Wine Festivals and the Krasochoria Route: Where to Go from Limassol in September

September and early October are a suitable time to discover the wine-making traditions of the Limassol district. In 2026, the main Limassol Wine Festival and village paluze festivals will take place here, and a trip to the festival can easily be combined with the Krasochoria route — through 20 wine villages and 16 wineries on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains.

If you would like to see not only the city festival but also the wine-making region itself, you can plan a trip through Vouni, Koilani, Omodos, Vasa Koilaniou and Arsos. It is in several Krasochoria villages that traditional harvest and grape-product festivals take place in September.

• Limassol Wine Festival
• Paluze Festival in Vasa Koilaniou
• Paluze Festival in Arsos
• What is Krasochoria
• One-day route
• Lofou
• Vouni
• Koilani
• Omodos
• Vasa Koilaniou
• Arsos
• Full Krasochoria route
• Wineries and tastings
• What to consider before the trip
• Frequently asked questions

Limassol Wine Festival

The main wine event of the autumn is the Limassol Wine Festival. In 2026, the festival will take place from 26 September to 4 October in the Limassol Municipal Garden. The festival grounds are open daily from 19:00 to 00:00.

The Wine Festival has been held in Limassol for more than 60 years. The programme includes Cypriot wineries, wine and local gastronomy, live music, folk dancing, theatrical performances, exhibitions and a separate programme for children.

On 27 September and 4 October, fresh paluze — a traditional Cypriot dessert made from grape juice — will also be prepared at the festival itself.

Admission: adults — 5 EUR, teenagers aged 13–17 — 3 EUR, children under 12 accompanied by an adult — free.

On certain days, free organised transport to the festival will be available from other cities in the Republic of Cyprus, but the number of places is limited and advance booking is required: +357 25 002211.
Location

Paluze Festival in Vasa Koilaniou

Even before the large festival in Limassol begins, you can head directly to the wine villages. On 20 September 2026, the Paluze Festival will take place in Vasa Koilaniou, dedicated to one of Cyprus’ traditional grape products.

Paluze is made from grape juice, which is thickened to the consistency of cream. This dessert is closely associated with the grape harvest and processing season, so village paluze festivals allow visitors to experience wine-making traditions not in a museum setting, but in a living format.
The event begins at 16:30 and the programme is scheduled to end at 20:30.
Date: 20 September 2026.
Place: Zivania Museum, Vasa Koilaniou.

Paluze Festival in Arsos

A week later, the celebration will continue in another Krasochoria village. On 27 September 2026, the Paluze Festival will take place in Arsos.

The festival is dedicated to local traditions and the preparation of paluze. It will be held in the courtyard of the village school from 16:00 to 19:00.

This date is especially interesting for a trip: the Limassol Wine Festival will already be under way on 27 September. During the day, you can head to the wine villages, and in the evening continue exploring Cypriot wine-making in the Limassol Municipal Garden.
Place: school courtyard, Arsos.

What is Krasochoria

Krasochoria literally means «wine villages». This is the name given to the traditional wine-making region on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains in the Limassol district.

The official route includes 20 villages and 16 wineries. Local vineyards are located at different elevations, reaching approximately 1,100 m above sea level. The main indigenous grape varieties include the white Xynisteri and the red Mavro. Other Cypriot and international varieties are also grown in the region.

Krasochoria is interesting for more than just its wine. Along the way, you will find traditional stone villages, cobbled streets, old churches, small museums, vineyards and village tavernas. The route is therefore also suitable for those who are not planning tastings.

One-day Krasochoria route

It is not worth visiting all 20 villages in one day. For a first trip from Limassol, it is more convenient to choose a shorter route:

Limassol → Lofou → Vouni → Koilani → Omodos → Vasa Koilaniou → Arsos → Limassol.

If you would like to learn more about the history of Cypriot wine-making, you can stop in Erimi before heading up into the mountains, where the Cyprus Wine Museum is located.

Lofou — a stone village on the slopes

Lofou is one of the most distinctive traditional villages in the Limassol district. Old stone houses are built on the slopes, with narrow cobbled streets running between them.

There is no need to plan a long stop here: Lofou is well suited for a walk before continuing towards Vouni and Koilani.
Article on the website
Location

Vouni — a village among the vineyards

Vouni has historically been associated with grape growing and wine production. The village has preserved its traditional stone architecture and fits well into a short Krasochoria route.

