The town offers a distinctive cool vibe that is a hit for those who simply want to chill out but, at the same, it also offers a wide range of attractions for those who want to see the sights, immerse in history, or party till daybreak. The coastal city of Limassol in Cyprus deserves more hype than it is actually getting at present. Don’t be put off by its industrial image because there is a lot waiting to be discovered underneath its bustling facade. It is located on the south coast of the island where the beaches are stunning, the food is great and the nightlife is fantastic. Limassol, also known as Lemesos, is about 44 miles from Larnaca Airport. You can take a taxi or an airport shuttle bus and get to the area in approximately 45 minutes. If you are coming in by boat, berthing should not be a problem because there are several marinas to choose from onsite. An exploration of Limassol will lead you to discover the rich historical backdrop of the area. Although the city looks quite modern at first glance, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that there are more than a few medieval treasures to check out.

Limassol Castle

The centuries-old Limassol Castle takes the top spot, not so much for its unimpressive appearance but for its historical importance – that is, as the venue of Richard the Lionheart’s wedding to Berengaria of Navarre and the latter’s crowning as the queen of England in the 12th century. The castle now houses a medieval museum that makes for a worthwhile visit.

Old Harbour

A short distance from Limassol Castle you will discover the picturesque Old Harbour. Walk around the atmospheric area with your camera in tow because there are plenty of photo opportunities on the waterfront and its myriad display of colourful fishing boats. There is also an abundance of charming seafood restaurants in the area where you can sit down for a great meal and enjoy a wonderful view.

City Park

After your scrumptious fare, burn the calories off with a mile-long stroll at the City Park. It is a small paradise for the garden lovers, with plenty of trees, flowers , playgrounds for the children, a couple of restaurants to enjoy your coffee or snack and the small zoo. Small Municipal garden theater often hosts dance shows, and theater plays are held on stage.

Limassol Archaeological Museum

History enthusiasts will find an interesting exhibit of various artefacts from different periods, most of which were taken from the nearby archaeological sites, Amathous in particular.

Folk Art Museum

Other attractions worth seeing in the city centre include the Folk Art Museum and its remarkable display of Cypriot crafts. There is also the Silks Gallery which is truly a superb treat for the art enthusiast. It features works from both famous and up-and-coming talent from different parts of the world.

The Limassol Sculpture Park

The Limassol Sculpture Park, strategically located at the waterfront, is also a must-see. Its 20 medium to large-scale sculptures from renowned local and international artists are remarkable creative expressions that inspire both mind and spirit.

Fasouri Watermania Water Park

Fasouri Watermania Water Park is the largest waterpark in Cyprus with 30 different attractions for all ages. In addition, you will find a football pitch, snack bars and two restaurants.

Limassol Zoo

Limassol Zoo hosts a varied array of mostly smaller animals. There are monkeys, birds, hippos and even flamingos. The zoo also hosts lectures and guided tours, plus there’s an educational centre.

Shopping

Of course, there are several exciting shopping opportunities in the area. Check out the cobbled streets of Ayios Andreas and Anexartisias for their traditional shops as well as the Saturday Market for some great finds.

Beaches

The city of Limassol has the longest coastline of all the cities in Cyprus. The town offers a large number of public and private beaches. Some of them are Ladies Mile, Guverner’s Beach, Kurion Beach, Pissouri Beach, Akti Olympion and others.

One of the most popular beaches is Kurion, and it is especially popular among surfing and sailing lovers. The closest is Ladies Mile, a beautiful beach with white sand and crystal clear water. Ladies Mile beach is located really close to Limassol port and can be reached in approximately 10 minutes from the town centre. About 8 kilometres long, with warm, clean, shallow waters and flat sand, the beach is easily accessible to the public. You will find Water sports, windsurfing as well as many other facilities, like umbrellas and sunbeds. Lot of restaurants and taverns, are located along the length of the beach.

Akti Olympion is a 2 kilometers long and 40 metres wide beach, with cyclist lanes, widened footpaths and parking places located near the historic center of the city, between the promenade of Molos and the coast of the municipality of Agios Athanasios. The dark grey sand and its calm waters due to the promenade, makes the place perfect for families and children. The facilities include showers, toilets, changing rooms, umbrellas, sun beds and water sports. Along the beach you can find bars, cafes, restaurants and other facilities such as beach volleyball court, children’s playground, accommodation and shopping.

Nightlife

Party-loving tourists will delight in the bubbly nightlife of Limassol, which is usually the most popular night-time destination in Cyprus when Ayia Napa hibernates during low season. Two of the most popular spots for an all-nighter include the Yermasoyia Strip and the old medieval town centre. Looking for a wild beach party? Head to Guaba Beach Bar.

Attractions near the city of Limassol

Kolossi Castle.

A few kilometres from Limassol, there is a fortress, known as the Kolossi Castle. This castle is a former Crusader stronghold on the south-west edge of Kolossi village 14 kilometres (9 mi) west of the city of Limassol. It held great strategic importance in the Middle Ages and contained large facilities for the production of sugar from the local sugarcane, one of Cyprus’s main exports in the period.

As well as its sugar. the area is also known for its sweet wine, Commandaria. King Richard allegedly declared this wine as “the wine of the kings and the king of wine”. This wine is considered to be the oldest ever-produced and named wine in the world.

Ancient Kourion

Half an hour drive from the city centre, there is a fantastic ancient Kurion town. Situated on a cliff on the coast, the view over the sea and the surrounding places combined with the amount of history here is amazing. All this place is like an open-air museum, and what you should not miss is the ancient Greek-Roman Amphitheater and Eustolius House, where there are several well-preserved mosaics.

Sanctuary of Apollo

Celebrating Apollo Hylates, God of the Woodland and protector of Ancient Kourion, this temple ruin dates from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The Sanctuary of Apollo is only three kilometers west of Ancient Kourion and is best visited as part of a trip there.

Ancient Amathus

The archaeological site Amathus is located about 11 km east of Limassol. This was one of Cyprus’s centres in the antique period. It was one of the main royal cities, as it was the neighbouring Kurion town. Here you can also see the ruins of the Aphrodite temple. At the bottom of the hill is a ruined Byzantine basilica.

Aphrodite's Rock

Local lore says this is the spot where the goddess Aphrodite emerged from the waves. Today, it is one of the island's most magical places to visit at sunset.

Limassol Wine Routes & Wine Villages

Nowhere else in Cyprus is such a great presence of wineries as in these wine growing villages of Limassol district, known locally as Krasochoria, the Wine Villages. In Omodos and Koilani alone there are 10 such wineries.

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