When we were invited to stay in Garden Kamara, we had no idea where Kato Drys Cyprus was. I checked on the map, and it was only 40 minutes from our home in Pervolia—plus, the house looked beautiful. We were told there was a lace and bee museum on the same grounds, so it sounded like a nice getaway for a few nights.
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About Kato Drys Cyprus
The drive from Larnaca is straightforward—no sat nav is needed if you follow the road signs. When you pull off the highway, there is a supermarket where you can stop to get supplies before heading to the village.
Driving into Kato Drys, I was amazed by the picturesque village. I quickly realized we didn’t have an address for Garden Kamara, so we pulled over and explored on foot to see if we could find it. Then, we came back to the car. We quickly realized there are no addresses in Kato Drys because it’s so tiny!
When we arrived on a Sunday afternoon, most things in the village were closed, and we didn’t see many people on the streets (it turned out there was a festival in the neighboring town that day). We didn’t mind—having the whole village to ourselves was wonderful.
We found the bee and embroidery museum first, and then Elli, our Airbnb host and property owner, directed us to the house. We had to walk through the most spectacular and abundant garden to get there. What a treat!
Quick Tip: View my full Cyprus packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Cyprus Essentials shopping list here.
Garden Kamara Accommodations
Garden Kamara did not disappoint. Although the house wasn’t quite ready because we were a little early, we could relax and enjoy the garden for a time before entering the house.
The house is exactly what I would expect from a stay in a traditional Cypriot house. It has all the modern amenities we need (especially with a baby), such as a travel cot and highchair, hot water, a modern kitchen, AC, etc., while remaining true to its heritage.
The walls are lined with family photographs, traditional Lefkara lace decorates the house, and the views into the gardens are spectacular.
I wish we could have stayed for a week!
Although we stayed downstairs in the garden room, we also had access to the upstairs bedroom, which was even more beautiful and had a small balcony overlooking the street.
What I loved most about the upstairs was the bath with a large window overlooking the garden. I made sure to use that to unwind after a long day.
Once settled into the accommodation, we were treated to a basket full of fresh local produce. I was in foodie heaven and quickly whipped it into a delicious meal for all three of us.
You really can’t beat fresh local produce! Our basket contained eggs, honey, olive oil, bread, Commandaria wine, figs, almonds, fresh fruit, and Halloumi cheese. There was even enough for breakfast the following day. Charlie LOVED the fresh peaches in his baby oats.
What to Do in Kato Drys Cyprus
You may wonder what else to do in Kato Drys Cyprus besides eating fresh food and relaxing in the garden or the bath. Here are some fun Kato Drys activities I recommend checking out!
Bee and Embroidery Museum
The main attraction in Kato Drys is the bee and embroidery museum, which is part of our host family’s estate. We arranged to meet with Elli so she could show us around the museum. We were also invited to dinner at her house… more fresh food and Commandaria!
After a delicious meal and many shared stories about Elli’s family and the area’s history, we took a private museum tour. Parts of the museum are over 300 years old—quite impressive! What I loved most about the museum was learning about the history of Cyprus and how this small island has been self-sufficient for centuries, producing everything from wine to lace. You can see how farming on the island changed and evolved during the Industrial Revolution to what it is today.
When we went upstairs to the lace museum, I loved the family history tied to the lace. Elli’s family produced and sold the famous Lefkara Lace and traveled to England to see it. She told stories of her great-grandparents, and it was a truly wonderful experience to hear all her stories.
Of course, after this, we knew we needed to visit neighboring Lefkara to see the village and pick up some Lefkara Lace as gifts to take home.
Lefkara
The village of Lefkara is larger than Kato Drys but just as cute! Of course, we couldn’t resist a few posted photos.
Lefkara Lace, like Commandaria, is a protected product. To be certified, it must meet specific standards. The ‘proper’ Lefkara Lace is pretty apparent, as it’s reflected in the price tag and will have a little certified tag. Lefkara Lace is made by hand in the traditional way here in the village.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to buying authentic Lafkara lace, you will find plenty of lower-quality machine-made lace products. We ended up in a shop owned by a fellow Scouser (born in Liverpool, but both parents were originally from Lefkara, and he moved back and lives here with his wife), and I bought a whole load of things for my Mom (who LOVES this stuff). We also purchased cushion covers for our home as momentum from our wonderful few days in the area.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
Cyprus Travel Guide Planning
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise, Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight-searching platforms.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Israel?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options available!
🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?
I strongly recommend using RentalCars. They are available in more than 60.000 locations and customer service support in more than 40 languages.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia. They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Garden Kamara Kato Drys Cyprus: Final Thoughts
If you are in Cyprus, I really can’t recommend visiting Kato Drys and Lefkara enough. Of course, staying a few nights in Garden Kamara is the best way to enjoy your time there fully.