Limassol is a city of Russian-speaking emigrants and the financial center of Cyprus.
It is the fourth most popular resort in the country after Paphos, Ayia Napa and Larnaca . There are a dozen four- and five-star hotels, gray sand beaches, and shops and cafes that are open even during the off-season. Limassol hosts festivals and concerts in Russian, as well as nightclubs, children’s activities, an aqua park, museums, and ancient monuments.
I recommend staying in Limassol if you want to explore the rest of the island. It is easy to get to all major cities from Limassol, and it only takes 45-60 minutes to drive there. If you are planning to visit another city in Cyprus, I recommend spending a day in Limassol to see the main attractions.
I have created a 7-kilometer route that will take us along the sea and through the historical center of the city.
How to get to Limassol
Cyprus has two international airports: in Larnaca and Paphos.
From any airport in Cyprus, you can take a bus from Limassol Airport Express to Limassol. There are almost hourly departures from Larnaca, and much less frequently from Paphos. A ticket for an adult costs 10 € and 5 € for a child under 12 years old.
The Larnaca Airport bus makes an intermediate stop in the tourist area of Limassol, next to the St. Raphael Hotel. It takes 35 minutes to get here, and here you can change to the main bus of the city — No. 30. It goes along the sea and takes about 20 minutes to reach the beginning of our walking route — Dasoudi Beach. The nearest bus stop is Park Hotel Beach. One ride on any city bus costs 1.5 € and 2.5 € from 21:00 to 04:00.
A city bus ticket is purchased from the driver for cash and is valid for the entire trip. It cannot be transferred to another bus.
The bus from Paphos Airport takes 45 minutes without stops to the final stop, Agios Georgios Havouzas Church. It is inconvenient to get to the beginning of the route from here: you can get there with a transfer on buses No. 4 and 12, but they run rarely. It is easier to take a taxi: they will take you in 15 minutes and 15 €.
You can also book a car at the airport: at the services in the arrivals halls or through an app, for example, Bolt. A trip from Larnaca or Paphos to Limassol costs 60—70 € during the day, and about 10 € more at night. The journey takes 40-50 minutes.
The roads in the tourist part of the city are good.
Dasoudi Beach
Dasoudi Beach is located in the park of the same name, an eucalyptus grove that stretches for 1 kilometer along the coast. I consider this beach to be the most cozy in Limassol, as it is surrounded by trees. Walking along the pedestrian path is a pleasant experience, with the pleasant aroma of eucalyptus trees and a view of the usually calm sea.
The beach is covered with gray volcanic sand, which makes the water look quite dark. Limassol does not have the turquoise sea of Ayia Napa with its white sand. In 2023, 77 beaches in Cyprus received Blue Flags. This includes Dasoudi.
All beaches in Cyprus are free to enter. During the tourist season, from April to October, sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent at Dasoudi Beach, each costing 2.5 €. The beach offers free toilets and changing rooms. Freshwater showers are available for a fee of 0.5 €, with a flow time of less than a minute. Lifeguards are on duty to ensure the safety of swimmers.
Dasoudi is a popular destination for families with children, as it offers a gentle slope into the sea and one of the best playgrounds in Limassol. The beach is equipped with Dasoudi Beach Restaurant and two cafes, as well as a volleyball court where you can play with your own ball. There are three free parking lots available at the beach.
You can also rent water sports equipment on Dasudi. 15 minutes of jet skiing costs 50 €, and renting a sapa, a standing paddleboard, costs 10 € per hour.
The water on Dasudy is usually clean and clear, and there are rarely any waves.
Limassol Art Gallery
The gallery is located 3 kilometers from Dasudi Beach. If you don’t want to walk, you can take bus No. 30 to the Municipal Gallery stop
The gallery was opened in 1988. It houses one of the largest collections of Cypriot contemporary art, with 600 works. The old building features works by renowned Cypriot artists. The ground-level halls showcase the works of contemporary artists. The gallery’s basement features a permanent exhibition that explores the struggle of the Cypriot people against British rule through installations, sculptures, paintings, and photographs.
I haven’t visited the gallery yet, but my friends have praised its exhibitions. It is open on weekdays from 07:45 to 14:45. Admission costs 2 €.
You don’t have to pay to enter the gallery to walk around the park.
Municipal Park
This is the main and largest park in the city. On its area of 60 000 m² there is a zoo, an open-air theater, playgrounds, a fountain and sculptures, cafes and free toilets. Rest is possible on benches in the shade of pine, eucalyptus and cypress trees.
The zoo was renovated for two years and opened in 2012. It has a small area, but there are only a few animals, each with a spacious enclosure. The zoo is home to crocodiles and hippos, pink flamingos and pelicans, goats, and monkeys. There is also a separate reptile room.
The zoo is open all week from 09:00, and closes at different times, depending on the season. An adult ticket costs 5 €, children under 15 years old — 2 €, children under 5 years old are admitted free of charge.
