Traditional Local Experiences

Experience the authentic side of Larnaka region

Larnaka is proud of its traditions, which are still very much cherished and practised across the region. From pottery workshops to wineries and rural activities, you can not only watch Larnaka's interesting customs in action, but can participate too for a unique and authentic holiday experience!

Many of the traditions are still practised in Rural (Orini) Larnaka. This part of the region was declared a European Destination of Excellence in Cultural Tourism in 2017, with more information here.

Halloumi Cheese Making

Halloumi cheese making by hand in the traditional way. Demonstrations and tasting.

Name: Eleni Mini Dairy

Tel: +357 2432 2014

Village: Skarinou

Opening Hours: Open Monday - Saturday, but demonstrations are upon request.

Name: Loulla Efthymiou

Tel: (+357) 9963 9388

Village: Choirokoitia

Opening Hours: 10am-5pm and extra hours upon request.

Name: Athienou Municipality

Tel: +357 2452 4002

Village: Athienou / Father Kallinikos Stavrovouniotis Restored House

Opening Hours: For groups all year round, upon request.

Basket Weaving & Halloumi Cheese Making

Folkloric basket making demonstrations and Halloumi cheese making demonstrations incorporating the special baskets that were traditionally used in the process. Set in a traditional residence that displays various baskets used in olden-day life.

Name: Petros Nicolaou

Tel: +357 9920 5833

Village: Choirokoitia

Opening Hours: Upon request.

Workshops & Art Retreat

One-day workshops or longer stays and retreats that combine nature, arts & crafts and gastronomy. Available in English, Greek and French.

Name: Cyprus Art Retreat

Tel: +357 9989 3354

Email: admin@cyprusartretreat.com

Village: Agioi Vavatsinias

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri & Sun, 9am - 5pm / Sat, 9am - 9pm

Botanical Garden & Cypriot Herb Activities

Nature-themed activities at the botanical gardens, including oil distillation demonstrations, crafts and decoration making, workshops using herbs and plants, natural cosmetic making and local products.

Name: Lumina Botanical Gardens

Tel: +357 9997 3631

Village: 1 Ithakis, Kornos village

Opening Hours: Upon request.

Cypriot Wine & Spirit Tasting Sessions

Available in Larnaka city and rural Larnaka. Demonstrations, tours, workshops and tasting.

Name: Ktima Christoudia

Tel: +357 9903 4828

Village: Kato Drys

Opening Hours: Daily & weekends 9am-5pm.

Name: Ktima Dafermou

Tel: +357 7000 8373

Village: Lefkara

Opening Hours: Upon request.

Name: Oak Tree Wine Cellar

Tel: +357 2481 5044

Location: Larnaka city centre

Opening Hours: Daily & weekends.

Name: Sunmoon Hospitality

Tel: +357 2440 0921

Location: Larnaka city centre

Opening Hours: Workshops by booking.

Donkey Rides & Harvest Activities

Donkey sanctuary in rural Larnaka with activities for all the family, including traditional product demonstrations and participation in the seasonal harvests.

Name: Golden Donkeys Farm

Tel: +357 9962 0736

Village: Skarinou

Opening Hours: Daily & Weekends 10am-6pm. Harvests upon request.

Beekeeping Tours & Activities

Beekeeping tours, honey production and bottling tours, honey tasting, bee-related and themed activities for children and adults, including apitherapy, bee wax crafts and informative programmes.

Name: ΕcoPhysis

Tel: +357 9917 1405

Village: Vavla

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am-5pm and extra hours upon request.

Name: Oros Maxaira

Tel: +357 2562 2305

Village: Melini

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8am –4pm / Saturday & Sunday - upon reservation.

Traditional Delicacies Making

Demonstrations and tasting of handmade sweet and savoury delicacies; made in the traditional way from recipes passed down from generation to generation.

Name: Ermi

Tel: +357 9968 2817 / 2435 2003

Village: Agioi Vavatsinias

Opening Hours: Daily 7am-4pm.

Name: Lefkara Loukkoumi Factory (Ta Oraia Lefkara)

Tel: +357 2434 2525

Village: Lefkara

Opening Hours: Daily & Weekends 7am-6pm.

Name: To Madratzi tis Yiayias

Tel: +357 9780 7307

Village: Kato Drys

Opening Hours: Daily: 3-8pm / Morning: upon request / Weekends: 8am-7pm

Lefkara Lace Making & Silversmithing Traditions

Award-winning mountainous Lefkara village is famous for its hand-embroidered lace linens and silversmithing, including the delicate art of filigree. The crafts can be seen whilst wandering the village or at the workshops.

Name: Rouvis Lace and Silver

Tel: +357 2434 2559

Village: Lefkara

Opening Hours: 9am-6pm.

Name: Lefkara Handicraft Centre

Tel: +357 2434 2822

Village: Lefkara

Opening Hours: For organised groups upon request.

Name: Demetris Stafylaris (silversmithing)

Tel: +357 2253 3480 / 9952 6577

Village: Lefkara

Opening Hours: Morning hours upon request / afternoons: 4-7.30pm.

Traditional Handmade Pasta Demonstrations

The thin, traditional pasta ‘Makaronia tis Smilas’ and ‘Macaroni tou Sklinitziou’ have been adopted by the EU Commission as a protected geographical indication (PGI) from Cyprus and are made in select villages.

Name: Marina Xenofontos

Tel: +357 9990 9042

Village: Agios Theodoros

Opening Hours: Upon request.

Name: Theodora Demetrou

Tel: +357 9978 2951

Village: Maroni

Opening Hours: Upon request.

Traditional Pottery Making

The ancient craft of pottery continues in Larnaka city at the Larnaka Art Workshops Neighbourhoods - where visitors can see the artists at work - and also in Kornos village, which is famous for its pottery tradition.

Name: Larnaka Art Workshops Neighbourhood:

Studio Ceramics
Emira Pottery
Stavros Pottery
Photos Demetriou

Village: Larnaka city centre

Opening Hours: Various, including tours.

Name: Louiza Constantinou

Tel: +357 9978 1458

Village: Kornos

Opening Hours: Upon request.

Name: Kornos Pottery Co-op

Tel: +357 2253 3712 / 9909 3238

Village: Kornos

Opening Hours: 10am-1pm and extra hours upon request.