Limassol, Cyprus – photos of Limassol, attractions, map, beaches, recreation, tourist reviews. Limassol, what to see in the city and surrounding area Holidays in Cyprus in Limassol

Limassol is the most popular resort in Cyprus, stretching for tens of kilometers along the sea coast. Here, fashionable five-star hotels and comfortable apartment complexes give way to eucalyptus groves. A small footpath stretches along the entire coastline - a popular place for jogging and walking. Limassol is considered the second capital of Cyprus; it is the main port city of the island, a business and resort center. Limassol is located in the territory between the two ancient states of Amathus, in the east Kourion in the west - the most unique historical places on the island.

The main feature of Limassol is that life here is vibrant even in winter: the city has fun in nightclubs and fun at various events all year round. In Limassol you can meet not only young people who like to hang out, but families with small children, because there is an amusement park, 3 aqua parks and a zoo in the city amusement park, and there are also many vacationing businessmen who do not part with their laptops even on the beaches.
Limassol is an ideal place for permanent residence of Russian citizens in Cyprus. Note that this is the most Russian-speaking city on the island. The city is conventionally divided into a resort and a business part, and its infrastructure also allows you to stay comfortably for a long time; there are many Russian kindergartens, schools, and centers for the development of children. In general, many Russians buy property in Limassol for vacation or for rent, but they quickly become attached to this piece of paradise that they stay here permanently.

Beaches in Limassol

The beaches of Limassol are quite comfortable, clean, with a gentle descent into the water and good infrastructure. The beaches in Limassol are sandy, pebble and sandy. Note that the sand on the beaches is special, it is of volcanic origin and contains flint, which has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes in the epidermis. The best beaches in Limassol are the central municipal and Ladies Mile beaches; they are equipped with everything necessary for a pleasant holiday.
The beaches can be quite crowded, but the resort is still very popular. The beaches offer a large selection of water activities, water aerobics, jet skis, etc.

Entertainment, attractions and excursions in Limassol

Limassol is located an hour's drive from almost all the main attractions of Cyprus, so excursions can go in any direction. Let's give a little advice: if at the height of the holiday season the summer heat becomes unbearable, we recommend individual excursions from Limassol to the Troodos Mountains, where the air temperature is usually 3-6 degrees lower than in the coastal areas. In the Troodos Mountains you can always comfortably walk through the forest, visit the Kykkos Monastery and enjoy a relaxing holiday in small villages.

Once again, it’s worth saying that Limassol is a great place both for a family holiday and for noisy groups. In this city you can always find an interesting activity to suit your mood!

Limassol attracts tourists and local residents with its cultural and entertainment events. For example, in the summer there is an annual theater festival; troupes come here from all over the world to create a vibrant celebration of dramatic art. In December there is a large New Year's fair, which is decorated with concerts, attractions and fireworks. At the end of August and September, many tourists try to get here for the wine festival. Winemakers from nearby villages carefully preserve their unique recipes, and once a year at the festival, they give natural wines to everyone who wants to taste them.

In the center of Limassol there is the Wet’n Wild Water Park. There is a large selection of slides: rubber rafting down the Grand Canyon, a fast descent with springboards on the Daredevil slide, a calm slide along the Lazy River, etc. In the spacious Wave Pool you can splash around in specially generated waves.

Those wishing to go on an excursion from Limassol will not have to travel far; the city and its districts are famous for their historical and architectural sights. Archeology lovers should definitely visit the ruins of ancient cities – Amathus and Kourion. According to mythology, it was in Amathus that the courageous Theseus, who defeated the Minotaur, left his beautiful Arianda. Since ancient times, this city has been a center of international trade and a major port. Here you can see the remains of the Acropolis, the sanctuary of Aphrodite and ancient Christian basilicas. Unfortunately, the stones from which the defensive wall of Amathus was built were later used for the construction of the Suez Canal.

Kourion was founded after the end of the Trojan War. The city was located on a hill and was not criminal for enemies, but a strong earthquake literally turned it into ruins. Residents of the city gradually left these places, because... Arabs invaded here more and more often, and in the 19th century foreign invaders took with them almost all valuable antiquities. However, there are remains of Roman steam rooms with beautiful mosaic paintings, and mosaics have also been preserved in the house of the Gladiators, the Nymphaeum and the house of Achilles.

Near Kourion is the Sanctuary of Apollo, where part of the Curium and Paphos gates remains.

Limassol has quite interesting monuments of later architecture, the most famous of which is the knightly castle-fortress of Kolossi, built in the 12th century. In the Middle Ages, the Knights Hospitallers of the Jerusalem Order of St. John were engaged in the cultivation of sugar cane, grapes and produced wine - this is where the famous Cypriot wine “Commandaria” came from. Near Limassol there are still villages popular for their winemaking, where the most famous Cypriot wine still remains - Commandaria.

