Wine and Halloumi Experience Taste Cyprus Flavors in the Mountain
Description
Our tours stand out because they are designed to be personal, authentic, and immersive. With small groups and a relaxed pace, guests enjoy more than just sightseeing — they connect with the traditions, flavors, and people of Cyprus. As your local guide, I share stories and insights that bring each stop to life, from historic monasteries to family-run wineries and halloumi producers. Unlike standard excursions, our experiences highlight hidden gems and genuine encounters often missed by larger tours. Travel is in comfort with our vehicle marked Wild Wheels – Cyprus Winery Tours, making pickup simple and welcoming. Each detail, from wine tastings to cultural visits, is carefully chosen to reflect the true spirit of the island. More than a tour, it’s a journey into Cypriot heritage, where guests taste, learn, and carry home lasting memories. For availability, please call before booking.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Nestled in the peaceful village of Lemona, Tsangarides Winery blends Cypriot tradition with modern winemaking. Family-run and renowned for its warm hospitality, the estate is one of Cyprus’ pioneers in organic viticulture, producing award-winning wines from both indigenous grapes like Xynisteri and Maratheftiko, and international varieties such as Shiraz and Cabernet. Visitors are welcomed to enjoy intimate guided tastings, discovering the flavors of Cyprus alongside light local delicacies. The stone-built cellar and terrace offer a rustic yet elegant setting, with sweeping views of vineyards and the Troodos foothills. Just a short drive from Paphos, Tsangarides Winery is a must-visit attraction for travelers seeking authentic culture, scenic beauty, and the true essence of Cypriot wine.
In the picturesque village of Axylou, near Paphos, the Axylou Halloumi Factory carries forward one of Cyprus’ oldest culinary traditions. For generations, Cypriot families have produced halloumi, a cheese made from goat’s and sheep’s milk, prized for its unique texture and ability to be grilled or fried without melting. At Axylou, this heritage is preserved through a family-run dairy that combines traditional recipes with modern standards, ensuring authentic flavor and quality. Visitors are welcomed to learn the story of halloumi, its cultural importance in Cypriot life, and how it has been passed down through centuries. The highlight is the tasting: warm, freshly prepared halloumi served with local bread and herbs. Simple, rustic, and delicious, it offers guests a genuine taste of Cyprus and a connection to the island’s rural traditions.
Set in the mountains near Panagia village, Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery is one of Cyprus’ most treasured spiritual sites. Founded in 1152 by the monk Ignatios, it is dedicated to Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate and safeguards a revered icon of the Virgin Mary, said to have been painted by Saint Luke. The monastery’s stone buildings, peaceful courtyards, and panoramic views create a setting of beauty and calm. Over the centuries, it has preserved precious icons, manuscripts, and artworks, standing as a symbol of resilience and faith during turbulent times. Today, Chrysorrogiatissa remains an active monastery where traditions of prayer and devotion continue. Visitors can explore its cultural heritage, admire its artistry, and even taste wines produced at its own monastery winery, linking spirituality with Cyprus’ ancient winemaking history.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pickup/drop off the travelers from any hotels or other accommodations locations within Paphos area. Your driver-guide will arrive in a comfortable vehicle marked with the “Wild Wheels” logo and the name Cyprus Winery Tours. Please look out for this logo on the car door when we arrive. For easy recognition, your guide will also greet you by name at the agreed pickup point.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(8)
Lovely half-day excursion into the mountains. We loved the winery tour & the halloumi production. The monastery was interesting & the views were spectacular. Reno was a wonderful guide
Dear Denise, Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed the combination of Cyprus’s beautiful sea and mountain landscapes along with its rich culture and heritage. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you again soon for another memorable journey across Cyprus! Warm regards, Reno G
Today, Dec 29th, my wife and I joined the Wine and Halloumi Experience Taste Cyprus Flavors in the Mountain, and it was a delicious exploration of wine and cheese! The tour operator took us through an amazing stunning mountain scenery. First stop - Tsangarides Winery Our tour started with a visit to a lovely vineyard where we got to taste some excellent local wines - Xynisteri and Maratheftiko. Second stop - Axylou Halloumi Cheese Factory Next up was the Halloumi tasting, and I must say, it was a highlight! The host showed us how this traditional cheese is made and then enjoyed several preparations of Halloumi along with delicious accompaniments. Third stop was a surprise stop offered by the tour operator – Elaiones Stagona Olive Oil Farm Have you tasted Cyprus olive oil? If yes, you know I am writing about a symphony of flavors and aromas coming together in a well designed bottle... if no, please go visit Stagona while in Cyprus. Fourth stop - Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery Tour ended on a spiritual tone with a visit to Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery - an Eastern Orthodox monastery dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate' (Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa). The monastery was founded in 1152 by monk Ignatios who discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary off the shore of Paphos... legend has it that it was thrown into the sea in Asia Minor during the iconoclastic period and drifted by the waves all the way to Paphos. The tour was well-organized, allowing for plenty of interaction with both the tour operator and other participants. We parted the tour enriched with new knowledge about Cyprus' gems - culinary and spiritual.
