Platres Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Platres

Platres is the main resort in the Troödos. In the south of the region, it was a colonial hill station and is still very popular with expats. It's nothing special, but there's lots of places to stay. Pedoulas , in the western Troödos, is another regional centre and home to the Church of Arhangelos Mihail.

It's also one of the most convenient bases for visiting Kykkos. The Solea district, in the north, is scattered with picturesque small villages and monasteries, and is ideal if you're keen for a bit of cycling.

Locality:

Platres is in West-central Cyprus, (20 mls NW of Limassol. Larnaca airport 40 mls E). It is situated 3,700 feet above sea level and 20 mls from the coast. Surrounded by mountains and forest, it is built on a steep slope and terraced at three different levels.

Population: 780.100
Languages: Greek, Turkish (both official); English
Currency:
Local Times:
Cyprus - Nicosia

Country Dialling Code: +357
Voltage: 240V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean (after Sicily and Sardinia), and lies at its north-eastern end, closer to the Middle East and North Africa than it is to Europe. If you could sneak your way past the Green Line, Cyprus would be two countries for the price of one. Unfortunately, this really is a country divided - since 1974, visitors have had to choose between the Turkish experience of the north and the Greek experience of the south.

Politics aside, the landmass of Cyprus is home to great beaches and popular holiday resorts. It is also full of relics and ruins of ancient history, from the beehive style huts of primitive man to some classical Greek and Roman ruins.

The country capital, Nicosia, is the dividing point of the north from the south (and vice versa). The line, enforced by the United Nations is a peacekeeping buffer. Despite the obvious tourist problems associated with this location, Nicosia itself, has not dampened the appeal of Cyprus as a holiday mecca.

Cyprus has wide appeal as a holiday destination. The weather is sunny and dry for the majority of the year and the beaches washed by the turquoise waters befit the modern luxury hotels in the coastal resort towns. There are also historic restored city precincts, tavernas and the nightlife (depending on where you stay) can be amongst the liveliest in all of Europe. Cyprus also holds an appeal due to its remote picturesque monasteries and mountain villages, quaint churches, Crusader castles and intriguing museums. All of this added to the legend of Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love who rose from the sea here) means that Cyprus is also a popular honeymoon destination.

Platres Travel Guide

Platres Suitability Profile