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Costas's Houses, Lofou

authentic traditional village • good base for exploring the mountains & southern coast

A land steeped in history

All apartments:

• 1-bedroom (sleep 2), superior apartment 1-bedroom sleep 2 adults, plus 2 children on sofa beds • stylish open-plan living area with fireplace • shower room • well-equipped kitchen with 4-ring hob, fridge-freezer & half-oven (microwave on request) • courtyard

Activities/facilities available:

• walking (notes provided) • nearest supermarket 12km • nearest restaurant & taverna on site

> Prices & travel

Wander along beside the deep blue sea

In the heart of the island, the Troodos Mountains - a walker’s paradise - are rugged and surprisingly green, their pine-clad slopes hiding traditional mountain villages and Byzantine chapels with intricate frescoes. In the foothills below, just 40 minutes from the coast, the authentic village of Lofou dates from the Byzantine era and was once one of the island's richest villages but its steep cobbled streets are now home to just a handful of families. It nestles amid the vineyards of the Commandaria wine region, a great base from which to explore the mountains, the chapels and the idyllic wine villages on foot.

In the heart of the Troodos Mountains

We provide route notes for the following walks, all within easy driving distance of your base:

The Krasochoria (11km, 4h): starting from Lofou itself, this circular route takes in the heart of the 'Krasochoria', some of the most traditional wine villages in Cyprus, as it winds through the vine-covered hills past the chapel of Ayia Mavri. Built into the rock next to a centuries-old plane tree, the chapel is well worth a visit to see its 500-year-old frescoes.
Kaledonian Waterfall (7km, 3h): walk to the Kaledonia Waterfalls through the oaks, alders and plane trees of the valley of the Kryos Potamos ('Cold River'), one of the few rivers on the island to carry water all year round. Named after the swallows (chelidonia) which swoop around it, this 12-metre cascade plunges into a thickly wooded gully.
Around Agros (8km, 3h): paths wind through almond orchards and vineyards before entering a delightful expanse of forest. You then descend through olive groves to a lake and cross rocky hillsides coated with sage and cistus back to the village.
Mount Adelphi & the Madari Ridge (13km, 5h): offering breathtaking views that stretch right across northern Cyprus to the sea beyond (and even the Turkish mainland in very clear weather), this is an unmissable walk. You follow a nature trail, enjoying good vistas of Cyprus’ two highest peaks, Mount Olympus and Mount Adelphi, as you wind in and out of oak and pine woods on the ascent to the panoramic, Alpine-like Madari Ridge. You follow this back to your starting point.

Get involved in local life

If you prefer to explore by car, or want a break from walking, a short drive south of Lofou takes you to the Mediterranean coast. Alternatively, you may prefer to explore Cyprus’s wealth of archaeological sites, including the Tomb of the Kings, the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, medieval Kolossi, Neolithic Choirokoitia, and the most visually stunning of them all, the ancient city of Kourion.

Perfect views to wake up to every morning

On arrival in Lofou, you are warmly welcomed by ebullient, English-speaking Costas and his family, so typical of the hospitality encountered in Cyprus. The five open-plan studios are in two traditional village houses, each built around a courtyard, ensuring an intimate atmosphere if you were to rent two or three together for a group of friends. The interiors are at once charming and stylish, with exposed stone walls, archways, large fireplaces, stone-flagged floors, beamed ceilings and big sofas in warm, earthy tones. Choose a standard studio sleeping two in either a double or twin beds or a superior studio which can also accommodate two children on sofa beds. All have a shower room and a well-equipped kitchen corner, and open onto the courtyard.

Costas's atmospheric taverna

We highly recommend dining at Costas’s atmospheric taverna, which blends interesting architecture and brightly coloured artefacts with delicious food and wine. In fact, we include a Cypriot meze dinner of numerous dishes on a night of your choice, when Costas may even regale you with songs on his bazouki!

Prices & travel 2009:

Property & hire car includes: 7 days' category F car hire (eg Opel Astra)
Recommended airports: Paphos & Larnaca
Driving time from airports: 1h
Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you
Start: any day

> Important notes on pricing

> Personal holiday insurance

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> Booking form - Superior Studio

> Booking form - Studio

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