Travel Guide Lapithos – Lapta

One of the oldest cities in Cyprus, Lapithos was founded by Phoenicians or Spartans around 1000 BC. The ruins of the ancient city can be seen in the nearby municipality of Karavas/Alsancak (Lambousa site). To escape the Arab raids of the Middle Ages, the population moved to higher ground, in what is today one of the prettiest villages in the northern zone. It retains an interesting mix of ancient houses, churches and mosques surrounded by olive and lemon trees. Mixed, but mainly populated by Greek Cypriots before the upheavals of 1964-1974, Lapithos is now inhabited by Turks, Turkish Cypriots and British. However, it retains its old tradition of traditional embroidery, pipilla (or Lapta Hesap İşi). And while the coastal area has been ravaged by overtourism, a coastal path allows you to discover a few small beaches. Lapithos comes alive especially in summer and with three off-season festivals: one for tourists (June), with folk dances and entertainment, and two others dedicated to endemic species of tulips (March) and orchids (April) with hikes, shows and traditional meals.