Cyprus. Limassol

Each city has its own historical center, relative to which it once expanded in breadth. The older the city, the more interesting its old part is usually. So our walk today will take place through the old part of Limassol. And even if it is not as rich in architectural heritage, which can be seen in other “tourist” (and not only) cities of the world, but, as they say, what is rich is what one is happy with. We came to Cyprus on vacation, and this meant not only lying on the beach, but also walking. And for those who have chosen Limassol as their holiday destination, a walk through the Old Town is a must. So, let's start!

Let's enter the Old Town from the embankment, from the Old Port area. No, you can get there in many ways. But we just want you to first pay attention to the innovation that the city hall came up with to establish quite recently - in 2014. This is the future Cyprus Walk of Fame. At the time of filming, only a couple of “stars” were present there - the city of Limassol itself and the sign of this project. But in the future, the number of stars, according to the organizers, will grow. And at the expense of everyone. So if you suddenly have the idea to immortalize your or someone else’s name on the sidewalk of Limassol, then know that it is possible... if you have enough money, of course. At this piquant moment, let's take a break and walk to the Old Town along the Walk of Fame.

Today we will have a special walk. We will not “lead you by the hand” all the time, describing each step in detail. We will simply show in fragments those places that you can see while walking along the numerous streets of old Limassol. We advise you to simply wander as your heart desires. And if you go for a walk here again, then most likely it will be a completely different route, on which you will meet something new. In general, we go wherever our eyes lead us. Let’s just outline a little area where you should first take a walk. But first, let’s hold your hand a little.

street Dimitri Mitropoulou, which we entered, after a hundred meters it will lead us to the left and after another fifty meters it will lead us to an intersection. If we go left here, we will come out to the square where the Medieval Castle stands. We visited this castle in a separate story, so today we will turn right, up from the sea. After another fifty meters the street will make a smooth turn to the right. Just after turning on the left hand you can find the street Irinis. It leads to the old water tower, where we started our sightseeing tour of Limassol. But today we will move to the right along the street Agiou Andreou, running parallel to the sea.

Agiou Andreou street

Fifty meters after the turn, having made a sort of zigzag, we will approach the street, which is called - Zik Zak. We are always attracted by something about the house standing on its corner. Let's take a look at it. Yes, by the way, we said that every year Old city undergoing changes, mainly in better side. Old houses are gradually being restored, and they are beginning to play with new colors. We’ll show just such an example in two photos. The first was made in 2008, and the second in 2014.

A mosque is visible in the alignment of Zik Zak street. By the way, this part of old Limassol (and beyond Medieval castle) was inhabited predominantly by Turkish Cypriots, who mostly left the city after 1974. Therefore, here you can still find abandoned and dilapidated houses that belonged to former owners. And they are in no hurry to restore them. In the meantime, let's take a look at the mosque's minaret, visible in the background.

We advise you to follow this Zik Zak all the way to the mosque. Excavations are currently underway on the side of it. They show that the mosque was built on the foundations of an old Christian church. Well, now let's go back and try to walk without stopping along Agiou Andreou, from which we turned off. Although it is simply impossible to walk without stopping. Firstly, this is one of the main “shopping” streets of the old city - it is difficult to walk along it quickly without being distracted by various shops. However, we talked about it separately in the story about “Shopping in Limassol”. If you look closely at the houses located along the street, you can find many interesting details on them. For example, we are always attracted by a variety of balconies. Now let's show a couple.

Not far from the church there is another interesting object. At least we like him for some reason. This is a triangular house. It's hard not to pay attention to him.

Let's go even further along this street. After about three hundred meters we will cross one of the central arteries of the Old Town - the street Anexartisias, which we also talked about in the story about shopping. Then we will again come across shops and taverns... but today we are walking for the sake of the aesthetic perception of the city, so our attention should now be focused on the architectural content of the houses and houses where all these establishments are located. For example, let's look at these options.