The old town of Limassol with its small streets originates from the fishing port. In the Old Town area, there is the medieval Limassol Castle (or Richard's Castle), which in ancient times was the site of royal weddings, one of them was the wedding of the English king Richard the Lionheart and Princess Berengaria of Navara. Currently, the castle operates as the Cyprus Museum of the Middle Ages.
Also in Limassol, the Ayia Napa Church is famous; its main shrine is the cloth of St. Veronica, which she held out to Christ to wipe his face on the way to the crucifixion.

How to get to Limassol

There is no airport in Limassol, and the closest ones are located in Larnaca and Paphos - both at approximately the same distance, 70 kilometers from the city. The most convenient way to get there is to pre-order a transfer to Limassol on the website of any transport company. Travel time - 40 minutes. Another option is to take a minibus in Paphos or Larnaca.

The unique beauty of the Mediterranean coast of Cyprus, the wonderful climate and comfortable living conditions make the Limassol resort the most ideal place to live and relax on the island.

This is a modern large business and beautiful resort city, which 50 years ago was a small industrial center of the island.

Plans for the development of Limassol did not involve the construction of tourist infrastructure facilities, but were limited to the creation of several factories for the production of wine, beer and juices. Moreover, industrial production was concentrated on the 1st line by the sea for easy transportation of products.

Now that Limassol has become the largest tourist center, this creates certain inconveniences, but the city authorities are successfully solving the problems that arise, and the city is becoming more beautiful and more convenient for residents and tourists every year.

Limassol's unique and very convenient location has served it well. The city is located in the central part of the southern coast of Cyprus, being equally distant from the capital and major cities - and. Both Cyprus international airports (Paphos Airport and Larnaca Airport) are also equidistant from Limassol. Limassol is a central city and from it it is quite convenient to conduct both business activities and plan tourist trips, because it is located in the middle between Ayia Napa and Paphos - and is called “middle city” in translation from Greek Λεμεσός.

How to get to Limassol

As we described above, since Limassol is located equidistant from two airports in Cyprus, getting there will be quite easy. You can order a taxi, rent a car from any airport (Larnaca or Paphos) and the whole journey will take no more than 45 minutes. This is if you are already in Cyprus. If you are planning a trip from other countries and cities, then you can easily get to any of these airports by Aeroflot and other airlines. From Russia the flight will take 3.5 hours, from Israel, Greece, Turkey - just over an hour. You can also book a cruise and get to Limassol by arriving at the port from Haifa (Israel) or Athens (Greece).

Transport

Buses

EMEL operates public transport in Limassol. The blue buses, which operate mainly along the waterfront, are air-conditioned and are entered through the front door and tickets can be purchased from the driver. Bus route No. 30 runs along the embankment from 6 am to midnight with an interval of 5-10 minutes and is the most popular. It starts its route from the port of Limassol and goes to the end of the embankment - the La Meredien hotel. You can get to Colosse Castle by bus number 17, which departs from the central bus station near the Old hospital. Bus number 16 will take you to ancient Kourion.

One way fare: €1.50, day pass: €5, week pass: €20, month pass: €40. Tickets are valid from 4:00 to 21:00. From 21:00 to 4:00 only a single night ticket is valid for €2.50. Prices 2018.

Intercity Buses operates buses from New Harbor. They go to Larnaca (10 flights per day from 6:00 to 21:30) and Nicosia (17 flights from 5:30 to 21:15). From Limassol to Nicosia it is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, to Paphos - 1 hour, to Larnaca - 1 hour drive. The cost of travel on intercity transport is on average €4-5 per adult ticket.

Taxi

A taxi ride will cost much more. Approximately €8 for 5 km. The cost of travel in the evening and night hours (from 20:00 to 6:00) increases by 20%. A taxi to Nicosia and Ayia Napa will cost €70-80, to Larnaca and Paphos - approximately €50.

Most tourists who are in Limassol not for the first time and know how many interesting things there are to see, usually take. It turns out to be much cheaper and much more convenient.

Bicycles for rent

You can also rent a bicycle. Many bicycle stations (more than 20) are hard to miss along the sea and in the most visited places by tourists and not only. You choose a bike, then give its number over the phone and receive a code to unlock the digital lock. You can return your bike at any of the stations. Rental cost: 1st hour - €2, each next - €1, day - €8, 1 week - €50, 1 month - €180. Prices 2018.

History and

Limassol is familiar with many great conquerors. Ancient cities and were destroyed by Richard the Lionheart during the Crusade. The name of the great king is also associated with the main attraction of Limassol - the ancient castle in the Old Town. Here, according to legend, Richard the Lionheart and Berengaria of Navarre were married. For a long time the castle belonged to the Templars, then it was taken over by the Knights Hospitaller and the Cypriot kings. Today, this small castle houses the Museum of the Middle Ages, where you will plunge into history and feel the spirit of the Middle Ages.

