The Pafos Region is renowned for producing excellent wines. With a variety of beautiful mapped-out wine routes to choose from, you will get better acquainted with the art of producing wine and sample the absolute best of Cyprus in a beautiful natural setting.

Wherever one travels in Pafos, there are coffee shops with a warm welcome, refreshments and complimentary glasses of wine, either made by the owner himself or locally produced in the village. From simple taverns serving up local cuisine, to restaurants catering for the more discerning palette, the omnipresent bottle of wine is the perfect accompaniment that offers a real taste of Cyprus.

Vouni Panagias – Ambelitis Wine Route

Embark on a panoramic excursion that will lead you through glorious landscapes of majestic mountains, fragrant pine forests, unique flora and fauna reaching an altitude of 800 metres above sea level where an incomparable wine experience awaits.

The Vouni Panagias – Ambelitis Wine Route includes ten diverse wineries producing fine wines that are both rich in aroma and light in body, largely due to the indigenous white grape (Xynisteri) grown in the area. Xynisteri is the main white-wine variety of Cyprus enriched with hints of green apple, peach, and apricot characteristics, while the red Maratheftiko grapes contain traces of red fruit, violets, and roses.

This picturesque route can end in different places, either passing through Pafos, Mesogi, Tsada, Stroumbi, Polemi, Psathi, Kannaviou, Asprogia, Pano Panagia, Chrysorrogiatissa, Agia Moni, Statos-Agios Fotios, Koilineia, Galataria, Pentalia, Amargeti, Eledio, Agia Varvara and Acheleia or through Choulou, Lemona, Kourdaka, Letymvou and Kallepeia.

Laona Akamas Wine Route

Some of the best white wines on the island are produced here from the indigenous white grape Xynisteri that grows in a climate tempered by the sea breeze. The region also produces some of the best red wines, largely due to the use of the ancient red grape Maratheftiko.

The wine route included four wineries and passes through charming villages abound with culture and lush vineyards. The route offers visitors the change to explore a host of traditional taverns, elevated sites boasting magnificent views, and the opportunity to visit the stunning Akamas Peninsula.

This rugged route passes through: Pafos, Mesogi, Tsada, Stroumbi, Kathikas, Akourdaleia, Pano Arodes, Kato Arodes, Ineia, Drouseia, Polis and Pegeia.

Set on an isolated beach in the Akamas peninsula, the Lara Bay Turtle Conservation Station presides over the shelled creatures who come here every year to nest. Devoted conservationists keep an eye on the green and loggerhead turtles, safeguarding the eggs and young hatchlings and educating the public.

The wellbeing of the turtles and their hatchlings depends on delicate circumstances. Therefore, it’s best to visit the Lara Bay Turtle Conservation Station as part of a tour with an experienced guide. The turtle station is home to Caretta Caretta and Green Turtles. As the species is at a threat of getting extinct, the conservation station in Cyprus has kept their conservation in priority. The conservation center is extremely informative.

Lara Bay Turtle Conservation is a must for nature and animal lovers. If you plan on spending a few hours at the beach, bring water and snacks. Unfortunately, neither the conservation station nor the beach is wheelchair friendly since rocks, sand and uneven surfaces make access difficult.

Lara Bay Turtle Conservation Station is on Lara Beach, about 17 miles (27 kilometers) north of Pafos. The access road to Lara Beach is rough and unpaved; it’s best suited to travelers with a four-wheel drive.

Egg-laying season usually lasts from May to August. This is the best time to go since you’ll have a higher chance of seeing newly hatched turtles in the conservatory’s water tanks.

Wildlife thrives on the remote and undeveloped Lara Beach, and turtles aren’t the only species you might find. You may also see wild rabbits, foxes and various reptiles, goats, as well as mouflons, a kind of wild sheep that can only be found in Cyprus. Nearer the shore, you may even spot seals, which are known to frequent the nearby sea caves.

The Cypriot cuisine is characterized by many different influences, which reflects the course of history during which the island was occupied by various foreign nations. So apart from the obvious Greek and Turkish components, Cypriot dishes bring together oriental, Italian and British culinary elements. One could even go as far as to call it fusion cuisine.

The best way to indulge into Cypriot cuisine is to order the traditional meze, a variety of dishes which can be enjoyed in quantities for everyone to share. But beware, true authentic Cypriot food are not served at the much crowded touristy restaurants. They should be made with the best and freshest ingredients and of course, with love. So do your research before booking a restaurant.

