For cyclists seeking something new in Europe, Cyprus combines coastal routes along the Mediterranean coast and sustained climbs into the Troodos Mountains. Wide, lightly traveled roads, scenic valleys and historic villages along the way create a challenging yet uncrowded alternative to Europe’s better-known cycling destinations.
Europe has no shortage of legendary cycling destinations. Mallorca, the Dolomites and Tuscany have long earned their place on riders’ bucket lists. Yet tucked into the eastern corner of the Mediterranean, Cyprus delivers the same world-class riding—quiet roads, dramatic climbs, breathtaking landscapes and rich culture—with a fraction of the crowds.
From winding coastal roads lined with citrus groves to long climbs into fragrant pine forests and protected national parks, every ride reveals a different side of the island. Add new boutique hotels, family-run wineries and warm Mediterranean hospitality, and it’s easy to see why Cyprus is quickly earning a place on cyclists’ radar.
Launched this spring, our newest Cyprus Bike Tour introduces one of Europe’s best-kept cycling secrets over six unforgettable days of riding.
Why Cyclists Love Cyprus
Set at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the island blends Greek and Turkish influences with layers of ancient history, dramatic mountain landscapes and sun-soaked Mediterranean coastline. For cyclists, that means no two days in the saddle ever feel quite the same.
A morning might begin along the Mediterranean, where quiet coastal roads trace shimmering turquoise water and fishing boats drift lazily offshore. By lunchtime, you’re wandering cobbled village streets that have watched empires rise and fall, sipping strong Cypriot coffee and sharing meze beneath the shade of a vine-covered terrace. By afternoon, olive groves and vineyard-draped valleys give way to the rugged slopes of the Troodos Mountains, where winding roads thread between Byzantine monasteries, painted churches and ancient hilltop castles.
And the roads themselves are as remarkable as the scenery. Even the island’s main roads are surprisingly wide and lightly traveled, while higher in the mountains, it’s not uncommon to ride for miles with little more than birdsong and the occasional shepherd for company.
Part of the enchantment is that Cyprus still feels undiscovered. Unlike many of Europe’s famous cycling destinations, you won't find cafés every few kilometers or crowds gathering at scenic viewpoints. The roads feel remote, and the climbs are rewarded with a sense of solitude that has become increasingly rare.
And for those looking for a challenge, Cyprus delivers. With more than 27,700 feet of elevation gain over six days, the Backroads Cyprus Bike Tour features the most climbing of any biking trip we offer. The climbs are demanding, but every switchback is rewarded with cooler mountain air, expansive views and, ultimately, the satisfaction of reaching the slopes of Mount Olympus, the island’s highest peak.
Riding Through History
Few islands have been shaped by as many civilizations as Cyprus. Its strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East has made it a coveted gateway for thousands of years, drawing everyone from Neolithic settlers to Crusaders, Venetian merchants and Ottoman rulers.
The story begins thousands of years before many of Europe’s great civilizations even emerged. At Choirokoitia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved Neolithic settlements, circular stone homes and fortified walls offer a glimpse into a sophisticated community that flourished nearly 9,000 years ago—long before the Greeks, Romans or Byzantines arrived.
The centuries that followed left equally lasting impressions. Greek temples, Roman roads, Byzantine monasteries, Venetian fortifications and Ottoman architecture all coexist across the island within just a few miles of one another.
That sense of living history culminates in Nicosia, the world’s only divided capital. Crossing the United Nations buffer zone that separates the Republic of Cyprus from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is unlike anything else in Europe. Venetian walls surround the old city, a Gothic cathedral has become a mosque and cafés spill into courtyards that have welcomed travelers for centuries.
More Than a Meal
Whether you’re sharing a table of meze in a family-run taverna, chatting with a local winemaker or lingering over coffee in a village square, it doesn’t take long to feel the warmth of Cyprus’s hospitality—or to realize that saying no to another helping isn’t always easy.
Meals are never rushed. Instead of ordering individual entrées, meals unfold as a procession of meze—plate after plate of grilled halloumi, vibrant salads, charcoal-grilled meats, fresh seafood, hummus, tahini and warm bread, all meant to be shared. The food reflects the island itself, blending Mediterranean ingredients with Greek, Turkish and Middle Eastern influences into something distinctly Cypriot.
No meal is complete without a glass of Cypriot wine. From crisp mountain whites and robust reds to the island's famed sweet dessert wines. Cypriots have been perfecting their wine for centuries—and it’s paid off. The island is home to Commandaria, one of the world’s oldest named wines still in production, with records dating back to at least 800 B.C. Produced in just 14 villages on the sun-drenched slopes of the Troodos Mountains, the grapes are dried in the sun before fermentation, creating the wine’s signature rich sweetness. Today, a new generation of family-run wineries is reviving ancient grape varieties while carrying forward a wine-making tradition that stretches back millennia.
Staying Somewhere with a Story
Each place we stay offers a deeper connection to the island and the communities that call it home.
In Lefkara, cobbled lanes wind between traditional stone homes where artisans still create the intricate lacework and delicate silver filigree that have made the village famous for centuries.
Higher in the Troodos Mountains lies Kalopanayiotis, a village that nearly disappeared. Like many mountain communities, its population dwindled as younger generations left for the cities. Local hotelier John Papadouris refused to let his hometown fade away. Instead, he painstakingly restored a collection of abandoned stone cottages into Casale Panayiotis, a boutique retreat that helped breathe new life into the village. Today, guests wander narrow alleys, unwind at the spa and visit the nearby UNESCO-listed Monastery of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis, experiencing firsthand how one person’s vision helped revive an entire community.
The journey ends on Cyprus’s rugged western coast at Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort. Perched above a Blue Flag beach, it’s not a bad place to rest legs that have spent the week climbing through the Troodos Mountains. Here, the mountains give way to the Mediterranean once again, inviting you to celebrate with a swim in crystal clear water, a glass of local wine on your private terrace or simply a front-row seat to the sunset.
By the end of six days, you’ll have climbed mountains, wandered villages, shared countless plates of meze and probably developed a newfound appreciation for Cypriot wine. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself lingering over one last coffee by the sea, already wondering when you can come back!
