Forget everything you think you know about Cypriot wine. Tucked into the sun-baked hills above Paphos sits one of the oldest winemaking regions on Earth — and barely anyone outside the island is talking about it.
Cyprus has been making wine for more than 5,000 years, longer than almost anywhere on the planet. Yet while tourists flock to the beaches of Coral Bay or the ruins of Kato Paphos, the real magic is happening 20–40 minutes inland, in stone villages perched between the Mediterranean and the Troodos foothills. Here, a new generation of winemakers — many French- and Australia-trained — are reviving rare native grapes like Maratheftiko and Xynisteri and turning out bottles that are starting to win serious international awards.
This guide cuts through the noise. Below you’ll find the nine wineries genuinely worth your time, what makes each one special, honest pros and cons, what it costs to visit, and a mobile-friendly cheat-sheet you can pull up on your phone while you drive. Let’s pour.
💡 Quick orientation: Most Paphos wineries cluster in three areas — Kathikas/Laona (white-wine country near Akamas), Tsada/Stroumbi (closest to the city), and Panagia/Statos (high-altitude reds near Troodos). You can comfortably see two or three in a half-day by car.
Why Paphos Wine Country Is Different
The Paphos wine district sits lower and warmer than the famous Omodos cluster near Limassol — roughly 350–700 metres versus 700–900 metres. That extra warmth gives the wines a riper, more fruit-forward character. Whites lean toward peach, apricot and tropical notes rather than sharp citrus, and the reds gain plush body. The region also leans heavily on indigenous varieties you simply can’t taste anywhere else, which is exactly why a tasting here feels like a discovery rather than a checklist.
The 9 Best Wineries in Paphos
1. Tsangarides Winery — Lemona
Top Rated ★ 4.8 (327+ TripAdvisor reviews)
If you only have time for one winery, make it this family-run estate in the off-the-beaten-track village of Lemona. Operating its modern winery since 2005, Tsangarides was one of the first in Cyprus to produce certified organic wines, working with Maratheftiko, Xynisteri, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from its own estate vines. The cosy courtyard, award-winning bottles and genuinely warm welcome explain why it consistently tops visitor rankings.
Pros
- Certified organic wines
- Highest visitor ratings in the region
- Charming, relaxed family atmosphere
Cons
- Remote location, harder to reach
- Closed Sundays
- Small scale — busy in peak season
2. Vasilikon Winery — Kathikas
★ 4.2 (50+ reviews) · One of Paphos’s oldest estates
Founded in 1993 by the three Kyriakides brothers, Vasilikon built its reputation on the superb grapes of Kathikas and the Laona–Akamas area. It’s now one of the largest family-owned wineries in the region, with a sleek tasting room featuring panoramic windows and an on-site restaurant. Wine lovers should seek out the Methy Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak, and the age-worthy Vasilikon Maratheftiko makes an excellent bottle to take home.
Pros
- Award-winning flagship wines
- Restaurant on site for a full meal
- Modern, professional tasting room
Cons
- Larger and less intimate
- Can get busy with tour groups
3. Kolios Winery — Statos-Ayios Photios
★ 4.4 (173+ reviews) · Big production, big views
Perched near the Chrysorrogiatissa monastery at high altitude, this family business (founded 1999) produces around 400,000 bottles a year, making it one of Paphos’s largest. The cool mountain climate brings real freshness to wines like the red Persefoni and Shiraz, and they even make a Commandaria-style fortified wine. The terrace views over the vineyards and valley are worth the drive alone.
Pros
- Spectacular mountain-top scenery
- Wide range including fortified wine
- Tastings paired with local food
Cons
- High-volume, more commercial feel
- Long winding drive to reach it
4. Vouni Panayia Winery — Panagia
One of Cyprus’s most modern wineries · ~30 km from Paphos
Founded in 1987 at the entrance to Panagia village, Vouni Panayia is a showpiece of the modern Cypriot wine revival, complete with a tasting room, restaurant, observation deck and small museum. It specialises in local varieties, and its white Alina and red Plakota are especially prized for their minerality and wild-herb aromatics.
Pros
- Polished facilities + museum
- Focus on indigenous grapes
- Restaurant and viewing deck
Cons
- Far inland (a full half-day trip)
- Sundays closed
5. Sterna Winery — Kathikas
The most atmospheric cellar in Paphos
Set near the Akamas Nature Reserve, Sterna is unique for its cellars carved directly into the rock. Visitors can tour the cool underground chambers where wine ages in oak barrels and sample traditional spirits including zivania-style grappa and liqueurs. It’s a committed estate-grown producer and pairs naturally with a drive toward Lara Beach or the Akamas Peninsula.
Pros
- Rock-carved underground cellars
- Estate-grown wines + spirits
- Gateway to the Akamas
Cons
- Smaller operation — call ahead
- Limited on-site dining
6. Fikardos Winery — Mesogi area
Founded 1990 · Closest professional winery to the city
A modern, functional winery known for both its hospitality and a diverse range of wines. Fikardos grows indigenous Gannoudi, Maratheftiko and Xynisteri across vineyards at Pano Arodes and Choulou, supplementing with grapes from surrounding villages. Its proximity to Paphos makes it an easy first stop on any wine day.
