A festive guide through Cyprus — explored via our interactive map
Winter in Cyprus tells a quieter, richer story than the island’s summer image suggests. When December arrives, the Troodos Mountains and surrounding regions transform into a mosaic of Christmas villages, mountain markets, lights, music, and local traditions. Stone houses glow under festive garlands, village squares fill with aromas of cinnamon and wood fire, and communities open their doors to visitors in a way that feels genuinely personal.
To make this season easy to explore, we’ve brought all the key Christmas villages and markets together on our interactive map — allowing you to plan routes, compare locations, and discover places you might otherwise miss.
Fikardou
Perched at 900 metres above sea level on the southeastern slopes of the Troodos Mountains, Fikardou is one of the most authentic villages on the island. Almost entirely uninhabited today, it was declared an Ancient Monument in 1978 and remains a rare, exceptionally preserved example of traditional Cypriot rural architecture.
The village is fully pedestrian, with no vehicle access, which preserves its atmosphere of stillness and timelessness. Carefully restored 18th-century stone houses with wooden balconies line narrow paths, creating a setting that feels untouched by modern life. From 23 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, Fikardou hosts a small Christmas market focused on craftsmanship, tradition, and quiet mountain charm rather than crowds or spectacle.
Deryneia
Located in the Famagusta district, Deryneia is a town with deep historical roots, believed to be among the first areas settled after the Trojan War. During the festive season, its main square becomes the centre of Christmas celebrations and community gatherings.
The programme includes concerts, workshops, guided tours, and themed cultural evenings dedicated to different countries, such as Bulgarian, Scandinavian, and Romanian nights. Deryneia is also Cyprus’s leading strawberry-producing area, supplying more than half of the island’s production. Winter visits to strawberry greenhouses add a distinctive local experience, while the celebrations culminate in a Drone Light Show on 27 December at 6:45 PM.
Agros
Set at 1,100 metres above sea level, Agros is built like a natural amphitheatre surrounded by forested slopes of the Troodos Mountains. The village is known across Cyprus for agrotourism and for preserving traditional food-related customs.
Agros is especially famous for rose cultivation, cured meats, homemade jams, and traditional sweets. During the Christmas period, local workshops open their doors to visitors, offering insight into rose oil distillation, sweet-making, and meat curing. Restaurants and tavernas remain open throughout the season, making Agros a destination where Christmas is experienced through flavour, scent, and local craftsmanship.
Kalopanayiotis
Situated in the Marathasa Valley, Kalopanayiotis is considered one of the most refined and well-developed mountain resorts in Cyprus. Stone houses, narrow cobbled streets, thermal springs, and panoramic valley views give the village a balanced mix of authenticity and comfort.
The village is home to the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis, one of the island’s most important Byzantine landmarks. Throughout the festive season, Kalopanayiotis hosts concerts, children’s theatre performances, dance shows, and creative workshops. Santa’s House and the Elf Workshop are key attractions for families, while a Drone Light Show on 28 December at 6:00 PM marks one of the festive highlights. On New Year’s Eve, Santa and his elves distribute gifts to visitors.
Kyperounta
At approximately 1,300 metres above sea level, Kyperounta is the third-highest village in Cyprus and one of its most atmospheric winter destinations. Steep winding streets, vineyards, apple orchards, and tiled-roof houses create a naturally festive setting.
Known for apples, wine, and traditional cured meats, Kyperounta has a strong, close-knit community that becomes especially vibrant during the Christmas season. The programme includes live concerts, children’s theatre, hands-on workshops, and Santa’s House. On 31 December, Santa and his elves hand out gifts, making Kyperounta particularly appealing for families seeking a classic mountain Christmas.
Lefkara
Nestled at 650 metres above sea level near the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, Lefkara is world-renowned for Lefkaritika lace embroidery and filigree silverwork. Divided into Pano Lefkara and Kato Lefkara, the village remains a living showcase of Cypriot craftsmanship.
During the festive season, Lefkara hosts guided heritage tours, live concerts by local and Greek performers, and tastings of traditional foods in historic courtyards. Artisan workshops remain active, allowing visitors to observe crafts that have been passed down for generations. A modern festive accent comes with the Drone Light Show on 26 December at 6:00 PM, blending tradition with contemporary celebration.
Kakopetria
Built along the banks of the Karkotis River, Kakopetria is one of Cyprus’s most picturesque mountain villages. Its history is closely linked to agriculture, water mills, and silk production, which once played a role even during World War II.
From 22 November to 6 January, the village transforms into the Rock Christmas Village. Cobblestone streets glow with festive lights, wood fires scent the air with smoke and cinnamon, and music fills the village under the winter sky. Workshops, sweets, and family-friendly activities create a warm, immersive Christmas atmosphere throughout Kakopetria.
Statos–Agios Fotios
Perched at 913 metres above sea level in the Paphos forest, Statos–Agios Fotios is the highest village in the region. Its altitude creates late-ripening vineyards, walnut-lined streets, and a distinctly alpine feel that is rare in Cyprus.
Local families produce zivania, soutzoukos, raisins, cheeses, sausages, and homemade jams, all of which feature prominently at Christmas markets and village shops. The festive season concludes with a Drone Light Show on 3 January 2026 at 6:00 PM, offering a celebratory finale in one of Paphos’s most authentic mountain settings.
Plan your festive journey with our interactive map
Each of these villages offers a different side of Christmas in Cyprus — from quiet, historic hideaways to lively mountain resorts filled with music and light. To make planning simple, all locations are available on our interactive map, where you can explore routes, dates, highlights, and nearby villages at a glance.
Whether you’re planning a single festive day trip or a full winter journey through the Troodos Mountains, the map is your starting point for discovering Cyprus at its most atmospheric.
