With the arrival of winter, many mountain and coastal villages in Cyprus come alive with a festive atmosphere. Across the island, Christmas villages are set up, a wonderful initiative by the Ministry of Tourism, now supported for the fifth consecutive year by local governments. However, not every village gets to join—only selected settlements temporarily become centers of holiday cheer.
What Is a Christmas Village in Cyprus?
A Christmas village is more than just a market. It is a combination of efforts by local municipalities, volunteers, and artisans who transform a square or historic street into a stage for traditional crafts and celebrations. The main activities usually take place around colorful wooden cottages, where visitors can enjoy wine and food tastings, and purchase jams, honey, cheeses, and various handmade products.
For both children and adults, numerous workshops are held where participants can learn to weave baskets, craft ceramics, or prepare traditional Christmas sweets. Entertainment includes concerts featuring local and visiting artists. Often, the festive program also incorporates nature walks and cycling routes, which is particularly appealing to those who like to combine fun with active outdoor recreation. Each village curates its program to highlight its unique strengths. The main goals are to promote winter tourism in Cyprus, preserve local traditions, and support the development of vineyards, smokehouses, and cheese dairies.
Where and When in 2025: A Route Through Eight Locations
This year, the formal festival period runs from November 22, 2025, to January 6, 2026. Until December 22, Christmas villages will operate on weekends only; from December 22 to January 6, they will be open daily.
In 2025, the participating villages are: Agros, Deryneia, Kalopanayiotis, Kyperounda, Lefkara, Fikardou, Kakopetria, and Statos – Agios Fotios (Paphos region). The first five villages are returning from last year, while the others are newcomers. Unfortunately, Kiti (Larnaca district) and Laiki Gitonia (Old Nicosia quarter) are no longer on the list.
Each location is unique, offering its own program, flavors, and sounds for visitors. Guests can enjoy local tavernas and restaurants, stay overnight in a mountain hotel or a traditional village house, and fully experience the festive spirit.
What makes the Christmas villages on this year’s list special?
Agros
The picturesque mountain village of Agros is famous for its fragrant rose gardens and traditional rose liqueur, made according to old recipes. In winter, the village transforms into a cozy spot, with the scent of sweets and jams filling the air and snowy slopes and decorated houses creating a genuine Cypriot Christmas atmosphere.
Deryneia
Located in eastern Cyprus, Deryneia is known for its strawberry plantations and hosts a famous strawberry festival each spring. Beyond its rural charm, the village preserves historical memory, offering panoramic views of the Green Line and a museum dedicated to Cyprus’s recent past.
Kalopanayiotis
Kalopanayiotis is a Christmas oasis of tranquility amid the mountains. The charming village is famous for the Monastery of Saint John Lampadistis. Winter brings a magical atmosphere as stone houses glow with lights, creating a peaceful and cozy festive environment.
Kyperounda
Kyperounda lies in the heart of Cypriot winemaking among the Troodos hills. The oldest wineries on the island are here, producing some of Cyprus’s most renowned wines. During winter, the village is decorated with garlands and filled with the scents of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, becoming a warm retreat for those seeking a mountain Christmas experience.
Lefkara
Famed for its Lefkaritika lace and handcrafted silverwork, Lefkara is one of the island’s most picturesque villages. Its narrow cobbled streets, historic houses, and old-world charm make a stroll through the village feel like a journey through time. In winter, the village is especially beautiful and colorful.
Fikardou
Fikardou is an open-air museum and one of the most authentic places on the island. All stone houses are architectural monuments, and walking through its narrow streets transports visitors back centuries. In winter, the village is particularly cozy, with the smell of bread, crackling fireplaces, and festive lights turning Fikardou into a living Christmas postcard.
Kakopetria
At the foot of the Troodos mountains, Kakopetria is known for its cool climate, bubbling streams, and historic architecture. It is a popular mountain village for leisure, where visitors can enjoy walks through the old part of town, the scent of pine trees, and local cuisine in cozy tavernas.
Statos – Agios Fotios
This scenic mountain village in the Paphos region is surrounded by vineyards and fruit orchards. Known for its fragrant wines and rural charm, it’s a perfect place to enjoy peace, fresh air, and the authentic atmosphere of Cypriot village life—a true setting to feel the spirit of a Cypriot Christmas.
Who Supports the Festival and How: Economy and Sponsors’ Generosity
Organizing a Christmas village is costly, so local communities receive support from the Ministry of Tourism—both moral and financial. This year, the total budget for Christmas villages across Cyprus has been increased. Municipalities will receive €35,000 in government grants, while local councils can receive up to €70,000 (compared to €50,000 in 2024).
Communities also generate income by renting small kiosks or stalls to local artisans. Rental fees range from €1,000 to €3,000, helping to cover expenses for decorations, concerts, and workshops—in other words, creating the festive infrastructure. Some villages also contribute their own funds: for example, Fikardou’s total Christmas project budget last season was €130,000, with €135,000 planned for 2025. For smaller communities, participating in such a project is a chance to make themselves known. Statos – Agios Fotios, located at 950 meters above sea level with a population of 170, is participating for the first time. The local council hopes this will help popularize the village—and soon we will see if they succeed.
Spectacle and Scale: Records and Influx of Visitors
Experience from previous years shows that Christmas villages attract large crowds. Last year, Fikardou welcomed around 200,000 visitors, and Agros saw more than 200,000 guests. These numbers demonstrate the economic benefits: hotels fill up, tavernas become lively, craft shops operate, and for a short time, small villages turn into hubs for both local and international tourists.
It’s no wonder! For many, a Christmas village is like a box of surprises. First, you smell fresh pastries and mulled wine. Then you see lights sparkling on old houses, hear children laughing near workshops where they learn to make pottery, and listen to elders share stories about past Christmas celebrations. In the evening, music fills the squares: local choirs, folk performers, and visiting artists perform. And the melodies linger long in your memory. If you’re lucky with the weather, you might even see olive trees dusted with snow.
Practical Tips: How to Plan Your Visit and What Not to Miss
If you’re planning to visit the Christmas villages of Cyprus, be sure to follow these tips:
Plan ahead: Book your trip early, especially if you want to stay in a nearby hotel. Growing interest in this festive event makes hotels and guesthouses very popular during winter.
Check the schedule: Until December 22, villages are open on weekends and holidays; afterward, they operate daily.
Combine visits: One trip can cover several villages in a single day or over a weekend.
Dress in layers: It’s cooler in the mountains than by the sea. Comfortable shoes and warm clothing are your best friends.
Don’t miss unique handmade gifts: Many artisans produce limited editions, available only during the village events.
Stay updated: Programs may be supplemented with workshops, concerts, or exclusive tours.
Visiting even one Christmas village in Cyprus guarantees a special memory. It’s a magical combination of celebration, nature, traditions, and travel. When most tourists leave the island after the summer season, the mountains and historic villages reveal a new world: crisp winter air, festive lights, and a warm atmosphere that brings locals and visitors together.
If you want to experience Christmas in a unique way—without harsh cold but with coziness, culture, and nature—choose one of Cyprus’ villages and give yourself the chance to see the island from a new perspective.
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