Limassol: what to see, where to stay and how to get around

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In 1191 Richard the Lionheart, on his way to the Crusade, took Cyprus in a few weeks and married his bride in Limassol. The old town around his castle later became a mixed Greek and Turkish quarter, and the mosque and the cathedral still stand a few streets apart. This walk takes about two hours and stays within the old centre. Do it in the morning, and come back to the market streets at night when the bars open.

A short history of Limassol

Limassol grew up between two ancient cities, Amathus and Kourion, and as a town in its own right it is mentioned only from the 10th century. In 1191 Richard the Lionheart landed here on his way to the Crusade, conquered Cyprus and married Berengaria of Navarre in the town. Later the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller held the area, and their Kolossi tower still stands. For centuries the town was a wine port, and after 1974, when the port of Famagusta was lost, it became Cyprus's main port. Since the 1990s it has grown greatly and become the island's shipping and business centre.

The ten best sights in Limassol

1
Limassol Castle
The Cyprus Medieval Museum inside; the roof gives the best view of the old town
2
Kolossi Castle
A Crusader tower among vineyards; climb to the roof and see the old sugar mill beside it
3
Kourion
The great site of the region: a theatre on a cliff over the sea and Roman mosaics; go late afternoon
4
Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates
A rebuilt temple front among pines, 3 km past Kourion; combine the two
5
Amathus
Ruins of an ancient kingdom right on the coast road east of town
6
Limassol Archaeological Museum
Finds from Amathus and Kourion; see it before the sites
7
Kebir Mosque
The old Turkish quarter starts here, behind the castle; still a working mosque
8
Agia Napa Cathedral
The big church of the old town, two streets from the market
9
Carob Mill
Old carob warehouses turned into a museum, restaurants and bars behind the castle
10
Chabad of Limassol
Synagogue and community centre for the city's large Israeli community; kosher food can be arranged here

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What is an audio walk?

Tours in Limassol →

A guide in your headphones: open the walk on our site, walk from stop to stop, and at each one your phone tells its story. No guide, no group, and free. This is the first walk in Limassol:

Free walking tours in Limassol

Richard's wedding town

Limassol Castle · Tradition says Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre in a chapel on this spot on 12 May 1191, and she was crowned Queen of England the same day. The castle you see is mostly an Ottoman rebuilding from around 1590.
Kebir Mosque · The Kebir, or 'great', mosque is the main mosque of the old town and still serves the city's Muslim community. The streets behind it were the Turkish quarter until 1974.
Agia Napa Cathedral · The present cathedral was built in the early 20th century on the site of an older church of the same name. Inside, look for the large carved wooden iconostasis, the screen of icons that divides the altar from the congregation.
Limassol Municipal Market · The covered market was built under British rule, and after a long renovation it now mixes produce stalls with cafés. The streets around Saripolou Square next to it are where Limassol goes out at night.
Carob Mill · Carobs were called the black gold of Cyprus and were shipped from this mill through the old port. Carob seeds are so even in weight that merchants once used them to weigh gems — the word carat comes from the Greek for carob seed.
Old Port and Marina · The old port was Limassol's working harbour before the big new port was built to the west. Fishing boats still tie up here, and the fish restaurants buy straight from them.

Knights, wine and Kourion

West of Limassol lies the land of the Crusader knights, who grew sugar and made a sweet wine that is still produced today. Beyond their castle, the ancient city of Kourion sits on a cliff above the sea, with a sanctuary of Apollo in the pines nearby. This is half a day by car, best finished at Kourion for the late light. Bring water and a hat; there is little shade on the sites.

Saint Nicholas of the Cats · Legend says Saint Helena brought cats from Egypt or Palestine in the 4th century to rid the peninsula of snakes. The nuns who run the convent today still feed dozens of cats.
Kolossi Castle · The Knights Hospitaller made Kolossi the seat of their Grand Commandery, and the tower standing today was built in 1454. Their sweet wine was named after the commandery — Commandaria.
Cyprus Wine Museum · Commandaria is made from sun-dried grapes in a small group of villages in the hills north of here, and is often called the oldest named wine still being made. The museum explains the method and pours a taste.
Kourion · Kourion was an ancient city-kingdom, and an earthquake in the year 365 brought it down. Its theatre, rebuilt in Roman times, has been restored and is used again for summer performances.
Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates · Hylates means 'of the woodland', and Apollo was worshipped here as god of the forest. The geographer Strabo wrote that anyone who touched the altar was thrown off a nearby cliff into the sea.
Kourion Beach · The long pebble-and-sand beach lies right under the cliff of ancient Kourion, with fish tavernas at the far end. The water deepens quickly and the wind can raise waves, so watch children.

