PLACES TO VISIT- within easy reach of Pissouri

LIMASSOL: Its just 20 minutes drive from Pissouri to the old port of this second largest town in Greek Cyprus. In Limassol old town you will find a medieval castle, built in the 13th century, and there are shops galore. St. Andrew's Street is the hub of the old town: there is a fruit and vegetable market and local craft shops. Along the 17km coastal road you will find lots of bars, tavernas, discos and hotels.








EPISKOPI VILLAGE: this is 12 miles from Pissouri on the motorway towards Limassol. There is a museum, remains of houses from the Bronze Age and nearby is the Kourio Amphitheatre, Basilica, Mosaics, Stadium. On the coast is Kourio Beach, a wide sandy bay.
KOLOSSI CASTLE: To get there, turn off the motorway en route to Limassol at Ypsonas. The castle, built between the 14th and 15th centuries, is signposted. The Knights of St. John arrived here in 1210, and Richard the Lion heart is reputed to have married Berengaria of Navarro at the castle after his return from the Crusades. The local wine, Commandaria was first made at Kolossi by the Knights of St John.

APHRODITE'S ROCK: Legend has it that if you swim around the rock three times, you will have eternal beauty (but there are no guarantees!). It is one of the most famous beauty spots in Greek Cyprus and is situated 10 minutes drive from Pissouri on the old Paphos road. The best view of the rock is from the restaurant on the hillside across the road.

PAPHOS: A visit here is a must. It is just 20 miles west of Pissouri and good seafood restaurants can be found in the ancient fishing port. The harbour is a popular place to sit and watch the world go by, and is the place to see the resident pelican. Paphos is the home to some of the most treasured archaeological sites in Cyprus. The Odeon dates back to the 1st century AD, and the Tombs of the Kings from the 3rd century BC. At the House of Dionysus, located between the harbour and the lighthouse, you will see fantastic mosaics.

KHIROKITIA: this is the oldest settlement in Cyprus dating from the Neolithic Period (7,500-3,900 BC) It is on the motorway towards Larnaca. There are remains of the first settlement and reconstructions of the circular houses in which the first settlers to Cyprus lived.

THE AKAMAS: This is on the west coast of Cyprus in a protected National Park. The best way to see it is by booking a Jeep Safari. A great day out if you like nature and wild life.

THE TROODOS: They are about 36 miles away by road. Driving to the top you pass through many of the villages, but it's worth making a stop at Omodos and a Lania where you will find artists and their paintings.
KAKOPETRIA: This is at the top of the Troodos on the Nicosia Road and 10 minutes drive from Troodos village. It's main attraction is the old watermill. Stop for lunch and you can eat trout caught in the river outside.

LEFKARA: Famous for it's lace and silver, here the old ladies sit in the street making both lace and stitching onto Irish linen.  It is a pretty village with narrow streets, houses with wooden doors and balconies. To get there you will need to travel on the motorway towards Nicosia.

POLIS AND LATCHI: These are two old fishing villages 1.5 miles apart and are 40 minutes drive north of Paphos. Visit them for lunch, as the restaurants here are famous for seafood.

NICOSIA: Despite the hour drive by motorway from Pissouri, it is worth a visit to enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere and the range of shops and restaurants. A visit to the old walled town is highly recommended. The area of Eleftheria Square is fully paved with narrow streets and traditional houses, but here there are more shops and tavernas, arcades, galleries and boutiques. Nicosia also has many museums, art galleries and a racecourse.