On the occasion of the publication of the new booklet “World Heritage in Cyprus: history, myth, religion”, the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO, the Department of Antiquities – Deputy Ministry of Culture, and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism are co-organising a series of tours, hikes and activities to World Heritage sites, open to the public, free of charge, in the framework of the International Day for Monuments and Sites and International Museum Day in April and May and on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of UNESCO.
The three inscriptions of Cyprus on the UNESCO World Heritage List —the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, the Archaeological Site of Pafos (Palaepafos and Nea Pafos), and the ten Painted Churches of the Troodos Region —constitute emblematic testimonies of the island’s cultural identity, while also highlighting the close relationship between people and the natural environment.
Saturday, 25 April 2026, Choirokoitia
Activity description
Hike and guided tour along the Choirokoitia trail (difficulty level 2 – moderate) and the archaeological site. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the archaeologist Odile Le Brun, recipient of the 2025 Award for the Promotion of the Archaeological Heritage of Cyprus. The activity will conclude with a visit and light brunch to a local workshop of basket weaving and traditional dairy production.
Programme
09:00 Departure by bus from Nicosia (Cyprus Handicraft Centre)
09:45 Arrival at Choirokoitia
10:00-12:00 Hike at the nature trail and guided tour of the archaeological site
12:00-13:30 Visit & light brunch at a local workshop of basket weaving and traditional dairy production
13:30 Departure – return to Nicosia (Cyprus Handicraft Centre)
Saturday, 9 May 2026, Painted Churches in Troodos
Activity description
Hike along the Panagia tou Araka – Stavros tou Agiasmati Nature Trail (difficulty level 3 – demanding; for participants aged 15 and above) and guided tour in the two painted churches.
Programme
08:30 Departure by bus from Limassol (Agios Georgios Havouzas Church)
08:30 Departure by bus from Nicosia (Cyprus Handicraft Centre)
09:30-10:00 Guided tour of the Church of Panagia tou Araka in Lagoudera
10:00-13:00 Hike along the Panagia tou Araka – Stavros tou Agiasmati Nature Trail
13:00-13:30 Guided tour of the Church of Stavros tou Agiasmati
13:30-14:00 Light refreshments
14:00 – Departure for return to Limassol (Agios Georgios Havouzas Church) and Nicosia Nicosia (Cyprus Handicraft Centre)
Saturday, 16 May 2026, Palaepafos Archaeological Site
Activity description
Guided tour of the archaeological site and the Local Archaeological Museum of Palaepafos-Kouklia and parallel hands-on art workshop for children. The event will conclude with a “Piano Tour” with the vocal ensemble Ars Nova, at the medieval manor in Kouklia, in collaboration with Avantgarde Cultural Organisation
Programme
16:00 Departure by bus from Nicosia (Cyprus Handicraft Centre)
16:45 Stop at Choirokoitia (Oasis Restaurant) for participants from Larnaca
17:15 Stop in Limassol (Agios Georgios Havouzas Church)
18:15 Guided tour of the archaeological site and the Local Archaeological Museum of Palaepafos-Kouklia
Parallel hands-on art workshop for children aged 6-12, by art therapist and visual artist Lenia Georgiou (reservation required: 22809810)
19:30 Concert “The Piano Tour” with the vocal ensemble Ars Nova, at the medieval manor in Kouklia, in collaboration with Avantgarde Cultural Organisation.
20:15 Reception
21:00 Departure for return