Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus. As such, the list of places of interests here is quite massive – how do you wrap your head around it? We’ll try to help with that in today’s guide. We’ll go over 14 of the most interesting sites you can see in and around Limassol. Enjoy!
Limassol
What to see in Limassol?
The city of Limassol itself has many attractions in the centre itself, though an equally large number of places of interest is scattered around the surrounding area. In the centre itself, you’ll find: Limassol’s promenade, Ayia Napa Cathedral and Limassol Castle. Nearby, you have the Limassol Salt Lake, Kolossi Castle, Monastery of St Nicholas and Kourion. You can get to these places via public transport or with organised tours. The most convenient way is, of course, with a hired car (remember, left-hand traffic).
Limassol effectively combines modernity, history and the feel of a resort town – there’s a bit of everything here. It’s a great place to explore, see flamingos and drink the oldest wine in Europe. Without further ado, though, here’s our list.
Molos Promenade
Limassol’s iconic promenade
One of the most iconic places in Limassol, the promenade, which measures more than half a mile. Apart from a showpiece, it also serves as a city park and a car park. You’ll find cafes, restaurants, restrooms and, above all, the beautiful green promenade itself. It’s a must-see in Limassol. It’s even better than the one in Larnaca.
Kourion
Archaeological Site near Limassol
Kourion is one of the best tourist attractions in Cyprus. It’s an archeological park to the west of Limassol. Kourion was a city once located in the area, though it was destroyed in an earthquake in 365 AD. You’ll find the ruins of a Greek theatre with a beautiful view of the sea, the ruins of a town and various temples, including even a Christian one. A few elements of this site are spread out a bit, like the Temple of Apollo or the ancient stadium. We especially recommend seeing the House of Eustolios, the House of the Gladiators, the theatre and the Temple of Apollo on site. And, of course, the view of the nearby cliffs and the sea from the hill.
How much does it cost to enter the Kourion Archeological Site? A standard ticket costs €4.50.
The site is open from 16 September to 15 April daily: 8:30am – 5:00pm and from 16 April to 15 September daily: 8:30am – 7:30pm
Kolossi Castle
Castle near Limassol
Kolossi Castle is best known as not just a castle but the production site of one of the oldest wines in the world, Commandaria. The castle itself was built in 1210 by the Franks and the production of wine here was likely a way to boost crusaders’ morale during the Crusades.
Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats
Cats in Limassol
This is a small place located right next to the Salt Lake in Limassol. Here, you’ll find a lovely temple, a monastery and lots of cats! The cats here live in symbiosis with the priests, helping them by scaring away (and devouring) pests. You may want to take some treats with you for the cats living here. This is one of the oldest monasteries in Cyprus, supposedly founded by St Helena in the 4th century.
Limassol Salt Lake
Flamingos in Limassol!
The Salt Lake in Limassol is one of the 3 places in Cyprus where you can spot flamingos! It’s located south-west of the city centre. You can find flamingos here from roughly September to March. Remember, they’re very skittish birds – don’t get too close, just take very zoomed in pictures.
You can drive up here and combine the lake with the monastery and the Kolossi castle mentioned above.
Limassol Castle
A castle in the centre of Limassol
Limassol Castle is a modest building in the city centre. It costs €5 to enter and, inside, you can admire various historical artefacts associated with the site. Richard the Lionheart was actually married in Limassol Castle. You can visit almost the entirety of the building, from the cellars to the roof, from which you will have a great view of the centre of Limassol.
Limassol Marina
Charming docks in Limassol
Your own Dubai in Cyprus. The Limassol Marina draws on the idea of estates on the sea, just like the Palm Dubai. Admittedly, the settlement here is much smaller, but it’s still a curious sight that you may even be able to see from your hotel balcony.
Ayia Napa Cathedral
What to see in Limassol?
The Ayia Napa Cathedral may have a bit of a confusing name due to it being identical to the famous resort in Cyprus. It’s the main church in Limassol, built in the 19th century on top of the ruins of an older Byzantine church. The inside actually kept the Byzantine style too. The cathedral is located in the centre of Limassol, at Agios Andreas.
Rock of Aphrodite
A modest attraction near Limassol
The Rock of Aphrodite is located to the west of the city, in the direction of Paphos. You can get here easily via the motorway. It’s where Aphrodite is said to have emerged from the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s quite a charming place and a beach at the same time.
Limassol Old Town
Charming colourful streets
The streets of Limassol’s old town are also worth a visit. It’s located practically just off the western end of the promenade. You’ll find a few of the aforementioned places, like the Ayia Napa Cathedral or the Limassol Castle. There are also many colourful streets full of cafes, souvenir shops and restaurants here.
Amathus
Archaeological Site
Amathous was one of the Iron Age kingdoms of Cyprus (from the 11th-4th century BC). It is the smaller brother of the Kourion Archaeological Site. The ancient city of Amathous was located to the east of Limassol. Here, you will find the ruins of the temple of Aphrodite, the Agora, the remains of the walls, the King’s Palace and more recent ruins, such as the basilica.
Entrance to the Amathus Archaeological Park costs €2.5.
Lofou
A small town near Limassol
Once you’ll feel like you’ve had enough of crowds of tourists and resorts, we recommend Lofou! It’s a small town north of Limassol, deep in the mainland of Cyprus. It’s 790m above sea level, so you’ll have to get here by car. The car park is just outside the town centre, to the north-west. We recommend a simple walk through Lofou, visiting the local church, petting all the cats you encounter and simply taking it in. It’s a perfect place to just rest a little from the crowded big-city vibe of Limassol.
Choirokoitia
Archaeological Site from 4000 BC
This is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Cyprus. Choirokoitia is a former prehistoric settlement, one of the best preserved in the world! It was inhabited from the 7th to the 4th millennium BC. It is one of the most important sights and attractions of this part of Cyprus as well as the general Limassol area. Choirokoitia was discovered in 1934 by Porphyrios Dikaios.
You can get here easily via the A1 motorway, ticket price is €2.5.
Map of Limassol’s attractions
What to see in and around Limassol
1) Limassol Promenade
2) Limassol Castle
3) Ayia Napa Cathedral in Limassol
4) Marina
5) Flamingos in Cyprus
6) Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Cats
7) Kolossi Castle
8) Kourion
9) Rock of Aphrodite
10) Lofou
11) Old town of Limassol
Also check out our list of the best beaches in Cyprus! Limassol area included.
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