Limassol (Λεμεσός) is the second largest city of the Republic of Cyprus. It is very popular with tourists. In the city and near it there are beaches and good hotels, as well as many historical attractions. Interesting events are also regularly held in Limassol.
The city of Limassol is located in the south of Cyprus, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The city of Paphos is located 43 miles (70 kilometers) west of Limassol, and the city of Larnaca is miles (70 kilometers) east. (The distance is measured by road.)
So Limassol is located approximately in the middle of the southern coast of Cyprus. It will be convenient for you to make trips around the island in any direction, if you choose Limassol as your holiday destination.
Distance to other cities in Cyprus: Ayia Napa - 71 miles (115 kilometers), Protaras - 75 miles (120 kilometers), Nicosia - 520miles (85 kilometers).
The historic city center is located near the harbor and the Limassol Castle. A footpath is laid from the harbor along the coast (to the east). This is a good place for walking. The municipal park is also located east of the harbor. East of the historical center (approximately from the park and further to the east) there are many beaches. The length of the beach area is about 8 kilometers. (Up to Four Seasons Hotel).
To the west of the city is the cape and village of Akrotiri. This is the overseas territory of Great Britain, where the British military base is located.
Sights and places to visit
The main attractions of Limassol are the sea and beaches. But there are also interesting, historical sights near the city.
Promenade. The footpath stretches from the yacht harbor along the seacoast to the east, and has a total length of more than 10 kilometers. This is a great place for hiking along the sea, walks with children, sports, cycling and rollerblading.
The medieval castle is located in the historic center of the city, near the harbor. This is one of the ten castles of Cyprus. It was built by the Byzantines around 1000 AD. It is assumed that Richard the Lionheart married his bride, Princess Berengaria of Navarre, in this castle.
Kolossi Castle is located 11 kilometers (7 miles) west of the Limassol city center (distance by road, measured from the harbor). The castle was built at the beginning of the XIII century. Three floors. In the castle itself there is little that is interesting, but there is a beautiful view of the city from the roof.
Kourion. It is the ancient city-state. Kourion is located 16 kilometers west of Limassol (from the harbor and the Limassol Castle). You can see interesting remains of the ancient city.
On the territory of Kourion there is a well-preserved ancient theater. The Festival of Ancient Greek Drama is held here annually, and sometimes concerts are held too.
Archaeological Museum. The collection of antiquities (from the Neolithic to the Roman period), which were found during the excavations of various archaeological objects in the Limassol region, is kept in the museum.
Address: Anastasi Sioukri & Vyronos, 5 (near the park)
Corner of Byron and Anastasi Siukri, Lemesos
Lemesos, 3105
Cyprus Historic & Classic Motor Museum. The Cyprus Museum of Classic and Historic Cars was founded by race driver Dimi Mavropoulos in 2014. The basis of the exhibition is his personal collection of cars. In the museum you can see more than 100 cars. The museum is located about 6 kilometers west of the old port of Limassol.
Address: Epimitheos Str. 3056, Limassol, Cyprus.
Art Gallery. The Municipal Art Gallery has a large collection of contemporary Cyprus art. The museum features more than 600 exhibits: paintings, sculptures, ceramics and other works of art.
Address: 28ης Οκτωβρίου αρ. 103, Limassol, Cyprus. (On the waterfront, near the park.)
Cyprus Wine Museum. The wine museum was opened in November 2004. It is located in the village of Erimi, about 13 kilometers west of Limassol (on the road to Paphos). The museum presents exhibits related to the history and traditions of winemaking.
The word "orchestra" has its roots in the word "orchos", which in ancient Greece meant a row of vine plants. The wine museum has its own orchestra.
Limassol salt lake To the west of the city of Limassol, near the village of Akrotiri, there is a salt lake. This is a natural conservation area and one of the natural attractions of Cyprus. There is also an Educational Information Center (for those interested in nature).
Rialto Theater. The theater is the main venue for local and international events in the field of music, drama, cinema, dance and opera. The theater is the organizer of the annual Rialto - World Music Festival, usually held in July.
Address: 19 Andrea Drousioti, Heroes Square (approximately 500 meters from the embankment).
You can see the location of many places on the map of Cyprus.
Public transport
Public transport in Limassol is a bus and taxi. Bus number 30 runs along the coast from the My Mall shopping center in the west to Parklane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Limassol (Le Meridien Hotel) in the east. This is the most popular tourist route in Limassol.
You can reach other cities of Cyprus by bus. Buses to Larnaca, Nicosia and Paphos depart from the port (Νέο Λιμάνι, Nova Harbor, west of the yacht harbor).
If you intend to visit a lot to travel around the island and visit many places, then it would be more convenient for you to rent a car. You will not depend on the schedule and routes of buses, if you have a car during your stay on the island.
There are many car rental offices in Limassol. Renting a car is not a problem. But at the peak of the tourist season, the car you need may not be available. Therefore, it is better to book a car in advance.
On the roads you will reach:
- A1 - to the north, in Nicosia.
- A5 - to the east, in Larnaca.
- A6 - to the west, in Paphos.
Larnaca International Airport is located approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) northeast of Limassol.
Paphos International Airport is located approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest of Limassol.
You can get from the airport to Limassol by bus or by taxi. You can book a taxi in advance online: Larnaca Airport, Paphos Airport.
Beaches
The beaches are mostly narrow, with dark volcanic sand in Limassol. There are pebbles in some places on the beaches. The beaches (as elsewhere in Cyprus) are municipal. You can stay on any beach for free (including hotel beaches). You need to pay if you need renting beach chair
ad umbrella.
East of the historical center (approximately from the municipal park and further to the east) there are many beaches. The length of the beach area is about 8 kilometers. (To the Four Seasons Hotel). In the sea, at a distance of 100 - 150 meters from the coast, there are breakwaters that reduce the size of the waves on the beaches. The beaches follow one after another, but some have their own names.
Akti Olympion Beach. The beach is located in the city center, just east of the Municipal Park. The beach has two parts (Akti Olympion A Beach - Akti Olympion B Beach), between which there is a pier. The total length of the beach is about 2 kilometers.
Dasoudi Beach. Dasoudi Beach is located about 2 kilometers east of the municipal park. The beach is located next to the Dasoudi Park, in which eucalyptus trees grow.
Aphrodite Beach. The beach is located 7 kilometers east of the city park, next to the Four Season Hotel. The length of the beach is about 500 meters. You can reach this beach by bus number 30 or walk along the seashore.
Miami Beach. Miami Beach (Limassol) is located about 1.4 kilometers east of the Municipal Park, not far from the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Near the beach there are cafes and shops, as well as parking.
Lady’s Mile beach. Ladis Mile beach is located west of Limassol, on the Akrotiri peninsula. This is the longest beach of Limassol. This is a good, sometimes sandy, sometimes pebbly beach. Shallow water is good for families with children. The distance to the beach from the Limassol Castle and the Old Port is about 7 kilometers.
You can get to the beach by car (car rental in Cyprus), or on foot. (By bus to My Mall shopping center, then on foot.)
Kourion Beach. The beach is located about 15 kilometers west of the center of Limassol, not far from the ancient city of Kourion. The beach is mostly pebbly. The shallow sea and clear water make this beach a good place to spend free time if there are no strong waves. The length of the beach is about one kilometer.
It is best to get to the beach by car (car rental in Cyprus). You can take a bus number 16 to the Kourion Amphitheater, and then on foot (1.5 kilometers).
Hotels
There are many hotels in Limassol. You will surely be able to find the right hotel or apartment for you. Most hotels are located near the sea and close to the beaches.
A map will help you choose a hotel with a good location in Limassol.