is not the dramatic, vertiginous mountain landscape of the Alps or the Pyrenees. It is gentler than that broad, forested slopes, ancient pine trees, stone-built villages that have been there for centuries. The altitude rises gradually from the Limassol coast, and by the time you reach the main wine villages you are high enough to feel the temperature drop and the air change.

The key to understanding Troodos wine is altitude and its effects. Every 100 metres of elevation reduces the average temperature by approximately 0.6°C. In practice, this means a vineyard at 1,000 metres in the Troodos experiences a growing season as much as six degrees cooler than the coast below comparable to moving from southern Spain to the Loire Valley. That temperature difference is the reason Cypriot whites from the high Troodos have the freshness and acidity to compete internationally, and the reason the reds develop complexity rather than simply ripeness.

The soils are predominantly limestone and igneous rock, well-drained, mineral-rich, and deeply expressive in the wines they produce. Old vine material, much of it ungrafted and pre-dating phylloxera, still exists in some of the higher villages. These ancient vines produce small yields of intensely concentrated fruit that more recently planted vineyards cannot replicate regardless of technique.

Three sub-areas within the Troodos are worth distinguishing. The central Troodos, around villages like Platres, Pelendri, and Kyperounda, produces the island’s finest whites. The southern foothills, encompassing the Commandaria zone and villages like Omodos and Lania, are the heartland of Commandaria production and a growing source of serious reds. The western reaches, around Pano Panayia and the Paphos highlands, are producing increasingly recognised wines from both white and red indigenous varieties, with a slightly different soil profile and a distinctive minerality.

The Best Wineries to Visit in Cyprus

Cyprus has a growing number of producers who welcome visitors, ranging from large cooperatives with visitor centres to small family estates where you taste in the barrel room with the winemaker. The following are the wineries most consistently worth visiting — chosen for the quality of their wine, the quality of the visit experience, and the degree to which they represent what Cypriot wine is actually capable of.

Kyperounda Winery

Central Troodos · 1,200m altitude

At 1,200 metres above sea level, Kyperounda is the highest winery in Cyprus and the clearest single argument for taking Cypriot white wine seriously. The estate produces what many consider the benchmark Xynisteri — crisp, mineral, and more complex than altitude whites have any right to be at this price — alongside serious reds from indigenous varieties including Maratheftiko. The setting is extraordinary: the village of Kyperounda sits in a bowl of pine forest with views across the southern Troodos that make it difficult to leave.

The tasting experience is genuine rather than theatrical — you taste with people who understand the wines completely and are delighted to discuss them. Book in advance for a full guided tasting; walk-ins are often possible for a shorter experience.

What to taste: Petritis Xynisteri, Epos barrel-fermented white, Maratheftiko

Vouni Panayia Winery

Paphos Highlands · Pano Panayia

Vouni Panayia is the most dedicated producer of indigenous Cypriot varieties on the island. The winery is located in Pano Panayia — birthplace of Archbishop Makarios III — in the western Troodos highlands, where the soil profile and microclimate differ subtly but significantly from the central Troodos. The estate cultivates not just Xynisteri and Maratheftiko but rarer varieties including Promara, Spourtiko, and Yiannoudi, making a visit here the most comprehensive single introduction to the full range of what Cyprus grows.

The Vouni Panayia family have been making wine here for generations and their commitment to the indigenous palette is total. The tasting room is simple and honest, which feels right for wines of this character.

What to taste: Alina Xynisteri, Promara, Yiannoudi, Maratheftiko

Zambartas Winery

Troodos Foothills · Anogyra

Marcos Zambartas studied winemaking in Bordeaux and returned to Cyprus to apply rigorous modern technique to Cypriot indigenous varieties. The result is a range of wines that are the most immediately accessible to international palates while still being deeply and authentically Cypriot. The Maratheftiko is widely considered among the best expressions of the variety, and the Xynisteri — particularly the barrel-aged version — shows what happens when the grape is handled with complete confidence.

Zambartas wines are the best gateway for visitors who want to understand what Cypriot wine aspires to before exploring the more traditional producers. The winery is modern, the tastings are structured, and the team is exceptionally good at communicating the wines to people who are encountering them for the first time.

What to taste: Maratheftiko, barrel-aged Xynisteri, rosé

Tsiakkas Winery

Central Troodos · Pelendri · 1,000m

Tsiakkas is a family estate at 1,000 metres in the village of Pelendri, producing wines across the full range of styles that Cypriot indigenous varieties can achieve. The barrel-fermented Xynisteri is exceptional — an object lesson in how much depth this variety is capable of with the right treatment. The reds, including Maratheftiko and Yiannoudi, are well-made and offer excellent value relative to the quality in the glass.

