Limassol (Lemesos in Greek) is the second-largest city in Cyprus and its main port, stretched along some 15 km of coast. The centre is a lively mix: a compact old town of narrow streets around the medieval castle, a long seafront park called the Molos, a smart marina with restaurants, and a skyline of new towers behind. It is known for its food scene, its nightlife and Cyprus’s biggest carnival.
Limassol is also the most central base on the south coast. West of the city lie the clifftop ancient city of Kourion and the Crusader tower of Kolossi; north, the road climbs into the wine villages and the Troodos Mountains; east, ancient Amathus sits by the beach-hotel strip. Paphos, Larnaca and Nicosia are each about an hour away by motorway.
Highlights
- Limassol Castle — a medieval fort housing the Cyprus Medieval Museum.
- The old town — lanes, cafés, the old carob warehouses and the restored market.
- The Molos and the marina — a long seafront walk to the yachts and restaurants.
- Kourion — a Greco-Roman theatre and mosaics on cliffs above the sea.
- Kolossi Castle — a fifteenth-century keep once held by the Knights Hospitaller, in the heart of the Commandaria wine area.
- Wine villages — tastings in the hills north of the city.
Quick facts
| Where | South coast, Limassol district |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Airport | Larnaca (LCA) or Paphos (PFO), each about 45–60 min |
| Ideal stay | 2–3 nights |
| Best for | City break, food and nightlife, central base |
| Getting around | Walk the centre; buses along the coast; car for Kourion and the hills |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
Two or three nights gives you a day for the city, a day for Kourion and Kolossi and an evening or two on the waterfront. Stay in or near the old town and marina to walk everywhere, or along the tourist area east of the centre (towards Amathus) for beach hotels. Limassol also works well as a base for day trips to the Troodos and to Paphos.
