Limassol
Limassol is a beautiful city on the West Coast of Cyprus, and one of the islands largest resorts. With this in mind, it’s no surprise visitors arrive here to find a bustling, cosmopolitan feel to the area, which is packed with pavement cafes, beachfront hotels, shops, and attractive ports. With zoos and water parks, and nightlife completing the mix of modern attractions, there is plenty here to entertain, but you can’t go far without being enveloped in the city’s history and culture.
The Cypriot sun shines down on a number of first class sandy beaches, including the interestingly named Ladies Mile Beach, which, with its shallow waters attracts many windsurfers and families. The legend of Aphrodite is celebrated here too, with sun seekers gathering on Limassol’s beaches every June for Kataklysmos, or the Festival Of Flood, which celebrates the Goddess of Love.
Away from the beaches, there are a variety of other festivals and events held annually throughout the city. Among the larger scale popular events in Limassol’s calendar, is their wine festival, held every September, to celebrate the islands wine making industry. Among the attractions here is the traditional wine press, and folklore dances. Traditions and Folklore also come alive in a burst of colour, during Carnival, which starts ten days before Lent, and features many local children in fancy dress, along with dancers, singers, and a procession of floats. Other events in the area include dance festivals, film days, Cyprus Rally Driving Event, Lemesia (a large sporting event), and also theatre productions.
It’s hard not to visit Cyprus without experiencing some history/culture, and one of the main events in the summer theatre season is a Shakespeare Festival in June. This is held at the ancient outdoor amphitheatre at Kourion, one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. There’s also the well known Rialto Theatre, and an intriguing Shadow Theatre in the city’s Kings Garden. A journey back in time could also feature a trip to Limassol’s two medieval castles; one located in the old town area, which now houses a medieval museum, while the other can be found at Kolossi, on the west side of town.
When you’ve had your fill of all the attractions Limassol has to offer, why not venture outside the confines of the city; there are many towns and villages within reach. For stunning scenery there are the Troodos Mountains, suitable for hiking, or in the case of Mount Olympus, skiing in the early part of the year. In and around the mountains there are villages, like Pitsilia to explore, awash with feasts, fairs, and homemade crafts. There’s also a monastery at Kykkos.
Attractions aside, the city of Limassol offers a variety of hotels, many of which are in a central or beachside location, and with transfer times around an hour from Paphos or Larnaca Airports, this is a city that has all you need for a great holiday in Cyprus.