What distinguishes a visit to Tsiakkas is the personal quality of the experience. This is a family operation and you feel it from the moment you arrive. The winery is unhurried, the conversation is genuine, and the prices for taking bottles home are honest. One of the most rewarding stops on any Troodos wine route.

What to taste: Barrel-fermented Xynisteri, Maratheftiko, Yiannoudi

Ezousa Winery

Paphos Region · Statos-Agios Fotios

Ezousa is one of the newer names in Cypriot wine with a growing reputation, particularly for its work with the Yiannoudi grape. Located in the Paphos region, the winery is producing clean, precise wines from indigenous varieties that show the benefit of modern cellar practices applied to traditional raw material. The Yiannoudi is consistently among the best expressions of the variety available and is worth seeking out specifically.

What to taste: Yiannoudi, Xynisteri, Maratheftiko

SODAP Cooperative

Limassol · Visitor Centre

SODAP is the island’s largest cooperative producer and the most accessible starting point for visitors who want an overview of the full range of Cypriot wine styles before heading into the mountains. The visitor centre in Limassol is well-organised, tastings are available without booking, and the range covers whites, reds, rosé, and Commandaria in a way that allows useful comparison. The quality is consistent and honest rather than exceptional. Use SODAP as an orientation visit on day one before the more character-driven estates on days two and three.

What to taste: Commandaria, Xynisteri, range overview

The Wine Villages Worth a Stop

The wineries are the destination. The villages are the experience. The Troodos wine villages are among the most beautiful and least touristed places in Cyprus — stone-built, ancient, and still largely lived in by the families who have always been there. Combining winery visits with time in the villages is what turns a wine tour into something that stays with you.

Omodos

Commandaria Zone · Southern Troodos

The most immediately beautiful of the wine villages — a cobblestone square framed by the monastery of the Holy Cross, surrounded by tavernas and small wine shops. Omodos sits in the heart of the Commandaria zone and several producers have tasting rooms directly on or near the main square. It is the best single village for combining wine tasting with a long lunch and a walk through genuinely ancient streets. Go on a weekday if you can; weekends attract coach trips from the coast that change the atmosphere significantly.

Platres

Central Troodos · Resort Village

The main mountain resort village, cooler and greener than anywhere on the coast, and a useful base for exploring the central Troodos wineries. Platres has more accommodation options than most wine villages, from simple guesthouses to well-maintained hotels. The village is pleasant without being as immediately striking as Omodos, but its central location and facilities make it the most practical single base for a wine-focused trip in the mountains.

Lofou

Southern Troodos Foothills

One of the most striking villages in Cyprus — a hillside settlement of traditional stone architecture with almost no concessions to modernity. Lofou has been carefully restored and maintained without becoming a museum piece. It has a small number of excellent tavernas and guesthouses and offers some of the best walking in the Troodos foothills. Not a primary wine destination, but an outstanding place to stay for a night if you want to understand what the Troodos villages looked like before tourism arrived.

Pano Panayia

Paphos Highlands · Western Troodos

The birthplace of Archbishop Makarios III and home to the Vouni Panayia winery. A quieter and less visited village than Omodos, set at altitude in the western Troodos with a different character to the central wine villages. Worth visiting specifically in conjunction with the Vouni Panayia tasting — the combination of the winery, the village, and the surrounding landscape tells the story of Cypriot wine culture more completely than any amount of reading can.

Koilani

Commandaria Zone · Southern Troodos

A small village within the Commandaria zone with its own wine museum — a modest but worthwhile introduction to the history of Commandaria production. The village is less visited than Omodos and offers a quieter experience of the Commandaria zone’s character. Worth combining with a visit to Omodos on the same day; the two are within easy driving distance.

Pelendri

Central Troodos · Home of Tsiakkas

A central Troodos village at 1,000 metres that is home to the Tsiakkas Winery. Pelendri itself is a traditional working village rather than a tourist destination, which is part of its appeal — tasting wine here feels connected to the land and the community in a way that more developed wine tourism destinations cannot replicate. The church of Timios Stavros contains notable Byzantine frescoes and is worth visiting for its own sake.

A Suggested Wine Route Through the Troodos

The following route works as a standalone wine trip or as an extension to a broader Cyprus holiday. It is designed around two full days in the wine areas with Limassol as a base, though it can be compressed into two long days or extended to three with additional winery visits. All distances are manageable by hire car; the mountain roads are well-maintained but winding, so allow more driving time than the map suggests.

