Hike
Caledonia Waterfall Trail
A cool two-hour forest loop tracing the Kryos river through pine and plane trees to a 13-metre waterfall — the island’s best escape from the August heat.
Spring · full flowDirections
All free spots
Centre Cyprus · Troodos Mountains
Kykkos Monastery
Heritage · Marathasa, Troodos
The wealthiest and most famous monastery in Cyprus, glittering with gold mosaics and frescoed corridors high in the Marathasa hills. Entry to the monastery itself is free, though the small museum charges a fee and coaches arrive in numbers by late morning. Dress modestly — wraps are provided at the door.
Plan your visit
Visiting Kykkos Monastery
Kykkos is the richest and most famous monastery in Cyprus, founded in the 11th century high in the western Troodos. It guards one of the island's most revered icons of the Virgin Mary — by tradition attributed to St Luke — and its cloisters glitter with gold-ground mosaics and frescoes. Entry to the monastery itself is free; the small on-site museum charges a modest fee.
Getting there
A beautiful mountain drive: roughly 90 minutes from Paphos or Nicosia on asphalt all the way. The classic route climbs via Pedoulas in the Marathasa valley; the monastery sits at about 1,300 m, so allow time for the bends.
Parking
Large free car parks just below the entrance — arrive before 11am in summer to beat the coach tours.
Best time to go
Year-round. Spring and autumn give the clearest mountain light; winter mornings can be crisp with occasional snow. Weekday mornings are far quieter than Sundays, when services draw big congregations.
More around Troodos Mountains
Waterfall
Millomeris Waterfall
At 15 metres, the tallest natural waterfall in Cyprus, plunging over a black rock face into a mossy plunge pool. A short cobbled path drops to the base.
Spring · after rainDirections
Hike
Artemis Trail · Mt Olympus
A near-level seven-kilometre loop circling the summit of Mount Olympus through black pine and juniper, with both coasts visible on a clear day. Snow-dusted in winter.
May–OctDirections