Making Almond Sweets

Learn the traditional art of making almond sweets in this free workshop as part of the Heartland of Legends experiential program. Discover how rural Cypriot communities preserved their heritage through crafts and culinary traditions.

As the proverb says: "Learn a craft and set it aside, and if you go hungry, grab it" — wisdom from folk tradition encouraging the development of skills as a lifelong resource. The residents of Heartland of Legends villages were primarily farmers and shepherds, but they also mastered various crafts to supplement their income during difficult times.

Traditional crafts such as basketweaving, iconography, silversmithing, woodcarving, pottery, mosaics, embroidery, winemaking, and the preparation of famous Commandaria wine provided rural inhabitants with additional income. Today, these crafts form part of Cyprus's Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism has developed a program offering visitors and locals the opportunity to participate in experiential workshops.

Workshops in handicrafts and wine gastronomy take place in many villages along the Heartland of Legends route. Feel the clay slip between your fingers as you create pottery, learn to use chisels for woodcarving, take needle and thread to create Lefkara embroidery, sit at a loom to weave Phytkiotika fabrics, and experience the joy of creation with your own hands. Discover new experiences along the Heartland of Legends route.

All workshops are free.

Discover all available experiential workshops, which take place from May to November 2026 and are open to visitors on Wednesdays, weekends, and public holidays. Participation requires advance booking — contact the organizer directly for details. Workshops also run in Christmas villages during the holiday season.

Make the most of your visit to these villages. Visit local attractions, Byzantine churches, and rural museums, walk nature study paths, sit in a café and have coffee with locals, and feel the pulse of tradition.

The craftspeople of Heartland of Legends await you to share authentic traditional flavors, forgotten customs, and activities that keep the spirit of our land alive. Discover new experiences and enrich your holiday with authentic Cypriot tradition and culture.

Note: Workshop organizers implement all health and safety measures for public health protection.

The Deputy Ministry of Tourism invites all interested parties to contact organizers directly for further information about the workshops.