Limassol

Limassol

Contrasts of Ancient and Modern

Limassol has grown so much in recent years that it has split into sections. There is a definite tourist area which is sprawls along the seafront. In the summer Limassol is buzzing with activity, and in the winter months there is a steady population of visitors who stay in Cyprus to escape the cold of the more northerly climes of the Scandinavian countries and England. There is also a large Russian population and it is a centre of both offshore and onshore business. I noticed on a visit in 2003 that topless bars/nightclubs are now visible along the seafront road (suggesting there may be more in the back streets) Limassol is probably the most cosmopolitan of the towns of Cyprus, and certainly the most streetwise.

There are plenty of hotels and much to do and see.

You can go diving in Limassol and see the underwater treasures of the island.... eat your heart out Bimini,

There are restaurants and taverna's in abundance, check out our readers recommendations here. Our favourite restaurant is here, The Blue Island in fact it's a pity we don't go to Limassol more often, but if you are after an interesting cosmopolitan holiday destination, with plenty of night life this is probably the place for you.

You can take a tour around one of the wine factories and if you come in September, can take part in the wine festival, where free samples of the local vinyards fare makes it a popular destination for locals, expats and holiday makers alike. if you come in February you will catch the carnival, which lasts about ten days with masquerade parties balls and grand parades, and for those intere3sted in dram, there is the Drama festival at Curium (Kourion), but whatever time you decide to come and whatever you decide to do in Limassol we hope you have a great holiday and enjoy the local ammenities.

[ Events and Music ] [ Limassol Entertainment ] [ Eat out in Limassol ] [ Youth Hostels ] [ Kolossi Castle ]

To see the Timberland shop in Limassol click the logo above.