Connoisseurs of antiquity can visit the Church of St. 12th century Christinas in the village of Germasogeia; convent of St. Nicholas, founded in the 4th century by the Byzantine queen Helen. In Cyprus, this monastery is called “Gaton” (Γατων, Greek - “Cat”). This name is associated with the large number of cats at the monastery, which from ancient times to this day successfully hunt snakes, preventing poisonous reptiles from excessively breeding on the island ().

After King Richard, Limassol was ruled by the Lusignans, Venetians, Turks and the British. The Cathedral and the town hall, built according to the design of Benjamin Hansburg, the Turkish mosque in the Old Town and the Church of St. Andronicus have been preserved.

Russian Limassol

According to the 2011 census, 240 thousand people live in Limassol, of which 20 thousand are Russian. According to unofficial statistics, this figure exceeds 80 thousand, with the total number of Russians in Cyprus being more than 130 thousand people.

Every year the city is visited by about 700 thousand tourists, more than half of whom are Russian.

For some this is a plus for Limassol, for others it is a minus. You can often find the desire of our compatriots to find a place away from the Russians. This is difficult to explain even to ourselves, not to mention foreigners, but nevertheless, it is a fact.

On the other hand, it is in Limassol that it is easiest to find any Russian-language service: from a nanny or cleaner to a lawyer or doctor. Russian restaurants, parties and entire residential areas - all this is in Limassol.

Beaches and hotels

The main tourist attraction of the city in terms of concentration of tourists can confidently be called the beach line, which starts at Molos Park in the business part of the city and ends at the Le Meridien hotel. Its length exceeds 20 km.

Thanks to this, even at the height of the summer season, every vacationer will find a beach to suit their taste, where it will not be too crowded.

Wide choose sports and music schools, dance and ballet studios, art clubs, private tennis coaches, European language teachers and other specialists in extracurricular activities create ideal conditions for creating a complete development program for your child.

Russian-speaking mothers living in Limassol drive several tens of thousands of kilometers a year, and their lives are filled with caring for their beloved children.

Entertainment

Limassol – Big city by Cypriot standards. And the entertainment here is not bad. Club life is difficult to compare in terms of intensity with London or Ibiza. Even much noisier in the summer. But they still work in Limassol all year round, giving bread and circuses to the suffering ().

In Limassol it is easy to organize entertainment for children. Renovations were completed last year local zoo. Of course, we won’t see as many animals here as in the Paphos Zoo, not to mention the capital’s zoos in Moscow, Berlin, London or Prague, but there is still something to see here. For example, on crocodile, which, thanks to the special structure of the enclosure, can swim very close to the visitor.

When talking about the entertainment of Limassol, it is impossible to ignore one of the main celebrations celebrated annually since 1890. The Limassol Carnival traditionally takes place in the last week before the start of Lent. In Russia this period is called Maslenitsa.

The holiday traditionally begins with the election of the carnival royals (king and queen). After the grand entrance " royal couple“The carnival begins, which lasts for 10 days. Citizens and guests of the island can expect a week and a half of colorful processions, concerts, music and dancing.

This is a holiday in which everyone participates. It is customary to come to the celebration at carnival costume And mask, which are sold throughout the city even before the start of the holiday.

The annual event, which traditionally takes place in the central park of Limassol, can be visited if you plan your trip to the island in the last week of August.

The new wine of the new harvest literally flows like a river, and the guest can only correctly calculate his strength, not forgetting to have a snack after each tasting.

Cypriot Limassol is many-sided and multifaceted. Holiday city And working city: some will find its noisy pavements too fussy, while others will fall in love with it at first sight. Limassol is certainly not without charm and charm, take a closer look at it, we are sure this city will not disappoint you.

The second largest city in Cyprus, Limassol, is located on the southern coast of the island and is the most important tourist center. Excellent beaches and developed infrastructure, a favorable mild and humid climate, very affordable prices for accommodation and entertainment - all these factors become decisive for tourists from various countries. It is always lively and fun here, but there is no unnecessary noise or annoying bustle. It is comfortable here for both youth groups who love to have fun in nightclubs and bars, and engage in active water sports, as well as elderly travelers or families with children, who will also find suitable activities in a water park or zoo or a quiet corner on a sunny beach.

From Limassol it is very convenient to get to all other Cypriot cities and resorts, since the island has a developed network of roads and various bus routes. You can also take a taxi, but renting a car for the entire vacation period is the most profitable and convenient way to travel. You don’t have to leave the city anywhere at all, since it contains a considerable number of attractions from different eras and museums.

