Sunday 25 October 2026
Now in its 15th year, Alona’s festival puts the village stills to work: watch zivania being distilled the traditional way, taste local products and stay for Cypriot music and dancing. Leave time to walk the village lanes and its hazelnut woods.
Sunday 25 October 2026 · From 11:00.
Alona village, Pitsilia. The Directions button goes to the venue’s exact Google Maps pin.
See organiser.
The rose village of the Pitsilia hills, famous for its Damascena rose products, cured meats and mountain honey. Strolling the village and surrounding rose fields costs nothing — May is when the roses bloom and the village smells of it. Outside spring it is sleepier, but the traditional shops and cool air still reward the winding drive up.
A protected, near-deserted medieval village where stone-and-timber houses have barely changed since the 18th century — the whole place is a listed ancient monument. Wandering the cobbled lanes is free and wonderfully quiet; just note there is only a taverna or two, and the small rural museum charges a modest fee.
A hidden cascade tucked in a steep, mossy ravine below a working monastery — a short shaded path leads to the falls and a cold plunge pool deep in the forest.
Sunday 25 October 2026, from 11:00.
Alona village, Pitsilia, Cyprus.
One of the older events on the international rally calendar, run since 1970 on the winding gravel roads of the Troodos mountains above Limassol, usually in October. Watching from the roadside stages is free, and the sight and sound of rally cars sliding through the pine forest is a real thrill for petrolheads. Stages and dates are published in advance — follow the marshals and arrive early for the best spots.
A first-time weekend festival in the neighbouring mountain villages of Kannavia and Agia Eirini about nature, wildlife habitats and rural tradition. There are halloumi, zivania and bread-making workshops, village produce, folk music and dancing, guided nature walks, archery demonstrations and a small petting zoo for children, with the Department of Forests taking part. Free entry.
The 12th edition of the neighbourhood arts festival run by the NGO Urban Gorillas moves to Synergasias Street in old Kaimakli. Over two days more than 60 artists fill the streets with community games, craft workshops, guided walks, street theatre, film screenings, tango, storytelling and live music, plus installations built by architecture students.
Photo: A glass of Cypriot zivania — Maxx1972, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