LIMASSOL Limassol, is south of Nicosia, it is the centre of the island's wine making industry. Every September, Limassol stages her now traditional ten day wine festival, when gallons of local wines are given away. a good time to come if you like drinking, and in 1999 it runs from the 30th of August to the 12th of September. Limassol Carnival was held in 1999 from the 19^th of February to the 1^st of March . In the Limassol district there are many archaeological sites to visit, also many pretty wine villages in the mountains, Platres, Pitsillia and the pine forests of the south slopes of Troodos. Drama and plays are performed in the open air theatre of Kourion, (used to be Curium in case anyone is confused) a fantastic venue with superb views, if you want to know what is on and when we will send you an e mail list if you press here and write "Kourion or Curium click to enlarge	click to enlarge If you are visiting Limassol and you want a really special meal try the Blue Island ( My personal favourite) run by two brothers who obviously love both food and style. I suggest you book in advance. I would also strongly recommend the L'onda beach Hotel for everything, It's friendly Classy and a lovely place to stay or spend an evening. If you like piano music, have a drink at the bar, or watch the sunset from the patio… There are many shops, so have fun exploring. Try the centre (now the old town) and visit the market for an authentic experience. click to enlarge
LIMASSOL DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM 25 330132 Vyronos 5, near the Public Gardens Monday - Friday 07.30-17.00 Saturday 09.00-17.00 Sunday 10.00-13.00 Collection of antiques found in the Limassol area from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period. click to enlarge KOLOSSI CASTLE 14 km west of Limassol on the road to Paphos 1st June - 30th September Daily 07.30-19.30 1st October - 31st May 07.30-17.00 See Pictures and info here click to enlarge KOURION ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 19 km west of Limassol on the road to Paphos Monday - Friday 07.30-17.00 Saturday 09.00-17.00 An important ancient city-kingdom, and one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island where new excavations are still bringing new treasures to light. The magnificent Greco-Roman Theatre was originally built in the 2nd century BC and is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances. The House of Eustolios, originally a private Roman villa, became a public recreation centre during the early Christian period. It consists of a number of baths and rooms with 5th century AD mosaic floors. The Early Christian basilica dates to the 5th century, and was probably the cathedral of Kourion with a baptistery attached to the north face. The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators also have beautiful mosaic floors. The Nymphaeum, dedicated to water nymphs, is an elegant Roman structure. The Stadium lies 1 km to the west on the right side of the road to Paphos and is dated to the 2nd century AD, which points to earlier race meetings than the ones at the Nicosia Race track. AMATHUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 11 km east of Limassol town centre, on the coastal road. One of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus where, according to mythology, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be taken care of after his battle with the Minotaur. A cult of Aphrodite-Astarte flourished here. Excavations have revealed parts of the Acropolis and Agora areas, as well as parts of the upper and lower city. The remains date from the Archaic, Roman and Christian periods. click to enlarge The Monagri Foundation - Centre for Contemporary Art 25 434165 Off the Limassol - Platres road, just outside the village of Monagri. The Centre for Contemporary Art - established by the Monagri Foundation - in the restored 18th century Monastery of the Archangel Michael. The Centre is situated in an expertly restored Greek Orthodox monastery, which contains a small church (which is still in use) with 18th century frescoes and icons, and a Roman period olive mill. Visitors are welcome during daylight hours, and we suggest you telephone in advance. LANIA VILLAGE 27 km from Limassol off the Limassol - Troodos road A beautiful old village. A large majority of the houses have been lovingly restored by expatriates. Wander around and stop at the numerous artist's studios and craft shops. The village church and old winery are also worth a visit. click to enlarge	AGIOS GEORGIOS ALAMANOS CONVENT Off the Nicosia - Limassol road 19 km from Limassol Originally founded in the 12th century. The nuns, besides performing their religious rites, spend their time in icon-painting, the cultivation of flowers and herbs and the production of honey. CYPRUS MEDIAEVAL MUSEUM - LIMASSOL MEDIAEVAL FORT 25 330419 Near the old port Monday - Friday 07.30-17.00 Saturday 09.00-17.00 Built in the 14th century on the site of an earlier Byzantine castle it houses the Cyprus Mediaeval Museum. It is here, that according to tradition, Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England in 1191. FOLK ART MUSEUM 25 362303 Agiou Andreou 253 Monday - Friday 08.30-13.30 Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 15.00-17.30 (June - September, Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 16.00-18.30) A collection of Cyprus Folk Art of the 19th and early 20th century , exhibited in a restored old house. click to enlarge LIMASSOL MUNICIPAL ART GALLERY 25 343212, 25 343383 28 Oktovriou 103 Monday - Friday 08.30-13.30 Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 15.00-17.30 (June - September, Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 16.00-18.30) Art gallery housing a collection of paintings by well known contemporary Cypriot artists. KOURION ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM 14 km west of Limassol, 4 km before Kourion site, at Episkopi village Monday - Friday 07.30-14.30 Thursdays 15.00-18.00 (except July and August) Collection of finds from nearby archaeological sites, exhibited in a beautiful old stone house. click to enlarge PANAYIA TIS AMASGOU CONVENT Off the Limassol - Platres road, 1.5 km south-west of Monagri village. This small church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and was built at the end of the 11th century. It has some rare mural paintings of the 12th, 14th and 18th centuries, equivalent in beauty and significance to those of Asinou and Panayia tou Araka. Some of the monastic buildings have been renovated according to the original plan. click to enlarge SANCTUARY OF APOLLO 3 km west of Curium, on the road to Paphos Monday - Friday 07.30-17.00 Saturday 09.00-17.00 Apollo Hylates, God of the Woodland, was the protector of the city of Kourion. The cult of Apollo was celebrated here from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The south-west side of the temple has been restored and excavations have also revealed other structures of this sanctuary such as the bath complex, the pilgrim halls, the palaistra and a holy precinct. click to enlarge
There is a new road being constructed (2007) through what was once the by pass and is now the centre of Limassol. It is hoped that once finished the traffic at rush hour will be considerably helped by the flyovers above the roundabouts, as currently these get blocked at least 6 times a day. The project is a major one and we have seen the work in progress evolve from a mess to quite a feat of engineering. click to enlarge When completed, the journey time from Larnaca to Paphos will be cut yet again, probably to about 75 minutes. 2014 and it is working. Big improvement on travel times through Limassol.