The city is home to about 300 thousand residents, representatives of various nationalities. Most of them are employed in the tourism sector, but Limassol is not only a world-famous resort. It is the most important financial, cultural and educational center of the Republic of Cyprus. Here is the Cyprus University of Technology and the Cyprus College of Forestry, banks and trade missions of many countries, modern supermarkets and boutiques.

History of the city of Limassol

The exact year of foundation of this city is not known, but the most ancient graves indicate that a settlement on the site of the future Limassol existed before our era. This city dates back more than twenty centuries in its history and its development, which proceeded in waves, with alternating white and black stripes - periods of prosperity and decline. At first it was a Greek city-state and was called Neopolis (which means a newer center at that time compared to the nearby ancient cities of Kourion and Amathus). Then it was owned in turn by the Romans, Crusaders, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans. The entire rich history of the island of Cyprus is reflected in the fate of Limassol.

In the center of the modern city there is a space called the old city, within which the Limassol Castle is located. This place was two thousand years ago the city of Limosso, which was built by the Romans. Limosso was the most important seaport, where merchant ships from all Mediterranean countries were received, active trade was conducted, and the income received went to the development of the city and improving the well-being of its inhabitants.

The following centuries were marked by destructive wars and earthquakes, changes in ruling dynasties and religions. The crusaders settled here in the 11th–12th centuries after Richard the Lionheart defeated the Cypriot ruler Isaac Comnenus and freed his bride, Princess Berengaria of Navarre, who had been captured by him. It was from then on that the city began to be called Lemesos, but quickly renamed Limassol. For a long time it was dominated by the Christian orders of the Templars and Hospitallers, until a terrible earthquake occurred that literally destroyed the city, leaving only a few buildings intact, including the Limassol Castle.

After the capture of Cyprus by the Ottoman Turks, Limassol developed very slowly; at that time there were no more than two hundred houses in it. This continued until Great Britain began to own the island. Huge amounts of money were invested in the development of the city, and already in the 20th century Limassol began to acquire great importance as a resort center. It began to develop at a particularly rapid pace after 1974, when Cyprus was divided into two parts, and now the city of Limassol is a major seaport and a famous resort.

What to see in Limassol

The Greek cities of Kourion and Amathus, which were of great importance in ancient times, between which Limassol grew up, have survived to this day, but in a destroyed state. Moreover, Amathus is completely represented by ruins, and Kourion is a more desirable and educational place to explore. The city was repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes, but due to its enormous importance for Ancient Cyprus as a seaport and trade center, it was restored again. This continued until the catastrophic earthquake of the 4th century AD, after which Kourion could not survive.

Compared to other ancient cities, Kourion is still well preserved. Tourists who come here can walk along the ancient pavements and touch the ancient walls of houses with their hands. Thermal baths and swimming pools with wonderful mosaics have been preserved here, and the remains of the amphitheater were restored in the 20th century and turned into a functioning theater. It is designed for 3,500 spectators, and festivals and performances are still held here.

In Amathus, only a small number of fortress walls, a market square, and the remains of an early Christian basilica have been preserved. All artifacts discovered in it are kept in Cypriot museums. Even the stones from which the buildings were built were taken away and used to build other structures. Now Amathus is a picturesque ruin on a hill with a wonderful view of the Mediterranean Sea.

In the center of modern Limassol, on the territory of the ancient city of Limosso, there is a medieval fortress, known to all tourists as Limassol Castle. Before the capture of Cyprus by the Crusaders, there was a Byzantine church in which Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre in 1191. The street of Richard and Berengaria, on which the castle is located, still exists here. That Christian chapel of St. George has been preserved and is the oldest building of the fortress, and around it 200 years later, during the ruling Lusignan dynasty, a fortress was erected that protected Limassol from invasions. In the 16th century, after the capture of Cyprus by the Ottomans, the castle was not restored after the battles and began to collapse. It was only in the 20th century that it was reconstructed by the British and began to be used as a prison and then as an army headquarters.

After the division of the island into Cypriot and Turkish parts in 1974, all the valuables from the Nicosia Museum were transported to the Limassol Castle, and it became known as the Museum of the Middle Ages. A very interesting exhibition is presented here, which includes both tombstones and stone sculptures, as well as objects characterizing the life of Cypriots in the Middle and earlier centuries (the age of the exhibits is estimated from the 3rd century AD). Furniture, dishes, shoes and clothing, military armor and weapons - all this arouses constant interest among visitors, but the ancient press for making olive oil receives special attention. Dating from the 7th to 9th centuries AD, it is still in use today and can also be used to make grape wine.

Not only the exhibits of the medieval era are interesting, but also the walls and premises of the castle. The fortress has a rectangular shape, the thickness of the walls is impressive - two meters. Heart-stopping tourists walk along narrow corridors, descend into dungeons, and climb spiral staircases to the top floor, from where a magnificent panoramic view of the whole of Limassol opens.

