After our sightseeing stops in Northern Cyprus we wanted to explore the most important sights of Southern Cyprus, because also the south of the island has all sorts of interesting and interesting things to offer. It would have been almost impossible for us to look at all the main attractions of Cyprus in one week. So we just picked out a few things that we could easily reach by car from our Hotel Acapulco Beach Resort & SPA in Kyrenia. We would like to introduce you to you here.
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Map of the Tourist Attractions in Southern Cyprus
In Google MyMaps we have put together a map and entered all the important sights in Southern Cyprus.
The Painted Churches in the Troodos Area
Ten of the more than 25 painted barn roof churcheslocated in the Troodos Mountains of southern Cyprus were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. The barn roof churches, built in the typical Cypriot style, owe their name to their appearance: coarse stones, deep-drawn shingle roofs and the fact that there is no church tower make them look like barns. From the outside, they also look relatively inconspicuous. But as soon as you enter one of the churches, you can see the colourful and partly well-preserved frescoes on the walls. Very impressive.
On our tour of the Troodos Mountains we visited a total of four of the UNESCO barn roof churches: Panagia tis Asinou, Archangelos Michail (Pedoulas), Panagia tou Moutoulla and Agios Ioannis Lampadistis.
The barn roof church Panagia tou Moutoulla in southern Cyprus
The first church we had visited (Panagia tis Asinou) was also best enjoyed, as the church was solitary and the wall malries were very well preserved inside. In addition, we were the only visitors here, so that we could see everything in peace.
The Kykkos Monastery & the Monument of Makario
Also in the Troodos Mountains, at an altitude of 1,140 metres on the slope of a ridge, is the monastery of Kykkos, which can only be reached via a serpentine but very well developed road. Parking is available right in front of the monastery and access is free for visitors. If you do not have the appropriate clothes for a monastery (knee-covering), you can borrow a corresponding cape at the entrance. The monastery was founded in the 12th century, but the buildings – i.e. a church, the courtyard, the museum buildings and the monastery passages – were destroyed due to earthquakes and fires in the 19th and completely rebuilt in the 20th century. We particularly liked the two courtyards of the monastery, which are surrounded by arches and magnificently decorated with frescoes and mosaics walkways and galleries.
About two kilometres from the monastery, the monument of Makario on Mount Throni is located on a hill already visible from a distance. Here is also the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, which is always guarded by soldiers. The archbishop and former president of the Republic of Cyprus has spent several years in the monastery of Kykkos – for this reason his tomb is also not far from the monastery.
The Monastery of Stavrovouni
Stavrovouni Monastery is located about 40 minutes’ drive west of Larnaca and 40 minutes south of Nicosia on a rocky peak at an altitude of about 750 metres. After driving along a very winding road and arriving at the top, you will see a small church and will be rewarded with a great view of the surrounding area. A few meters further you stand at the gates of the actual monastery, from here you can also take a look at the monastery. We had already read in advance on the Internet that only men are allowed in here. But unfortunately we have read over that one can only enter the monastery with appropriate clothing, i.e. long top and long trousers. We didn’t have it. But since the monastery had closed for three hours anyway over noon, a visit was unnecessary anyway.
Hala-Sultan-Tekke Mosque
About 5 kilometers south of Larnaca is the mosque Hala-Sultan-Tekke. It was built in 648 A.D., renovated in 1816 and is considered one of the most important sanctuaries of Islam. The location of the mosque is particularly impressive: surrounded by palm trees on the edge of a large salt lake (which unfortunately had just dried up here), in which flamingos usually live.
The Agia Napa Sculpture Park
On the south-eastern coast of south-eastern Cyprus is Agia Napa, a small place known for beach and party holidays and overpopulated by tourists in the summer months. On the eastern edge of the village is a 20,000 square metre sculpture park,which is accessible free of charge and offers an extensive collection of sculptures by more than 50 artists from all over the world.
Starbucks Global Icon City Mug of Cyprus
We are collecting the Starbucks Mugs from the cities and islands we visit on our travels. Unfortunately, not every city that has a Starbucks store with an own mug. But if the city has an own mug we like to collect them as a souvenir. We only collect city mugs from the "Global Icon Series", which was released in 2008. You can see our complete collection here: Starbucks - Our collection of Mugs from the Global Icon SeriesSouthern Cyprus has several Starbucks stores and also has its own cup 🙂
The Starbucks Island Cup of Cyprus
All travelogues from Cyprus
The island of Cyprus has about 1.1 million inhabitants and is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia. Since 1974 the island has been divided. However, it was clear to us from the very beginning that we would like to explore the entire island on our own - both Northern Cyprus and Southern Cyprus. In our articles we will give you detailed information about our hotels, the sights of the whole island (north and south), diving at the wreck Zenobia and turtle watching in Alagadi.
» Cyprus: Travel Guide, Things to know & Tourist Attractions» Cyprus: Our rental car for Northern Cyprus & Southern Cyprus
» Cyprus: Nikosia – Travel Guide & Things to do in the divided city
» Northern Cyprus: Salamis Bay Conti Resort Hotel & Casino
» Northern Cyprus: Tourist Attractions on the east coast of the island
» Northern Cyprus: Kyrenia – The port city of Girne in Northern Cyprus
» Northern Cyprus: The Alagadi Sea Turtle Project in Northern Cyprus
» Southern Cyprus: Larnaca – Diving at the shipwreck Zenobia
» Southern Cyprus: Tourist Attractions & Things to do in the south part of the island