As a rule, every meal starts with olives, bread and a choice of dips, such as Talattouri (made of yoghurt, cucumber, lemon juice and garlic) or Tahini, which is the typical Cypriot dip and consists of sesame paste, garlic, lemon juice and water. This is traditionally followed by salads, often with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and feta cheese, and of course, the island’s most important culinary product: Halloumi cheese.

Made from sheep and goat milk, Halloumi cheese is a Cypriot specialty and produced according to a particular, centuries old method. What makes Halloumi special is that it does not melt when heated, so it can be grilled or fried. Enhanced with a hint of mint, Halloumi also makes for a delicious ravioli filling.

Salad and Halloumi are followed by meat. Lots of it! Despite being an island, traditional Cypriot cuisine is not all that big on fish and seafood. The exception to the rule: Cattle fish, octopus and fresh calamari usually served grilled. And then there is the meat: Afelia (pork cooked in red wine), Chiroméri (cured goat’s meat), Lountza (a type of smoked pork), Paidakia (lamb cutlets), Scheftalia (minced pork rissoles in a caul fat wrapping), Stifado (goulash in a cinnamon- and caraway-spiced tomato sauce), Souvla (barbecue skewers) and Souvlaki (small pieces of grilled meat). And of course Ofto Kleftiko, the national dish, which is lamb or goat roasted in its own natural juices in a traditional clay oven with potatoes. Pita bread is also essential to accompany all these. Cypriot pitta is almost twice the size of its Greek cousin and is not greasy, thus healthier.

After indulging in meze, dessert is usually limited to an intake of vitamins and seasonal fruit like oranges or tangerines straight from the tree or watermelon in the summer. You should definitely try watermelon with halloumi. The sweet and salted combination is divine!

Sweet-toothed foodies may choose to have a piece of Cyprus Delight with their coffee. Cyprus Delight is a jelly-like sweet available in a variety of flavors (favorites are lemon, grapefruit and bergamot).

Cruise in style aboard a luxury sailing private yacht. You will find crystal clear calm waters, perfect for a relaxing cruise. Experience the wonders of the Akamas national park coastline, swim in the incredible Blue Lagoon, and snorkel amongst ancient amphora and fascinating marine life, such as large sea turtles and even seals.

The coastline of the Akamas peninsula is probably the most beautiful in Cyprus. On the surface the barren volcanic outcrop is home to multiple species of seabirds, and animals like foxes, hedgehogs and hares, whilst below the surface is home to a vast array of marine life including tuna, groupers, trumpet fish and octopus.

As soon as you arrive at Blue Lagoon, you will be dazzled by the beautiful clear turquoise water and white sandy bottom. The beautiful bay provides a vital habitat for many types of marine life with excellent snorkeling visibility. It is a definite must see!

Another must see place to visit is Fontana Amorosa. The name translates to “fountain of love” but for the ancient romans it was more like the fountain of life. An inland spring was located here that provided a fresh water supply for their fleet. There are still four visible cutouts in the rocks for docking boats and its location provides shelter from the prevailing wind, a perfect place to stop for a while. Look underwater and as you might expect from a harbor you will find some rubbish, but ancient rubbish in the form of amphora. Some are said to be offerings to the gods, whereas others are clearly from shipwrecks. Most of these have now fused into the rocks and have become homes to various types of marine life.

The cruise departs and finishes from the Latchi Bay and you can book online.

We can’t think of a better souvenir than something you created with your own two hands during your stay in Pafos. Pottery wheel workshops are a fantastic way to be creative and indulge into the local culture, since Cyprus has a ceramic heritage that is around for thousands of years.

Pottery in Cyprus dates back to the Neolithic period. Archaeologists’ findings, in particular ceramic artefacts, confirm that people were using clay items in their everyday life at that time and even decorated their homes with them. It’s especially interesting to note that the artists of that time already knew how to make a glaze and had developed polishing techniques.

There’s nothing more satisfying than creating your very own teapots, platters, bowls, and ceramic keep cups. If you’ve always dreamed of having your very own Ghost moment and would love to try your hand at creating your own ceramics, there are some great private pottery workshops in Pafos area to try your luck. Artisan ceramicists at their charming studios, where you can try throwing on the wheel, centering and shaping your clay, hand building, and glazing.

You will have the opportunity to explore a variety of techniques which are used to create objects, such as throwing on the wheel, slab building, coiling, pinching and sculpting, plus you will learn the process of decorating and glazing. And of course, you get to keep your creations! In addition, you can arrange for your ceramics to be sent back home without the hustle of having to pack them.

We would highly recommend Lemba Pottery workshop and Avgoustinos Pottery since they are both fine craftsmen and very fun during their workshops!