About five hundred meters from the turn onto Anexartisias street right hand We'll see office building Limassol diocese. It’s funny that for many years, at least as long as we’ve been walking along this street, there’s been a memorable women’s delight store located exactly opposite.

While we are moving through the Old Town parallel to the sea. To outline the imaginary border of our walk today, let’s walk a little more to the next colorful object - to Public library Limassol. We filmed it at different periods. It looks very beautiful in the evening light. But recently the building was put up for reconstruction, and probably very soon it will sparkle with new colors.

Here we will leave for now and give you time to wander around the city on your own. You probably noticed when walking along Agiou Andreou that you constantly came across perpendicular streets leading deeper into the city. You can turn onto any of them for a further walk. And parallel to Agiou Andreou there are other streets, intersected by other streets - there are a lot of them here, a whole web. Some street may end in a dead end, and you will have to turn back. In general, there is somewhere to wander. So, we turn around in the opposite direction and turn onto the first street that catches our eye.

Old streets of the Old Town

Old dilapidated houses often become targets for graffiti. Let's show a couple of examples.

But the real art of graffiti begins in specially designated places, of which you can find many.

Back in 2007, we managed to catch a funny festival on these streets called Street Life Festival. One of its “highlights” was that everyone could create their own work - whether you want it on a specially prepared “wall”, or whether you want it on a small pebble.

But let's move on. In addition to ordinary houses, we will also meet quite civilized ones. For example, the building of the city municipality (Town Hall). Near its entrance there are marble plaques with inscriptions of the sister cities of Limassol.

About two hundred meters from here you can find a building Central Market and nearby is a picturesque square with a fountain. If you want to visit the market, you should keep in mind that it is only open in the first half of the day.

- this is a pearl Mediterranean Sea, then Limassol is the pearl of Cyprus. The city is one of the three most popular tourist cities on the island along with Paphos and Larnaca. It is located almost halfway between these cities on the south coast. From any international airport in Cyprus it is very easy to get to Limassol. It is separated from Larnaca by 85 kilometers, and from Paphos even less - only 68.

Tourists from Limassol can very quickly get to the western or eastern part of the coast to visit the main attractions of the island.

What is Limassol

Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus. Several decades ago it was a small industrial center of the island. Today the city stretches for 15 kilometers along the coastline. The city experienced an increase in population and intensive development as a tourist center after the Famagusta district was located in the northern territory of the island, behind the “green line” that separated the Greek and Turkish parts of Cyprus.

Limassol for work

Limassol - a large sea harbor, center international trade on the island, an attractive offshore zone and the tourist capital of Cyprus. All leading wineries are registered in the city. Local farmers grow mountains of agricultural products.

Industrial enterprises used to be scattered throughout the city, which was not very good for organizing tourism. But local authorities are gradually solving the problem, and now production capacity is concentrated in outlying areas. A unique tourist area has formed in the city center, stretching along the entire coast from Amathunda to the old port.

Limassol for holidays

Limassol is not called the Cypriot Riviera for nothing. The resort city provides its guests with absolutely everything they need for a luxurious holiday. These are luxury villas by the sea and fashionable five-star hotels on the first coastline, beaches with developed infrastructure and numerous nightlife establishments, discos and bars, concert and theater venues, shops.

Limassol is suitable for everyone who wants to get the maximum number of impressions, see the “whole” of Cyprus, enjoy excellent service and try all the entertainment. If the sea is not enough for someone, there is a water park. If you still have energy after all the fun, then you can play tennis, go diving or horse riding.

In winter, you can even go skiing in the mountains. While men are busy tasting magnificent Cypriot wines, women will happily spend energy, time and money on shopping. Children can be taken to the zoo and amusement park. In Limassol, everyone will find entertainment to their liking. You won't be bored either day or night.

Limassol for life

The population of Limassol exceeds 250 thousand, mostly Greek Cypriots. The city has the largest Russian-speaking community in Cyprus, about 20 thousand people, that is, approximately 10%. These are the official data, but local Russians say that the figure has already exceeded 40 thousand.

