Jingle all the way to the Cyprus Christmas Village
We invite you to experience the local culture and heartwarming traditions from the island of Cyprus, taste the season’s special dishes, listen to choirs singing Christmas carols, and enjoy this festive atmosphere to the maximum.
Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany (January 6th) are known as the “dodecameron”, the twelve days that include these three feasts. They are very significant as they correspond to the twelve months of the year.
The central event at Christmas is the Birth of Christ, which is looked upon by our people exactly as they would the birth of a child. During the days of Christmas, everything and everyone must renew themselves (new clothes, all kinds of tidying up and putting in order, and white-washing of the house).
It is believed that during Christmas Eve there is a visitation by goblins whose names in the Cypriot dialect are Skalapountari or Kalikangiari. These goblins overrun everything, taking on different shapes, (jet black with long tails and horns or goat-legged), but they love to frequent chimneys, smokestacks and wells, among other places. The most popular traditions place the kalikangiari in deep underground, where they constantly strive with axes and saws to sever and topple the tree that supports the earth, except during the dodecameron. On December 25th, they cease chopping at the tree and rush to the upper world to entertain themselves by frightening people.
New Year’s Eve is all about family and reuniting in front of the fireplace. New Year’s Day is called Saint Basil’s Day or Agios Vasilios day. This is a day of optimism when Cypriots hope for a fruitful year ahead. Each family bakes a special cake called Vasilopita, in which they insert a coin at the bottom. When it is served, the person who finds the coin in his slice is promised luck for the forthcoming year.
For the second consecutive year, Cyprus invites you to discover seven beautiful traditional villages and towns, which will wow you with an array of authentic Christmas experiences to participate in and where you will make memories to last a lifetime! Agros, Derynia, Fikardou, Kalavasos, Kalopanagiotis, Kyperounta and Polis Chrysochous put on their finest festive attire to spread the Christmas spirit, impressing locals, foreigners, and young and old alike.
Cultural events stand with local products and handicrafts, gastronomy and crafting workshops, activities organized in nature, guided village tours, local restaurants and hotels with delicious holiday menus, and many other surprises await discovery for a unique Cypriot Christmas. The program of activities and events will be enriched with many surprises for children and the young at heart. The villages will allow visitors to get into the Christmas spirit and feel the incomparable Cypriot hospitality. The full program is available on the Visit Cyprus website.
We invite you to celebrate this magical holiday period with us, from November 26th, 2022, until January 15th, 2023!
1/
Christmas in Cyprus
2/
Christmas in Cyprus
3/
Christmas in Cyprus
4/
Christmas in Cyprus
Things to consider before traveling
How to choose your accommodation in Europe: a guide
In Europe, there is accommodation for every wish, price range, and desired experience. Whether it’s a tent suspended between two trees, a five-star hotel with a view of a turquoise sea, or a wallet-friendly hostel, it’s all here. The question is, what specific options do you have and how do you go about choosing? That’s […]
The ultimate guide to European currencies
How to convert cash, use cards, and reduce fees One of the great benefits of traveling around Europe is the ease of use when it comes to currencies. On much of the continent, you don’t need to worry about keeping different bills and coins or making mental-math conversations between one currency to another to […]
How to stay safe while traveling in Europe
No matter what, safety while traveling is most important. Luckily, Europe has a stellar safety record, and more than a dozen of its countries regularly appear at the top end of safest places to live and travel lists. To make your adventure safe and secure, consider these tips and best practices! Travel insurance […]
What you need to enter Europe
Visas, documents, and passports So, you are planning to visit Europe. Great! We will be happy to welcome you and share what makes this continent so unique. Here are answers to the most common questions about preparing for your trip. Addressing them now will make your travels smooth, easy, and convenient! Who needs a […]
Your complete guide to planning your daily life in Europe
Tips on local languages, mobile tech, and time zones We all know the feeling: your phone battery is dying or you’re passing through an area of weak signal. At home, it’s usually a simple annoyance, but when you’re traveling, not having access to a communications device is something you’ll want to avoid. So, how […]
Some tips to consider while traveling
Traveling around Europe
Your guide to trains, trams, busses and bikes Europe has one of the most advanced transportation systems in the world. From massive metropolises to small towns, you can easily link up from place to place by public transport. Riding the rails across this marvelous continent might be the best way to explore: it’s highly efficient, […]
Tips to communicate in Europe
Why speaking a few words of the local tongue will make your travel experience even better As you may have guessed, English is widely spoken in Europe, especially in northern countries. In many other countries, people have a good, if not fluent, grasp of the language. But that doesn’t mean that learning—and indeed using! […]
Your guide to passenger rights while traveling in Europe
If you’re a traveler, you’ve probably experienced a delay, cancellation, or other unforeseen issue. Of course, no one wants this, but it’s important to be prepared and perhaps most of all, to know your rights and privileges if a problem arises. So, what are your rights in Europe? Keep reading! Air Passenger Rights So, […]