Platres (officially Pano Platres) is the classic Cyprus hill station, a village of stone villas and pine forest clinging to the southern slopes of the Troodos at around 1,100 metres. In colonial days it was where the well-to-do escaped the summer heat, King Farouk of Egypt and the poet George Seferis among them, and it still fills each July and August with Cypriots chasing air that is 8 to 10 degrees cooler than the coast.
Today it is the best base on the island for walkers. Two of the prettiest waterfalls in Cyprus, Caledonia and Millomeris, are on its doorstep, the Mount Olympus trails start just up the road, and the great painted churches and wine villages of the Troodos are all within an easy drive.
Come in spring for cherry blossom, summer for cool nights, autumn for golden forest, and winter when snow dusts the peaks and the fireplaces are lit.
The signature Platres walk. A shaded trail follows the Kryos stream up through the forest, criss-crossing wooden bridges to a 13 metre waterfall that runs year-round. About 3 km each way from the village, cool even in high summer.
At around 15 metres, one of the highest falls in Cyprus, hidden in a wooded gorge below the village. Reachable by a short signed footpath from Platres or almost door-to-door by car. Quieter than Caledonia and just as photogenic.
Ten minutes up the road, the roof of Cyprus at 1,952 metres. The Artemis trail circles the summit through black pine, the Atalante runs a wider loop, and in winter the Sun Valley ski lifts creak into action on the north face.
An unexpected village favourite: a working chocolate factory where you can join hands-on workshops, mould your own bars and taste as you go. Book ahead in summer, it is hugely popular with families.
A short forest drive above Platres, this 13th century monastery sits amid pines and orchards and holds a venerated icon of the Virgin. The road up is a lovely drive in its own right, with picnic sites along the way.
The Troodos hides ten UNESCO-listed Byzantine churches, tiny barn-roofed buildings packed with medieval frescoes. From Platres, Kakopetria's Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis and the churches around Pedoulas make an easy day loop.
Just below Platres begin the Krasochoria, the wine villages of the Limassol hills. Cobbled Omodos with its monastery square, Koilani, Vouni and Lofou all have small wineries pouring Xynisteri, Maratheftiko and the island's ancient sweet wine, Commandaria.
The richest and most famous monastery in Cyprus, glittering with gold mosaics, about an hour's mountain drive from Platres via Pedoulas. Combine it with Throni hill, the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, for huge views over the western Troodos.
Cross the ridge to Kakopetria, whose restored old quarter of timber-balconied houses leans over a rushing stream. Pedoulas, Moutoullas and Kalopanayiotis in the Marathasa valley reward the extra miles with springs, sanatorium history and frescoed chapels.
The local speciality is fresh trout from the Troodos farms, grilled or baked with lemon and herbs. Several village tavernas serve it with mountain potatoes and village salad.
Old-fashioned family grills do souvla, kleftiko and full Cypriot meze, best enjoyed slowly on a terrace with the forest breeze doing its thing.
Platres is known for its fruit preserves, glyka tou koutaliou (spoon sweets), and cherry products from nearby orchards. Pick up a jar with your afternoon coffee.
Down in the Krasochoria, tavernas around the Omodos monastery square pair village cooking with the local wines, an easy lunch run from Platres.
See live listings of festivals, markets and events happening around Platres and the Troodos, refreshed daily on our events calendar.
The calendar runs five years ahead. Fixed and Easter-linked dates are exact; festivals with organiser-set dates show their usual month until confirmed. If a month is quiet, the next events coming up are listed instead.
We can put a personalised itinerary together, or just point you at the right tavernas. No pressure either way.
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