It is known for sure that in Lately About 700 thousand tourists arrive in Cyprus every year, and half of them are Russians. Many of the Russian old-timers first bought real estate on the island, which they rented out to tourists, and then grew into local life, started a serious business and stayed forever.

Russian parties are held in the city, Russian speech can be heard on the streets, there are Russian restaurants, Russian grocery stores, where you can even buy the usual kefir and everything you need for Olivier. There are no problems with the Russian-language service; you can easily find advertisements for the services of a nanny and cleaner, a lawyer and a doctor.

Beaches of Limassol

In terms of the number of beaches, it is difficult for other cities to compete with Limassol. This is what the list of main beaches looks like when looking at the map from east to west:

• Governor's Beach
• Andreas and Melani Beach
• Panagies Beach
• Malindi Beach
• Aphrodite Beach
• Amathaunta Beach
• Castella Beach
• Armonia Beach
• Onisilos Beach
• Santa Barbara
• Atlantica Miramare Beach
• Dasoudi Beach
• Akti Olympion beach
• Lady's Mile
• Curium Beach
• Episkopi Beach
• Turtle Beach (Paramali Turtle Beach)
• Milanda
• Pissouri Beach

Limassol Lady s Mille Beach on the map

The list is extensive, but not complete, because the coastline of Limassol stretches for tens of kilometers, on which many large and small beaches are freely located. Some beaches are proud of big names and world fame, others, as they say, are not for everyone, without developed infrastructure, hidden behind rocks in small invisible bays.

It is believed that best beaches However, they are located outside the city limits. The water there is cleaner, and there are not as many people as in the center, and traces of human presence are less noticeable in nature. You can get to remote places by car or public transport.

One of these places is called Governor's Beach in honor of a British governor who loved to relax on this beach 20 kilometers from Limassol, east towards Larnaca. Governor's Beach is essentially a series of small beaches.

Governor's Beach is famous for its landscapes, which are distinguished by an amazing combination of colors: white chalk cliffs, dark volcanic sand, blue sea and lush green surrounding vegetation. Photo shoots of famous models often take place on Governor's Beach.

In the western direction towards Paphos, the most popular beaches are Lady's Mile, Curium Beach and Pissouri Beach.

Beach Ladies Mile stretches for five kilometers, divided into several parts, and some of them even got their own names. The beach is almost all “wild” with the exception of the landscaped area of ​​Captain`s Cabin. This place attracts surfers: the wind often blows here, raising waves, and the sea is usually deserted. On the beach you can rent a board and use the services of an instructor.

Kourion Beach in demand among those tourists who come to relax with children. They are attracted by the calm and dimensional atmosphere, the shallow sea near the shore.

Kourion is a protected area. Not far from the beach is the archaeological site of Kourion with interesting mosaics and an amphitheater from the 2nd century BC.

Pissouri Beach is located 38 kilometers from Limassol and is actually located closer to Paphos. Nearby is the village of Pissouri, which gave the name to the beach. The descent into the water generally occurs quite quickly, although there are places with a depth of 4-5 meters, which attracts divers. The light morning wind is good for beginner surfers, but in the afternoon it intensifies, raising a good wave and providing pleasure even for master surfers.

Entrance to municipal beaches is free; you can always rent sunbeds and umbrellas, use changing cabins and showers. Most beaches have taverns or small cafes. If you wish, you can get more comfortable in the VIP areas provided on some beaches.

Sights of Limassol

Limassol has a thousand-year history. The Old Town is a great place for leisurely strolls. Winding streets with low houses, where signs of antiquity are constantly encountered, convey the spirit of the legendary past. Everywhere you can feel the breath of the sea, which becomes stronger as you approach the old fishing harbor.

Architectural monuments

In the historical center of Limassol there are

• Agia Napa Cathedral.

