Classy, Cultured Limassol

The largest resort in Cyprus

Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus (after the capital, Nicosia), located in the gorgeous Akrotiri Bay on the southern coast of the island. The city is an important tourist centre, hosting traditional carnivals and celebrations - in particular the wine festival that is held every September and offers samples of local vintages over 10 days - in addition to its classy hotels, museums and designer shops, attractive old town and large marina.

Limassol is built near the ruins of ancient cities, Amathus and Kourion, on the coastal cliffs of the Troodos mountains overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Inhabited since 2,000 BC, Limassol is packed with ancient treasures that include Kolossi Castle, Kykkos Monastery and Famagusta, the Ghost Town of Cyprus.

Limassol’s Mediterranean climate delivers hot and dry summers with temperatures hovering around 20 °C, although they may rise into the 30s during the high season. For this reason, Limassol’s beaches are sociable places - in particular Ladies’ Mile Beach, where the water is shallow and clear.

But considering Limassol is a seaside resort, visitors also flock to several surrounding beaches including Kourion Beach, Governor's Beach and the secluded Pissouri Beach, each of which has unique black sand or pebbles and extremely clean and fresh water. It’s also possible to continue along the south west coast to Cyprus favourites including Paphos, Coral Bay and Latchi.

Things to do in Limassol

Get your sport kit on: Limassol is home to two major sports clubs that have football, basketball and volleyball teams, while the city is home to the 16,000-seater Tsirion Stadium. It also hosts an annual marathon, rally events, rowing and canoeing. There are a wide range of sports available to visitors including football, volleyball, tennis and horse riding, while Limassol Golf Club is a favourite among golfers. It’s worth taking advantage of the water sports on offer, which include jet skiing, snorkelling and paddle boating.

Tour Kolossi Castle: Probably the best-known landmark in Limassol, Kolossi Castle is nine miles outside of the city. Said to have been built in the 13th century by the Frankish military, it contains facilities for the making of sugar, which was one of Cyprus’s main exports in the Middle Ages. Visitors can tour the ruins of the castle tower or keep and the rectangular enclosure or bailey.

Visit the Virgin who wept: The grand Kykkos Monastery is another ancient attraction, just less than 20 miles from Limassol. Although the original monastery was founded by a Byzantine emperor at the end of the 11th century, very little of the original building remains. Kykkos is the richest monastery in Cyprus and it boasts the presence of an icon of the Virgin Mary that has had miracles attributed to its presence. Concealed behind a protective covering, it is thought that anyone looking directly at the icon will be blinded.

Have a beach cocktail: Despite the historical sites and monasteries, Limassol has plenty of attractions for party lovers. With a wide selection of bars, cafes, pubs and clubs, it’s possible to enjoy a delicious meal, sundown drinks or dance the night away in style. Breeze Bar is on the shores of Akrotiri Bay and serves up delicious cocktails to toast the sunset, while Malibu is a popular family pub and Replay is a club where you can experience something local as it plays only non-stop Greek tracks.

Experience the Best of Cyprus in Limassol

A cultured city that’s an important tourist destination in Cyprus, Limassol has excellent facilities to accommodate visitors. A prominent location for the local wine trade, it also hosts Cyprus’s two main festivals: the Wine Festival and Limassol Carnival. The city has recently completed work on a new marina that has a 1,000-vessel capacity, including ocean-going yachts.