Troodos, Marathasa & Solea · Nicosia district
Kakopetria Κακοπετριά
A protected old quarter of wooden balconies beside two mountain rivers
Kakopetria is the highest village of the Solea valley and a favourite summer resort. Its old quarter of stone alleys and wooden balconies is protected, and the UNESCO church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis is 5 km away.
Why visit Kakopetria
- The protected old quarter (Palia Kakopetria)
- Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, a UNESCO painted church of the 11th century
- A September spoon-sweets festival
Troodos, Marathasa & Solea, Nicosia district
667 metres
Limassol, about 37 km as the crow flies
Summer for cool weather; September for the spoon-sweets festival.
Spoon sweets (glyka tou koutaliou), Trout, Mountain fruit
Regular buses
About the village Kakopetria
Kakopetria is built where the Kargotis and Garillis rivers meet, surrounded by forest. The new village climbs the eastern slope, while old Kakopetria stands between the rivers: tiled, sloping roofs, upper floors and wooden balconies along narrow stone-paved alleys.
Its name means “bad stone”: legend tells of a rock that rolled over a newly married couple. Near the village stands Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, the only surviving Middle Byzantine monastery church of the 11th century in Cyprus, with murals from the 11th to 17th centuries.
Kakopetria in pictures
Things to do in Kakopetria
Old quarter
Restored stone alleys and balconies, declared a protected heritage site.
Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (UNESCO)
“St Nicholas of the Roof”, 5 km from the village, with murals spanning six centuries.
Mylos tis Gonias watermill
A watermill that ground grain from 1754, restored in 1980.
Linos and olive mill museums
Small museums of wine pressing and olive oil.
Festivals and events in Kakopetria
- September
Kakopetria Spoon Sweets Festival
Late September (24–25 September in 2022)
Producers sell glyka tou koutaliou around the village, with music, dance and storytelling for children.
- November, December, January
Christmas village
Late November to early January
Festive markets and events through the Christmas season.
Festival dates move from year to year. Confirm with the community council or Visit Cyprus before you travel.
Getting to Kakopetria
Regular buses
On a typical weekday (Monday, 12 October 2026) about 86 bus trips in both directions stop within 800 m of the village, on these lines:
- Nicosia Public Transport: lines 85, 86, 87, 405
Car, taxi or tour
Village roads are narrow and winding, but a hire car or taxi lets you combine several villages in a day. Day tours to the Troodos and wine villages leave from the main resorts.
Villages near Kakopetria
Galata1 km away · The village of balconies, with two painted churches and a working watermill
Evrychou6 km away · Apples, watermills and the Cyprus Railways Museum
Pedoulas7 km away · Cherry orchards and a UNESCO painted church in the Marathasa valley
Moutoullas7 km away · A tiny Marathasa village with a UNESCO church from about 1280Keep exploring
Kakopetria: questions
Why visit Kakopetria?
The protected old quarter (Palia Kakopetria). Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, a UNESCO painted church of the 11th century. A September spoon-sweets festival.
What is there to do in Kakopetria?
Old quarter: Restored stone alleys and balconies, declared a protected heritage site. Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (UNESCO): “St Nicholas of the Roof”, 5 km from the village, with murals spanning six centuries. Mylos tis Gonias watermill: A watermill that ground grain from 1754, restored in 1980. Linos and olive mill museums: Small museums of wine pressing and olive oil.
When is the festival in Kakopetria?
Kakopetria Spoon Sweets Festival: Late September (24–25 September in 2022). Christmas village: Late November to early January.
Can you get to Kakopetria by bus?
Yes, with regular buses on weekdays: Nicosia Public Transport 85, 86, 87, 405. Check the timetable before you travel.
Sources
Information checked on 2026-10-10. Bus lines come from the official Motion GTFS timetables. Opening hours and festival dates change, so confirm before you go.
Visit Cyprus: Kakopetria village ↗Wikipedia: Kakopetria ↗UNESCO: Painted Churches in the Troodos Region ↗Cyprus Mail: Kakopetria spoon sweets festival ↗