It is especially interesting to visit during the grape harvest, when the region’s wine-making tradition becomes most evident.
Article on the website
Location

Koilani — one of the main wine stops

Koilani is surrounded by vineyards and has been associated with wine production for many generations. Stone houses, narrow streets and courtyards with grapevines have been preserved in the old part of the village.

In the village and its surroundings, you can combine a walk with a visit to a winery. There are also old churches and other examples of traditional village architecture.
Location

Omodos — the best-known village on the route

Omodos is one of the most visited wine villages in the Republic of Cyprus. At its centre is a large cobbled square with cafés and tavernas, from which old streets lined with stone houses, local-product shops and wine stores branch off.

One of the village’s main landmarks is the Monastery of the Holy Cross. Sites connected with traditional wine production have also been preserved. Thanks to its many cafés, tavernas and attractions, Omodos is a convenient place to make the main stop on the route and plan lunch here.
Article on the website
Location

Vasa Koilaniou — a wine village without large tourist crowds

Vasa Koilaniou is surrounded by vineyards and is one of the traditional Krasochoria villages. After lively Omodos, you can see a quieter side of the wine region here.

On 20 September 2026, Vasa Koilaniou will become one of the main points on the route thanks to the paluze festival.
Location

Arsos — wine, traditions and the paluze festival

Arsos is a historic wine-making village with stone architecture and long-standing grape-growing traditions. It is located in the western part of the route and is well suited as the last mountain stop before returning to Limassol.

The paluze festival will take place here on 27 September 2026, so on this day Arsos can be made the main destination of a trip through Krasochoria.
Location

Full Krasochoria route

Those who want to explore the region gradually should save the full route:

Limassol → Kolossi → Erimi → Kantou → Souni-Zanakia → Pano Kivides → Agios Amvrosios → Lofou → Vouni → Koilani → Pera Pedi → Mandria → Kato Platres → Omodos → Vasa Koilaniou → Malia → Arsos → Pachna → Anogyra → Avdimou.

It is more sensible to divide the full route into several trips. This will leave time not only to drive through the villages but also to visit wineries, museums, churches and tavernas.

Wineries and tastings

There are 16 wineries operating in the Krasochoria region. Some accept visitors and offer tastings, but their operating arrangements vary: smaller estates may require advance booking.

For a one-day route, it is enough to choose one or two wineries. Before the trip, it is worth checking opening hours, whether tastings are available and whether a reservation is required.

If you are travelling by car, the driver should refrain from drinking alcohol. For a route with several full tastings, it is better to arrange another driver or organised transport in advance.
Article on the website

What to consider before the trip

• A car is more convenient for an independent route.
• Do not try to visit all 20 villages in one day.
• Visits to small wineries are best arranged in advance.
• The roads between some villages are mountainous and winding.
• Footwear with non-slip soles is convenient for walks: the old villages have many cobbled streets and uphill sections.
• On village festival days, allow extra time for the journey and parking.

If you are planning a route to see the main attractions of the Republic of Cyprus and want to travel without relying on taxis, it is convenient to compare car rental options in advance through Localrent. It is also worth planning basic practical matters in advance. Travel medical insurance can be arranged before departure, for example through Tripinsurance, and for navigation and communication on the road, it is convenient to connect a travel eSIM in advance, for example through Drimsim.

Frequently asked questions

When will the Limassol Wine Festival take place in 2026?

The Wine Festival will take place from 26 September to 4 October 2026 in the Limassol Municipal Garden. Opening hours are from 19:00 to 00:00.

How much does admission to the Wine Festival cost?

Admission costs 5 EUR for adults and 3 EUR for teenagers aged 13–17. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult enter free of charge.

Where will the village paluze festivals take place?

On 20 September 2026, the festival will take place in Vasa Koilaniou, and on 27 September — in Arsos. Both villages are part of the Krasochoria wine region.

What does Krasochoria mean?

Krasochoria means «wine villages». This is the name given to a group of traditional wine-making villages on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains in the Limassol district.

How many villages and wineries are included in the route?

The route brings together 20 villages and 16 wineries.

Which villages should you choose for one day?

For a first introduction, you can visit Lofou, Vouni, Koilani, Omodos, Vasa Koilaniou and Arsos. If you prefer a more relaxed trip, it is enough to choose 3–4 villages and one winery.