Dear Niki, Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a detailed and beautifully written review. We are truly delighted to hear that you and your wife enjoyed the Wine and Halloumi Experience – Taste Cyprus Flavors in the Mountain and that the day felt both delicious and enriching. It’s wonderful to know that each stop left a strong impression—from the wines at Tsangarides Winery, to the hands-on Halloumi experience, the surprise olive oil tasting, and the peaceful visit to Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery. Your description perfectly captures the essence of what we aim to offer: a journey through Cyprus’s landscapes, flavors, traditions, and spirituality. We’re especially pleased that you appreciated the organization of the tour and the opportunity for interaction, as creating a relaxed and meaningful experience for our guests is very important to us. Thank you again for choosing to explore Cyprus with us. We hope to welcome you back on another journey to discover even more of the island’s hidden gems. Warm regards, Aurelian Gheorghian
Brilliant tour with Reno, he went above and beyond to give us a great experience and we had such a fantastic day out. Really recommend!
Hello Rosie and Anna, We truly appreciate your wonderful review! It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’re so glad you enjoyed the tour. We’d be happy to host you again whenever you return to Cyprus. Sincerely, Aurelian G
This was a magnificent half-day trip! Elena, the co-owner, came to pick us up exactly at the planned time. The company's bigger tour bus was fully booked to go somewhere else, but she decided to take a sedan and come to pick us up, rather than cancelling the trip. So we had a private trip! It is a nice one hour drive up to the mountains on windy roads with great scenery. The first Tsangarides winery is rather small and we were the only guests there - could have been the early morning or perks of off-season. We were given five wines to sample and we got small cheese plate to share, needless to say that both were excellent. Afterwards we had a tour in in the winery before buying a few bottles home. Next stop was the Axyloy Halloumi factory. I think it is a small family-owned business, as the premises were small and I did not see many stuff. We were given a variety of cheese and olives to sample, which were naturally delicious. The only problem was that were already full of eating the cheese platter. From there we got a pack of halloumi. The last official stop was a small monastery. It has great views to the valley and you can walk in the inner yard of the monastery. You can enter the small chapel and a small shop to buy souvenirs. There is also a small cafe. Monks seen: zero. We had some time left from the allocated duration so Elena took us to another winery, Kolios. It also has good views but the place is more industry-scale tourist spot, although it was almost empty too. Wines were good too, but the portion was slightly less than in the first place. Their specialty is is caves where they keep their wines, but it was closed because of off-season. It was a really nice trip to remember! Elena shared lots of information about the area and Cyprus in general, and gave tips where to eat in Pafos. We did also share our histories and a bit of daily lives at home.
Dear Kari and Kaneli, Thank you so much for your beautiful and detailed review! 🌿 It was a real pleasure having you on our tour, and I’m truly happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience — from the scenic mountain drive to the wineries, the halloumi tasting, and the peaceful monastery visit. We always do our best to make each trip special, no matter the season or group size, and I’m delighted that you appreciated the personal touch and stories shared along the way. Your kind words mean a lot to us and will surely inspire other travelers to explore the authentic flavors and traditions of Cyprus. Warmest regards, Elena & the Cyprus Winery Tours Team 🍷🇨🇾
Very nice selection of destinations we visited. You get to explore and experience a different side of Cyprus, more traditional and tucked into mountains, where you can taste a selection of local wines and homemade cheese and yogurt. Very good experience all in all, highly recommended! Not to be missed!
Hello Kinga, Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation! I’m really glad you enjoyed discovering the more traditional side of Cyprus — the mountain villages, local wines, and homemade delicacies truly make it special. It was a pleasure having you and your family on the tour, and I hope to see you again for more authentic experiences around the island! Warm regards, Aurelian G.
This trip was an absolute highlight of our time in Cyprus! The journey into the mountains was stunning, but what made it truly special was the warm welcome and personal touch throughout. Tasting fresh halloumi straight from the maker was a real treat, especially paired with the local wines. Each bite and sip came with stories that made us feel connected to Cypriot culture. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely passionate, making the experience feel personal and relaxed. The small group size added to the intimate, authentic feel. If you want to experience the real flavors and traditions of Cyprus, this is a must-do. We left with full hearts, happy taste buds, and memories we’ll treasure!
Thank you for taking the time to share your positive feedback. Your support means a lot to us, and we’re glad we could make your experience a memorable one.
This vacation in Cyprus is a gift for my 66th birthday and retirement. So I wanted to do another second tour with Reno our driver and guide. I had an excellent experience. Highly recommended Reno, also highly recommended the tour because you can get to know the island, Cyprus from a different perspective and find out things that you certainly didn't know. Plus an advantage for spending your free time in a very pleasant way. Reno, extremely well documented.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted you enjoyed your experience with us and hope to welcome you again soon.
Reno is an incredible guide. He makes this tour very personable and tailors it to the age of those in the group. Because of our kids, he added a stop at a donkey farm. This was incredible. The vineyard was also wonderful, as was the cheese. We learned so much on this trip and truly enjoyed every moment. Recommend this for an opportunity to meet Cypriots and get a real feel for the island.
We truly appreciate your wonderful review! It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’re so glad you enjoyed the tour. We’d be happy to host you again whenever you return to Cyprus.