Pros
- Easy to reach from the city
- Broad, accessible wine range
- Friendly, welcoming hosts
Cons
- Industrial-estate setting lacks views
- Less scenic than hill wineries
7. Sodap–Kamanterena Winery — Stroumbi
★ 4.1 (17+ reviews) · Producing wine since 1947
One of the most complete modern wineries on the island, Kamanterena in Stroumbi turns out regional, classical and premium ranges, all tastable in its rooms. It has collected genuine hardware too — silver at the 2018 International Wine & Spirits Awards and accolades at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Pros
- Award-winning, large modern facility
- Wide range across price points
- Close to Paphos via Stroumbi
Cons
- Weekday-only tasting hours
- More industrial than boutique
8. Oenou Yi / Ktima Vassiliades & Tsikkouris — Tsada
The polished wine-tourism choice, just 20 minutes out
In nearby Tsada you’ll find two of the district’s best-known names. Oenou Yi (Ktima Vassiliades) is among the most professional wine-tourism operations in Cyprus, with guided tours and a restaurant serving full Cypriot food alongside the wines. Tsikkouris Winery offers a visitor-friendly tasting room and a lovely fresh, unoaked Xynisteri.
Pros
- Only ~20 minutes from Paphos
- Restaurant + guided tours
- Welcomes walk-ins
Cons
- Popular — book the restaurant ahead
- Two stops if you want both estates
9. Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery — Panagia
Wine with five centuries of history
Not a commercial winery in the modern sense, but unmissable. Founded by the monk Ignatius in the 12th century and revived commercially in the 1980s, this monastery makes red and white wine from its own vineyard, sold in the on-site shop. With a small museum, gift shop and café set among stunning architecture, it’s the most soulful stop on the Paphos wine trail.
Pros
- Unique historic, spiritual setting
- Monastery-made wines to buy
- Museum + café on site
Cons
- Not a full tasting experience
- Remote mountain location
📊 Paphos Wineries at a Glance
Swipe sideways on mobile to see all columns.
| Winery | Village | Best For | Rating | Standout Wine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsangarides | Lemona | Organic wine fans | ★ 4.8 | Organic Maratheftiko |
| Vasilikon | Kathikas | Awards + dining | ★ 4.2 | Methy Cabernet |
| Kolios | Statos-Ayios Photios | Views + variety | ★ 4.4 | Persefoni red |
| Vouni Panayia | Panagia | Modern facilities | — | Alina / Plakota |
| Sterna | Kathikas | Cellar atmosphere | — | Estate Xynisteri |
| Fikardos | Mesogi | Easy access | — | Maratheftiko |
| Kamanterena (Sodap) | Stroumbi | Award winners | ★ 4.1 | Premium range |
| Oenou Yi / Tsikkouris | Tsada | Wine tourism | — | Blended red / Xynisteri |
| Chrysorrogiatissa | Panagia | History lovers | — | Monastery wines |
The Grapes You Have to Try
Half the fun of Paphos is tasting grapes you’ve never heard of. Xynisteri is the island’s signature white — in warm Paphos conditions it turns ripe and peachy, best drunk young and unoaked. Maratheftiko is the celebrated native red: earthy, tobacco-edged, with dark cherry fruit and fine tannins, and it ages beautifully for a decade or more. Look out too for Mavro (the traditional soft red), the rare reviving variety Yiannoudi, and of course Commandaria, the amber sweet wine recognised as the world’s oldest named wine still in production.
Wine Tours: Costs & How to Visit
You have two good options. Self-drive is the most flexible: a classic half-day loop runs Paphos → Tsada → Kathikas → back via Pegeia (around 60–80 km, 4–5 hours with two stops). Walk-in tastings at smaller wineries typically cost €5–15 per person for three to six wines, and most credit that fee against any bottles you buy.
If you’d rather drink than drive, a guided tour makes far more sense. On booking platforms, Paphos wine and Troodos village tours run roughly €43–€145 per person depending on length and group size, with most full-day trips around the €55–€70 mark and earning strong ratings of 4.6–5.0. Private in-villa tastings are also available from about €99. Larger wineries like Oenou Yi and Tsikkouris generally welcome walk-ins (usually 10:00–17:00 in summer), while smaller producers appreciate a call ahead, and any private guided tour should be booked 24–48 hours in advance.
🍇 Local secret: Time your visit for September and you can catch the Kathikas Grape Festival or the Stroumbi and Panagia harvest celebrations — village-scale events with traditional grape pressing, young wine and home cooking. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to tour.
FAQ
Do I need to book a Paphos winery in advance?
The larger wineries (Oenou Yi, Tsikkouris, Vasilikon) generally welcome walk-ins during opening hours, while smaller family estates appreciate a phone call ahead. Any private guided tour should be booked at least 24–48 hours in advance.
How far are the wineries from Paphos town?
Most are a 20–40 minute drive inland. Tsada is the closest at around 20 minutes; the high-altitude estates near Panagia are roughly 30 km out and make a fuller half-day trip.
How much does a tasting cost?
Walk-in tastings run about €5–15 per person, usually credited toward bottle purchases. Guided group tours with transport are roughly €50–80, and private tours €100–150 per person.
Which winery is best for a first visit?
Tsangarides in Lemona is the highest-rated and most beloved, while Tsada’s wineries are the easiest to reach. For scenery, head to Kolios or Vouni Panayia.
Final Pour
Paphos wine country rewards the curious. Whether you chase organic bottles in Lemona, panoramic terraces in the mountains, rock-carved cellars near the Akamas, or monastery wine steeped in 800 years of history, you’re tasting a winemaking tradition older than almost any on Earth — and a modern revival that’s only getting better. Pick two or three from the list above, bring a designated driver (or book a tour), and raise a glass to the best-kept secret in Cypriot wine. Yamas! 🍷
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