Day One · Orientation and the South

Limassol → SODAP → Omodos → Koilani → Lania → Limassol

Start in Limassol with a morning visit to the SODAP visitor centre — not the most exciting wine destination on the route but useful as an orientation that shows you the full range before you head into the mountains. Drive up to Omodos for lunch at one of the village square tavernas; the kleftiko is reliably good. After lunch, taste at one or two of the small producers with tasting rooms in the village — several Commandaria producers operate here. Drive through Koilani (stop at the wine museum if it’s open) and down through Lania before returning to Limassol for dinner. The whole day covers the Commandaria zone and southern foothills and gives you a solid foundation for the higher-altitude estates on day two.

Day Two · The High Troodos

Limassol → Zambartas → Pelendri/Tsiakkas → Kyperounda → Platres → Limassol

An earlier start for day two, as the driving distances are longer and the altitude change requires unhurried roads. Begin with Zambartas — the most structured and accessible tasting experience on the route, well-suited to the morning before you have tasted much. Continue to Pelendri and Tsiakkas for a more intimate family estate experience, which works well mid-morning. Drive on to Kyperounda for a pre-booked afternoon tasting at Cyprus’s highest winery — allow at least 90 minutes here, including time to sit with the wines. End the day at Platres for a late lunch or early dinner before the drive back down to Limassol. This is the more demanding day — the altitude, the winding roads, and the concentration required for serious tasting all accumulate — but it is also the most rewarding.

Day Three (Optional) · The Western Highlands

Limassol → Ezousa → Vouni Panayia/Pano Panayia → Paphos (or return Limassol)

For those with a third day, the western Troodos and Paphos highlands offer a different character to the central and southern routes. Ezousa Winery is the first stop, followed by the longer drive to Vouni Panayia and Pano Panayia — allow time in the village as well as the winery. The route can finish in Paphos for those with a flight home from that airport, or return to Limassol through the villages of the southern foothills. This is the day for wine lovers who want to taste the rarer varieties — Promara, Spourtiko — that are available almost nowhere else.

When to Visit for the Best Tasting Experience

September and October are the wine traveller’s first choice. Harvest season brings the vineyards to life — you can watch grapes being picked, observe pressing in the wineries, and taste wines at the moment the new vintage is taking shape. The mountains are cooler than the coast, the light is golden, and the tavernas are full. Some wineries offer harvest participation experiences for visitors who book in advance.

April to June is the second window. The Troodos is green from winter rain, wildflowers cover the hillsides, the altitude temperatures are comfortable without the summer heat, and the wineries are generally quieter and more relaxed than during the busy harvest period. Spring is particularly good for those who want unhurried time with the winemakers; September visits involve more competition for attention.

July and August are the least ideal for wine tourism specifically. The coastal heat drives large numbers of visitors into the mountains, making the villages busier and the winery experiences more crowded. The vineyards are entering their final ripening phase and there is less to see in terms of activity. That said, if a July or August visit is your only option, the wine is still excellent and the mountain climate remains pleasant — it is simply not the optimal window.

November to March is quiet to the point of desertion in most of the wine villages. Some wineries close or reduce their visitor hours in winter. If you visit during this period, confirm opening times directly with individual estates before making the drive up into the mountains.

Practical Tips for Your Wine Trip

Getting Around

A hire car is essential. Public transport does not reach most wine villages reliably. The mountain roads are well-maintained but narrow and winding — the drive times shown on mapping apps significantly underestimate the actual time needed. Plan for at least 50% more than the suggested drive time on mountain roads, particularly if you are unfamiliar with them.

Booking Tastings

Smaller estates — Kyperounda, Vouni Panayia, Tsiakkas — benefit from advance booking, particularly for guided tastings. Email or call directly rather than using third-party booking platforms. Most winery websites list contact details. A brief message explaining your interest in their specific wines produces a noticeably warmer reception than a generic booking request.

Eating in the Villages

The best meals on a Troodos wine route are in the village tavernas, not in restaurants. Look for places where the menu is short, handwritten, and changes daily. Kleftiko is the dish to order; it needs advance notice (usually the morning of the same day) but is worth planning for. Village bread, fresh halloumi, and olive oil are reliably excellent everywhere. Eat where the locals eat — the tourist-facing menus are rarely the most interesting ones.

Where to Stay

Limassol is the most practical base — good hotels at reasonable prices, excellent dining, and road access to all the wine areas. For a more immersive experience, Platres has comfortable hotels in the mountains at reasonable prices, and several of the wine villages have small guesthouses. Lofou is particularly recommended for an overnight stay if you want to experience the villages at their quietest and most authentic.

