Troodos Wine Day Trip from Paphos — Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery & Wineries (8hr)

The Troodos Wine Day Trip is an 8-hour guided journey from Paphos into the southwestern Troodos foothills — vines grown at 600–900 metres altitude, among the highest commercial vineyards in Europe. The tour visits the Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery (founded 1152, the oldest site in Cyprus to make wine continuously without break), two family-run wineries on the slopes around Panagia and Statos-Agios Fotios villages, and a traditional Cypriot meze lunch at a village taverna. €68 adult, €38 child (under-18 rate, no tastings). Hotel pickup from Paphos area included. Operates year-round; best months are March–November (December–February tastings still run but the high-altitude roads can be slow after rain). From Michael Economou, Exyde Founder & Head Curator. Most Cyprus wine tours pack in three wineries, push you to start tasting at 11am, and rush you through the food. We chose two estates and a longer village lunch on purpose — by the third winery palates are saturated, and the wine that Cyprus actually wants you to remember is the indigenous Maratheftiko: a red almost impossible to find outside the island, with structure closer to a young Nebbiolo than to anything Greek or Italian you've had recently. If you only drink one variety on the trip, it's that one. The white to ask for is Xynisteri from old-vine plots — light, mineral, slightly saline, completely unlike Mediterranean Sauvignon Blanc. Itinerary. 09:00 hotel pickup in the Paphos area (Coral Bay through Geroskipou). 10:30 arrival at the Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery in the village of Panagia. A 30-minute visit walks you through the cloisters and the small icon collection; the monastery has its own wine label and you can taste a glass at the gift shop before leaving (small fee, optional). 11:30 drive to the first family winery — a 5-wine flight focused on the indigenous varieties, plus a tour of the vineyard. 13:30 a traditional Cypriot meze lunch at a village taverna — six to eight small plates paced over 90 minutes, paired with house wine. 15:30 the second family winery, a smaller production focused on old-vine Xynisteri and natural-method wines; 4-wine tasting. 17:00 return drive. 18:00 hotel drop-off. Practical. Group size 4–14. Air-conditioned minibus, English-speaking guide (German on request — note at booking). Vegetarian meze available with 48 hours' notice; vegan possible with advance notice. Comfortable shoes for the vineyard walk. The drive includes mountain switchbacks — bring something for motion sickness if you're prone. How booking through Exyde works: Exyde curates this experience and matches every booking with the best-fit local partner from our trusted operator network. Our team confirms operator details, exact pickup point, and any preferences within 24 hours of your booking.