Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Cyprus Road Trip Ancient Cities, Peaceful Valleys & Golden Beaches
Cyprus - Larnaca - Nicosia - Troodos Mountains - Pissouri
Your road trip begins in the port city of Larnaca, where you'll collect your hire car. From here, drive to Famagusta to explore the city and its surroundings. Walk across the demarcation line between Southern and Northern Cyprus, visit the ancient city-state of Salamis with a private guide and ogle at the two-mile-long Medieval wall in the old town.
Continue on to Nicosia, Cyprus' capital, for an overnight stay in the centre of town, before setting your satnav for Kalopanayiotis, a peaceful village in the Troodos Mountains. With a network of pretty trails on your doorstep, prepare to fall in love with the interior's lush mountain valleys and pine forests.
Your final stop is Pissouri, on the coast. Aside from a guided tour of Kourion Archaeological Site’s ancient ruins, spend your days here cycling to nearby vineyards, hiking forest trails and visiting historic villages.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Your culture-filled trip to Cyprus begins today. Head to the airport, breeze through security and relax in the airport lounge before your direct four-and-a-half-hour flight to the port city of Larnaca. When you land, you’ll be met and privately transferred to your hotel where you’ll check in for the night.
We’ve left the afternoon free for you to settle in and start exploring. Visit the Church of Saint Lazarus which dates back to the ninth century; stroll along the Phinikoudes, a beach promenade named after the palm trees that were planted here in 1922; wander around Skala, the picturesque Turkish quarter, with its winding lanes and whitewashed houses; or head to the beach to find a spot to watch the sun set.
For dinner, head to a traditional taverna (our Concierge can help narrow down the options) for a mezze feast – we’re talking fluffy flatbreads, grilled halloumi and freshly caught sea bass.
After a tasty breakfast at your hotel, collect your hire car, which will be yours for the trip, and drive one hour to Famagusta to explore the city and its surroundings. Accompanied by a private guide, walk across the demarcation line between Southern and Northern Cyprus (the north is under Turkish occupation), then head to the ruins of the ancient city-state of Salamis. During Roman rule, the city was the country’s capital and the impressive remains of a gymnasium and theatre hint at its past opulence.
From there, head to Famagusta’s old town to see the city’s two-mile-long Medieval wall, which was built in the 16th century and is up to 49ft thick in places. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (originally known as the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas) to admire its grand Gothic facade.
Hop back in your hire car and enjoy an optional stop off in the picturesque coastal city of Kyrenia before continuing on to Nicosia, Cyprus’ capital. Check in for the night in a historic hotel in the centre and either enjoy dinner on the hotel’s terrace or in a restaurant nearby.
Begin your day with a Cypriot breakfast platter (think freshly baked bread, homemade marmalade, grilled halloumi and fresh tomatoes) then load up your hire car and set your sat nav for Kalopanayiotis, a one-and-a-half-hour drive away. This peaceful village in the Troodos Mountains is known for its traditional stone houses, quaint cobbled streets and Venetian bridge and water mill.
For the next two nights you’ll be staying in a small hotel in the heart of the village. Enjoy some downtime in your new digs then hop back in the car and drive half an hour to the picturesque village of Kakopetria for a delicious dinner in a traditional restaurant.
We’ve left tomorrow free for you to explore at your own pace. Kalopanayiotis is a great base for exploring the surrounding area, with a network of pretty hiking trails that take you through the area’s lush mountain valleys and dense pine forests, so lace up your walking shoes and set out for some more sightseeing.
Swap mountains for coast as you drive one hour and 20 minutes south, passing through dramatic mountain landscapes that are sure to have you glued to the window. Your base for the next three nights is a contemporary hotel on the coast, just a stone's throw from the town of Pissouri.
After all your sightseeing so far, enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Find a spot in the garden to relax in the sun, enjoy a dip in the pool and perhaps treat yourself to a pampering spa treatment.
The picturesque town of Pissouri, set above a beautiful bay of the same name, is an ideal stopover for combining beautiful beaches, historic sites and rolling green hills.
There’s plenty to do, so we’ve left today open. Rent a bike and pedal to nearby vineyards and olive groves, hike along forest trails, visit historic villages or explore along the coast, stopping off at famous spots like Petra tou Romiou, said to be the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite.
Come evening, enjoy a delicious dinner back at your hotel followed by a Brandy Sour – the national cocktail, which is made with Cypriot brandy, lemon cordial, Angostura bitters and soda water.
Step back in time today on a visit to Kourion, one of Cyprus' must-see archaeological sites. Accompanied by a private guide, explore the ruins of this once flourishing city-kingdom. You’ll see ancient mosaics (the most beautiful of which date back to the fifth century) and the grand Greco-Roman amphitheatre, which once seated 2,000 spectators, along with the remains of the agora, the public baths, the House of Eustolios, the House of the Gladiators and the House of Achilles. During the tour, your knowledgeable guide will fill you in on the history, architecture and mythology of the site, bringing the ancient ruins to life.
Keen to continue the history lesson? Pay a visit to the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, God of the Woodland, which is a five-minute drive away. Here, you can see Apollo’s temple, which has been partly restored, and the ruins of pilgrim halls and a bath complex.
Return to Pissouri and enjoy an extra special meal to celebrate the final evening of your trip. If there are any Cypriot dishes you have yet to sample, this is the time.
Sadly, the time has come to head home. After breakfast at your hotel, drive one hour to Larnaca airport, return your trusty hire car and board your direct flight home. With around four-and-a-half hours in the air, there’s plenty of time to sift through your holiday photos and start dreaming about your next trip.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
PRIVATE TOUR OF KYRENIA
Accompanied by a private guide, visit the picturesque town of Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus. See the ruins of Bellapais Abbey, a 13th-century monastery with spectacular sea views, then discover Kyrenia Castle, which dates back to the 16th century. Inside, there’s a 12th-century Byzantine church, two museums and the wreck of a fourth-century Greek merchant ship which was discovered off the coast.WITH A FEW MORE DAYS… STAY IN POLIS
Journey to the west of Cyprus for a relaxing stay in the small town of Polis on the southern shore of Chrysochous Bay. From here, you can explore the wild landscapes of the Akamas Peninsula and hike or bike the trails around Akama National Forest Park.
Why visit Cyprus with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Cyprus
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
