The villages on the southern slopes of the Troodos, inland from Limassol, have been making wine for thousands of years, and this tour is the most rewarding way to taste their food and drink without worrying about driving. Run by L.G.A. Cyprus Taste Tours, it is one of the highest rated experiences in Cyprus on Viator, at 4.9 from more than 150 reviews, and groups are tiny, around six or seven guests. The day is built around eating: four or five stops at village producers for tastings, a visit to the Ayia Mavri winery for a tour and tasting, and a proper village-tavern meze lunch with water and local wine. Much of the afternoon is spent in Omodos, one of the prettiest wine villages, with time at the Timios Stavros monastery and the small museum of the independence struggle. Everything, from transport to tastings and entrance fees, is included in the price, which is higher than a coach tour but buys a much more personal day.
How it works: door-to-door pickup is offered from most Limassol locations, with a start around nine in the morning, and the tour lasts about eight hours. A bilingual local guide leads the day. The tour runs on specific dates rather than daily, so check the calendar early, and cancellation is free up to twenty-four hours before. You must be eighteen or over to drink the wine.
What to expect: the stops depend on the season and on which producers are available, so the exact line-up can change. Expect tastings of village breads, cheeses, sweets and spirits, as well as wine, and plenty of conversation with the people who make them. The meze lunch is long and generous, so pace yourself through the morning. The tour does not go up to Troodos Square or the summit area.
Making the most of it: come hungry and wear comfortable shoes for the cobbled lanes of Omodos. Ask your guide about Commandaria, the sweet dessert wine of the Limassol hills. If you are based in Paphos, ask the operator about pickup before booking, since the listing confirms Limassol pickups.
What to expect
The experience
An all-inclusive small-group food and wine day from Limassol, with village tastings, a winery tour, a meze lunch and time in Omodos.
Best time
Autumn, after the grape harvest, when the villages are busy with new wine and the weather in the hills is mild.
How long
About eight hours with door-to-door transport from Limassol.
Tips
Skip a big breakfast, wear comfortable shoes for cobbles, and book early since the tour runs only on set dates.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food and wine lovers who want to meet village producers and taste their way through the Troodos foothills.
- Families
- Better for adults: the day centres on wine tastings and long meals, and the minimum drinking age is eighteen.
- Couples
- One of the best couple’s days in Cyprus, with a tiny group, generous tastings and no driving.
- Pair with
- Limassol Castle and the old port the day before, or the Kourion clifftop ruins on another day.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
What is included in the price?+
Transport, a bilingual guide, four or five food stops, a winery tour and tasting, a meze lunch with wine and all entrance fees are included. You only need extra money for shopping.
Does the tour pick up in Paphos?+
The listing confirms door-to-door pickup from most Limassol locations. If you are staying in Paphos, contact the operator before booking to check whether a pickup is possible.
How big are the groups?+
Groups are very small, around six or seven guests at most. That is a big reason for the tour’s excellent reviews.
Does it run every day?+
No, it runs on specific dates, which vary through the year. Check the booking calendar as soon as your travel dates are fixed.
Is the tour suitable for vegetarians?+
Cypriot village food includes plenty of cheese, breads, vegetables and pulses, so vegetarians usually eat well. Mention dietary needs when you book so the guide can tell the hosts.
