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Before Cyprus’s coast was lined with luxury resorts, its glamour pulsed inland, among misty forests and stone-built villages that drew kings, poets, and diplomats to their shaded courtyards and elegant hotels. According to an article by Must wknd by Maria Karamanou, these once-fashionable retreats are stirring again, their past glamour blending with a new appetite for authenticity.
Kato Drys – The “Little Paris”
"Spring Outing: Pretty Kato Drys Village" Photo courtesy of Larnakaregion.com
Just 25 km southwest of Larnaca, Kato Drys once dazzled visitors with its elegance, earning the nickname “Little Paris.” Narrow cobbled streets, painted shutters, and graceful courtyards created a cosmopolitan air that charmed locals and travelers alike.
Now reborn through agritourism, the village offers boutique stays like the Palatakia, combining traditional stonework with modern comfort. Beyond style, Kato Drys is steeped in history. It was the birthplace of Saint Neophytos (1134) and hosts churches with precious Byzantine frescoes.
Platres – Cyprus’s "St. Moritz"
"Platres" Photo courtesy of platres.org
Perched in the Troodos forest, Platres was the island’s premier summer resort during British rule. Grand hotels such as Forest Park hosted glittering dances, while dignitaries like King Farouk of Egypt, poet Giorgos Seferis, and author Daphne du Maurier found refuge in its cool mountain air.
Though its sparkle faded with the rise of coastal tourism, Platres is reinventing itself with boutique hotels, restored villas, and leafy trails that draw visitors seeking both nostalgia and mountain serenity.
Prodromos – Echoes of the Berengaria
"Berengaria Hotel" Photo screen captured from Alexandros Gkefos Google video
Cyprus’s highest village, Prodromos, still carries the aura of its legendary Berengaria Hotel, a palatial retreat once called “the hotel of kings.” Hosting royals, presidents, and high society, it symbolized refinement with fine dining and grand galas by the pool.
Though the Berengaria lies abandoned, its mystique continues to lure curious travelers, while Prodromos itself remains a tranquil alpine escape with sweeping Troodos views.
Kritou Terra – Heritage with an Edge
"Cyprus's first casino" Photo courtesy of Kritouterra.org
In the hills of Paphos, Kritou Terra charms with stone houses, vineyards, and citrus groves, but its past holds a daring twist. In the 19th century, it was home to Cyprus’s first casino, where Middle Eastern elites gathered for card games and entertainment, even attracting Egypt’s King Namuk.
The village also produced towering figures, from Dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios to EOKA hero Savvas Petrides, and today its frescoed churches and historic remains add depth to its rustic beauty.
Glamour Reimagined
From the cosmopolitan “Little Paris” to Platres’s Alpine elegance, from the myths of Berengaria to the bold spirit of Kritou Terra, these four villages embody Cyprus’s forgotten golden age. Now, as boutique lodgings and cultural trails breathe life back into their streets, they offer a new kind of luxury: heritage, charm, and the simple pleasure of slowing down.
Travel Tip: Explore them on a mountain road trip. History, tradition, and echoes of high society await around every bend.
