Location

View all direct flights to Larnaca LCA

Next to the race

Architecture and heritage

From Paphos, the ancient Hellenistic capital and UNESCO World Heritage site, to the hilltop villages of the Tróodos region you'll pass through, Cypriot architecture blends Greek, Byzantine, Frankish and Ottoman influences. Roman mosaics in the House of Dionysus, Byzantine churches with medieval frescoes, and stone houses with red-tiled roofs in villages such as Lefkara and Omodos, bear witness to a rich past.

Near the Akamas peninsula, legends mingle with geography: the Baths of Aphrodite, a grotto lined with fig trees and clear water, are reputed to be where the goddess of love bathed. You'll pass through here before diving down to Paphos via the coastal paths.

Gastronomy: a cuisine of the land and sharing

You won't want to miss the mezze, a cascading array of cheeses (including the famous halloumi), grilled vegetables, marinated meats, fish, olives, hummus and tzatziki. All accompanied by a glass of zivania or commandaria wine, one of the oldest in the world.

Art, music and living traditions

Cypriot culture is also an island of popular songs, folk dances and well-attended religious festivals. In the kafenia, the village cafés, it's not uncommon to hear a lute or violin accompanying a traditional song. One of the reasons for rally timing is that you can enjoy these moments to the full if the opportunity arises.

Hospitality: an art of living

Philoxenia, literally "love of the stranger", is a central value in Cyprus. You'll be riding on gravel tracks in the west of the island, where tourism has done far less to erase traditions, and the locals welcome visitors with sincere simplicity. They'll be happy to offer you a Cypriot coffee, a homemade dessert, advice on your itinerary, or even help if you encounter a problem during a stage. This human warmth contributes to the sense of security and well-being you quickly feel on the island.

Nature: between mountains and sea

You'll ride your bike on trails that look like they were designed for gravel biking in the foothills of Mount Olympus, the island's highest peak. Further west, Akamas is home to one of the last wild regions of the Mediterranean: gorges, cliffs, secret coves and endemic flora. You'll ride on gravel tracks between pine forests, steep paths, turquoise beaches and dense forests. A sort of cyclist's paradise.

Partner pack

Your partner is not yet a gravel racer, but he/she would like to come and encourage you and enjoy the destination? The partner program is for him/her.

Find out more about the partner program under Entry packages