Troodos Mountains: Food & Wine Day Tour with Villages & Meze

Summary

Cyprus flavors in Troodos villages with cheese honey wine and laughter

You’ll wake to pine-scented air in Cyprus’ Troodos mountains, meet local artisans making halloumi by hand, sample olive oil beneath fig trees, share meze lunch in a tucked-away village taverna, and sip organic wines at Tsangarides Winery—all with transport and tastings included. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve shared more than just a meal.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed stepping out in Paphos was that smell—sort of wild herbs mixed with morning dust. Our guide, Maria, waved from the van and grinned like we already knew each other. She handed out tiny sesame biscuits before we’d even left the city, saying something about “lining our stomachs for all the tastings ahead.” I thought she was joking. She wasn’t.

The Troodos mountains crept up on us—one minute orange groves, then suddenly pine trees and stone houses. We stopped in a village where an old woman (her name was Eleni, I think?) showed us how she makes halloumi and anari cheese. The kitchen smelled warm and milky; she let me try shaping a curd and laughed when it collapsed in my hands. Tasted better than it looked though. There’s something about eating cheese right there, still warm, that just hits different. I kept licking my fingers because of the salty brine.

Next was olive oil—green glass bottles lined up on a wooden table under fig trees. Maria poured us little sips to taste “the peppery one” and “the buttery one.” I didn’t expect to care about olive oil but now I’m ruined for supermarket stuff forever. Somewhere along the way we tried honey so thick it barely moved off the spoon, and sweets that stuck to my teeth (in a good way). A quick stop at Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery—quiet except for birds—and then off again.

Lunch came just when I started wondering if maybe we’d overdone it with all the tastings. Meze dishes kept appearing: grilled meats, salads heavy with oregano, bread still warm from the oven. The local red wine tasted like sunbaked earth—probably not how sommeliers describe it but you get me. At Tsangarides Winery later on, Mr. Tsangarides himself poured us his organic white and told stories about his grandfather’s vineyard days. He had this way of talking with his hands that made you want to listen forever.

I keep thinking about that drive back through winding roads, bellies full, everyone a bit sleepy but happy. It wasn’t just food—it felt like being let in on something Cypriot families have done for generations. If you’re looking for a food & wine day tour from Paphos that actually feels real… well, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Troodos Mountains Food and Wine Tour

• Pick up from Paphos location
• Drive through Troodos mountain villages
• Meet local cheese maker and taste halloumi
• Explore olives and taste products
• Visit scenic location and taste Commandaria wine
• Enjoy traditional meze lunch with drinks
• Tour Tsangarides Winery and taste organic wines
• Try traditional Cyprus sweets and delights

Top questions

How many people are on this Troodos Mountains food & wine day tour?

This tour runs with small groups of 6–7 participants maximum.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cyprus food & wine tour?

Yes, door-to-door transport from your Paphos location is included.

What foods do you taste on the Troodos Mountains villages tour?

You’ll try halloumi and anari cheeses, olive oil, honey, traditional sweets, plus enjoy a meze lunch with drinks.

Does this day trip visit any wineries?

Yes—the itinerary includes a boutique winery visit (Tsangarides) with tasting of organic wines.

Is lunch included in this Cyprus food & wine day trip?

Yes—a traditional meze lunch at a village tavern with drinks is part of the tour price.

Are entrance fees or tasting fees extra?

No—all tastings and entrance fees are included; only souvenirs cost extra if you want them.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

No—cruise ship bookings via Viator/Tripadvisor aren’t accepted; contact directly instead.

How long is the drive from Paphos to Troodos villages?

The drive varies by route but expect around 1–1.5 hours into the mountains each way.

What’s included

Your day includes door-to-door pickup from any Paphos location in an air-conditioned vehicle; all entry fees; guided tastings of cheese, olive oil, honey and sweets; a winery visit with tasting; plus a full meze lunch at a village taverna complete with drinks before heading back in the afternoon.