From September 23 to 26, 2026, the Troodos Mountains will be transformed into a vibrant European hub for sports, gastronomy, culture, and wellness, with the hosting of the Mountain Games Cyprus 2026, a nonprofit event funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Sport program, with the central message “Healthy Lifestyles for All.”
In less than a week, villages, squares, trails, schools, and cultural venues throughout the Troodos Mountains will open their doors to a four-day, multi-thematic program that combines science, sports, culture, youth, and gastronomy. Organizations and delegations from 11 countries—Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkey, and the Czech Republic, coordinated by the MountMed Institute.
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A four-day journey in the mountains
The event kicks off on Wednesday, September 23, in Platres with the Mountain Games International Symposium, an international scientific conference under the auspices of the Minister of Health, where scientists, doctors, and institutional representatives will discuss physical activity, public health, and active aging.
On Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25, hundreds of students from all over Cyprus are participating in the “Elevate Your Life” program in Agros and Omodos, featuring sports activities, traditional games, and culinary workshops, including specially adapted activities for people with visual impairments or low vision.
Mountain Games in Action invites the public to actively experience the mountains: hiking on the trails of Madari and the Mylomeris Waterfall, orienteering in Omodos, and, on Saturday, September 26, the Mountain Games Cycling Festival featuring mountain biking races for all ages, as well as the U12 Mentoring Soccer Tournament in Kakopetria.
At the same time, the “Mountain Culture in Motion” segment brings traditional dance, music, and intercultural workshops to senior centers, in Platres and Omodos Square, with delegations from ten European countries gathering for the Dance Encounter on Friday evening, while on Saturday afternoon, the women’s a cappella choir Amalgamation Choir will close out the cultural program in the courtyard of the Holy Cross Monastery.
The Mountain Games Futures Lab will kick off the discussion on the future of mountain communities with a thematic workshop on mountain tourism in Agros, a youth workshop in Evrychou, and a two-day trail certification training program in Spilia, while the event concludes on Saturday in Platres with the Mountain Games Legacy Forum, dedicated to exercise, nutrition, and mental well-being.
Taste, Move & Thrive: Omodos’s Two-Day Culinary Festival
One of the most enjoyable highlights of the event for the general public is the two-day “Taste, Move & Thrive” event, taking place on September 25 and 26 in Omodos. The Mountain Products Market will host 30 producers across six themed sections: honey, aromatic herbs, dairy products, legumes and olive oil, cured meats, wine, and baked goods. Visitors can participate in a hands-on halloumi-making workshop, a workshop on Cypriot ravioli and Italian ravioli with Chef Marcello Zaccaria, an olive oil tasting, a traditional family breakfast on Saturday, and a public wine tasting featuring local wineries, while Friday evening concludes with a dance gathering featuring European countries and a concert by the band “Epea Pteroenta” in Omodos Square.
“After months of preparation, Troodos is ready to welcome thousands of visitors, students, athletes, scientists, and European delegations. In a few days, every village, every trail, and every square will become part of a shared celebration of health, physical activity, and culture. “We invite everyone to come and actively experience the mountain,” says Stavros Kazamias, Executive Director of the MountMed Institute.
Practical Information
The Mountain Games Cyprus 2026 events will take place from September 23 to 26, 2026, in communities throughout the Troodos Mountains, centered on Platres, Agros, Spilia, Kakopetria, Evrychou, and Omodos. Most events are open to the public and free of charge, with the exception of select evening events that require invitations or reservations. The detailed schedule by day and location is available at www.mountaingames.eu.
About the Mountain Games Cyprus 2026
“Mountain Games: A Celebration of Sport, Culture, and Inclusion” is a European, nonprofit event taking place in Troodos from September 23 to 26, 2026, during European Week of Sport #BeActive. It is funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Sport 2025 program, coordinated by the MountMed Institute, with institutional support from, among others, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, and the Cyprus Sports Organization.