Taking Wine Home

Most Cypriot wineries sell bottles direct at competitive prices. Check the UK customs allowance before you buy — the personal import allowance from EU countries has changed since Brexit and it is worth confirming the current limits before filling your boot. Wine shipping from Cyprus is possible through specialist couriers but adds meaningful cost and complexity; buying at the winery and carrying it back is the more practical approach for most visitors.

Language

English is widely spoken across Cyprus, including in the wine villages. You do not need Greek to navigate a tasting or order in a taverna, though a few words — yiamas (cheers), efcharisto (thank you), parakalo (please/you’re welcome) — will be warmly received. Learning the pronunciation of the grape varieties before you visit is worth doing; getting Xynisteri and Maratheftiko approximately right will impress your hosts considerably.

Before you book the flights

Meet the same producers in London this June.

CWFexpo brings Kyperounda, Vouni Panayia, Zambartas, Tsiakkas, and more to The Decorium in North London every June. A full afternoon of Cypriot wine tasting — no flights required. June 6th & 7th, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book winery visits in advance?

For smaller boutique estates — Kyperounda, Vouni Panayia, Tsiakkas — advance booking is strongly recommended for guided tastings, particularly during the harvest season (September–October) when the winemakers are busy with production. A brief email or phone call explaining your interest and requesting a tasting time is all that is needed, and most producers are very accommodating. Larger operations like SODAP do not require booking. Walk-ins at smaller estates are sometimes possible but cannot be relied upon, particularly out of season when staff may not be on site.

Can I drive between wineries after tasting?

The responsible answer is: plan ahead. Most wineries pour small tasting measures rather than full glasses, and the mountain roads require concentration. The practical approaches are: designate a non-drinking driver; use a local wine tour guide or taxi service for the winery-to-winery legs; or pace your tasting carefully and eat substantively between stops. Cyprus has strict drink-driving limits comparable to the UK, and the mountain roads are not the place to push those limits. Several tour operators in Limassol offer guided wine tour packages that include transport — worth considering if you want to taste freely without logistical concern.

Is Cyprus expensive for wine tourism?

Relative to comparable wine destinations, Cyprus is excellent value. Winery tastings are typically charged at €5–15 per person, often with the fee deductible against purchases. Bottles bought direct from the winery are priced considerably below what you would pay for the same wine in a UK shop. Accommodation in the wine villages and in Limassol is significantly cheaper than in Burgundy, Tuscany, or the Douro. A well-planned two-day wine trip in the Troodos — accommodation, tastings, meals, and bottles to take home — can be done for considerably less than an equivalent trip in western Europe’s most famous wine regions.

What is the best way to get to Cyprus from the UK?

Direct flights from London to Larnaca and Paphos operate year-round from multiple UK airports, with journey times of approximately four to four and a half hours. Larnaca is the closer airport to Limassol (approximately 70km) and the better arrival point for a Troodos-focused trip. Paphos airport is closer to the western Troodos wine villages and is useful if your route includes Vouni Panayia and Ezousa. Car hire at both airports is straightforward and driving on the left (Cyprus retained UK-style driving after independence) makes the adjustment easier for British visitors than in many European destinations.

Can I taste Cypriot wine in the UK before deciding whether to visit?

Yes — and the best single opportunity is CWFexpo, London’s annual Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo, held each June at The Decorium in North London. Several of the producers featured in this guide pour at the festival, giving UK-based wine lovers the chance to taste the wines, talk to the winemakers, and make an informed decision about which estates to prioritise if and when they visit Cyprus. Tickets for the 2026 festival on June 6th and 7th are available at cwfexpo.co.uk.

The London preview of a Cyprus wine trip

Taste the wines. Meet the winemakers. Then book the flights.

Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th June 2026 · The Decorium, London N22. Kyperounda, Vouni Panayia, Zambartas, Tsiakkas and more — all pouring direct in London for one weekend.

Editorial note

Reviewed by CWFexpo Editorial, April 2026. Winery opening times, booking requirements, and pricing are subject to change — always confirm directly with individual estates before visiting. We update this guide annually. Contact us if you spot an error or have a winery recommendation: [email protected]

Continue reading — Cypriot Wine Series

Beginner’s Guide

Cypriot Wine 101: Grapes, Regions and Styles Explained

Wine Education

Cypriot Grape Varieties: Xynisteri, Maratheftiko and More

Buying Guide

Where to Buy Cypriot Wine in the UK