Cyprus has no shortage of postcard-worthy beaches and well-known resort towns. But just beyond the buzz of Protaras and Ayia Napa lie quiet, characterful villages where time slows, traditions linger, and authentic experiences still flourish. Curious about what lies a few minutes inland? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most rewarding villages to explore, and why staying in a villa makes these places feel even more accessible.
Sotira: Where Simplicity Meets Soul
What do you look for in a place when you want more than sun loungers and cocktails? Sotira offers answers without trying too hard. Situated west of Ayia Napa, this understated village balances everyday Cypriot life with subtle charm.
Wander through narrow lanes and you’ll spot locals chatting outside bakeries, children darting between bicycles, and bursts of bougainvillea climbing up weathered stone walls. The church of Agios Mamas, with its 12th-century frescoes, quietly commands respect at the village centre. It’s not overrun, not polished for show, it simply exists as it always has.
And then there’s the food. Tuck into kleftiko or moussaka in a family-run taverna where recipes haven’t changed in decades. One visitor once said the grilled halloumi here tasted “like it had never been exported.” Perhaps they weren’t wrong.
Paralimni: Everyday Cyprus With Layers
Paralimni often gets overlooked because it’s not exactly hidden, it’s the administrative hub of the Famagusta District. Yet it holds layers worth peeling back. How can a village feel both modern and traditional? Paralimni pulls it off.
The main square hums with daily life: schoolchildren rushing past fountains, retirees reading newspapers under olive trees, shopkeepers sweeping their stoops before opening for the day. The twin churches of Agios Georgios, standing side by side, mirror the town’s blend of history and progression.
A stroll through the Paralimni Municipal Park or a walk along Kapparis Avenue reveals something else, this is where locals live. That makes it ideal for travellers looking for bakeries with sesame-coated bread rolls straight from the oven, or tailors who still hem trousers by hand.
Stay in a nearby villa and this place becomes your morning stop for coffee, your quiet afternoon walk, or your base for observing life as it unfolds, not staged, not filtered.
Deryneia: Heritage, Humour, And Homemade Wine
Deryneia lies just north of Paralimni and rewards curiosity with colour, candour, and an easy smile. Want to discover what Cypriot village humor sounds like? Chat with a café owner in Deryneia and you’ll leave with a story, and probably a complimentary slice of baklava.
The village’s Folk Art Museum showcases household tools, traditional garments, and olive oil presses once used by local families. You won’t need a guided tour; the exhibits tell their own stories.
Deryneia is also known for its strawberry fields. If you’re here during late spring, don’t be surprised to see trucks hauling bright red produce to market. Some homes even sell their own jams and cordials.
And if you are staying in a villa with a terrace? Pair one of those handmade strawberry wines with a slow sunset and ask yourself why you didn’t visit sooner.
Why A Villa Stay Opens These Doors
Why do so many travellers miss out on villages like these? One reason: they don’t leave the hotel perimeter. Resort packages often keep guests close to beaches and pool bars, but villa stays do the opposite. They give you a starting point, not a boundary.
With your own set of keys, flexible mealtimes, and no crowded reception area, it’s easier to venture inland. You’re not dependent on shuttle buses or structured tours. Want to spend your morning in Deryneia and the evening barbecuing in your garden? You can.
Villa holidays offer the sort of autonomy that suits those who want Cyprus to feel personal. The ability to stock your own fridge from local markets, or to ask a neighbour about where to find the best loukoumades, creates an intimacy that hotels often can’t match.
Local Traditions Still Going Strong
These villages aren’t curated for tourists; they’re living places, which makes their traditions all the more genuine.
- Religious festivals like August’s feast day for Agios Mamas in Sotira see communities gather in candlelit processions.
- Name days are celebrated more warmly than birthdays. If you share a name with a Cypriot saint, expect sweets and smiles from strangers.
- Sunday lunch is a serious affair, often lasting hours and involving half the extended family.
Guests who stay in villas often find themselves close enough to hear church bells ring, watch grandmothers hang laundry across balconies, or smell lamb cooking over charcoal in a neighbour’s yard.
Small Places, Big Welcome
What makes these villages worth your time? It’s not spectacle, it’s substance. The kind you feel when a stranger offers you a grape from their garden or when a restaurant owner insists you try the house wine “on the house.”
While Protaras and Ayia Napa draw travellers with sun and sea, the villages nearby offer a second layer of experience, quiet streets, generous tables, and unpolished beauty. The kind you’ll remember long after your tan fades.
About La Mer Homes
La Mer Homes offers a refined selection of holiday villas and apartments across Cyprus, including properties with easy access to the island’s most authentic villages. Whether you’re looking for a family base near Paralimni, a romantic hideaway close to Sotira, or a modern villa within reach of Ayia Napa’s coast and countryside, La Mer Homes delivers privacy, comfort, and local connection in equal measure.
Choose your stay with confidence, and let Cyprus unfold at your own pace.
