Omodos: what to see, where to stay and how to get around
Omodos grew around its monastery, and the monastery, by tradition, around a relic brought to Cyprus by Saint Helena. Today it is the best-known of the wine villages, the krasochoria, that cover the southern slopes of the Troodos. This route starts on the square, then climbs to the cool mountain above for a walk to a waterfall. Half a day; arrive before ten to have the square to yourself.
The ten best sights in Omodos
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1Holy Cross Monastery
The heart of the village, on the big square; modest dress
2Omodos Ecclesiastical MuseumIcons and church objects inside the monastery; a short visit
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3Holy Cross Square
Cafés and shops of lace, bread and wine all around; best before the tour buses
4Omodos village lanesCobbled lanes of stone houses below the square; wander without a plan
5ArsosA big wine village 5 minutes west, with far fewer visitors
6KoilaniWine village in a valley east of Omodos
7LofouRestored stone village on a hillside; lunch here is a good reason to come
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8Zambartas Winery
Family winery with tastings of local grapes; book ahead
9Lambouri WineryLarge winery in Kato Platres with a tasting room
10PlatresCool mountain resort 15 minutes up the road
Scan with your phone camera to open the map there
What is an audio walk?
Tours in Omodos →A guide in your headphones: open the walk on our site, walk from stop to stop, and at each one your phone tells its story. No guide, no group, and free. This is the first walk in Omodos:
Free walking tours in Omodos
The village of the Holy Cross
Omodos grew around its monastery, and the monastery, by tradition, around a relic brought to Cyprus by Saint Helena. Today it is the best-known of the wine villages, the krasochoria, that cover the southern slopes of the Troodos. This route starts on the square, then climbs to the cool mountain above for a walk to a waterfall. Half a day; arrive before ten to have the square to yourself.
- Holy Cross Monastery · Tradition says Saint Helena, returning from Jerusalem in the 4th century, left here a piece of the rope with which Jesus was bound on the cross. The relic is kept in the church in a silver case.
- Omodos Ecclesiastical Museum · The museum in the monastery's upper rooms holds icons and church objects from the village and the area. The carved wooden ceilings of the monastery rooms are part of the visit.
- Holy Cross Square · The cobbled square in front of the monastery is one of the largest village squares in Cyprus. Around it, women sell lace and the ring-shaped village bread, and wine cellars offer tastings.
- Omodos village lanes · Many of the stone houses below the square still have their own wine room with a linos, the trough where grapes were trodden. Look through open doors: some are now small wineries and shops.
- Platres · Platres was the summer hill resort of British Cyprus, and its old hotels hosted visitors from Egypt and beyond. The Greek poet Giorgos Seferis wrote that 'the nightingales won't let you sleep in Platres'.
- Millomeris Waterfall · The waterfall drops about 15 m over the dark rock of the Troodos, a short and steep walk below the village. It is fullest in spring after the snow melts.
The wine villages
The slopes around Omodos have grown vines since antiquity, and the villages here are called the krasochoria — literally the wine villages. Cypriot vines are unusual in Europe: the island was never reached by phylloxera, the pest that destroyed Europe's vineyards in the 19th century, so many vines still grow on their own roots. This route links four villages and two wineries, about half a day by car. Choose a driver before the first tasting.
- Arsos · Arsos is one of the largest wine-producing villages in the Limassol hills, and many of its families still make wine at home. It sees far fewer visitors than Omodos, so its lanes are quiet.
- Koilani · Like most villages here, Koilani distils zivania, the clear spirit made from what is left of the grapes after pressing. Zivania has protected-origin status in the EU and is often drunk ice-cold with meze.
- Lofou · Lofou had almost emptied as people left for the towns, and since the 1990s its stone houses have been restored one by one, many as guesthouses. It is now protected as a traditional settlement.
- Zambartas Winery · The winery works with the island's own grapes, above all Xynisteri for white wine and Maratheftiko for red. Maratheftiko needs another variety planted nearby to pollinate it, which made it hard to grow and nearly lost.
- Lambouri Winery · Kato Platres sits at the top of the wine zone, where the cooler nights keep acidity in the grapes. The winery's terrace looks down over the vineyards towards the sea.
- Mesa Potamos Waterfall · The waterfall lies in a green gorge near the monastery of Mesa Potamos, reached by a short path from the road. It is a cool stop between tastings on a hot day.