The zoo has a snack bar and a playground.
Festivals are organized in the municipal park. The most famous of them is the wine festival, which was first held in 1961. It is held annually in late August – early October and lasts about 10 days. In 2020 and 2021, the events were canceled due to the coronavirus.
At the festival, people taste Cypriot wine, eat traditional dishes, listen to musical groups, and crush grapes with their feet. Admission to the festival costs 5 € every day, and it starts at 19:00. To taste the wine, you need to purchase a glass or a shot, which costs 1.5 € or more.
Anexartisias Street
Anexartisias Street, or Independence Street, is a popular shopping place in Limassol. It is located in the historical center, in the Old Town. The street begins across the street from the Molos Promenade, which I will discuss later, and stretches perpendicular to the coast for 700 meters up to the Pattihio Theater. At the beginning of Anexartisias Street, there are side streets where souvenirs are sold.
There are fewer than a dozen large shopping malls in Cyprus, so shopping street in Limassol is a good help. I don’t buy a lot of clothes, and I haven’t compared prices with Russia. For example, basic T-shirts at the local Zara store start at €6 , and Mom Fit jeans start at €30.
In addition to the many shops on Anexartisias, there are also places to eat, such as bars, restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops.
Saripolu Square
The square is located in the center of the Old Town. There are many bars and cafes here, and tables are set up right on the street. The square was named after the Greek lawyer Nikolaos Saripoulos, who was born in Larnaca in 1817 and founded the public law of Greece.
The square is always busy: in the morning, people drink coffee and read newspapers, and in the evenings, they gather in large groups in bars. Some places play techno music, while others feature live national music.
In the cozy little Angel’s Cup coffee shop, a cappuccino or a flat white costs 4 €. At the Mandarin bar, cocktails start at 9 €.
On the Saripolu Square in 2020, after the reconstruction, opened the municipal market, which is more than a hundred years old. The new project is called Limassol Agora. Muscovites food mall is not surprising, but in Limassol this was the first time: in one room there is a market, cafes, beauty salons.
There are sometimes musical events in the evenings, and markets and master classes on weekends. You can view the schedule on the website of thefood mall.
For children, there is a soft play area called Playlounge. Two hours of playtime cost 8 €. It is designed for children up to the age of five, as older children may find it boring.
There are two floors inside. From Sunday to Thursday, the Agora is open from 08:30 to 24:00, and on Friday and Saturday, it closes at 02:00
Limassol Castle
Limassol Castle was under the rule of the English King Richard the Lionheart since 1191. Here he married Princess Berengaria of Navarre. In 1193 the half-ruined castle was reconstructed by the representatives of the French-Armenian Lusignan dynasty.
Afterwards, the building was damaged many times due to earthquakes and attacks. In the first half of the 16th century, the Ottomans captured Limassol. By the end of the century, the castle ruins became part of a new Ottoman fort. Prison cells were set up on the ground floor, which were used until 1950.
There are numerous cafes and restaurants outside the castle gates.
When the prison was moved to Nicosia, a museum was opened in the castle. Since 1987, it has housed the collection of the Cyprus Museum of the Middle Ages: stone tombstones, weapons, armor, coins, tableware, marble carved fragments of an early Christian basilica.
The entrance fee to the museum is 4.5 €. I haven’t heard of any guided tours here, but there are signs in English next to the exhibits.
On weekdays, the museum is open from 09:00 to 17:00, and on Sundays, it is open from 10:00 to 17:00
The exhibits are not only inside the castle; the olive oil press and the remains of ancient structures are located in the castle courtyard.
Limassol Harbour
In Limassol harbor – Limassol Marina – yachts moor and people live in luxurious villas. The harbor is called a city within a city: it has its own square with a fountain, a cultural center, a fitness center with a swimming pool and a spa, and its own beach, but the entrance is free for everyone.
Tourists here just walk, shop, eat in restaurants and look at hundreds of fish in the blue water. Perhaps on the dates of your trip there will be a boat show or Christmas festivities. You can follow the events on the harbor website.
In the evening, the marina is illuminated with colorful lights. I like it here: it’s beautiful at any time.
Across the street from the harbor, the Paradox Museum was opened in 2023, featuring several dozen interactive attractions. Adult tickets cost 15 €, while children’s tickets cost 12 €.
Old Port
The port was built during the British rule – in 1956. It remained the main one in Limassol until the opening of the new port in 1973. Since 1979, only fishing vessels, yachts and police boats entered the first port. Then it was closed altogether. From 2010 to 2014, the port was reconstructed. Now it is a popular place among locals and tourists.
There are two squares in the port where Christmas markets are held, rides are set up, and children can ride mechanical horses for 3 €. There are bridges between many establishments that offer good views of the port and the city.
There are many cafes and restaurants here, and natural ice cream is sold literally on every corner. In Gelatofabio you can buy a small ball for 2.5 € and comfortably settle on the sofas and armchairs.
