A beautifully restored spa village stacked down the Setrachos valley, linked by lanes, footbridges and a free cable lift to the UNESCO-listed Agios Ioannis Lampadistis monastery with its remarkable frescoes. Entry to the monastery is free. The village is steep, so expect a proper leg workout between the upper road and the river.
Type: Village · Area: Marathasa Valley, Troodos Mountains · Best time: Apr-Oct · morning · Entry: Free
Kalopanayiotis tumbles down the Marathasa valley around the UNESCO-listed monastery of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis — a rare complex of churches sharing one huge timber roof, painted with some of the finest Byzantine frescoes in the Troodos. The village has been beautifully restored, linked by footbridges over the Setrachos stream, and its sulphur springs made it a spa retreat a century ago.
Roughly 70 minutes from Nicosia via Evrychou, paved throughout. A cable lift links the upper village to the monastery level if the steep lanes defeat you.
Park at the upper-village car parks and walk down; spaces by the monastery are few.
April–June and September–October are ideal. The frescoed churches stay cool even in August — the lanes between them don't.
Directions · More free spots in Cyprus
