Pissouri Village

Pissouri lies in the Limassol district, the third largest village in it, set between Limassol and Paphos at around 152 metres and just 3km from the sea.

The name comes from ‘pissa’, the resin of the pine trees that grow here — said to have been produced under Byzantine and Frankish rule. The village was originally known as Piseeri, and later as Pissa.

Eight trails

Eight hiking trails cross the hillsides around the village, with long views from most of them. Four of the eight are open to bicycles as well as walkers, and bikes can be hired locally if you have not brought one.

The square

Pissouri has tavernas, pubs, cafés, restaurants and banks, and the main square is the meeting point — where people eat, shop and spend their free time, and where the village holds its events. The community council provides free wifi there, and there is an open-air amphitheatre used for larger occasions, with the views to match.

The land around grows grapes for raisins and sultanas, and halloumi is made here from cow, goat and ewe milk. Pissouri was once part of a small port exporting carobs in medieval times; the stone-built carob warehouse still stands, converted now into a house and a restaurant.

Down at the bay

Pissouri Bay lies just south of the old village and works as a resort in its own right — golden sand, coloured pebbles and clear water, with the cliffs of Cape Aspro sheltering the beach. There are hotels including five-star ones, restaurants across a range of cuisines, and shops.

Watersports run from the beach — windsurfing, waterskiing, sailing and more — and there are two changing rooms, public toilets, clean showers and other free coastal facilities. Lifeguards are on duty, and there is public parking with walking access down to the sand.

The village celebrates in September in honour of Saint Andrew; the church, Apostolos Andrea, stands in the centre near the square. Give Pissouri more than an afternoon if you can.