To the east of the city there is a functioning Orthodox convent of St. George Alamanu. Its history began in the 12th century, when monks from Germany settled at this place among the coastal rocks. Since then, the monastery has either grown and prospered, or fallen into complete desolation. In 1949, nuns of the Orthodox faith settled here, and the monastery came to life and flourished. A new temple was built, all services were equipped, and the life of the nuns was organized. The nuns paint icons, do handicrafts, grow crops and raise bees. In the store at the monastery you can buy honey, various types of herbal tea, fruit and berry jams, as well as icons and handicrafts for a nominal fee. The Monastery of St. George Alamanu is open to pilgrims and tourists, who invariably find rest and consolation in it.

The visiting card of Limassol can be called the Temple of Apollo of Hylates; its photographs are on the packaging of many industrial products. The oldest ruins of the temple date back to the 7th century BC, and what has survived to this day, columns and parts of buildings, was built already in the first century. Here you can see the remains of the altar where sacrifices were made, and the steps leading to it. Halls for pilgrims and baths have been preserved; next to the temple there is an ancient arena for sports competitions.
Limassol and its surroundings are where most of the wineries in Cyprus are located. It is worth paying attention to the Keo plant, which is located in the very center of the city and has been operating for almost 80 years. Now this winemaking enterprise is known all over the world and is famous for the highest quality of its range. It produces both table grape wines and stronger alcoholic drinks. Particularly famous is the sweet grape wine “Commandaria”, the calling card of all of Cyprus.

You can get to the Keo plant as part of a tour and get acquainted with all the nuances of production. Here you can taste any brand of wine and buy your favorite bottle for a very reasonable price.

Beaches and entertainment of Limassol

Limassol has several beaches with developed infrastructure, where every vacationer will find exactly what he needs for a good rest. Governor's Beach is famous for its clean sand and picturesque snow-white cliffs that separate it from the rest of the world. Here you can sunbathe and swim safely: the descent into the sea is very gentle and safe. You can also go fishing and take a boat trip.

The village of Pissouri, near Limassol, gave its name to the wonderful sandy beach. This place is popular not only among tourists, but also among the Cypriots themselves. It is always crowded and fun, there is music, and behind the Pissouri beach there is a whole street of excellent taverns. European cuisine, Cypriot meat or dairy dishes, the freshest seafood, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks - all this variety allows you to satisfy the taste and hunger of any tourist. There is also a diving center here.

Dasoudi Beach, covered with both sand and pebbles, has excellent infrastructure. There is access to the beach and convenient parking, there are changing cabins, bars, cafes and taverns. Guests can enjoy a variety of water sports. Curium Beach is suitable for those who prefer to bask in the sun and rarely go into the water. The sea in this place is often choppy, but this fact is very attractive to those involved in sailing.

To the west of the city there is Lady’s Mile Beach, very popular among tourists - a wide strip of fine and clean sand, a gentle slope into the water, a warm and calm sea. Families with children especially like to relax here, but active young people will also find something to do: windsurfing, boat trips, diving.

In addition to several beaches, Limassol is famous for its water parks. One of them, called "Watermania", is located near the city, right among the citrus grove. The water park has been operating since 1999, over the years it has been constantly improved, and now all the attractions are absolutely safe for visitors. Everything here is decorated in Polynesian style, wooden gazebos are located on the banks of ponds under the canopy of trees. The attractions are very diverse. These are the Kamikaze, Lazy River, Black Mountain and many others. In addition to entertainment, you can use the services of a massage therapist, get a pedicure with fish, visit a souvenir shop, or sit and relax in a bar or cafe.

Another famous water park in Limassol, Wet’n’Wild, is located on a large area of ​​33 acres and is filled with 3 million liters of water. All of it passes through filters every hour and a half, which is a characteristic feature of this water park. Many attractions, both dizzying and more calm, swimming pools with generated waves, massage rooms, spa salons, bars and restaurants - every vacationer will spend time here usefully.

When you get tired of having fun, sunbathing and swimming, you can visit the famous Limassol Zoo, which is located within the City Park. Almost 90 species of animals and birds live in excellent conditions in large areas equipped as a natural environment. Among them there are also very rare species, such as the Cypriot mouflon. The City Park itself is a place for various festivals and concerts. It is worth noting that in September every year winemakers and lovers of Cypriot wine come here from all over Cyprus and from other countries. A wine festival is held here, which is accompanied by tastings, concerts of Cypriot music, wild fun, as well as the conclusion of profitable trade deals leading to the further prosperity of winemaking in Cyprus.

Limassol is not only beaches, warm sea and lots of entertainment. These are ancient ruins, temples and museums that preserve the history of all of Cyprus.

