Follow in the footsteps of the apostles and saints on an all-inclusive Cyprus tour that brings early Christian history to life. From the shores where St. Paul and St. Barnabas first preached to the mountain monasteries where centuries-old traditions are still preserved, this biblical Cyprus tour offers a deep and immersive experience. Explore ancient ruins, walk through sacred churches adorned with Byzantine frescoes, and stand where history unfolded at sites like St. Paul’s Pillar in Paphos and the monastery of St. Barnabas in Salamis.
This Christian heritage tour of Cyprus is the most comprehensive journey tracing the island’s spiritual past. Travel through historic towns and remote villages, visiting the Holy Cross Monastery in Omodos, said to hold a relic of the True Cross brought by St. Helen, and the stunning Byzantine chapels of the Troodos Mountains. Along the way, enjoy exclusive experiences, including having tea with the nuns at Ayios Herakleidios Monastery, wine tastings at a family-run vineyard, and meals in traditional tavernas. Stay in handpicked accommodations, from boutique city hotels to a five-star mountain retreat, as you experience the sacred and cultural heart of Cyprus. Read the full itinerary and see upcoming Cyprus tour dates below!
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Cyprus has a very long period of the year when it is warm and sunny. We take advantage of these long warm seasons to spend time on the water and relax by the pool, as well as walking and mountain experiences. We design our experiences to avoid the crowds and give you time to get lost in the moment.
With a maximum of only 10 guests, we’re a happy little company of explorers who have fun each day on tour socializing over unforgettable wine and food. We come home at night to boutique accommodation that shows off the very best of Cyprus. The experiences you have on tour with us create memories of a lifetime because you are not just sightseeing – you are understanding, learning, and making: making new discoveries, new friends, and memories.
Our tour begins in Larnaca.
We meet this evening for a welcome drink and admire the panoramic view of Larnaca from our rooftop bar before heading to the old town for a wonderful local meze dinner with wine.
Overnight: Larnaca
After breakfast at our hotel, we head out with our tour leader on a walking tour of Old Larnaca and visit the Church holding Saint Lazarus’s remains. Lazurus came to Cyprus after returning from the dead and lived the remainder of his life in Larnaca.
Then we head across the UN Buffer Zone into Northern Cyprus to see ancient Salamis, where St. Paul, St. Barnabas, and St. Mark first preached in Cyprus, and where Saint Barnabas was later allegedly killed. First though, we arrive in Famagusta for lunch and to visit the oldest church in Cyprus.
After our private tour with our archaeologist guide of Ancient Salamis, we drive to the nearby impressive Monastery of St. Barnabus (where the Saints’ tomb was believed to have been found) and its Icon Museum.
Returning to Larnaca, we end our day with a farm‑to‑table dinner, featuring time‑honored local recipes, as the sun sets on our first full day of adventuring in Cyprus!
Overnight: Larnaca
After breakfast at our hotel, we follow the Roman road that St. Paul, St. Barnabas and St. Mark traveled on their journey from Larnaca to Paphos via Curium (Ancient Kourion).
En route, we stop in the village of Kiti to visit Panagia tis Angeloktisti to admire its renowned Byzantine frescoes that capture the spirit of early Christian devotion.
We arrive and pause for a while at the old ruined city of Curium where the Saints would have stopped along the Roman road to Paphos. At Ancient Kurion we join our archaeologist guide once again for a private tour of these astounding UNESCO World Heritage ruins.
We then descend the mountain to Kourion Beach for a seaside lunch (and perhaps a swim!)
Continuing on our voyage westward to Paphos we visit the Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, and St. Nicholas of the Cat, a church and a monastery associated with St. Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great:
We arrive in Paphos and settle into our modern luxury 4-star hotel before dinner at one of Paphos’ oldest and most traditional tavernas.
Overnight: Paphos
We being our morning in Old Paphos with a guided tour that includes a visit to St. Paul’s Pillar. According to local tradition, the Apostle Paul was flogged here during his missionary journey. This landmark was visited by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
On our journey, we explore the catacomb of Agios Solomoni to understand early Christian burial practices and the hidden worship spaces that nurtured the nascent church.
After a leisurely lunch, we enjoy a private tour of Nea Paphos with our expert archaeologist guide. This UNESCO World Heritage site contains the remains, in the form of globally significant mosaics remaining as the floors of the villa of Sergius Paulinus, the Roman governor who converted to Christianity after witnessing St. Paul’s miracles.
This evening we dine at a traditional taverna to discover old Paphos specialties and regional wines.
Overnight: Paphos
Today we visit the Tombs of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We take a private guided tour with our archaeologist expert guide. As Simon Peter Sutherland explains, “At the Tombs of the Kings, early Christians from around the 1st – 4th centuries AD met for worship in singular tombs around this location and also for protection from the persecution lashed out upon them by the Romans.”
We then travel north of Paphos to the 12th-century Monastery of Agios Neophytos built into the side of a cliff, and then onwards to a family winery to sample local wines made with time‑honored techniques reflective of Cyprus’s rich agricultural heritage.
We continue to picturesque Omodos, a village in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, and one of the most beautiful in Cyprus to visit the Holy Cross Monastery. Local tradition holds that St. Helen – the mother of Emperor Constantine, famed for her pilgrimage in search of the True Cross—visited Cyprus and blessed this sacred site. Explore relics, and ancient inscriptions, and learn how her journey helped shape the island’s early Christian identity.
We then travel to the mountain village of Kalopanayiotis, checking in to our 5-star mountain spa resort.
Dinner tonight is in an award-winning restaurant with a panoramic view of the Marathasa Valley.
Overnight: Kalopanayiotis
After breakfast at our hotel, we head up into the Troodos Mountains with our archaeologist guide to see Kykkos Monastery and some of the UNESCO World Heritage Byzantine Painted Churches.
Kykkos Monastery is the most important religious center, with the monastery’s most treasured possession being the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, believed to have been painted by Saint Luke.
We then embark on a guided walking tour of the 6th-century village of Kakopetria, known for its cobblestone streets and traditional stone houses.
Lunch is a special treat, in The Mill Restaurant, known for its amazing trout.
Full of trout we explore Panayia Assinou Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its exquisite Byzantine frescoes.
Then it’s time to begin our journey eastward to check in to our boutique hotel in the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, followed by dinner in the Old Quarter of Nicosia.
Overnight: Nicosia
After breakfast, our expert tour leader takes on a walking tour of the walled city. We discover the spiritual heart of Nicosia through its magnificent Byzantine churches, stops at St John’s Chapel, Chrysaliniotissa, Ayios Kassianos.
We then travel to Politico and visit Ayios Herakleidios monastery, dedicated to the Miraculous Saint Herakelidios, one of the first and most important Hierarchs of the Island of Saints, also the first women’s monastery in Cyprus. We sit down with the nubs to understand their lives as caretakers of this tradition.
Transfer to Lazanias village, for a traditional lunch in the main square, a village frozen in time, where traditional architecture and a serene atmosphere reflect the “blessed” protection of the Virgin Mary and Machairas Monastery.
We then visit Machairas Monastery, famed for housing the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary and its Byzantine architecture.
For our last evening together we gather on the terrace of a famous Nicosia restaurant for a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Nicosia
After our last breakfast together our lovely driver returns us to Larnaca airport.
If you’d like to stay on in Cyprus, we’ll be happy to help you make reservations to extend your stay until we see you next time!
