Pitsilia · Nicosia district
Palaichori Παλαιχώρι
A UNESCO church, zivania traditions and a river through the village
Palaichori is split in two by the Serrache river, 40 km from Nicosia. Its 16th-century church of the Transfiguration (Agia Sotira) is one of the ten UNESCO painted churches.
Why visit Palaichori
- Agia Sotira (Metamorfosis tou Sotiros), a UNESCO-listed painted church
- Byzantine Heritage Museum and the Afxentiou hideout
- Zivania traditions and a river running through the village
Pitsilia, Nicosia district
930 metres
Limassol, about 27 km as the crow flies
Spring and autumn.
Zivania, Hazelnuts and walnuts
Regular buses
About the village Palaichori
Palaichori is really two villages, Palaichori Oreinis and Palaichori Morphou, separated by the Serrache river, which springs from Mount Papoutsa. It has vineyards, nut and fruit trees and makes zivania the traditional way.
Zivania plays a part in local custom: on name days, people share it with friends in the church courtyard. The small 16th-century church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour is inscribed by UNESCO for its frescoes.
Palaichori in pictures
Things to do in Palaichori
Agia Sotira church (UNESCO)
A small 16th-century church of the Transfiguration with fine frescoes.
Byzantine Heritage Museum
Icons and church treasures of the area.
Gregoris Afxentiou hideout
The restored hideout of the EOKA fighter.
Palaichori Dam
A quiet spot for fishing.
Festivals and events in Palaichori
Palaichori 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 Palaichori
Regular buses
On a typical weekday (Monday, 12 October 2026) about 34 bus trips in both directions stop within 800 m of the village, on these lines:
- Nicosia Public Transport: lines 62, 63, 64
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 Palaichori
Askas2 km away · Towering stone walls and hand-baked roof tiles under Mount Papoutsa
Alona5 km away · A painters’ village with a November Zivania Festival
Platanistasa5 km away · Stavros tou Agiasmati, a UNESCO church with a full painted interior
Agros7 km away · The rose village: rose water, cured meats and a May Rose FestivalKeep exploring
Palaichori: questions
Why visit Palaichori?
Agia Sotira (Metamorfosis tou Sotiros), a UNESCO-listed painted church. Byzantine Heritage Museum and the Afxentiou hideout. Zivania traditions and a river running through the village.
What is there to do in Palaichori?
Agia Sotira church (UNESCO): A small 16th-century church of the Transfiguration with fine frescoes. Byzantine Heritage Museum: Icons and church treasures of the area. Gregoris Afxentiou hideout: The restored hideout of the EOKA fighter. Palaichori Dam: A quiet spot for fishing.
When is the festival in Palaichori?
Palaichori has no major annual festival listed. Easter and the village saint’s day are the liveliest times.
Can you get to Palaichori by bus?
Yes, with regular buses on weekdays: Nicosia Public Transport 62, 63, 64. 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: Palaichori village ↗Wikipedia: Palaichori Oreinis ↗UNESCO: Painted Churches in the Troodos Region ↗