Photo album

– a great place for a relaxing holiday with the whole family. The green vegetation of the park is very diverse and well-groomed - tall trees give visitors cool shade and windless peace, and flowers give their sweet aromas. Rare species of trees and flowers of the botanical garden add exotic notes to the flora of the park. In the park you can visit the outdoor amphitheater and the Limassol Zoo, take part in interesting events or just listen to live music. For guests of the park there is a summer cafe with an outdoor terrace, children's playgrounds and a sports ground, as well as the necessary amenities. Entrance to the park is free, but to visit the theater, zoo or some other events you need to purchase tickets at the ticket office at the entrance.

The Big Carnival in the city of Limassol is an enchanting and grandiose event that takes place at the turn of winter and spring. This festival is one of the most beloved and anticipated holidays for children and adults, residents and guests of Limassol, and about 100 thousand people actively participate in it. For 10 days, which last, the city is consumed by unbridled fun and entertainment - the central city avenues and streets are festively decorated with bright ribbons and flowers, music is played everywhere and serenades are sung, parades and carnival processions, masquerade balls, discos and games are held. Participants of the holiday replace their usual clothes with bright carnival costumes and masks, and have fun carefree, dancing and joking.

The city of Limassol has many places where, in good weather, you can have fun and interesting outdoor recreation: in the Municipal Park and Zoo, on playgrounds and the Molos city promenade. If the weather conditions are not the most favorable, there are many indoor children's entertainment facilities in Limassol - the Galaxy and Bubble Park play centers, the play area in the MY MALL shopping center and the family children's creativity center "Wheel".

Waterpark Fasuri.

Limassol Waterpark “Fasouri Watermania Waterpark” is the largest water amusement park in Cyprus. In 2007, Fasouri Watermania received the prestigious award as the best European water park. The Fasuri Water Park offers a wide range of attractions and entertainment, where you can get a strong adrenaline rush, rolling down steep and winding slopes, and relax, calmly rocking in the waves of the pools.

Ancient city of Kourion. Cyprus

The Kourion Archaeological Park is one of the most important archaeological sites of ancient Cyprus and one of the most visited historical sites in Limassol. The park is located 15 kilometers west of the city, on the flat top of a steep cliff, which also offers breathtaking panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding area of ​​the city...

Medieval castle

Limassol Castle - the castle was supposedly built in the 13th century, and over the almost 800 years of its existence, this building has been a participant in many battles, witnessing the history of the founding and formation of modern Limassol. Now within the walls of the Limassol Castle there is a Museum of the Middle Ages (Limassol Medieval Museum)

Castle of Colossia.

Kolossi Castle is of considerable interest as an example of medieval military architecture. To this day, the main tower of the castle has been very well preserved and perfectly conveys the gloomy atmosphere of knightly battles and everyday life. Kolossi Castle and its vineyards are the “homeland” of the famous Cypriot wine “Commandraia”, which has been produced since the 13th century and is the same age as the castle.

Cyprus Wine Museum.

The Cyprus Wine Museum is dedicated to more than five thousand years of winemaking in Cyprus. The museum's exposition presents exhibits related to wine production. In the museum you can watch documentaries and slides, listen to lectures on winemaking. There is a tasting room where you can taste wines from Cypriot producers.

Limassol Marina. Cyprus

Limassol Marina is a unique luxury complex; the embodiment of the ultra-modern concept “Life at Sea”, combining luxury and comfort of life with freedom of travel. The largest infrastructure project in Limassol and one of the most attractive luxury real estate investment projects in the entire Mediterranean. Limassol Marina is a prestigious apartment center and luxury villas, a harbor for parking super-yachts and boats, a self-sufficient infrastructure for recreation and entertainment, sports and shopping.

This article will talk about the main and most interesting attractions of Limassol, as well as what to see in the city surroundings within 40 km. and an hour's drive.

Limassol is famous for its rich surroundings, a luxurious new marina and cool fish restaurants, interesting beaches and archaeological sites. Limassol- a rich city life and great opportunities for entertainment. Among other things Limassol Conveniently located between Paphos and Ayia Napa, which allows you to explore almost the whole of Cyprus on radial day trips.

Like everywhere else Cyprus for research surroundings of Limassol and the city itself you will need a car. To search for cars and rent, we have been using the Myrentacar website for the third season. Reliable local rental offices are collected here and you have the opportunity to choose the specific car you like at a good price, and not the type of car as offered by most international car rental sites in Cyprus, such as Rentalcars, which has proven itself well in other countries.

Molos embankment

Real pride of Limassol, located between the city center and the sea, the promenade is the first place worth visiting in Limassol. There are plenty of parking lots near the embankment; leaving your car is not a problem.

