3 Beautiful villages to visit while staying in Limassol
Limassol is a vibrant and beautiful city. Recently it has become quite modernized, nonetheless, it’s filled with historical sites, references and surrounding villages that preserve a traditional vibe for visitors to experience. Read on to discover our top 3 picks for beautiful villages in the Limassol district.
Lania
The village of Lania is only 25km away from the city of Limassol and resides in the Troodos area. Nearing closer, one notices a tapestry of vineyards and lush mountain scenery. It’s no wonder, as in the olden days, most of the local villagers were employed as harvesters in the vineyards, as well as worked on cultivating the grapes into wines, traditional sweets, and spirits (Zivania). The name of the village itself is said to originate from the name ‘Lana’, the name of the daughter of the God of Wine, Dionysius.
The village is not just a place of legend and reminiscence. Today you can go there to see the old mill press, visit the beautiful church, and of course taste some of that traditional Cypriot wine and spirit. What’s more, every May the local women open their yards, welcoming visitors into their homes for the ‘Lanes and Courtyards’ event.
Omodos
The Omodos village is situated in the wine-making area of Troodos, within the Limassol district. Located 42 km north-west of Limassol at an altitude of approximately 810 meters it’s the perfect place to visit during a hot day. The village itself was built by a river, surrounded by tall mountaintops the scenery is vibrant with lush nature and Byzantine architecture.
The village is famed for its excellent grapes and tasty wines. Since ancient times, the village produced quality wines and spirits with a distinct smell of sweetness. Traditional lore describes that the wine was named Afames, after a mountain toward the east of the village, and its creation led to the island being conquered by Sultan Selem II, so that he could claim the wine as his own. It was that good!
Lofou
Another village surrounded by mountains and located in a beautiful setting is the village of Lofou. Located in between the Limassol and Paphos districts, the village is located 28 km northwest of Limassol. The name of the village was inspired by the Greek word ‘lofos’ which means ‘hill’. The history of the village saw it transform for various purposes, from the Frank occupation to the Ottoman Empire and leading up to the British rule. During the latter period, the village essentially became a vast vineyard, making the village a majestic sight to behold.
Today the village retains its majestic qualities. The restored houses with wooden balconies situated on narrow cobbled streets bring a unique aura to the village, making it a highly desirable spot for visitors from around the world.
You can too visit these historical villages located in the Limassol district while you are staying at The Royal Apollonia in Limassol, or in any other Louis Hotel as distances on the small island of Cyprus are very short.