It is located in the historical center of the city, next to the old port. The original construction dates back to the beginning of the 12th century. Then it was destroyed several times during military clashes and earthquakes. It was restored and acquired its modern appearance in the 16th century. During Ottoman Empire The lower level rooms were used to hold prisoners. There is a legend that King Richard the Lionheart was married to Berengaria Navarre in the castle of Limassol at the end of the 12th century.

In the middle of the last century, the castle became a place for storing finds from archaeological excavations in Limassol and surrounding areas. The exhibits mainly belong to the Middle Ages, although parts of the collection date back to the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Hellenistic periods.

The museum is small, but its collection has enormous historical value. Among the most expensive exhibits are a statue of the goddess Artemis and a sculpture of the god Bes from Egyptian mythology, which was found in Amathus. The main part of the collection was then transferred to the Archaeological Museum building next to the Limassol Municipal Park.

Agia Napa Cathedral begins its history in 1903. The simple, laconic architecture of the cathedral immediately sets it apart from the surrounding residential buildings.

After the simplicity and severity of the exterior, pomp and luxury interior decoration make a particularly strong impression. Tall columns, gilded stucco and bright frescoes create a festive, festive mood. The cathedral is popular among believers due to the presence of two shrines. This is the belt of the Virgin Mary and the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.

Another decoration of the temple is an icon depicting Jesus Christ and the twelve apostles. The icon is made using an unusual technique. This is embroidery with silk threads and trimmed with gold lace.

The carob museum building is located indoors former factory for processing carob fruits. The museum is dedicated to the history of the cultivation and use in Cyprus of this evergreen Mediterranean plant, which is used in confectionery as a natural sweetener and is still in demand in official and folk medicine.

Carob powder tastes like cocoa. Even at the beginning of the 20th century, products obtained from carob were an important item of Cypriot export.

Visitors can walk through the entire technological chain and inspect the equipment of the former factory.

Attractions in the vicinity of Limassol

In the immediate vicinity of Limassol there are impressive sights that date back to the Middle Ages and Ancient Greece.

Kolossi Castle is located just 15 kilometers from the city and you can easily get to it on your own. The castle is not very large, only three floors, but it gives the impression of a very powerful fortification. The thickness of its walls reaches three meters, and the height of 25 meters seems even greater due to the fact that the castle was built on a mountain ledge. Since the 13th century, Kolossi Castle first belonged to the Order of the Knights Hospitaller, then became the property of the Templar Order. The English king Richard the Lionheart also visited here.

The first floor is reserved for storage rooms. On the second floor there are two halls without windows (after all, this is a defensive structure) and kitchens with a fireplace. An entrance to the second floor was built via a suspension bridge. The third floor is reserved for the apartments of the Supreme Commander of the Order. The castle is well preserved. A twisting staircase leads to the roof, which offers a wonderful view of the Troodos mountains and the salt lake of Akrotiri.

In the area around the village of Kolossi, oranges and vineyards have been cultivated for thousands of years. This region is considered the birthplace of the most famous Cypriot wine, Commandaria, named after the Grand Commandaria, the seat of the Knights Hospitaller. The knights of the order were engaged in sugar production near the castle for almost 300 years. The sugar factory has survived to this day. If you look to the west, you will see its large vaulted building.

The bus fare is 1.5 euros. The trip allows you to see the surroundings of the city, which expand your understanding of Cyprus.

Along the old road from Limassol to Paphos, right on the shore, lie the ruins of ancient Kourion. In the 12th century BC it was a thriving city with a population of about 20,000 people.

In its scale, Kourion could compete with Athens. The Olympian gods were revered here, in whose honor temples were built, squares were decorated with marble fountains, and the houses of the local nobility resembled palaces. All this splendor was destroyed by an earthquake. The city lost its greatness, but did not disappear from the face of the earth. It existed during the era of Roman rule, saw the greatness of the Byzantine Empire, and survived the raids of the Arabs.

