The annual Hazelnut Festival returns to Platanistasa on August 1–2, 2026, bringing a weekend of local flavours, village traditions and mountain scenery to the community’s central square. Set among the narrow streets and stone-built houses of this Nicosia District village, the celebration offers visitors a refreshing change from Cyprus’s busy coastal resorts. Hazelnut Festival Cyprus 2026 begins at 14:00 on Saturday, while Sunday’s activities run from 11:00 until 17:00 at the Village Square.
Freshly cut hazelnuts are the centrepiece of the weekend, and visitors will be able to sample them with a small serving of zivania, Cyprus’s traditional grape spirit. Around the square, kiosks will sell food, drinks, homemade sweets and locally produced goods. The scent of roasted ingredients, the sound of conversation around the stalls and the sight of baskets filled with the season’s harvest give the festival its distinctly rural character. Live traditional music and dancing will add movement to the square, with performers and spectators sharing the same welcoming village setting.
The programme also gives visitors a reason to explore beyond the festival stalls. Walks through the surrounding hazel tree forest reveal the agricultural landscape that has shaped Platanistasa and its local identity. Shaded paths, terraced slopes and branches heavy with green leaves create a cooler setting than the coast during the first days of August. Guests can also visit the village’s important Byzantine church and discover other monuments connected with the community’s religious and architectural history.
For tourists, this festival in Nicosia District can become part of a broader day in the Cypriot countryside. Before or after the event, allow time to wander through Platanistasa’s traditional neighbourhoods, stop at a village café or continue towards other mountain communities for local tavern food and panoramic views. Comfortable walking shoes are useful for the forest paths and uneven village streets, while a light layer may be welcome later in the day when temperatures begin to fall in the hills. Drivers should also expect narrow, winding roads on the approach and leave enough time to find suitable parking outside the busiest part of the village.
Transport demand may increase around the festival dates, particularly for travellers combining Platanistasa with a longer mountain drive. Visitors arriving through the southeast of Cyprus can consider car rental in Larnaca before travelling inland. 7777 Rent a Car provides compact cars for village streets, SUVs for added comfort on mountain routes and premium models for longer island journeys, supported by easy booking, transparent pricing and reliable service.