The richest and most celebrated monastery in Cyprus, glittering with mosaics and home to a holy icon said to be painted by the Apostle Luke.
Founded around the end of the 11th century during the Byzantine era, the Holy Monastery of Kykkos (Panagia tou Kykkou) sits high in the western Troodos. It owes its origin to a hermit and a Byzantine emperor's gratitude, and to a revered icon of the Virgin Mary traditionally attributed to the Apostle Luke.
Rebuilt several times after fires, today's monastery dazzles with gilded mosaics, frescoes and a treasury of icons and relics, alongside one of the most important ecclesiastical museums in Cyprus.
Kykkos also carries modern weight: Archbishop Makarios III, the first president of the Republic of Cyprus, began his career here as a novice. His tomb lies a few kilometres away at Throni, on a ridge with sweeping mountain views.
Glowing with gold mosaics and frescoes, it houses the famous icon of the Virgin, kept covered in a silver-gilt case.
Walls and walkways are decorated with brilliant modern Byzantine-style mosaics depicting biblical and Cypriot scenes.
A rich collection of icons, manuscripts, vestments and antiquities tracing the monastery's long history.
The hilltop resting place of Cyprus' first president, a few kilometres on, with a chapel and panoramic viewpoint.
At over 1,300 m, the approach through pine forest is part of the experience, cool even in high summer.
Kykkos is an active religious community; modest dress is required to enter the church.
Year-round, but the mountain roads are easiest in clear weather. Mornings are quietest before tour groups arrive.
Shoulders and knees covered for both men and women; wraps are usually available at the entrance.
Around 1.5–2 hours for the monastery and museum, plus a short drive to the Throni tomb.
The Troodos villages, Cedar Valley or a painted church on the way up or down.
About 1 hour 45 minutes (≈ 90 km) from Limassol, deep in the western Troodos.
Kykkos is remote, and the final mountain roads are long and winding — perfect for letting a local driver take the wheel. We time the visit to avoid the crowds and can fold in a painted church and a village lunch on the route.
Kykkos is the wealthiest and most famous monastery in Cyprus, known for its golden mosaics, its revered icon of the Virgin Mary attributed to the Apostle Luke, and its museum of icons and treasures.
Makarios III, the first president of Cyprus and a former novice at Kykkos, is buried at Throni, a hilltop site a few kilometres from the monastery.
Modest dress with shoulders and knees covered is required to enter the church, as it is an active monastery; cover-ups are usually available at the door.
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