Molos- more than a promenade, it is a whole seaside park that stretches from the Old Port to the Zoo. On the embankment there are many playgrounds for children, rows of palm trees, trimmed lawns and sculptures. All this greatly motivates you to take a long walk along the embankment.

Residents Limassol on Sundays they come to Molos and walk with whole families. You can rent a bike and ride along the sea along the entire embankment.

City beach Akti Olympion

East of promenade Molos Akti Olympion city beach is located. The beach stretches for 2 kilometers along the city limits of Limassol and is covered with dark gray sand. Despite the not very attractive color of the sand, the beach has a blue flag for cleanliness and infrastructure and is considered a favorite vacation spot for citizens and tourists.

There are many hotels, shops and cafes near the beach, there are several large parking lots for cars, and you can also get to the beach by public transport.

Limassol Waterpark – Fasouri Watermania

Waterpark Fasouri – Limassol landmark, which you don’t mind spending the whole day on, especially if you are vacationing with children in Limassol or Larnaca. Fasuri- this is 100 thousand square meters of water slides, swimming pools, attractions, playgrounds, snack bars, cafes and restaurants.

In total, the water park has 22 attractions, starting with high-speed Kamikaze slide and ending Kiddy children's pool.

For adults, in addition to the main entertainment - slides, massage, food and sealing under umbrellas on the beach are offered.

Water park address: Tserkezoi, Cyprus - this is on the outskirts of the city towards Paphos and Kolossi Castle, near the port of Limassol.

The castle was built by the Louisianans during the Crusades, and was later found to have Byzantine origins and even the remains of a basilica. The castle was rebuilt many times and is interesting more from the historical side than from the visual one.

At one time, the castle withstood attacks by the Genoese and Egyptians, and was strengthened during the Ottoman period in the 16th century. The lower levels of the plant became a prison, which operated until the 50s of the 20th century. Today, Limassol Castle is a museum that contains historical artifacts, coins, weapons, ceramics from different stages of the history of Limassol.

Located near the Limassol embankment next to the municipal park, more precisely between the new Limassol marina and the Molos embankment.

Kolossi Castle

Most interesting castle in southern Cyprus, it is perfectly preserved and is located 15 km. from Limassol if you go towards Paphos, that is, to the west. A trip to Kolossi Castle goes well with the Limassol Water Park, which is located between Kolossi Castle and the city. Next to the Kolossi castle there is an excellent small pastry shop, on the right along the side street when facing the castle.

Concerning Kolossi, it was at this place that King Richard the Lionheart of England married Berengaria of Navarre in 1191 after his conquest of the island.

The castle was built in the 13th century by the Knights Hospitaller and was a defense point against the raids of the Knights Templar for several centuries.

The castle itself consists of a rectangular courtyard, a well and the ruins of a medieval sugar factory.

Kurion

Kourion- the coolest archaeological park in Cyprus, located 17 km. west of the center of Limassol and is considered an absolute must visit place in Cyprus.

The place is as ancient as it is beautiful. Situated on a high hill overlooking the Mediterranean coast.

History of Kourion It is 6000 years old and the park is well preserved for its age. The picturesque ruins of buildings of that time, the amphitheater and Roman baths are all very impressive.

How to get to Kourion:

By car you need to leave Limassol towards Paphos on the A6 road, after leaving Limassol from the A6 you will turn left onto the B6 road, which leads directly to the entrance to Kourion. There is parking on the territory of the park.

Entry price: 4.5 Euro per person.

Anogyra village

Along the road leading from Limassol to Paphos there are picturesque Anogyra village in which carob trees grow. Syrup and sweets (pastelli), similar to toffee, are prepared from carob fruits. IN Anogyra There are three museums that are dedicated to the carob tree; they will also share the secrets of making sweets and tell you a lot of interesting things about growing carob trees.

Avdimou Beach

Rather, it is interesting as a beach for insecure swimmers and those who like to meditate alone. Thanks to the wide strip of the beach and its length, you can always find an uncrowded place there, and due to the shallow depth, it is an excellent place for swimming with children or if you don’t feel confident in the water. There is nothing else to do there and it is better to drive further towards Paphos to the village of Pissouri.

Olive Park and Oleastro Museum

To begin with I will say that Oleastro is the largest producer of olive oil on the island. This museum and olive park is the best place to immerse yourself in the local food culture. They will tell you how olive oil is made from the composition of the soil to bottling; in addition to scientific calculations, there will be interesting legends and myths.

SanctuaryApollo(Sanctuary of Apollo)

A couple of kilometers from the ancient city ​​of Kourion located temple complex of Apollo, which was once a significant religious site in Cyprus.

It was in this place that people began to worship Apollo as God, from about 700 BC to 300 AD.

Large fragments of the sanctuary have survived, including part of the wall and portico of the temple, stairs, columns and a monument.

