Troodos

...visit the beautiful Troodos Mountains in Cyprus

The Troodos Mountains are full of stunning pine forests which in winter become a popular skiing resort.

The highest peak is 1,952 meters at Mount Olympus.

So if you want peace and tranquility, going for long walks, bird-watching or cycling in pine scented forests, this is for you.

If you're lucky you may spot a Cyprus mouflon (a kind of wild sheep) which is sometimes seen in the forests of the western Troodos.

Monasteries & Byzantine Churches

Nine of the monasteries in the area are included in Unesco's World Heritage Sites with Kykkos Monastery being the most famous. The tomb of Archbishop Makarios is at Throni Peak.

Pine forests, Byzantine frescoed churches and monasteries dating from the 15th century make this one of the most stunning areas of Cyprus to visit.

There are many picturesque mountain villages which give the feeling of stepping back in time. The area is famous for the wines produced here and you can enjoy some of the best traditional Cypriot food and wine at one of the many little village tavernas.

Platres Mountain Resort

During the month of August many city dwellers exchange the heat of the cities for the cool sanctuary of the mountains.

For a few months the mountains are full of life but for the rest of the year nightlife is more or less non-existent.

The mountain resort of Platres has a selection of restaurants and Platres hotels located on the southern slopes of the mountains.

The views are breathtaking and many people come to Cyprus to get married and Platres is a very popular place to come for honeymoons. During the summer there are three open-air swimming pools where you can unwind, relax and enjoy the lovely scenery.

Pendeli hotel is located in the heart of the beautiful mountain resort of Platres amidst a forest of fragrant pines and offers traditional Cypriot hospitality in combination with modern facilities.

Official Mountain Trails

The CTO (Cyrus Tourist Office) has all the information you'll need on the four official trails in the area. The Artemis Trail takes you around the summit of Mount Olympus and takes around 3 hours. The Atalanti Trail is longer at around 5 hours and the Caledonian Falls trail takes about one and a half hours. The Persephone Trail takes about 45 minutes. So, if you're not that good a walker, you know which one to take!