Down to Aphrodite's sea
From Omodos it is less than an hour down to the south coast, where Crusader knights, a cliff-top ancient city and the birthplace of Aphrodite lie along one road. The day goes from cool hills to hot coast, so start with the sites and end in the water. About a full day with lunch in Pissouri. Petra tou Romiou is best at sunset.
- Kolossi Castle · The Knights Hospitaller ran their Grand Commandery from here, and the tower was built in 1454. Their sweet wine, made from grapes of these hills, took its name from the commandery: Commandaria.
- Kourion · An earthquake in the year 365 destroyed the city of Kourion. Its restored theatre looks straight out over the sea and is used again for summer performances.
- Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates · Apollo was worshipped here as god of the woodland, and Strabo wrote that anyone who touched his altar was thrown from a cliff into the sea. Part of the temple front has been put back up.
- Avdimou · Avdimou village lies just inland from one of the quietest long beaches on this coast, inside the British base area, where there is little building.
- Pissouri · The old village sits on a hill, and the bay below it is sheltered by white cliffs on both sides. Its beach is one of the cleanest on the south coast and gentle for swimming.
- Petra tou Romiou · Myth says Aphrodite rose from the sea foam here. The name means 'rock of the Greek', after the legend of the hero Digenis, who threw a huge rock at Saracen raiders.
Getting to Omodos and getting around
- Paphos International Airport · About 45 minutes by car; summer flights from Israel land here too
- Limassol bus station · The nearest real bus hub, about 40 minutes down; village buses are rare
Cheap eats in Omodos
Omodos lives on wine and bread: zivania and Commandaria from the cellars, and arkatena, the crisp chickpea-leavened rings sold in bags on the square. There is no fast food in the village; quick meals mean a pie from the bakery or a toast at a café. Prices are in euros and reasonable, a little higher right on the square.
- To Arkateno · Arkatena rusks and koulouria with coffee on the square, about €2-5
- George's bakery · Village bread and halloumi pies, about €1-4
- To Tempelhanion · Café on the square for coffee and something sweet, about €3-6
- George's Daughter & Son · Snacks and drinks by the monastery, about €3-7
Museums in Omodos
- Omodos Ecclesiastical Museum · Icons and carved ceilings inside the monastery
- Holy Cross Monastery · The relic of the rope, in the church
- Kolossi Castle · Crusader rooms and the old sugar works
- Kourion · Theatre and Roman mosaic houses
- Zambartas Winery · A winery visit with the island's own grapes
Nature and day trips near Omodos
- Millomeris Waterfall · Steep short path to a 15 m waterfall
- Caledonian Falls · A 3 km forest trail along a stream
- Mesa Potamos Waterfall · A small waterfall in a green gorge
- Pissouri Bay · Sheltered beach between white cliffs
- Petra tou Romiou · The rock of Aphrodite, best at sunset
Things to do in Omodos with kids
- Kolossi Castle · A castle tower with a spiral stair to climb
- Pissouri Bay · Calm water for swimming
- Millomeris Waterfall · A short adventure walk to a waterfall
- Holy Cross Square · Watch bread rings and lace being sold
- Kourion · Sit on the stone seats of a real ancient theatre
Where to eat in Omodos
- Kamara Taverna · Taverna on the square; meze and village dishes
- Stou Kir Yianni · Restaurant in a stone house with a courtyard
- Village Inn · Simple taverna right on the square
- The Katoi · Dinner in the lanes behind the monastery
- Ambelothea Tavern · Taverna among vineyards at the edge of the village
Frequently asked questions about Omodos
What is there to see in Omodos?
The top sights in Omodos are Holy Cross Monastery, Omodos Ecclesiastical Museum and Holy Cross Square. The full list on this page has 10 sights, each with a photo and a short note.
How many days do you need in Omodos?
Three to four days are enough to see the best of Omodos without rushing, including at least one walking tour.
Is there a free walking tour in Omodos?
Yes. sleepntrip has 3 free audio walks in Omodos, with no guide and no group: your phone tells the story at every stop. The first one: The village of the Holy Cross.
How do you get to Omodos and get around?
The main ways are Paphos International Airport and Limassol bus station. Full details are in the transport section on this page.
Where to stay in Omodos, and for how much?
sleepntrip shows only rooms in Omodos that meet nine conditions: a good location, high guest scores, cleanliness, and a price of up to $80 a night for two. Pick your dates and see what is free.
Looking for a hotel in Omodos for your dates?
Only rooms that meet nine conditions, up to $80 a night.