Where is: 21 km. from Limassol towards Paphos and just a few kilometers from ancient Kourion.

Advice from Discover Cyprus:

Combine a trip to the Sanctuary of Apollo with Kourion and Kolossi Castle, and if time permits, also with the village of Anogyra. Pack it in a few hours or spend the whole day in these places if you wish and have a rental car.

Krassochoria

The best solution when you want to escape from the embrace of the city is to take a trip to the Troodos foothills through the numerous picturesque villages that make their living from viticulture.

The word "Krassochoria" refers to small stone settlements that are located on steep hills with vine terraces.

A great example of such a village is Omodos village, which is located at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level with winding, shady cobblestone streets. Around the village there is a landscape of orchards in which pears, plums, apples, apricot and peach trees grow.

Located Omodos 40 kilometers from Limassol, you need to go to Troodos mountains in the direction Kykkos Monastery, before reaching it.

Commanderia wine

The taste of southern Cyprus - sweet Commanderia dessert wine, whose roots date back to 800 BC.

The method of fermentation of this wine is attributed to the Romans, and it is made from two local grape varieties - Mavro and Xynisteri.

That wine Commanderia The drink currently produced was prepared during the Crusades in the 1100s in southern Cyprus and this fact makes it one of the oldest continuously produced alcoholic beverages in the world.

Commanderia is a region of the same name, 40 km away. from Limassol, which specializes in film production. There you can visit various wineries to see how this revered drink is processed and bottled.

Salt lake Akrotiri

This lake occupies a cape near Limassol and, like its twin brother in Larnaca, has a shallow depth of about a meter, drying up in the summer. In winter, the lake serves as a haven for migratory birds from Africa. In particular, here you can see flocks of pink flamingos that migrate in January-February.

Governor's Beach

Compared with Limassol city beach, much more interesting, which is covered with chalk stones due to which the water acquires a milky tint. An excellent place for a photo shoot because of its unusual appearance. Around the beach there is an equipped descent to the water, stairs with wooden handrails. At the top there is a restaurant with panoramic views and an observation deck.

The place is definitely worth a stop if you want to see Cyprus and him interesting unusual places. There is free parking near the restaurant.

Governor's Beach is located 26 km. away from Limassol, not far from villages of Zygi, where, by the way, you can have a great lunch with seafood and fish dishes.

Village of Platres

Cypriot villages are at the same time similar to each other and each is good in its own way. I will definitely dedicate Platres a separate story, but for now I’ll tell you that there is beautiful architecture here - rich and well-kept houses, in the surrounding area there are the Kykkos monasteries and the Trooditissa convent, the Caledonia and Milomeris waterfalls. There is even its own chocolate factory founded by an English couple. As is customary in Cyprus, Lower (Kato) and Upper (Pano) Platres are separated - visit both to understand the difference.

Parking coordinates in Platres:

• Vekhniy (Pano) Platres 34.888939, 32.865400
• Lower (Kato) Platres 34.879848, 32.84212

How to get to Platres from Limassol: By car from the Limassol embankment towards the Troodos mountains it is exactly 40 km. and 45 minutes by car.

Advice from Discover Cyprus:

A trip to Platres goes well with a visit to Kykkos Monastery and mountain villages of Omodos and Kakopetria, as well as Mount Olympus. Everything will take a whole day or about 8 hours, including travel.

How to buy cheap air tickets to Cyprus

One of the two international airports in Cyprus is Larnaca, which has many direct flights from Moscow, Kyiv, Riga, Tel Aviv and other cities. You can choose a flight and buy cheap air tickets on the website aviasales.ru. I recommend checking the availability of cheap air tickets using the low price calendar.

How to rent a car in Limassol

We rent a car on the Myrentacar website, which brings together most local rental companies. The prices are good, 24/7 Russian-speaking support, I have used them 6 times in three years. There are no complaints, the conditions are stated transparently, so you can always find an acceptable option.

How to find an inexpensive hotel or apartment in Limassol

I use the trusted Booking.com and aggregator site RoomGuru (HotelsCombined). Choice of accommodation, even for such a small island as Cyprus, on these resources is huge, but I recommend booking in advance - the best options are sold out a couple of months before the high season (July-August).

Individual and group transfer in Cyprus

Cyprus- a top summer destination and taxi drivers at the airport often raise prices for their services. In addition, most of them do not have child car seats. It is not installed because it takes up the seat of an adult passenger. Because of this, tourists with children have to run around the airport looking for a free car with a child car seat.

Both problems can be solved very simply. Transfer, both individual and group, is possible. There you can also choose the option with a child seat. You won’t have to overpay taxi drivers and there will be no problems with the safety of children.

Everything happens very simply. Afterwards, you will be met by a driver with a sign with your name written on it. Immediately after leaving the arrivals hall, you get into the car and drive to your hotel.