Limassol Tourist Information and Tourism

(Limassol, Cyprus)

Home to some of the most important and impressive archaeological ruins on Cyprus, the southerly seaside city of Limassol (Lemesos / Limasol) is the island's largest municipality. However, despite its considerable size and incontestable tourist appeal, Limassol remains refreshingly underrated, although its extensive Mediterranean beachfront is always busy.

Limassol is best explored on foot and is roughly split into two main districts. The historical and recently renovated Old City encompasses both the original Turkish Quarter and the Old Harbour, while the more commercial Potamos Germasogeias (New City) lies around 3 km / 2 miles to the east of the Old City and is a major tourist resort, with hotels, bars and clubs galore. In central Limassol and on the corner of the Spyrou Araouzou, tourist information is available at the local outlet of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO).

Limassol Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

Tourists arrive in Limassol throughout the entire year, although the summer months are always the busiest time for holidays to Cyprus, when crowds of tourists arrive on the island to enjoy the plentiful sunshine and high temperatures. Although the winter months are cooler, temperatures remain extremely mild and the off-peak hotel rates appeal to many holiday makers keen for a bargain. The main attractions in Limassol understandably relate to its sumptuous Mediterranean coastline, where you can soak up the strong Cypriot sun on beaches such as Aphrodite's, Avdimou, Governor's, Kourion, Lady's Mile and Pissouri Bay. Scuba diving is also exceedingly popular around this resort, since the wreck of the Pharses II and various yachts reside in the neighbouring waters. Families will enjoy spending time at the Municipal Gardens, where the Lemesos Zoo Garden is located. As the evening approaches, sit back and watch the bars and nightspots begin to fill up with excited holiday makers. More information about Limassol Tourist Attractions and Limassol Beaches.

The Limassol of today is filled with high-rise apartment blocks and modern hotels, and is a far cry from its considerably more understated and traditional appearance, just a few decades ago. However, beneath all of the glitz and tourism, there are some historical Cypriot landmarks here of great significance. The medieval Limassol Castle (Lemesos Castle) is quite something and is surrounded by tropical Mediterranean gardens. Just a two-minute stroll away Grand Mosque (Kebir Camil) also beckons and is quite impossible to miss. More information about Limassol Landmarks and Monuments.

If you are visiting the Lemesos Castle, then you will no doubt find the onsite Medieval Museum to be a particular highlight, with its medieval and Byzantine relics being quite intriguing. For more information about the heritage of Limassol, be sure to check out the local Archaeological Museum and the Folk Art Museum. Tourists also favour the Limassol Municipal Art Gallery, where an impressive permanent collection of Cypriot art is housed. More information about Limassol Museums and Limassol Art Galleries.

As the regional capital and administrative centre, the city of Limassol is surrounded by places of interest. Day trips to the vineyards and villages around the Troodos mountains are popular. To immerse yourself in history, then do make sure that you leave time to properly explore the archaeological sites of both Ancient Amathos and Ancient Kourion. The picturesque Kolossi Castle is another nearby attraction and dates from the 13th century. Limassol stands part way between the leading seaside resorts of Larnaca (east) and Paphos (west), and so if you fancy a change of scenery and some serious clubbing, then these tourist hotspots are the places to come. More information about Limassol Attractions Nearby.

More Limassol Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: Cyprus (south)
• Location: Limassol (Lemesos) District
• Status: city (second-largest)
• Population: approximately 95,000
• Language: Greek and Turkish
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Time zone: EET (UTC+2)
• Country dialling code: +357
• Telephone area code: +25
• Average daily Limassol January temperature: 16°C / 61°F
• Average daily Limassol July temperature: 30°C / 86°F