Nicosia foothills & Tylliria · Nicosia district
Nikitari Νικητάρι
Gateway to Asinou, perhaps the finest painted church in Cyprus
Nikitari is a village on the northern foothills of Troodos, 5 km from Panagia tis Asinou, a 12th-century church with some of the finest Byzantine murals on the island.
Why visit Nikitari
- Panagia tis Asinou (UNESCO), with frescoes from the 12th century on
- Forest scenery on the northern slopes of Troodos
- Easy to combine with the Solea valley villages
Nicosia foothills & Tylliria, Nicosia district
Nicosia, about 36 km as the crow flies
Spring to autumn; check church opening times.
Village produce
A few buses a day
About the village Nikitari
Very close to Nikitari stands the church of Asinou, also called Panagia Forviotissa. Built in the 12th century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it has frescoes from the 12th century and later periods.
It was declared an ancient monument in 1932 and listed by UNESCO in 1985 with the other Painted Churches in the Troodos Region.
Nikitari in pictures
Things to do in Nikitari
Panagia tis Asinou (UNESCO)
A steep-roofed church whose frescoes are among the best Byzantine paintings in Cyprus.
Festivals and events in Nikitari
Nikitari has no major annual festival listed. As in every Cypriot village, Easter week and the feast day of the village church bring services, processions and gatherings in the square. See the village festival calendar for events nearby.
Getting to Nikitari
A few buses a day
On a typical weekday (Monday, 12 October 2026) about 20 bus trips in both directions stop within 800 m of the village, on these lines:
- Nicosia Public Transport: line 77
Rural services are often timed for school and work, so check the return times before you set off.
Check the bus from your hotelDirections to Nikitari (opens Google Maps in a new tab)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 Nikitari
Evrychou9 km away · Apples, watermills and the Cyprus Railways Museum
Kakopetria12 km away · A protected old quarter of wooden balconies beside two mountain rivers
Galata12 km away · The village of balconies, with two painted churches and a working watermill
Lagoudera12 km away · Panagia tou Araka, one of the most important Byzantine churches in CyprusKeep exploring
Nikitari: questions
Why visit Nikitari?
Panagia tis Asinou (UNESCO), with frescoes from the 12th century on. Forest scenery on the northern slopes of Troodos. Easy to combine with the Solea valley villages.
What is there to do in Nikitari?
Panagia tis Asinou (UNESCO): A steep-roofed church whose frescoes are among the best Byzantine paintings in Cyprus.
When is the festival in Nikitari?
Nikitari has no major annual festival listed. Easter and the village saint’s day are the liveliest times.
Can you get to Nikitari by bus?
Yes, but only a few buses a day on weekdays: Nicosia Public Transport 77. 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.
Wikipedia: Nikitari ↗UNESCO: Painted Churches in the Troodos Region ↗