Cooler weather, a stroll through narrow village streets and a breakfast you do not have to rush. Autumn offers the perfect excuse to leave the city behind for a while and stay overnight in a village, enjoying everything that a day trip often leaves too little time to experience.
From Askas and Kalopanayiotis to Lofou, Lefkara and Drouseia, we have gathered 15 atmospheric mountain stays across Cyprus for your next short October escape.
Restored mansions, stone-built guesthouses and small hotels make ideal bases for walks in nature, stops at traditional coffee shops and relaxed evenings with friends, without having to keep checking the time for the journey home.
Λύχνος in Askas
Located just as you enter Askas, between the village square and the traditional stone-built settlement, Λύχνος offers the tranquillity of another era.
The property retains the defining features of the area’s traditional architecture, with wood and authentic stone complemented by more contemporary touches.
It has four accommodation spaces, each with its own history. One formerly housed the village grocery shop, another was once a carpentry workshop and a third formed the two-room section of the original house.
Breakfast is also served at Λύχνος.
(22642641, www.lyhnos.com) Μιχαήλ Κουτσόφτα 1, Askas, Nicosia district.
Αριστοτέλειο in Pedoulas
Set in Pedoulas, where houses rise amphitheatrically between the slopes of the Troodos mountains, Αριστοτέλειο dates back to 1917 and operated as a hotel until 1940.
The building was purchased by its current owners in 2000 and subsequently restored and brought back to life.
Built from stone, it has eight beautiful rooms decorated with antiques that evoke the atmosphere of an old classical mansion while still providing modern comforts.
Tip: Every room has a fireplace and balcony. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar, a courtyard and an open upper terrace.
(22953334, www.aristotelioboutiquehotel.com) Χαραλάμπους Επαμεινώνδα 10, Pedoulas, Nicosia district.
Casale Panayiotis in Kalopanayiotis
A stay at Casale Panayiotis is reason enough to visit Kalopanayiotis, with accommodation suited to holidays with friends or family and a wide range of organised activities.
Guests can walk along nature trails around the hotel’s farm and discover routes through the area’s vineyards, head out on cycling trips or quad-bike safaris along forest roads, or try trout fishing.
The restaurants at Casale Panayiotis offer plenty of variety, meaning there is little reason to get back in the car in search of food or a drink.
The library provides a quiet place to relax with a book, coffee or glass of wine, while the wine cellar is another highlight. During summer, the space operates as a bar playing mainstream Greek music.
(22952444) Μάρκου Δράκου 80, Kalopanayiotis, Nicosia district.
Petit Palais in Platres
The historic Petit Palais began a new chapter in July 2020 following a complete renovation, reopening with a modern and welcoming character in the popular mountain resort of Platres.
The hotel has 34 rooms, including four modern and comfortable suites suitable for families. It also has eight standard connecting rooms designed for family stays and one specially adapted room for a guest with disabilities.
All rooms are elegantly decorated and fully equipped with modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi. The hotel is also pet-friendly.
Among its facilities is THEA Relax Sauna & Steam Bath on the Olympus floor, accessible exclusively to hotel guests and featuring a sauna and steam bath.
Rendezvous Restaurant & Garden serves breakfast, with live cooking available, as well as an à la carte menu with food, desserts and drinks for lunch and dinner each day. Reservations are recommended.
Savalas Bar offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for the whole family, local and imported wines and a variety of beverages.
(25422723, 25421723) Platres, Limassol district.
Serenity Boutique Houses in Vouni
Serenity Boutique Houses is located in Vouni, one of Limassol’s wine villages, surrounded by an impressive landscape and distinctive climate.
It consists of two suites, the Suite with Garden View and Deluxe Queen Suite, set within a fully renovated three-storey stone house. The two separate luxury suites were designed to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
By arrangement, they can be combined into a single three-storey residence accommodating four people.
