Last Updated on April 29, 2024 by Sam
The cute village of Pano Lefkara is one of the best villages to visit in Cyprus. It’s one of the island’s most picturesque villages, and is well-known for its traditional lacemaking. There are a number of great things to do in Pano Lefkara, whether you want to hike to scenic viewpoints, learn about the famous Lefkara Lace, visit historic churches, or simply wander around the cute village. Situated at the foot of the Troodos Mountains, the village is a beautiful spot to visit and is just a 5-minute drive from Kato Lefkara. This guide covers the best things to do in Pano Lefkara village, with information on how to get there, tours, and more!
Ever wondered what Cyprus is like during winter? Read our post on why you should visit Cyprus in winter!
How to get to Pano Lefkara
The best way to get to Pano Lefkara is by car, as public transport options are quite limited. A car is essential if you want to explore Cyprus properly on your trip – so it’s best to rent one for your entire stay if possible.
Renting a car in Cyprus is very affordable, with prices sometimes as low as around €10 per day depending on the time of year that you visit. We recommend booking through Discover Cars, as they compare between a number of local operators to ensure you get the best price.
Click here to get a quote within seconds on the Discover Cars website!
It’s easy to drive to Pano Lefkara from around Cyprus, and it’s approximately a 35-minute drive from Larnaca, a 50-minute drive from Limassol and Nicosia, and an 80-minute drive from Paphos. As a result it’s easy to take a day trip to Pano Lefkara village by using Google Maps or another app for directions.
There are buses that do stop in Pano Lefkara, but they only run a couple of times a day – which makes it impractical to visit on a day trip by bus. If you don’t drive or don’t want to rent a car then your best option is to take a taxi to and from Pano Lefkara.
Best things to do in Pano Lefkara Village
Wander the Streets
Undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Pano Lefkara is to simply wander around the village itself. There is no better way to discover this historic village than getting lost amongst its winding streets and cute alleyways.
As you wander you will encounter traditional Cypriot architecture, local tavernas, flower-lined streets, and more. The narrow lanes are perfect for getting around on foot, and as you explore you will see why it’s one of the most beautiful villages in Cyprus.
Pano Lefkara is known for its picturesque beauty, so take the time to stop and snap a few pictures as you walk. Take it at your own pace, and stop at one of the local tavernas for a drink or bite to eat if you want a bit more time to take it all in!
If you want to wander another traditional Cypriot village, then the cute village of Kalavasos is just a 20-minute drive away. Make sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Kalavasos prior to your visit!
Lefkara Lace
Spend some time during your visit learning about the traditional Lefkara Lace. The history of lacemaking in Pano Lefkara can be traced back to the 14th century, and has been passed down through generations of women living in the village.
Lefkara Lace, also known as Lefkaritika, has been inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity – recognising the significance of this traditional lacemaking technique. Influenced by Venetians, Greek, and Byzantines, this hand-made lace combines the hemstitch, cut work, satin stitch fillings, and needlepoint edgings.
You can find Lefkara Lace for sale at many of the local shops in the village, and if you want to learn more about the tradition then be sure to visit the Lefkara Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith Work. Another great destination to learn about lacemaking is the colourful island of Burano in Venice – which is worth adding to the bucket list for any lace enthusiasts.
Pano Lefkara Hike
One of the nicest things to do in Pano Lefkara is a circular 8 kilometre hike that offers stunning views of the village and surrounding Cyprus countryside. The route is well marked on the All Trails website, and is considered to be moderately challenging.
It’s well worth the effort though, as you get beautiful views of Pano Lefkara with the Troodos Mountains as the backdrop. As it’s a circular trail you can start at various points along the route, but it’s generally easiest to start in the village itself as parking spaces are more readily available.
We recommend following the route via All Trails, which is a great app to use when hiking. Signing up for an account is completely free and is worthwhile as it makes it easier to follow the route.
If you upgrade to All Trails Plus you get access to extra features, including the ability to download routes for offline navigation – and you normally get a free trial of this when signing up, which makes it even easier to follow the route!
Click here to see the exact route on the All Trails website!
Pano Lefkara Village Viewpoint
If you fancy a bit of an easier walk but still want to enjoy some lovely views of the village, then hike up to the Pano Lefkara Village Viewpoint. It’s approximately a 1.5 kilometre walk each way from Lefkara Square, and leads up to a small chapel that is located at one of the best viewpoints of Pano Lefkara.
The longer circular route passes by this viewpoint, so if you do opt for the 8 kilometre trail above then you will still get to enjoy this lovely view. There is some uphill walking involved, but as it’s a fairly short walk it should hopefully be manageable – and the views are well worth the effort.
As it’s a fairly straight forward path there is no All Trails route to follow, but you can find the chapel location on Google Maps. Once you reach the chapel you will be rewarded with a great view over Pano Lefkara and the surrounding area.
Terra Oliva Olive Farm
Located in the serene countryside near Pano Lefkara, the family-run Terra Oliva Olive Farm is a wonderful spot to visit. Guests are offered a free tour of the olive groves, as well as free tastings of olives grown at the farm.
Learn about how the olives are grown and the various products the farm produces. Their signature product is high quality olive oil, but they also make a variety of other olive based products too.
Various olive products are available to buy during your visit, with free samples offered during tastings. The Terra Oliva Olive Farm is located just a 5-minute drive from Pano Lefkara, or around a 20-30 minute walk from the village.
Church of the Holy Cross
The Church of the Holy Cross is a notable landmark in the village of Pano Lefkara. Originally dating back to the 14th century, the church is known for its beautiful architecture and an iconostasis carved from wood.
A hidden crypt inside the church contains a silver gilded cross, which is said to contain wood from the cross which Jesus was crucified upon. Entrance to the church is free to visitors, but keep in mind that you need to be respectful during your visit as it is an active place of worship.
From outside the church you can get some lovely views of Pano Lefkara and its surroundings, which are an added bonus when visiting this spot.
Pano Lefkara Tour
If you are staying in Ayia Napa, Protaras, or Larnaca, then there is a day trip tour available which visits Pano Lefkara. The tour is a unique off-road experience, visiting some hidden gems around Cyprus – including cute villages, stunning lagoons, and remote chapels.
There are several stops throughout the day trip, including Pano Lefkara which is usually the final stop of the tour. Tours can be booked through Get Your Guide at a cost of €70 per person, and are a great way to explore some lesser-visited parts of Cyprus!
Click here to book this wonderful tour on the Get Your Guide website!
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