Discovery trip to Cyprus: culture, traditions and Mediterranean golf
In November 2025, I had the opportunity to take part in a discovery trip to Cyprus, a destination where ancient heritage, traditional villages, vineyards, the Mediterranean coastline and, of course, some very fine golf courses come together.
The programme, put together by our local partner, allowed us to discover different sides of the island, combining cultural experiences, gastronomy, landscapes and hotel visits.
Day 1: arrival and a first taste of Larnaca and Limassol
After a four-hour flight from Paris, I land at Larnaca airport, where we are welcomed by our guide.
The first evening plunges us straight into the Cypriot atmosphere with a convivial dinner accompanied by local singers. A warm first experience that already offers a glimpse of the island’s sense of hospitality and the importance of music in its culture.
At the end of the evening, we discover our hotel for the next few days: the Mediterranean Beach Hotel 4*, right on the Limassol seafront.
Day 2: Omodos, vineyards and the Limassol coast
The day begins with breakfast at the hotel, a chance to discover it in daylight. From the restaurant terrace, we enjoy a panoramic view of the sea.
We then head for Omodos, a wine-growing village at an altitude of 800 metres in the Troodos mountains. Considered one of the most traditional villages in Cyprus, Omodos charms with its cobbled lanes, stone houses, small craft shops and its square dominated by the Monastery of the Holy Cross. The village is also renowned for its wine and its production of zivania, a traditional Cypriot spirit.
The morning continues with a visit to a wine estate. We discover the island’s wines before taking part in a workshop on making halloumi, Cyprus’s emblematic cheese. An experience that lets you approach the destination through its culinary traditions and its terroir.
After a lunch of local flavours, we return to Limassol for a boat trip. From out at sea, we take in the coastline as the sun begins to set, revealing magnificent Mediterranean landscapes.
The day ends in a Limassol tavern, over a dinner celebrating local cuisine. As the evening goes on, traditional music invites guests to join the dancers and share a particularly convivial moment.
Day 3: adventure and heritage in Paphos
After breakfast, we take the road to Paphos, on the south-west coast of Cyprus.
We first stop at Petra tou Romiou, better known as Aphrodite’s Rock. According to Greek mythology, this is where the goddess of love and beauty was born from the sea foam. The site, with its imposing rock formations and turquoise waters, is one of the most iconic landscapes in the south-west of the island.
We then continue with a more active experience: a quad bike excursion to the Avakas Gorge. Located in the Pegeia forest, the gorge is crossed by the Avgas river and is characterised by its limestone formations and dense vegetation.
After a lunch of local flavours, the afternoon is devoted to the Paphos Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. The site is home in particular to the famous mosaics of the Houses of Dionysus, Theseus, Aion and Orpheus, which depict various scenes inspired by Greek mythology.
The visit takes on a special dimension at the end of the day, when the last light of evening envelops the ancient ruins and the Paphos seafront.
A day devoted to Cypriot golf
To extend this discovery of Cyprus, the island is also perfectly suited to a touring golf holiday, with several championship courses concentrated around Paphos and Limassol.
Among the must-plays is Aphrodite Hills Golf, an 18-hole, par 71 course designed by Cabell B. Robinson. Measuring 6,289 metres, it stretches across two plateaus separated by a spectacular ravine. The course now holds the PGA National Cyprus title.
Another major course in the Paphos region, Minthis offers an 18-hole, par 72 layout of 5,902 metres, originally designed by Donald Steel. The course blends into a landscape of hills, olive trees, orchards and vineyards, passing close to a 12th-century monastery.
Near Paphos, Eléa Golf Club offers an 18-hole, par 71 course designed by Sir Nick Faldo. Its layout makes the most of the site’s natural contours, olive and carob trees and large limestone formations, while opening up lovely views of the Mediterranean.
Finally, Columbia Secret Valley Golf is set in a natural valley close to Petra tou Romiou. The 18-hole course winds between mature Mediterranean vegetation and rock formations, with several elevated tees offering views over the valley and the sea.
The destination now has a new golfing address in Limassol Greens, which opened to the public on 1 December 2025. Its 18-hole championship course, designed by Cabell B. Robinson, lies close to the largest salt lake in Cyprus. The layout combines olive and carob trees, water features and wetlands, with panoramic views over the Lady’s Mile area.
Three days full of discoveries
This trip allowed me to discover the many faces of Cyprus: its mountain villages, ancient heritage, culinary traditions, wild landscapes and Mediterranean coastline.
It is also a destination with real strengths for golf lovers, with several quality courses that make it possible to build a genuine golf holiday.
Many thanks to our local partner for organising this trip, an unforgettable stay that I highly recommend!
