Just west of Nicosia is the Mesaoria region, scattered with tiny villages and ancient monasteries.
If you've got your own transport, it's a great day out from the city. Of the villages here, Peristerona (30 kilometers west from Nicosia) is a quaint place, which deserves a visit for its 10th-century five-domed Church of St. Barnabas and Hilarion, which towers over the surrounding traditional stone houses.
Inside, the church contains important and well-preserved 16th-century icon paintings depicting the presentation of Christ.
Head south from here to visit Maheras Monastery, sitting in splendid isolation on a craggy hill.
