Limassol "Most attractive Mediterranean"

Limassol or Lemesos is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 (2008). It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.

Limassol is the biggest port in the Mediterranean transit trade. It has also become one of the most important tourism, trade and service-providing centres in the area. Limassol is renowned for its long cultural tradition, and is home to the Cyprus University of Technology. A wide spectrum of activities and a number of museums and archaeological sites are available to the interested visitor. Consequently, Limassol attracts a wide range of tourists mostly during an extended summer season to be accommodated in a wide range of hotels and apartments. There are also plans to build a large marina in Limassol. Limassol was built between two ancient cities, Amathus and Kourion, so during Byzantine rule it was known as Neapolis (new town). Limassol's tourist strip now runs east along the coast as far as Amathus. To the west of the city is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area,part of the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.


Limassol enjoys a Subtropical climate. Here is the highest average annual temperature (25 °C (77.0 °F) during the day and 15 °C (59.0 °F) at night) and the warmest winters in European Union's part of Mediterranean Sea, with average temperature of 18 °C (64.4 °F) during the day and 9 °C (48.2 °F) at night in the period December to February. The summer's season lasts 8–9 months, from March/April to November, although also in the period from December to February temperatures sometimes exceeds 20 °C (68.0 °F). Sea temperature varies from 17 °C (62.6 °F) in February to 27 °C (80.6 °F) in August.

City and district of Limassol attracts millions of tourists each year.

The Limassol Castle

The Limassol Castle is one of the most well-known sites in Limassol.

It lies a little inland from the western end of the promenade. The current buildings were completed in the early 14th century on the site of an earlier Byzantine construction. Some of the earlier fortifications can be seen just inside the walls. This is where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria, but the chapel in which the ceremony took place is now longer standing and the central hall collapsed in 1523. The Turks took over the castle in 1570 and increased the fortifications, using it as a jail.

Under British control it was the headquarters of the British forces on the island. Since then, it has been restored and it is open to visitors. The entrance is up some steps and to the right is the great hall from where it is possible to go up to the castle walls, which offer good views out over the city.

The castle now houses the District Museum.

FOLK ART MUSEUM

This very beautiful collection of Cypriot Folk Art of the 19th and early 20th century is housed in a restored old house. The collection includes national costumes, tapestry, embroidery e.t.c., displayed in a very interesting way.

KOURION - Ancient City of Curium

12.5mi/20km west of Limassol are the remains of the ancient city of Kourion, where there are baths (fifth century B.C.), fine pavement mosaics, the theater (A.D. 50-175; performances of music and drama-ancient dramatists, Shakespearean summer, and a Temple of Apollo.

This is an important ancient city-kingdom and one of the most spectacular archeological sites on the island. The magnificent Greco-Roman theater was originally built in the second century B.C. by the Greeks and extended by the Romans. The seating was also moved back to protect spectators from the animals that were brought in to fight the gladiators. The theater is now used for musical and theatrical performances .

This is the most memorable feature of the site, standing in a semicircle with seats for an audience of 3,500.

The House of Eustolios, originally a private Roman villa, became a public recreation center during the early Christian period. The villa is built around a courtyard with porticoes on three sides and visitors walk round on raised gangways. The courtyard originally had a pool surrounded by mosaics and an inscription, which refers to Apollo and to Eustolios who built the Baths.

The baths also have mosaic floors and the central room has four exceptional panels. The first and most famous shows a partridge, the second a bust of Ktisis, a deity who personified the Creation. From the central room one enters the Frigidarium or cold bath, followed by the Tepidarium and the Caldarium or hot baths. Some of the baths can still be seen along with the mechanism for heating the water, air-ducts and furnaces.

The House of Achilles is the first point of interest. This was clearly an important building constructed around a courtyard in which there is a mosaic of Achiles disguised as a woman but inadvertently revealing his identity to Odysseus. This was probably built about A.D. 4.

Following along the road is the House of the Gladiators, which also has beautiful mosaic floors, showing two gladiators in combat.

The remains of an aqueduct are not far away. This was built by the Romans to bring water from a distant spring and passed overt the city walls to the Fountain House where it was stored for public use.

Beyond the Fountain House is the early Christian Basilica. It was built in the fifth century, and it is 70 meters long and 40 meters wide, with traces of mosaic visible on the floor. It was once supported with a dozen columns and the stumps of some of these are still visible.

The Nymphaeum is an elegant Roman structure.

The site extends almost a mile further to the Stadium, which is dated to the A.D. second century. The shape of the arena is still discernible, as are the entrance gates. Some of the seating has been reconstructed by the excavators.

SANCTUARY OF APOLLO HYLATES

Apollo Hylates, God of the Woodland, was the protector of the city of Kourion. Archaeological evidence shows that the cult of Apollo was celebrated here from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. Part of the temple has been restored, with the cella, the colonnade and the pediment.

This site is located three kilometers west of Kourion, on the road to Paphos. Apollo Hylates, God of the Woodland, was the protector of the city of Kourion. The cult of Apollo was celebrated here from the eighth century B.C. to the A.D. fourth century. Excavations have also revealed other structures of this important sanctuary such as the bath complex, the pilgrim halls, the palaistra and a holy precinct.

