Exciting, emerging and pulsating...Limassol is the island’s vibrant capital of shipping and commerce – the city lives and breathes the cosmopolitan spirit as it intertwines luxury with tradition and finds new ways to delight its residents and visitors 24/7.

The region around Limassol offers a wide variety of activities; the warm weather and varied terrain mean that on land or on sea, you will never be short of things to do. Spend the day sun-bathing on the beach or choose from a range of watersports – from water-skiing and wind-surfing to scuba-diving, sailing and fishing. Numerous sporting facilities, including golf courses, are available in close proximity to the marina. The 17km promenade running along the coastline is ever-popular with cyclists, while nature lovers can take to the wild trails of the Troodos mountains, enjoy the hospitality of traditional Cypriot villages, or discover areas of outstanding beauty. And after all that activity, there’s every excuse to escape to one of many luxury spa resorts for some therapeutic treatments and tranquillity.

A short journey to the west brings you to a mile-long golden sandy beach and a drive to the east leads to a bustling boulevard with beachfront bars and nightclubs, five-star hotels and chic boutiques. And of course there is the diving; the most famous dive wreck is the Zenobia which lies in 18-42m of water off the port of Larnaca, 40 miles north east of Limassol. The sunken Swedish ferry has remained remarkably intact since it sank with 200 million worth of vehicles and cargo in 1980, and it ranks as one of the top 10 wreck dives in the world and one of the top 25 dive sites anywhere. For wine lovers, a tour of the local wineries surrounding Limassol is a must – and should definitely include a visit to the Castle of Kolossi, birthplace of the sweet dessert wine 'Commandaria', the oldest named wine in the world still in production.

Beaches
Limassol’s coastline stretches across 16 km of golden beachfront that includes 14 Blue Flag beaches and a wide choice of organised facilities with sunbeds, public conveniences and changing rooms, disabled facilities and children’s activities. Alongside sunbathing, you can enjoy swimming, snorkelling, diving, yachting, sailing, water sports, fishing and angling in the clean seawaters of the region. Limassol Marina boosts premium beaches reserved exclusively for its residents but there are also a multitude of beautiful public beaches across the region.

• Akti Olympion Beach is a Blue Flag beach centrally located at the start of Enaerios pier.
• The Blue Flag Governor’s Beach is distinctive for its white rocks and rugged caves and is located half-way between Limassol and Larnaka.
• Pissouri Bay is a pretty Blue Flag beach with a mix of sand and small pebbles.
• Dasoudi Beach is a bustling stretch of Blue Flag coast that is named after the little forest that runs adjacent to the beach.
• Lady’s Mile is a more secluded 5km sandy beach located along the west part of Limassol that attracts families for its shallow waters.

Find out more about beaches in Limassol in the official city guide All About Limassol, Visit Cyprus or Limassol Tourism Board websites.
 

Mountains
The Troodos mountain villages of Limassol district are a world away from the hustle and bustle and the heart of the island’s viticulture. Quaint villages, waterfalls, ancient churches, Venetian waterfalls and the warmest welcome await you. A cooler respite in the summer months, this is the home of the island’s natural wonders which can be discovered through winding nature trails dotted with wild herbs and shy creatures, whilst a trip to the villages take you on a cultural and gastronomic journey of the island’s history. When the snow falls, the mountain peaks are the perfect place for a spot of skiing in contrast to the beaches.

Find out more on the Troodos Tourism Board’s website.
 

Family Focus
Limassol is fun for families with much to enjoy. Molos promenade and its Multifunctional Seaside Park is the place to be for roller- skating, scooting and riding, with skate parks and playground toys interspersed along the way. Opposite the main strip there are various options for families, including the Municipal Zoo Gardens where friendly animals wait to meet you among park grounds, and funfairs and arcades. The city’s mall offers ice-skating, bowling, a play place and arcade games and throughout the city, a multitude of soft-play places, cinemas and child-friendly museums make Limassol a wonderful destination for children of all ages.


Sports 
Limassol offers the ideal conditions and facilities for a variety of sporting pastimes, as well as hosting major annual tournaments. Residents and visitors can enjoy golfing, water sports, ball sports, sand sports, running, sports training and so much more, including participation or spectating in world-class sporting events. Among the most favoured sports within the Limassol region are cycling along the city paths and along the winding mountain roads that offer more challenging routes, and beach tennis at one of the specially-created courts found on the sands.


Shopping
The shopping streets of the historical part of town are also just a short distance from the marina’s seafront promenade. Lined by quaint listed buildings and overhanging terraces, there is an array of shops dotted across the city centre, from internationally renowned high-street brands to prestigious boutiques and designer showrooms.

