Kition Cyprus Trail
Explore Cyprus through Phoenician eyes: Kition's 9th-century BC ruins, UNESCO sites, mountain Commandaria villages, and indigenous wine varieties. This is where Phoenician traders established their Eastern Mediterranean stronghold.
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Stops
- 1🗺️
Kition Archaeological Site - Phoenician City Ruins
The ancient Phoenician city of Kition, featuring the Temple of Aphrodite-Astarte built by Phoenician masons in the 9th century BC - the same craftsmen who built Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. The Kathari and Bamboula sites reveal temples, copper workshops, and a 5th-century BC Phoenician warship harbour.
tour $ - 2🍷
Tsiakkas Winery - Mountain Terroir Pioneer
A family winery at 1,200m altitude in the Pitsilia region, producing 200,000 bottles annually from 18 hectares. The second generation now leads, championing indigenous varieties like Yiannoudi and Promara. Taste from the tower overlooking Troodos peaks, including their 9-year-old Commandaria barrel sample.
tasting $$ - 3🍷
Zambartas Winery - Commandaria Masters
Established in 2006 by Akis Zambartas and now run by his Adelaide-trained son Marcos, this 13-hectare organic estate produces 120,000 bottles annually. The premium tasting includes 5 Single Vineyard wines plus a barrel sample of 9-year-old Commandaria.
tasting $$ - 4🗺️
Kolossi Castle - Birthplace of Commandaria
This 15th-century Crusader castle was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller's "Grande Commanderie" - the military estate that gave Commandaria wine its name. The surrounding lands produced the sweet wine that became famous across medieval Europe.
tour $ - 5🍷
Cyprus Wine Museum - 5,500 Years of Winemaking
Located in Erimi village - the birthplace of European wine with a 5,500-year history - this museum occupies a restored inn where wine merchants once gathered. Exhibits span from Neolithic jars to medieval vessels, with wine tasting included.
education $ - 6🍷
Vouni Panayia Winery - First Regional Winery
Founded in 1987 as Cyprus's first private regional winery, this family estate at 850m altitude focuses on indigenous varieties and natural winemaking. Free tastings with cheese, a traditional museum, and an educational film about Cypriot viticulture.
tasting free - 7🍷
ETKO Olympus Winery - Oldest Producer
Cyprus's oldest winemaker (since 1844), now in its sixth generation. The modern Olympus facility in Omodos village features an underground isothermic cellar and offers tours showing wines at different production stages - unique among Cyprus wineries.
tasting $$ - 8🗺️
Paphos Archaeological Park - Aphrodite's Domain
UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring spectacular Roman mosaics, the House of Dionysus with wine-themed floor art, and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite at nearby Kouklia. The goddess was worshipped here from Mycenaean through Roman times.
tour $ - 9🍷
Ayia Mavri Winery - Best Commandaria
A small family winery in Koilani village (heart of the Commandaria region) famous for its exceptional Commandaria and Mosxatos wines. The 90-year-old founder still shares winemaking stories. 5 hectares at 800-900m altitude.
tasting $$ - 10🗺️
Tombs of the Kings - Ptolemaic Necropolis
UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring spectacular rock-cut underground tombs carved for Ptolemaic aristocrats (3rd century BC - 3rd century AD). The architecture was inspired by Alexandrian traditions, with peristyle courtyards carved from solid rock.
tour $