An Archaeological Park is organized on the site of ancient Kourion. Tourists, during an excursion or on their own, can explore the preserved theater, the villas of Eustolios, Achilles and Gladiators, Roman baths and mosaics. The picturesque ruins of wealthy private houses are scattered throughout the park. It's hard not to notice the impressive foundations of one of the largest churches in Cyprus from the early Christian era.

The cost of a ticket to the Archaeological Park is 1.7 euros.

12 kilometers from Limassol towards Larnaca lie the ruins of another city-state of Amathus. The origins of the city go back approximately 3,000 years. In the history of Amathus, facts are mixed with legends. They say that Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, who helped Theseus kill the Minotaur, died here from childbirth. It is known that the city was captured by the troops of Alexander the Great, under whom Amathus flourished. In the Roman era, the city managed to be the capital of Cyprus, and in the Middle Ages it was plundered by the Arabs.

The city was built on coastal cliffs, and much of it eventually slipped into the sea. The squares and streets seem to bear traces of its long-gone inhabitants. You can look into the houses of the Hellenes, walk through the agora, and examine the remains of the city water supply. Even two acropolises have been preserved, where some tombs have remained untouched for many centuries.

Amathus is easily accessible by bus. You have to pay 1.8 euros to enter.

Scattered around Limassol are picturesque villages with a unique atmosphere, architecture and way of life. Tourists will find secluded beaches and see sea and mountain landscapes. And in some villages, ancient monasteries and temples that are still in operation deserve attention. You can't miss this quiet resort town Episkopi, next to which is the oldest Cypriot sanctuary, dedicated to the god Apollo, considered the patron saint of Kourion.

The atmosphere of Cyprus is unique, it penetrates a person along with his history, landscapes, sea, mountains, sun and wind and remains with him forever.

Limassol Castle is the oldest heart of the city. Built in 1000 AD. Scientists suggest that the castle is a fragment of a larger structure. According to legend, Richard the Lionheart married Queen Berengaria here in the chapel. The castle was captured by the Turks in 1570 and became a garrison and prison under their rule. The British also had a police station here. Currently, the castle houses the Museum of the Middle Ages.

Behind the castle you can see an ancient horn mill and warehouses. The mill was restored. The cultural center of Evagoras Lanitis and restaurants have “settled” here. There was also an exhibition of old equipment that was used to grind carob pods into flour in the mill building. A row of old shops and arches that were once the courtyard of one of the caravanserais (inns).

When you go down to the old port pier, don't miss the wall on the right. This is a fragment of an Ottoman domed market, or perhaps it was part of a medieval building or a shelter for the Knights of the Order of St. John.

At the intersection of Genetliu Mitella, Jami and Zig Zag streets, the Jami Kebir - “Great Mosque” is located. This is the most important religious monument of Limassol's times Ottoman rule. Nearby is the oldest cemetery in the city. Government officials, Arabs and Turks who served the Ottomans found their final refuge here. The tombstones on the graves are decorated with marble turbans and inscriptions from poems in Turkish or Persian.

After Zig Zag Street, turn right and you will find yourself on Rue Lutron (“Street of the Baths”). There is Charshi Hammam (bathhouse at retail space). On the marble slab above the entrance there is an inscription indicating the date of construction of the hammam and the name of the benefactor.

Among other memorable places in Limassol, be sure to visit the following attractions to get acquainted with the ancient city:

1. Museum of the Middle Ages. The museum's exhibits, opened in 1987, tell the history of Limassol from 400 to 1870 AD: tools, paintings, wood carvings from the 17th and 18th centuries, tombstones, armor, metal products, terracotta, ceramics, glass and marble.

2.Catholic Church of St. Catherine. It was created in the Baroque style with mosaics on the vaults in the neo-Byzantine style.

3.Ayia Napa Cathedral. This is the most beautiful temple in Cyprus, housing the icon of the Virgin Mary of Napa.

4.Archaeological Museum. It was opened in 1948, has the most ancient exhibits, archaeological artifacts discovered in the Lemesos (Limassol) area.

