Troodos Mountains: Small Group Wine Tour & Meze Lunch

Summary

Winding roads, family vineyards and slow village lunches in cyprus

You’ll wander Cyprus’ Troodos mountains with locals who know every bend in the road, tasting rare wines at family-run cellars and sharing a meze lunch where nobody keeps count of courses or glasses poured. Expect laughter over homemade reds, stories behind monastery walls, and a sense of being let into something quietly special for a day.

What’s the experience like?

Elena greeted us outside the van with this quick smile — not the forced kind, just warm, like she actually knew half the people in Paphos. She handed me a tiny cup of thick coffee (I was still waking up), then laughed at my face when I tried to say “kalimera” right. We set off from Paphos and honestly, I didn’t expect the Troodos mountains to feel so green or smell so sharp in the morning — like pine needles and woodsmoke drifting from somewhere unseen.

The first winery was Tsangarides — family-run, chickens pecking around out back. The owner poured us a white made from Xynisteri grapes and explained how his grandfather started making wine before there were even paved roads here. He let us taste straight from the barrel (a bit cloudy but good), and I could hear someone singing softly in Greek behind the tanks. At each stop, we met someone different: an old woman pruning vines with hands stained purple; a young guy explaining why Commandaria is always sweet — sun-dried on mats until it’s almost syrupy. I’d never tasted anything like that before. Not sure I’ll ever find it back home.

Lunch happened in Polemi village — or maybe it was another one; Elena said they switch depending on who’s cooking that day. We sat under grapevines tangled above the taverna courtyard, plates of olives and halloumi appearing without warning. The meze just kept coming: grilled pork, stuffed zucchini flowers, bread still warm from the oven. Someone poured more local red into my glass and shrugged when I tried to ask what grape it was (“Cypriot!”). It all tasted better after three wineries anyway.

The last stop was Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery — gold icons catching late afternoon light inside, incense hanging heavy near the door. A monk nodded at us but didn’t say much; silence felt right there. On the drive back down toward Paphos, Elena played old folk songs on her phone and told stories about her grandmother’s vineyard — I think that stuck with me most. There’s something about sharing food and wine with people who actually live here that makes you see Cyprus differently, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Troodos Mountains wine tour and lunch

• Pick up from Paphos location
• Drive through Troodos mountain villages
• Visit first boutique winery and meet winemakers
• Tour winery premises and learn wine history
• Visit second boutique winery and taste wines
• Stop at Chrysoroyiatissa monastery wine cellar
• Enjoy traditional meze lunch with wine
• Visit third boutique winery and taste wines
• Return to Paphos location

Top questions

How many wineries do you visit on this Troodos wine tour?

You visit three award-winning wineries plus a historical monastery cellar during the tour.

Is lunch included on this small group wine tour?

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

Does this Troodos Mountains wine tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, door-to-door transport is provided from your chosen location in Paphos.

Are tasting fees or entrance charges extra?

No, all tasting sessions and entrance fees are included in your booking price.

What is the group size for this Cyprus wine tour?

The group size is small—maximum 6 to 7 participants per tour.

Which villages or stops are included on this day trip?

You’ll visit several mountain villages including Polemi (for lunch) and Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery; exact stops may change seasonally.

Can I buy wine during the winery visits?

Yes, you have opportunities to purchase local wines directly from each winery if you wish.

Is this tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

No, cruise ship passenger bookings are not accepted through Viator/Tripadvisor—contact Cyprus Taste Tours directly for options.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup anywhere in Paphos by air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees for three boutique wineries plus tastings at each stop (including whites, rosés, reds and sweet Commandaria), an authentic Cypriot meze lunch with local drinks at a traditional taverna in a mountain village, bottled water throughout the journey, a guided walk through Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery’s historic cellar—and friendly guidance from locals who genuinely love their island’s food and wine traditions.