The Greek Village of Pissouri is one of the most attractive and friendly villages in south-west Cyprus. It is situated in the principal vine growing area with sultana grapes covering the surrounding countryside.
This south-facing village, set high up on the hillside about 1,000 feet above the sea, commands the most magnificent view of some 20 miles of Mediterranean coastline. To the south and east there are panoramic views of the coast, across vineyards, olive and carob trees and to the north one can see the majestic Troodos Mountains. Pissouri is situated just off the main Paphos to Limassol road.
It is a unique blend of mountain and sea, very famous for its breathtaking views and the very mild climate. It is an ideal, charming and peaceful resort that remained unchanged for centuries where one can experience a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, far from the trappings of civilization.
It is acknowledged by most travellers to be one of the most charismatic villages in Cyprus, cultivating a lot of Aphrodite mythology.
At one time Pissouri village, on the hill, had a fishing jetty a few kilometres away down the hill, known as Pissouri jetty. Now they are two distinct communities, Pissouri village and Pissouri Beach.
The total population in the summer is said to reach around 1100 people, about half of whom are Cypriots, the rest foreign, mainly British, residents and visitors.
Some of the guide books about Cyprus devote a sentence to Pissouri, some even devote a paragraph to the village and its small beach resort. None of them do justice to the unique character and attractiveness of Pissouri to the visitor and holiday maker. The Cypriot character has been retained and it is still very much a working village of farmers. Its very Cypriot character is what attracts the visitors and residents.
From time to time fears are expressed that too rapid development will see another Agia Napa spring up from the vineyards of Pissouri and be built here - but this will not happen - at least for many decades. The character of the beach resort and the village is assured. The motorway has brought Pissouri closer to the larger cities and resorts of Limassol and Paphos, but the distinctiveness of the area is likely to be retained.
The Pissouri area is famous for growing grapes, mainly in the valley between the main roads and the sea that leads to Pissouri Beach. Pissouri is about a 30 minute drive away from either Paphos or Limassol for those who want to see more urban life than Pissouri can offer.
Pissouri Village
Some non Cypriots try to describe Pissouri as somewhere where time has stood still. That is not true. At the turn of the century Pissouri Village has managed something which is fairly rare, perhaps almost unique, in those parts of the Mediterranean which attract western European tourists. It has managed to retain its traditional Cypriot character, while adapting very successfully to welcome visitors to the village.
There has been a limited amount of, mostly, well judged development in and around the village. Visitors can find almost anything they want in Pissouri - There is a Greek Orthodox Church
a good bakery, postal agency, banks and small supermarkets. As far as tavernas, restaurants and bars are concerned, there is an amazing number and variety - and they are all good, serving food and drink of exceptional quality at competitive prices.
During the summer there is a so called 'Cyprus night', every Wednesday evening, in the lovely flower-filled central square, for pedestrians only, with dancing and music. Although the idea is perhaps that it provides entertainment for the visitors to Pissouri, it is also true that a significant number of those present every week are the villagers themselves, thus it really is a true Cyprus night.
The views from Pissouri village and its surroundings are spectacular. It is set on the eastern slopes of the ridge reaching the sea at Cape Aspro, about 500 feet high on average - the highest point on the ridge is about 800 feet. To the East it is possible to see the countryside and the shore line all the way to Limassol and even beyond, and to the north the whole of the Troodos range, including Mount Olympus, at more than 6000 ft, the highest mountain on the island.
In August 2000, the new amphitheatre was opened in the village. A booklet on Pissouri was published for the occasion, and its information on the church of Saint Andrew, and on vine growing in the Pissouri area is now available.
In Pissouri village, where almost everyone speaks English, one can enjoy the friendly atmosphere and savour the relaxed and stress-free life of the village. Whether you are young or old, staying for a while or simply passing through, Pissouri is the ideal spot to totally wind down from the pressures of modern day living. Take the stunning views of the surrounding countryside, "chill out" on one of the peaceful local beaches, and experience the friendly, laid back attitude of local village life.
Pissouri is a little piece of paradise.
Pissouri Beach
A beautiful unspoilt bay, about 3km from the motorway (turn off at Pissouri Bay) and about 3km from Pissouri Village, down the vineyard beach lane.
There are several tavernas on the fringe of the beach, offering good food and refreshing drinks and many of them offer freshly caught fish which is a real treat not to be missed.
Small shops sell fresh milk, bread, fruit, wine and other provisions. There is an excellent hotel where non-residents can use the restaurant and for a small cover charge also swim in the hotel pool.
The beach area has developed since the beginning of the 1980s from a jetty and one small taverna, into what it is today - an informal collection of excellent tavernas, a few shops, two banks, some apartments and the hotel.
It is not an overdeveloped resort, as similar areas on Cyprus have become during the same two decades, but like Pissouri village, it has retained a Cypriot atmosphere. It is here that many Cypriots come on Sundays. The beach itself is safe, it has the EU blue flag for cleanliness, partly sandy and partly shingle, and there are lots of water sports available in the summer; scuba diving, water-ski, banana boat, paragliding, sailing, snorkelling, wind surfing and jet ski. For a fantastic view of Pissouri Bay, or to explore the coastline, pedal boats and Laser dinghies can be hired. For a small fee one can hire sun beds and umbrellas on the beach. The beach also has its own lifeguard.
Neither is it dead in the winter, it is just as enjoyable to have lunch on New Year's Day looking out over the sea as it is on 15 August - a Cypriot holiday in the summer - and there are just as many people eating in some of the best tavernas at New Year as in the summer.
