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

Summary

Winding Troodos roads, village kitchens, laughter over meze and wine

You’ll wind through Troodos villages tasting fresh halloumi and honey, sip Cypriot wine at a family winery, wander Lefkara’s lace-filled lanes, and linger over a meze lunch in a tiny tavern. Expect warm welcomes from locals—and leave with Cyprus under your skin.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice in the Troodos Mountains to be the smell — woodsmoke drifting from a bakery as we rolled into our first village. Our guide Maria had this way of waving at everyone, like she actually knew half the island. She handed us a piece of still-warm bread, crust rough under my fingers, and told us it was best with local honey. I tried to say thank you in Greek and got it wrong; the baker just grinned wider and poured more honey anyway.

The day trip through the Troodos mountain villages felt sort of like being adopted by a group of food-loving aunties. We stopped at five places — not all were on any map I’d seen — tasting halloumi so fresh it squeaked between my teeth, sipping wine in a family-run winery where the owner’s son shyly poured us another glass (I’m not sure he believed I could taste “apricot” but I nodded along). In Lefkara, we wandered narrow streets lined with lacework hanging from windowsills. One old woman showed us how she threads her patterns; her hands moved so fast I nearly missed it. The church bells chimed somewhere behind us, echoing off stone walls.

Lunch was at a little tavern — plates kept arriving until we lost count: olives sharp with lemon, grilled meats smoky and salty, tomatoes that tasted like sunshine. Maria sat down with us for coffee after and told stories about growing up nearby; I think that’s when Cyprus started to feel real to me. The whole tour is set up for small groups (we were six), so you never feel rushed or lost in a crowd. There’s air-conditioning in the van but honestly, most of what stays with me is outside: mountain air cool even in summer, laughter bouncing off tiled roofs, that feeling you get when someone shares something they’ve made themselves.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Food and wine tour in Troodos villages

• Pick up from Ayia Napa or Protaras
• Drive through Troodos mountain villages
• Visit 5 traditional product workshops
• Stop at family winery for wine tasting
• Explore Lefkara village and lace shops
• Enjoy authentic meze lunch with drinks
• Discover villages in Larnaca district

Top questions

How many stops are included on this Troodos Mountains food tour?

The tour includes five foodie stops across different villages in the Troodos Mountains.

Is lunch included on the day trip from Ayia Napa or Protaras?

Yes, an authentic meze lunch with drinks at a village tavern is included.

Does this food & wine tour visit Lefkara village?

Yes, there is always a stop in Lefkara village to explore its lace-making tradition.

Are entrance fees and tastings covered in the price?

All tasting fees and entrance costs are included in your booking price.

Is hotel pickup provided for this Troodos Mountains food tour?

Yes, door-to-door transport from Ayia Napa or Protaras is included.

How big are the groups on this Cyprus Taste Tours experience?

The groups are small—no more than seven people per tour.

Will we meet locals or artisans during the day trip?

You’ll meet local producers and artisans at each stop throughout the villages.

Is there an age restriction for wine tasting?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years old for wine tastings.

What’s included

Your day includes door-to-door pickup from Ayia Napa or Protaras, all entry fees and tastings at five different foodie stops across scenic mountain villages (including a family winery), time exploring Lefkara village’s lace traditions, plus an authentic meze lunch with drinks before heading back comfortably by air-conditioned vehicle.