SERENITY is in the centre of the village, with Vouni’s two coffee shops just 20m and 100m away respectively, while the village restaurants are within a 300m radius. That means guests can leave the car behind during their stay.
Vouni is also well placed for exploring the surrounding area, around 25 minutes by road from Limassol, 10 minutes from Omodos, 30 minutes from Troodos and 20 minutes from Platres. Numerous wineries can also be found nearby.
(99226600) Vouni, Limassol district.
Oinoessa Traditional Boutique Guest Houses in Lofou
In the heart of Lofou, Oinoessa combines the village’s distinctive traditional architecture with a peaceful setting and welcoming facilities.
The complex consists of three stone houses with eight luxury studios arranged around a private courtyard. Wi-Fi and a light breakfast are included with the stay.
One option is the new ‘Θέα’ suite, a particularly spacious property spread over two levels.
On the ground floor is a fully equipped kitchen, a living area with comfortable sofas and a fireplace. A staircase leads to the mezzanine bedroom, where guests will find a king-size bed and a Jacuzzi bath.
(99373371, [email protected]) Lofou, Limassol district.
Oinou Strata Luxury Suites & Wine Bar in Vouni
Describing itself as an inn, Oinou Strata Luxury Suites & Wine Bar is a lovingly restored property with wine at the heart of its identity.
It offers three luxurious and atmospheric suites named Shiraz, Merlot and Champagne, combining comfort with an elegant setting.
There is also a space devoted to wine, with a selection of fine labels accompanied by a food menu featuring platters, salads, sandwiches and main dishes.
The mansion’s inner courtyard provides another setting for enjoying food and wine.
The Champagne Luxury Suite stands out for its original design, vintage aesthetic and amenities. Guests can enjoy a fireplace, luxury toiletries, breakfast in the room, a platter and a welcome drink on arrival.
(25944244) Vouni, Limassol district.
Polis 1907 in Polis Chrysochous
In the heart of Polis Chrysochous, this old mansion, built at the beginning of the 20th century, has been brought back to life as a place for local hospitality.
The mansion was constructed in 1907 using traditional building methods and classical architecture. It originally belonged to a wealthy family and later became a market, as it was the largest building in Polis Chrysochous.
From 1949 until 1955, the building also housed the town’s first secondary school, with some of its former pupils still living in the area.
The property was fully renovated with modern comforts while maintaining its connection to Cypriot culture in a contemporary form. Each room has its own character, incorporating elements of local tradition and culture.
Polis 1907 also has a garden designed as a peaceful space for relaxation.
On the ground floor is the Asian restaurant Akakiko, where Asian cuisine is set against the building’s traditional surroundings. Breakfast and brunch are served in the courtyard in the morning, with coffee and baked goods available throughout the day.
Droshia Traditional Homes in Drouseia
With a history stretching back more than 100 years, the former home of grandmother Chrysoula and grandfather Evgenios in Drouseia became the starting point for a family dream: bringing their property back to life with a new purpose.
Several years ago, their children and grandchildren undertook a complete restoration, creating four luxury studios while preserving the traditional character of the original building.
Droshia Traditional Homes takes its name from the area’s notably cool climate, even during periods of intense summer heat.
The property also stands out for its use of Coco-Mat products, from beds and mattresses to bedside tables and linen.
There are four different studios: ‘Ανώι’, ‘Κατώι’, ‘Σπιτούι’ and ‘Παλάτι’, the latter being the suite.
Each studio has its own bathroom and toilet, energy-efficient heaters and air conditioning, Netflix access and a kitchen equipped with a fridge and other essentials.
Much of the decoration consists of handmade items created by the home’s previous occupants and restored furniture that belonged to the family.
Tip: ‘Ανώι’ offers exclusive access to the Jacuzzi as well as an elevated terrace.
(99766206) Drouseia, Paphos district.
Apanemia Inn in Lofou
Apanemia Inn is an idyllic agrotourism retreat in Lofou, one of Limassol’s picturesque wine villages.