The first points of interest are the steps of the display hall and old Paphos Gate and then the circular structure of the votive pit. This is where the priests used to put unwanted ritual gifts and such pits are a very rich source of archeological finds.

The narrow paved road then leads to the Temple of Apollo, part of which has now been restored and is especially impressive. Most of the rituals probably took place outside as the temple itself is quite small.

Visitors can also see the Priest's House, where there are remains of a mosaic as well as some pillars. The paved route then passes along the portico of the South Building and then down a flight of steps to the Palaestra. This central court was used for athletics and the site has plenty of facilities for sportsmen, including another complex of baths. Next to the Palaestra were the dormitories, parts of which are quite well preserved.

AMATHUS

11 km east of Limassol (town centre), close to Amathus Hotel.

One of the ancient city Kingdoms of Cyprus where according to legend, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be taken care of, after his battle with the Minotaur. There was a very important cult of Aphrodite-Astarte here.

Excavations are still continuing at the Acropolis and Agora area of the ancient site. Numerous tombs have been found, one of them can be visited in front of the Amathus Beach Hotel.

AYIOS GEORGIOS ALAMANOU 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, and the cultivation of flowers and herbs.

Evdimou Beach

Evdimou beach, 17mi/27km from Limassol and 2mi/3km from the main road is a really good long beach with sandy shore and pleasant swimming. There is a small cafe and a jetty at the eastern end.

Lambouri Winery

Enjoying a truly stunning location and providing a thoroughly cultural experience, the award-winning Lambouri Winery is a far cry from the boring old rustic wineries found in many parts of the Mediterranean. Although the Lambouri Winery is around 300 years old, it has certainly invested in its future, with state-of-the-art equipment and a very stylish tasting room, where you can of course sample the produce after first enjoying an interesting and informative guided tour of the premises. There is even a small art exhibition onsite. The Lambouri Winery is just a short drive from Limassol and close to the Troodos mountains.

Galatex

The Galatex area of Limassol is an especially lively part of the city and is filled with evening entertainment and attractions. There are lots of bars to choose from, including the ever-popular Full Monty Bar, which comes complete with DJs and a dance floor. Galatex can be quiet on weekdays towards the end of the summer season, although come the weekend, it always throngs with party-goers. There is not usually any kind of dress code, with jeans, T-shirts and trainers generally being the norm.

Nightlife

The nightlife of southern Cyprus is almost legendary and Limassol certainly joins the 'after-hours' scene with energy. When the sun begins to set, the city certainly comes alive, with plenty of attractions to offer both the youthful and older crowds that choose to holiday here. There are bars and nightclubs that really don't get going until 11:00 or midnight, and stay open until daybreak. However, if that doesn't 'float your boat', then consider simply sitting outside one of the innumerable late-night ice-cream shops and cafes, watching the world go by.

Event

Limassol is famous in Cyprus for its festivals, like the Carnival and Wine Festival. The Limassol Carnival festival lasts for ten (10) days, with jolly and amusing masquerading. This custom is very old, going back to pagan rituals. With the passage of time it has acquired a different, purely entertaining character, with a large, popular following. The festival starts with the entrance parade of the King Carnival, followed by a fancy-dress competition for children. During the Carnival parade in the main streets, large crowds from all over the island gather to watch the floats with the serenade and other masqueraded groups. Many fancy-dress balls and parties take place at many hotels every night.

During the first quarter of September, the great Wine Festival of Cyprus takes place in the Limassol Municipal Garden, every evening between 8.00 hrs - 23.00 hrs. During the festival the visitor has the chance to taste some of the best Cyprus wines, which are offered free of charge. On some evenings, various groups from Cyprus and abroad perform folk dancing and there are also choirs and others.

Other festivals are Yermasogeia Flower Festival (May), Festival of the Flood (June), Shakespearean nights and Festival of Ancient Greek Drama.

Furthermore, the city of Limassol introduced the first Beer festival in July 2003. This is a three day dance festival by the sea in the heart of the city centre. Visitors can enjoy a variety of Cypriot beers and imported beers such as KEO, Heineken, Amstel and Becks. The entrance to the festival is free of charge and beers are sold at low prices, complemented by a mix of international music.

The sixth Junior Eurovision Song Contest was held in Limassol, in the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre.

Get Around

The New Port of Limassol

Taxi is the most popular means of transportation for tourists, but are expensive. There is an effort to improve the bus system, however, waiting times may still be long and routes are few. Cars, scooters and bicycles can be hired easily, however (especially if on a bike) do take in mind the long hot summer.

There are special Green Buses which operate intercity. Buses are available for Troodos, Larnaka, Pafos and Nicosia mainly. It is best to confirm timings from the Tourist Information Center near Dasoudi Tourist Beach.

Of late, share taxis too are popular, and works out to a reasonable fare.

A simple thumb rule when driving in Limassol:

When you are lost for directions, always ask for the Beach. Its one of the simplest ways to "get your senses back" There are mainly three parallel roads

The Beach Road

Makarios Avenue

The Motorway