Pissouri lies between Paphos and Limassol on the south west coast of Cyprus. The village lies on a hill above the coastline and until the advent of tourism there was only a small jetty on the beach for the fishing boats. The village above the bay has retained much of its original charm with its whitewashed stone buildings and narrow streets softened by pots of flowers and window boxes. Pissouri Beach is now the area around the jetty and this provides a range of accommodation and facilities for holidaymakers.
The weather in Pissouri offers sunshine for over three hundred days each and every year. The village is one of the few tourist centres that has not forgotten its roots and little has changed over the years. Lying between Pathos and Limassol, it is in an area of great historical interest with many important archaeological sites. There are also a number of very good beaches on the south coast offering a variety of water sports.
A Pissouri holiday has wide appeal. Families with young children are attracted by the beach and its facilities. Couples of all ages, particularly those with an interest in history, enjoy the ancient sites in the area and golfers have a choice of excellent courses.
The summer season in Pissouri begins in April when the temperature is a pleasant seventy degrees. This can soar to the high eighties from June until September. Winters are pleasant at sea level but remember that winter is the rainy season and there can be snow in the mountains.
The view from Pissouri is stunning in all directions. Built on a hill overlooking the sea, surrounded by vineyards, and framed by the distant Troodos Mountains, it is a picturesque village which has retained its traditional charm. The stone built houses gleaming in the sunlight and bedecked with trailing blossom and potted plants, line the narrow streets. The pedestrianised square in the centre has many small cafes and restaurants which offer relaxation over refreshments.
Down the hill in Pissouri Beach there is a sand and shingle beach. It is a small resort with a limited number of hotels and apartments as well as bars and tavernas. Although there are water sports available from the beach, there are many larger beaches in the vicinity, including the famous Coral Bay and these provide a wider range of leisure activities including jet skiing and paragliding. The water on the south coast is so clear that scuba diving and snorkelling are very popular sports. Nearby Paphos has a water park with some exciting flumes and rides offering fun for all the family.
There are also three eighteen hole golf courses in the vicinity which play to a par of between seventy and seventy two.
Those with an interest in history will find many ancient sites in the area including, the medieval Fort near the harbour in Paphos, the Roman amphitheatre, the Venus Rock and the Baths of Aphrodite, the Tombs of the Kings as well as a number of interesting churches and museums.
A Pissouri holiday offers wonderful sunshine with glorious beaches, excellent restaurants, a lively nightlife in an area littered with ancient towns, tombs and monuments.
The main square in Pissouri has bars and restaurants where you can enjoy music, food and drink. There is often entertainment in Pissouri’s amphitheatre, known as Cyprus Night, and it is as popular with locals as it is with tourists.
Pissouri has a good range of shops providing for most needs. There are many gift and craft shops but one of the best is Christina’s which sells a range of local crafts. Those looking for a wider selection of retailers can make the short journey to Paphos where they can shop till they drop. Cyprus excels in handcrafted goods and the government have recognised the value of this by creating the Cyprus Handicraft Service. There are a number of official shops around the island. There are of course many more unofficial shops in all resorts selling good quality goods that are reasonably priced. Popular gifts and holiday mementoes are the embroidered linens, the Lefkara lace and ceramic pots.
Both Pissouri Village and Pissouri Beach have a good number of restaurants catering for most tastes and budgets. Fish features prominently on Cypriot menus with calamari, red mullet and sea bass being particularly popular. Halloumi, a cheese made from goat and sheep’s milk is an island speciality. It is often served grilled and served as an appetiser. The Cypriot equivalent of the Spanish tapas is mezze and it is a good way to sample the variety of local food.
Local wines are tasty and inexpensive.