5.Museum of Folk Art, which was awarded the Europa Nostra Prize in 1989. The ancient house houses a collection of folk art of the last two centuries: national costumes, jewelry, agricultural tools and much more.

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 different stages 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 — largest producer olive oil on the island. This museum and olive park - the best place to immerse yourself in 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 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 summer time. 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. Great place for a photo shoot because of its unusual looking. 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 - best options disperse 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.

Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus. It is located on the southern coast of the island and is an important tourist center. The description of the old town of Limassol on our website will allow you to decide on the places you can visit. The heart of modern Limassol is the old town, which is located in the western part opposite the old pier.

Old town of Limassol

The city is rich in historical places. The center of its main attractions is the Old Town. Its beginning is considered to be an old pier, which today is used as a parking lot for pleasure boats and fishing boats. This is where the embankment begins, along which you can see pergolas, sculptures, playgrounds and much more.

One of the fascinating places to see in the old town of Limassol is the fortress and the museum located within it. The castle, located near the old port, was erected in the 14th century under the Lusignans where there had previously been a Byzantine fortress. It was within the walls of this castle that the wedding of Princess Berengaria of Navarre and Richard the Lionheart took place. The fortress was destroyed in 1222 after an earthquake. Then it was used as a prison for guilty barons. 150 years later, it was destroyed by Genoese troops, and it was restored by order of King Jacques I. After that, the castle was destroyed and restored many times, expanded and strengthened. In 1800 it was again made a prison.

An excellent example of Islamic architecture is the Kebir Jami Mosque in the old city. It can be seen next to the castle. Scientists believe that it was built in the 16th century. The mosque is still in operation, but is not always open. The inside is not richly decorated, but even on hot days its white stone walls protect the room from the sweltering heat.

The most prominent representative Orthodox churches The city is considered the Agia Napa Cathedral, which was built on the site where an ancient Byzantine church stood. The design of the cathedral was created by the Athenian architect Georgios Papadakis. It represents the Greek style interspersed with Byzantine architecture. Construction began in 1903, and already in 1906, divine services and sacred ceremonies were held in the cathedral.

In general, there are many churches in the central part of Limassol. Some may not be immediately noticed, while others cannot be missed. In the old town there is also Catholic Church Saint Catherine. Its facade faces directly towards the sea, and it is located in Molos Park.

Museums of the old city

Today, the Limassol Fortress in the old town is an architectural and historical monument. It belongs to the Department of Antiquities. Here is the Museum of the Middle Ages, which houses exhibits from the Nicosia Museum.

The museum began functioning in 1987. Here you can see armor, ancient tombstones, fragments of religious buildings, weapons, lamps, coins, and household items. The collections represent 400 - 1870 AD. In the main hall of the museum there are sculptures of the Lusignans, which were transferred from the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, and the main hall is decorated with photographs and coats of arms of ancient buildings.

The Box Tree Museum is located behind the Medieval Museum. In Cyprus, carob fruits are highly valued, thanks to their beneficial properties. In past centuries, the processing of such fruits was the main source of income for the country. They are used to make syrups, candies, chocolate, dried fruits and medicines. Very often, dried fruits of the box tree are fed to camels and donkeys. You can visit the museum any day of the week.

A walk through the old town of Limassol must include the Archaeological Museum. It was created in 1948. All exhibits are objects of life and everyday life, discovered by scientists during excavations in the outskirts of the city, namely the city-states of Amathus and Kourion, which were destroyed in ancient times by strong earthquakes.

The Archaeological Museum consists of 3 halls. The first contains pottery from the Akrotiri caves, the second contains copper objects, the third and most valuable contains tombstones, statues of gods, marble items, glass objects and figurines. Directly in front of the entrance you can see images of Aphrodite and Eros, which are laid out in mosaics.

In addition to all sorts of places of interest, you can simply wander along the old streets. This is also a very interesting and exciting process.

Information about the old town of Limassol makes it possible to create a route for visiting attractions at your own discretion. A visit to the old town of Limassol will be one of the most interesting parts of your holiday