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Hidden Cyprus     10,000 Years of Cyprus      Tourist Guide      The Wine Story

Limassol (Rural areas include Souni, Episkopi, Erimi & Kolossi)  

Described in the lonely planet as, "one of most underrated cities in Cyprus", Limassol (Lemesos) has something to offer everybody. Situated on the coast at the heart of the island, Limassol boasts a busy port where you can travel to a whole host of destinations, together with the pick of the bunch when it comes to Airports - you can fly into Paphos or Larnaca and Limassol is only a short car ride away. What's more, you are situated on the doorstep to the Troodos Mountains - why not Ski in the morning and sunbath in the afternoon. There are ONLY a few places in Europe where this is possible - and Limassol is one of them.

Historically, Limassol was a place during the Crusades that Richard the Lion-Heart visited, to free a noblewoman held captive by the Byzantine sovereign. The noblewoman? His betrothed, Berengaria of Navarre. In Limassol when they married, they organised one of the most extravagant parties the island had ever seen.

Today, the tradition of celebration and hospitality continues in this vibrant seaside town. In February before Lent, masked revellers invade the street with music, parades, and dancing for Carnival week. In September, the Wine Festival explodes in the town. And every night people in restaurants, cafés, and nightclubs celebrate events momentous and trivial, from a soccer win to a sudden romance to yet another stunning sunset at day’s end.

Explore Limassol Castle, which contains the Cyprus Medieval Museum, or the Folk Art Museum, which is housed in an old mansion. Walk on ten miles of beautiful beaches, deservedly known as the Cypriot Riviera. Stroll along the sea promenade or visit the lush Municipal Gardens. On the coastal road to the east, just after the luxurious hotels, you will find Amathus, one of the ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus. See the ruins and take a dip near the site of an ancient port.

At 14 km west of Limassol lies Kolossi Castle, a medieval fortress whose walls contain not only an imposing tower and surrounding living quarters but also an ancient sugar factory. Just 19 km west of town, visit the Kourion archaeological site, an ancient city-kingdom, where you can take in a play or concert at the ancient Greco-Roman Theatre, overlooking the blue Mediterranean. And, a bit further on, explore a treasure trove of Greek and Roman sites, such as the Sanctuary of Apollo.

Larnaca

Although very much a working city; the palm-lined waterfront promenade, ancient fort and historic quarter imbue Larnaca with a distinct antique flavour. Today the city is a relaxed place well-loved for its easy going attitude and friendly people. Dubbed Kition in classical times, Larnaca first entered the history books as the birthplace of the Stoic philosopher Zeno. A few hundred years later Lazarus decided to settle here (post-resurrection) and became Larnaca’s first bishop and the city’s patron saint. Arab raids in the seventh century forced the citizens inland and the city into decline and it wasn’t until the end of the Middle Ages that its fortunes revived. Under the Ottomans Larnaca became the island’s premiere port and commercial hub, only to be eclipsed by Limassol and Famagusta in the middle of the 20th century.

Modern Larnaca is a bustling town with its own international airport , yet it has somehow managed to retain a good deal of historic Levantine charm. Tourism is beginning to catch on in a big way and hotels and resort-complexes are springing up on the outskirts of the town. The nearby beaches aren’t the best that Cyprus has to offer, but they improve markedly along the coast; making Larnaca a good base for exploring the island. Larnaca’s nightlife is also on the up and the town centre corrals together an enviable collection of bars, cafes and tavernas.

Larnaca lacks the polish of other Cypriot resorts and often gets branded as ‘shabby’ or ‘dilapidated’ by guidebook writers. Despite, or perhaps because of this, the city has a charmingly laid-back attitude. Larnaca’s main tourist attraction is the nearby mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke, which draws pilgrims from across the Moslem world. 

Paphos

The city of Paphos on the southwest coast of Cyprus was the capital of the island in Roman times, and dates from 1400 BC. Legend has it that the city is built on the spot where the Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, was born. The city also has many connections and relics from early Christianity. Over the centuries it has survived numerous foreign incursions and raids, and even a devastating earthquake in the 4th century AD. It lost out to Larnaca as a major port in the Middle Ages and experienced a decline during the British colonial period when development of this part of the island came to a standstill.

Today, however, Paphos is reviving on the strength of tourism and government investment in

 infrastructure such as dams, roads and a NEW airport . Private initiatives have also resulted in a boom in the construction of hotels, apartments and villas. The city has become a popular seaside resort with a large population. The newer section of the city is the main residential area, while Kato Paphos is the playground of holidaymakers, built around the medieval port with its numerous luxury hotels, tavernas and entertainment venues.