Well-known for its stunning Blue Flag beaches and cultural experiences, the idyllic Mediterranean island of Cyprus is home to an unusually diverse spread of wild and wonderful nature-themed summer festivals – and they’re readymade for wanderlusters.

From potatoes to pomegranates, Cyprus boasts a wealth of unique fauna, flora and agricultural practices that shape the island’s distinct cuisine. From fresh fruit and vegetables to halloumi and fish, if you ever find yourself in Cyprus, you’ll definitely be hard pressed to find a restaurant that won’t tickle your taste buds.

And to celebrate these ingredients and how they influence iconic final dishes in their world-famous cuisine, the wonderful spread of Cyprus summer festivals have been curated to pay homage to nature and all that it provides.

Top 10 nature-themed Cyprus summer festivals

Flower Festival

Held in May, the Flower Festival takes place across Limassol, Larnaka, and Pafos. You can expect huge and colorful flower shows and parades through markets and districts. This summer festival is great for green-fingered folks.

Lavender Festival

Held in July, the Lavender Festival unfolds in the beautifully quaint village of Platres, up in the mountains above Limassol. Here you can learn the scientific ins and outs of lavender, in addition to picking up an array of lavender products from specialist vendors.

Rose Festival

May’s Rose Festival in Limassol’s Agros Village includes guided rose-picking tours in the early morning hours – the best way to experience the beautiful Cyprus sunrise. While here, you can also learn about the production of rose water and other petal-based products. This is one of the Cyprus summer festivals that your skin might thank you for attending!

Pancyprian Cultural Watermelon Festival

July’s Pancyprian Cultural Watermelon Festival is held in Frenaros Village in the Famagusta District. Aside from a dedicated celebration of all-things watermelon, there are singing, dancing, and cultural events for all ages, including specific events for children.

Hazel Festival

Held in August, the Hazel Festival in the charming village of Platanistasa in the footfalls of the Troodos Mountains features exciting tours of the surrounding hazel tree forest, along with music, dancing, and dinner in the beautiful village square.

Pastry and Baking Goods Festival

A celebration of the long history of mills in the nearby area, the village of Galata is home to September’s Pastry and Baking Goods Festival. Highlights include sumptuous snacks, a site-seeing tour of the village and a traditional cultural programme of events.

Pancyprian Potato Festival

Potato lovers unite every July for the Pancyprian Potato Festival in Aygorou village. With culinary uses of the potato – including alternative cooking methods – a key focus, this is one of the Cyprus summer festivals that will also introduce you to innovative products where potato is the main ingredient, such as face masks and soaps. Another happy point for your skin!

Orange Festival

Held in September in the village of Miliou, part of the district of Pafos, this Orange Festival sees specialist vendors fill the village with kiosks selling food and drinks inspired by the natural, locally-produced oranges – all while traditional music fills the air.

Pomegranate Festival

September’s Pomegranate Festival in the Larnakan village of Ormideia is a celebration of traditional pomegranate food products including jams and juices. The festival also features live performances by local popular musicians and dancers.

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Pastelli Festival

Marking its 31^st season this year, the Pastelli Festival in the village of Anogyra has become one of the iconic Cyprus summer festivals and an institution in the country. Traditional pastelli (carob pods of the pea family) food offerings are the focus of activities and tastings, with live local music from Cypriot bands providing a truly local soundtrack.

Palouze Festival

Held in Limassol’s Arsos and Lofou villages, the Palouze Festival takes you on cultural tours to an array of locations including traditional houses, the Folk-Art Museum, and numerous historical churches. There are also ample opportunities to sample palouze – a pudding made with either fresh grape juice or concentrated grape juice – throughout the festival.

Have you been to any of these Cyprus summer festivals? How was it?