An Island of Peace and Tranquility: We Found You a Close and Relaxing Destination Worth Visiting Even in Winter

Much has been said about the beaches of Cyprus, its hospitality culture, the authentic food featuring the famous mezzes and halloumi... but this time we will tell you about winter on the neighboring island and the Christmas celebrations in the villages and cities.

Right now, in winter, when flight prices are cheap, we joined one of the flights by Sundor Airlines from the EL-AL group operating flights to Larnaca and Paphos on the neighboring island offering a winning combination of a holiday with a European atmosphere with all the Christmas decorations and magical stalls, food surprises, and good music.

Everyone knows the Cypriot summer, the island famous for its sandy beaches and clear waters, presents a completely different face during the winter season. When temperatures drop slightly and the leaves change to golden colors, the Cypriot villages wrap themselves in a festive and inviting atmosphere. Christmas villages make Cyprus the perfect destination for a magical winter holiday, full of events, markets, and local traditions.

Christmas celebrations on the neighboring island. Photo: Passportnews

Every Day Is a Holiday!

Cyprus in winter becomes a paradise for light festival enthusiasts. Picturesque villages wrap themselves in sparkling lights, exquisite food stalls offer a wide range of local foods, and local choirs fill the air with festive tunes. Visiting the Christmas villages in Cyprus is an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

https://www.visitcyprus.com/christmas-villages

This year, the main event for opening the Christmas celebrations was in the village of Kalopanayiotis. The event was attended by the Cypriot Minister of Tourism, Kostas Komnis, who told me about his love for the Israeli audience: "This is the festive opening evening of the Christmas Village project here in the village of Kalopanayiotis, which was recently awarded the title of one of the best tourist villages in the world. It is a great honor for the State of Cyprus and a great pleasure to see more and more tourists visiting Kalopanayiotis each year, including tourists from Israel who today are the second source of tourists for Cyprus with over 400,000 Israeli tourists."

https://www.visitcyprus.com/christmas/kalopanayiotis

Opening of Christmas celebrations in Kalopanayiotis village. Photo: Passportnews

Fall in the Troodos Mountains on the way to Kalopanayiotis village. Photo: Passportnews

Must visit another Christmas village - the village of Fikardou, a historic village that was precisely restored preserving the houses and workshops as they were in ancient times. The village has been carefully restored to preserve the 18th-century houses with their impressive wooden work and amazing architecture.

https://www.visitcyprus.com/christmas/fikardou

Opening events in Fikardou village. Photo: Passportnews

Don't miss Lefkara - another Christmas village, a picturesque village famous year-round for its local lace production called "Lefkaritika" as well as local silver works. During your stay in the village, it is recommended to visit the Silver and Lace Museum and, of course, watch the lace embroiderers scattered around the village, who will be happy to showcase their products.

https://www.visitcyprus.com/christmas/lefkara

Lefkara artists village. Photo: Passportnews

Louisa Varaklas, Director of the Cyprus Tourism Office in Israel, said: “I am very happy and excited to be present at the opening event of the ‘Christmas Villages’ project in Cyprus - in Kalopanayiotis village, which is one of eight villages participating in the project, for the third year now. I recommend coming to visit Cyprus in this magical season and seeing how it dresses in festive attire, especially in this period and during winter in general. Cyprus offers the tourist endless entertainment options and events during the winter season, and a variety of activities for the whole family. I recommend everyone experience the famous Cypriot hospitality even in the winter season.”

Louisa Varaklas, Director of the Cyprus Tourism Office in Israel, with the Cyprus Minister of Tourism, Kostas Komnis. Photo: Passportnews

A Quick Trip to the Capital, Nicosia

Hilton is Hilton - the most luxurious hotel in Nicosia, located in an excellent location with a spacious lobby, rich drinks bar, and also a Japanese chef's restaurant awaiting you. Its excellent location allows you to get to the city center within minutes.

Especially at this time, you're in for a treat with a funfair for kids, and if you prefer a more relaxing vacation, streets lined with luxury shops and excellent international-standard restaurants.

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/niclehi-hilton-nicosia

Hilton Nicosia. Photo: Passportnews

In Nicosia, you can also visit the old city and see the magnificent buildings, narrow alleyways full of small shops selling authentic handicrafts, visit museums and galleries, and don't forget to include the Laiki Geitonia neighborhood, which this year is also taking part in the Christmas Villages project and joins the celebrations.

https://www.visitcyprus.com/christmas/laiki-geitonia

Activities for Extreme Sport Lovers

Extreme sport enthusiasts will find what they're looking for in Cyprus as well. You can go sailing, diving, surfing, or mountain biking. Additionally, Cyprus offers a variety of hiking trails where you can explore the island's stunning landscapes.

Food, Food, Go!

The Cypriot cuisine is a fascinating blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors. During the holiday season, you can enjoy a wide variety of traditional foods, like meat dishes, fresh fish, colorful salads, and delicious pastries.

It is recommended to visit the village of Agros, which, besides being one of the Christmas villages this year, is also known for its rose water extraction industry. While there, visiting the Tsolakis family factory, you'll see how rose water and various other products are made from rose oil.

In the village, you can taste local smoked meat delicacies, which are best enjoyed with a shot of the strong Cypriot drink Zivania. At the village shop sKafkalia, you can buy not only meat delicacies but also other traditional foods.

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Local smoked meat delicacies at Kafkalias. Photo: Passportnews

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet!

In the village, you can visit, taste, and buy from the local factory of Niki Niki Agathokleous Ltd, the factory specializing in the production of the traditional dessert fruit delicacies in syrup.

https://www.visitcyprus.com/christmas/agros

Local fruit factory Niki Agathokleous Ltd. Photo: Passportnews

Want Some Peace and Quiet?

Head to the area of Pissouri and enjoy a beach with pebbles and a stunning view of blue and green surroundings, and a short distance from the beach is a small magical village with small cafes, but forget the coffee, the view from the village looks like something out of a postcard.

For a luxurious and peaceful holiday, you can choose Columbia Resort, located on the beach in the quiet and picturesque bay. The resort is designed as a traditional Cypriot village, situated on a vast beach with pebbles, surrounded by impressive white cliffs, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy the largest pool on the island and a luxurious, relaxing spa.

https://columbiaresort.com

Beach with pebbles. Photo: Passportnews

Cyprus offers a wide range of warm and sunny beaches where you can relax and enjoy the winter sun. Additionally, you can stroll along the promenades, visit the marinas, or simply sit in a cafe and admire the view.

Size Really Matters!

This year, Cyprus opened the hotel with the largest rooms on the island – the City of Dreams in Limassol.

You'll find a variety of pools, including unique sandy pools suitable for children with a private water park, a luxurious spa, a heated pool, a fabulous breakfast, and for those who love the genre - a 7,500 square meter casino, featuring table games, a dedicated poker area, state-of-the-art slot machines, private salons, live entertainment shows, and a variety of treats and surprises.

https://www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy/en

Room in City of Dreams Hotel in Limassol. Photo: Passportnews

The casino in City of Dreams Hotel. Photo: Passportnews

Specially luxurious sand pool in City of Dreams Hotel. Photo: Passportnews

Today, it's Easier and More Worthwhile to Hop to Cyprus; Ahead of Winter, Sundor Airlines from the EL-AL Group Added 2 Weekly Flights to Paphos Airport in Addition to the 12 Weekly Flights to Larnaca.

Paphos Port - Sundor Airlines now offers daily flights to Paphos Airport. Photo: Passportnews

The author was a guest of the Cypriot Tourism Office and Sundor Airlines from the EL-AL Group.