Limassol wine country · Limassol district
Omodos Όμοδος
A grand cobbled square, the Holy Cross monastery and wineries on every lane
Omodos is the showpiece of the Krasochoria wine villages: a huge cobbled square leading to the Holy Cross monastery, stone lanes lined with wineries, lace makers and bakeries selling arkatena rusks.
Why visit Omodos
- One of Cyprus’s most charming squares, ending at the Timios Stavros monastery
- Taste local wine and zivania, then buy lace and fresh arkatena bread
- A three-day Holy Cross fair every 14 September
Limassol wine country, Limassol district
800 metres
Limassol, about 28 km as the crow flies
Spring and autumn for walking and the grape harvest; September for the Holy Cross fair. Weekdays are quieter than Sundays.
Local wine and zivania, Arkatena rusks, Narrow-knit (pittota) lace
A few buses a day
About the village Omodos
Omodos sits at 800 metres in the hills north-west of Limassol, in the wine-growing area the Cypriots call the Krasochoria. Its stone houses and lanes all lead to a long cobbled square and the monastery of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross), around which the village grew in the late Byzantine or early Frankish period.
The village is famous for its wine, its zivania spirit, the narrow-knit lace called pittota and the crunchy, yeasty rusks known as arkatena. Despite its fame and its weekend crowds, the old core is compact enough to see in a relaxed half day, with plenty of tavernas for a long lunch.
Omodos in pictures
Things to do in Omodos
Timios Stavros monastery
The Holy Cross monastery at the top of the square has old icons and remarkable carved woodwork, and gave the village its start.
Medieval wine press (linos)
A restored village wine press shows how grapes were trodden and pressed before modern wineries.
Wineries and zivania
Several small wineries in and around the village offer tastings of local Xynisteri and Mavro wines.
Lace and village museums
A centre preserves the local narrow-knit lace, and there is an Icon Museum and a museum of the 1955–59 liberation struggle.
Festivals and events in Omodos
- September
Feast of the Holy Cross fair
14 September, over three days
One of the biggest religious fairs on the island. Stalls fill the square in front of the monastery for three days.
- April, May, July, August
Easter and summer events
Easter week and summer
The square is the stage for Easter celebrations and many summer evening events.
Festival dates move from year to year. Confirm with the community council or Visit Cyprus before you travel.
Getting to Omodos
A few buses a day
On a typical weekday (Monday, 12 October 2026) about 14 bus trips in both directions stop within 800 m of the village, on these lines:
- Limassol Buses (EMEL): line 40
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 Omodos (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.
Day trips that visit Omodos
No car? These tours stop in Omodos, with pickup from the coast. Booking links are affiliate links; details.
From Paphos · 8 hours
Troodos, Omodos & Kykkos Monastery day tour
Wine village, Cyprus’ richest monastery and Makarios’ mountain tomb in one day
€55 per adult (children €45)
From Paphos · 8 hours
Troodos waterfall, Venetian bridge & Omodos wine tour
Forest bridge, Millomeris waterfall and wine tasting, ending in Omodos
€55 per adult
From Limassol · 8.5 hours
Private Troodos & Kykkos tour with Aphrodite’s Rock
Omodos, Kykkos and Throni at your own pace, with sunset at Aphrodite’s Rock
€365 per private group of up to 6
From Limassol · 7.5 hours
Private Troodos nature tour: bridge, waterfall & Omodos
Kelefos bridge, Millomeris waterfall and wine, without a coach timetable
€365 per private group of up to 6
From Limassol cruise port · 5.5 hours
Shore excursion: Troodos villages & wine
Omodos, Platres, Lambouri winery and Lania, back before your ship sails
€557 per minivan of up to 6 (minibus for up to 19 costs more)
Villages near Omodos
Vasa Koilaniou2 km away · A tiny wine village with a Zivania museum and a mid-September Grape Fest
Vouni4 km away · A stone wine village of museums, old fountains and quiet lanes
Arsos4 km away · Six medieval fountains, centuries of winemaking and a September grape feast
Koilani5 km away · Grape feasts, glitzista pastries and one of the island’s biggest plane treesKeep exploring
Omodos: questions
Why visit Omodos?
One of Cyprus’s most charming squares, ending at the Timios Stavros monastery. Taste local wine and zivania, then buy lace and fresh arkatena bread. A three-day Holy Cross fair every 14 September.
What is there to do in Omodos?
Timios Stavros monastery: The Holy Cross monastery at the top of the square has old icons and remarkable carved woodwork, and gave the village its start. Medieval wine press (linos): A restored village wine press shows how grapes were trodden and pressed before modern wineries. Wineries and zivania: Several small wineries in and around the village offer tastings of local Xynisteri and Mavro wines. Lace and village museums: A centre preserves the local narrow-knit lace, and there is an Icon Museum and a museum of the 1955–59 liberation struggle.
When is the festival in Omodos?
Feast of the Holy Cross fair: 14 September, over three days. Easter and summer events: Easter week and summer.
Can you get to Omodos by bus?
Yes, but only a few buses a day on weekdays: Limassol Buses (EMEL) 40. 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: Omodos village ↗Wikipedia: Omodos ↗