Molos Embankment
Molos is the main promenade of Limassol, which is 1 kilometer long. It was opened after reconstruction in 2014. This is a rare place in Cyprus where green grass can be seen all year round, as it is watered.
There are always a lot of children on the Molos embankment: they mostly play on two playgrounds. There are outdoor exercise equipment and a skate park for sports. A bicycle path runs along the embankment.
There are three cafes on the waterfront and several kiosks selling drinks and grilled corn, which costs 2.5 € per ear. For the same money, you can also buy popcorn or cotton candy.
Details
Food. Traditional Cypriot dishes are hearty, and the portions are huge. Kleftiko is goat or lamb meat baked in a closed oven. Meatballs made from ground meat, raw grated potatoes, and spices are called keftedes. Shashlik, which we are used to, is called souvla, and large pieces of pork or chicken cooked on a grill are called souvla. All of these dishes cost between 10 and 15 €.
I don’t really like the local cuisine: the food here is usually heavy and greasy, and fries are often served as a side dish. However, sometimes I want to eat everything at once. For this, Cyprus has meze, a set of 10-20 traditional appetizers. You can order at least two such portions, which is enough for four people. It’s best to visit family-run village taverns for meze. My favorites are located in Vavatsinia, Vouni, and Lofou. Meze costs 13—20 €.
On Anexartisias Street, I recommend visiting Uluwatu Specialty Coffee: it has a pleasant interior, a wide selection of coffees, and unusual ice creams for 3—4 €. 80 meters away is the grill bar Lab, where for 50 € you can get a bottle of wine and a cheese and fruit plate for two and sit in a beautiful courtyard.
I also like a few of the corners in the Agora. Mo Pizza makes delicious pizzas for 9—10 € and you’ll have to pay an extra 4 € for a larger one. My favorite is the one with pear and blue cheese gorgonzola. In the sushi bar NatoMaki, I think they make the best poke in town. I love it with salmon: in addition to the fish, there’s avocado, radishes, bell peppers, and most importantly, Korean carrots. The serving costs 12.9 €.
In the old port, I love fast food cafe Thymari. I recommend trying the roll in a thin Arabic pita with chicken, bacon, and grilled vegetables for 8.4 €. It’s delicious and filling. If you’re only looking for a snack, you’ll need to share it with someone.
For dinner, you can book a table at the Pier One restaurant, where the main dishes start at 16 €. For example, seafood risotto costs 18 €, and an aperol costs 10 €.
How to get around the city. The route is easy to walk, but from mid-May to mid-October, it can be difficult due to the heat. I’ve already mentioned the bus above. Additionally, there are bike rentals available in the city. At Nextbike, the first hour of bike rental costs 2.5 €, with each additional hour costing 1 €, with a maximum daily charge of 8 €.
It is difficult to park your car in the Old Town for free. It costs €2-2. 5 to leave your car in commercial parking lots for an hour or two.
Language. The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish, but everyone speaks English. Most of the service staff in the tourist area also speaks Russian.
Souvenirs. City name magnets are sold at kiosks along the sea — they are called periptero here. Small souvenir consumer goods cost 1—3 €. Often, tourists buy silver jewelry, lace and embroidery from the village of Lefkara, which are also available in Limassol stores. A silver brooch will cost 30—40 €, and an embroidered napkin — 20 €
Edible souvenirs are sold in any supermarket. Here are some common souvenirs:
- local dessert wine, 0.5 L — about 15 €;
- olive oil, 0.5 L in a beautiful souvenir bottle — about 10 €;
- local grape aperitif, 0.2 L — from 3 €;
- halloumi cheese, 200-300 g — 3-5 € ;
- vacuum-packed olives, 300 g — from 2 €;
- carob syrup — from 2 € per 300-400 g;
- Turkish delight in boxes — from 1.5 € for 200-300 g.
It is easy to find a 24-hour kiosk or ATM in Limassol
Fasouri Water Park is located 7 kilometers from the old port of Limassol. There are 30 attractions and a dozen cafes. In 2023, the entrance fee for adults was 19 € and for children 3-11 years old, it was 12 €. During the summer months, the park is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. I recommend checking the opening hours in May and September-October on the water park’s website
The ruins of Amathus is an ancient city where people began living around 1100 BC. It was a place of worship for Aphrodite and a center of trade. The city was abandoned by the end of the 7th century. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of the acropolis, the temple of Aphrodite, and the baths.
The ticket costs 2.5 €. You can check the opening hours on the archaeological park’s website. There are hiking trails on the hills near the ruins, offering beautiful views of Limassol and the sea.
Cyprus Museum of Historic and Classic Cars. There are 70 cars on display, which are a private collection of rally veteran Dimi Mavropoulos. Some of the cars can be sat in. Admission for adults is 15 €. For more information, please visit the museum website.