Limassol’s historic town centre is located around the medieval castle and Old Port area and features a mixture of high-street stores with big international brand franchises in the main Anexartisias Avenue and more niche and handmade shopping in Agiou Andreou Street and the surrounding backstreets, which are filled with artisan workshops and eclectic independent shops. Makarios Avenue is home to more prestigious boutiques and designer furniture stores, whilst My Mall is a large, modern indoor shopping hub, located a short distance from the city centre.

The commercial area at Limassol Marina features a variety of shops, elegant boutiques, designer stores and amenities, as well as restaurants and waterfront bars.


Fine Dining
Traditional Cypriot cuisine is one of the finest in the Mediterranean – and there’s no better place to enjoy its fresh, enticing flavours than in the tavernas of Limassol. But in keeping with the city’s cosmopolitan nature, there is also a mouth-watering choice of international restaurants for you to discover – Italian, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese. Whichever you choose, a warm welcome and memorable atmosphere are guaranteed. Traditional local cuisine includes the renowned meze – a mix of as many as 12 varied dishes, kleftico – succulent slow-cooked lamb, souvla – barbequed lamb or pork, moussaka – minced meat with vegetables in a creamy sauce, and shieftalia – remarkably tasting small sausages. But you need not venture far to enjoy fine dining or a relaxed sundowner.

Limassol Marina has its own local and international restaurants, cafes and bars, including shopping area. Visit Limassol Marina's guide to find out more. 


Winemaking District
Known collectively as ‘Krasochoria’ (wine villages), the cluster of wine-producing communities continue the island’s ancient tradition of viticulture in the Troodos mountains that fall under Limassol region. Vineyards and wineries dot the area and welcome visitors to learn more about the custom of grape cultivation and winemaking on the island, as well as producing high-quality vintages from local grape varieties. The world’s longest named wine in production – Commandaria – is still made in the same way here and is a sweet dessert wine that encapsulates the taste of Cyprus. The Cyprus Tourism Ministry has created seven self-guided wine routes which you can find on its website.

Find out more about wine routes in Limassol in Visit Cyprus website.


Culture & Arts
Limassol is home to diverse culture with a packed cultural calendar of world-class performances all year round, a thriving arts scene, and museums that showcase its rich and ancient history. Limassol Pattichio Municipal Theatre is the city’s official theatre and was renovated in recent years to become the home of quality cultural events. Limassol Municipal Art Gallery presents one of the largest and richest collections of Cypriot modern art with over 600 paintings, sculptures, pottery and mixed media pieces exhibited. The Cyprus Medieval Museum is housed in the Medieval Castle with exhibits that include Medieval pottery, tombstones, weapons, crosses and coins. The Cyprus Historic and Classic Motor Museum is a more contemporary museum that exhibits a collection of different and interesting cars.
 

Monuments 
Rich in ancient history, Limassol is a treasure- trove of historic monuments that have been incorporated into the fabric of modern life. Amathous is one of the significant ancient city- kingdoms of Cyprus with various, rich archaeological finds at the site. Located in the old Turkish quarter, Kebir Mosque was built in the 16th century and is still operational today. The monastery of Agios Nikolaos ton Gaton (St. Nicholas of the Cats) is possibly the oldest monastery in Cyprus dating back to the 14th century. Kourion was an important city- kingdom in antiquity and stands as one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cyprus. Serving as a fine example of military architecture, Kolossi Castle was originally built in the 13th century, and rebuilt in its present form in the 15th century.
 

Historic Squares
Limassol town centre has many distinctive squares where al-fresco drinking and dining is available year-round and the crowds meet to mingle. The Medieval Castle is the focal point of a charming cobbled square with a mixture of trendy and traditional cafés, restaurants and artisan workshops that embrace the grand fort (constructed in the Middle Ages). Created in 1901, Heroes Square was given its monument in honour of fallen soldiers in 1946. Today, it is a meeting point and a hive of activity with food establishments, galleries and trendy bars and clubs. Framed by shops, Saripolou Square & Old Market and its eclectic drinking and dining is the place to be on the weekend, filling up with the trend-setters.
 

Limassol By Night
Whether for business or pleasure, Limassol offers a wealth of variety day or night: from bustling markets and exuberant festivals to relaxing spas; ancient monuments and museums to fashionable boutiques and art galleries; prestige hotels and gourmet restaurants to lively tavernas and glamorous bars and clubs. Locals and visitors to the city can now also enjoy world-class gaming and exceptional dining at Cyprus Casinos, with each visit offering the unique Melco Resorts-style entertainment experience in luxurious style and comfort.
 

Treasures beyond
Beyond the city await the idyllic villages and nature trails of the Troodos mountains; secluded beaches and historic landmarks; wineries and orchards; and, for the golfing enthusiast, a range of championship courses.


USEFUL CONTACTS: 

Official City Guide: www.allaboutlimassol.com

Limassol Tourism Board: www.limassoltourism.com 

Visit Cyprus: www.visitcyprus.com

Troodos Mountains: www.mytroodos.com