Lofou is around half an hour by road from both Limassol and the Troodos mountains, making it a convenient destination throughout the year.
Apanemia Inn offers two different types of accommodation, Apanemia Studio and Apanemia House. Both carefully blend traditional character with understated modern touches, respecting the architecture and atmosphere of the village.
Guests are welcomed with a bottle of wine, while breakfast is prepared and served exclusively to guests by the owners.
The property also provides bicycles, allowing visitors to explore Lofou and its surrounding areas, from natural landscapes and picturesque streets to small local shops.
(99 527711) Lofou, Limassol district.
Το Απόκεντρο in Alona
In the picturesque green village of Alona, built amid a hazelnut forest, Το Απόκεντρο is a complex of restored traditional houses combining Cypriot hospitality with opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside.
The complex consists of two traditional residences, each with its own identity while combining traditional aesthetics with modern comforts.
The first, ‘Μελανόπετρα’, has three bedrooms, while the second, ‘Κερασόδενδρο’, has two. Each property can accommodate up to five people.
(99757234) Alona, Nicosia district.
Ample Places in Lefkara
Ample Places is a complex of two independent, self-contained ecotourism residences in Pano Lefkara.
The two guesthouses were renovated according to sustainable architectural principles, bringing together local traditional character and contemporary design.
Their bright interiors feature restored authentic Cypriot furniture, folk handicrafts and works of contemporary art.
One of the properties, ‘Πολύτιμο’, covers 122 sq m and once housed the village co-operative before later becoming a coffee shop. It has now been transformed into a spacious open-plan residence combining the living, dining and kitchen areas.
At ‘Μοναδικό’, sleeping accommodation is arranged on a traditional interior wooden mezzanine with one double and two single beds. The living room also has a fireplace and the amenities needed for a comfortable stay.
(99613771) Pano Lefkara, Larnaca district.
Ambelikos Traditional Agrohotel in Potamitissa
For anyone visiting the small Pitsilia village of Potamitissa, Ambelikos Traditional Agrohotel offers a traditional mountain stay.
Its rooms feature traditional décor and include a television, free Wi-Fi, fireplace, shower or hydromassage bath and a balcony overlooking the mountains.
For those who do venture outside, the village and surrounding countryside offer activities including cycling and hiking.
Ambelikos Traditional Agrohotel also has a restaurant, shared lounge and luggage storage facilities.
(25522211, 99877589) Potamitissa.
New Okella in Saittas
The renovated New Okella hotel is located in the Saittas area at an altitude of 650 metres, surrounded by mountains and pine trees. Its rooms overlook the area’s river, which flows throughout the year.
The hotel has 11 spacious rooms and is designed as a year-round destination, offering a peaceful environment for those looking to relax as well as access to trails and activities for visitors keen to explore the surrounding countryside.
Wood and stone feature prominently throughout the property, complementing the landscape, sound of the river and mountain air.
The experienced owners have worked in hospitality for more than 30 years and also operate The Scandinavia Gardens bar and restaurant, which has been running in Limassol since 1984.
New Okella’s bar-restaurant serves lunch and dinner, either in its courtyard during summer or in the comfortable indoor area with a fireplace during winter.
A generous breakfast is also served every morning.
(99197981) Ζοωδόχου Πηγής 46, Saittas, Limassol district.
RedBlue Door in Lefkara
Dating from 1820, the beautifully renovated RedBlue Door consists of two houses that combine traditional character with modern comforts.
Guests can choose between the spacious Red Door and Blue Door, both suited to larger groups and families and equipped with the comforts of a luxury home.
The Red Door also has a swimming pool in its courtyard.
The surrounding area is well suited to outdoor activities including fishing, hiking and cycling, making it another of the mountain stays Cyprus offers for an active autumn break.
(99420984) Pano Lefkara, Larnaca district.
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