Along the sea, east

Limassol is a long city stretched along the shore, and its seafront path runs for kilometres from the marina towards the eastern hotels. This route follows the water from the wide family beach in the west, through the promenade, to an ancient royal city and a quiet cove beyond it. It can be done in a day by car, with walks in between. The museum is the place for the hottest hour.

Lady's Mile · The story goes that the beach is named after a mare called 'the Lady', which a British officer exercised along the sand. The beach lies inside the British Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri, which is why there is almost no building on it.
Limassol Marina · The marina is the newest part of the seafront, built next to the old port with apartments and shops around the yacht basin. Walk through it to reach the old port and the castle.
Molos promenade · Molos is the seafront park east of the old port, and modern sculptures by artists from many countries stand along its length as an open-air sculpture park. It is where Limassol walks in the evening.
Limassol Archaeological Museum · The museum holds the finds from Amathus and Kourion, including statues and jewellery from the city-kingdoms. Seeing it first makes the ruins easier to read.
Amathus · Amathus was one of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus, with a famous sanctuary of Aphrodite on its acropolis. A huge stone vase, about 14 tonnes, was carried from here to the Louvre in 1865, and a copy now stands on the site.
Governor's Beach · The beach is a strip of dark grey sand under bright white chalk cliffs, a contrast that makes it one of the most photographed spots on this coast. There are tavernas on the cliff above.

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Getting to Limassol and getting around

Limassol bus station (Leontiou) · City and intercity buses, including the shuttle to Larnaca and Paphos airports
Limassol Port · Cruise ships and the passenger terminal, a few kilometres west of the centre
Larnaca Airport · About 45 minutes by motorway; flights from Israel land here

Cheap eats in Limassol

Limassol eats like the rest of Cyprus — souvlaki in a thick pita, halloumi off the grill, meze in the evening — but it is also the most international city on the island, so Lebanese and Russian bakeries sit beside the souvlaki shops. The wine villages in the hills behind it make Commandaria, a sweet wine to finish a meal. Prices are in euros, a little higher around the marina.

Souvlakia Livadias · Souvlaki and sheftalia in pita, about €5-7
The Shawerma · Shawarma in pita or plate, about €5-8
Man'oushe · Lebanese flatbread with za'atar or cheese, about €2-4
Zorpas bakery · Halloumi pies and koulouri for the road, about €2-4
Galette Artisan Bakery · Pastries and coffee in the centre, about €3-6
Municipal Market · Fruit, cheese and a coffee among the stalls, a few euros

Museums in Limassol

Cyprus Medieval Museum · Inside the castle: armour, tombstones and the roof view
Limassol Archaeological Museum · Finds from Amathus and Kourion
Carob Museum · The old carob mill machinery, short and free-feeling
Kourion Museum, Episkopi · Small village museum with finds from Kourion
Cyprus Wine Museum · Commandaria tasting in Erimi

Nature and day trips near Limassol

Akrotiri Salt Lake · Flamingos in winter; tracks are muddy after rain
Germasogeia Dam · A reservoir in the hills behind town with a nature trail
Governor's Beach · White cliffs and dark sand
Lady's Mile · Wide, open beach with shallow water
Kourion Beach · Long beach under the ancient cliff

Things to do in Limassol with kids

Limassol Zoo · Small zoo inside the municipal garden
Saint Nicholas of the Cats · Dozens of cats to meet
Kolossi Castle · A real castle tower to climb
Molos promenade · Playgrounds, bikes and sculptures by the sea
Lady's Mile · Shallow water for small children

Where to eat in Limassol

To Frourio · Taverna by the castle; meze and grills
Karatello Tavern · Cypriot food in the Carob Mill area
Megaro Tavern · Traditional dishes in the old town
Afxentis Fish Restaurant · Fish dinner near the old port
Art Bistro Agora · Relaxed dinner by the market square

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Frequently asked questions about Limassol

What is there to see in Limassol?

The top sights in Limassol are Limassol Castle, Kolossi Castle and Kourion. The full list on this page has 10 sights, each with a photo and a short note.

How many days do you need in Limassol?

Three to four days are enough to see the best of Limassol without rushing, including at least one walking tour.

Is there a free walking tour in Limassol?

Yes. sleepntrip has 3 free audio walks in Limassol, with no guide and no group: your phone tells the story at every stop. The first one: Richard's wedding town.

How do you get to Limassol and get around?

The main ways are Limassol bus station (Leontiou), Limassol Port and Larnaca Airport. Full details are in the transport section on this page.

Where to stay in Limassol, and for how much?

sleepntrip shows only rooms in Limassol that meet nine conditions: a good location, high guest scores, cleanliness, and a price of up to $80 a night for two. Pick your dates and see what is free.

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