Overview
Just a 35 minute drive from both Larnaca and Paphos airports, the cosmopolitan town of Limassol is the island’s second largest town and one of its leading resorts. The ten-mile seafront is lined with luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, a large yacht marina and numerous exclusive residences. There’s always plenty to see and do here, in fact, you can while away many happy hours in the modern shopping centres, art galleries, theatres, cinemas, restaurants and bars.
Limassol (or Lemosos as it’s known locally) is also famed for the vibrancy and variety of its nightlife and here’s why. During the Crusades, Richard the Lionheart visited Limassol on his way to Jerusalem, to free his betrothed from the Byzantine sovereign. The subsequent wedding to Queen Berengaria of Navarre turned into a mammoth party that is still legendary today, which probably explains why modern Limassol remains a great place for nightlife and joie de vivre. This lively ambience is helped in no small part by the fact that Limassol is the centre of wine-making on the island and the local Keo beer is brewed here!
Limassol is also the island’s main port and you’re sure to see large cruise liners stopping over on their way to the Greek islands and the exotic destinations of the near east. But that’s not all, there’s a new marina to come with 1,200 berths, a number of manmade islands being constructed just off the coast and a new university. With all this development, you can expect more designer shops and international restaurants, as well as luxury hotels.
But away from all the construction, the old town and harbour are overlooked by Limassol Castle, built in the 14th century, and the venue for the legendary royal wedding. Today it houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum and has a whole range of fascinating exhibits.
Heading west on the road out of Limassol past Lady’s Mile Beach where most of the locals go to swim, the medieval castle of Kolossi soon comes into view. Surrounded by vineyards and sugar cane plantations, you’ll be staggered by this fine example of military architecture. Travelling north for just a few more minutes brings you to the village of Episkopi, where the simple two-storey museum, originally a private residence, proudly displays a whole host of treasures including marble statues, tombs, amphoras and pottery.
But perhaps the most impressive archaeological site on the whole island is the magnificent amphitheatre at Kourion, dating back to the 2nd century BC. Built on a hill and enjoying views over orange trees, vines and garden produce, this truly historic and awe-inspiring site will entice you back time and time again. At Kourion, you can glimpse life as it was all those years ago in the Roman theatre, now beautifully restored and used for Shakespearean plays, musical concerts, the ancient Drama Festival and other cultural events.
Near to Limassol are the three villages of Yermasoyia, Trimiklini and Amathusa nestling close together. Yermasoyia is set up in the hills above Limassol in a very exclusive area. Next to Yermasoyia is Amathusa with a pathway leading through parkland down to a white pebbly beach and a small marina. Trimiklini is about 20 minutes inland from Limassol, and set between the city and the Troodos Mountains. It is a small, quiet village, good for those wanting a traditional way of life.
Almost equidistant from Cyprus’ main towns and resorts, are the cool forested slopes of the Troodos Mountains. This is also the island’s main wine-producing area, where viticulture and wine-making have a longstanding tradition and where Cyprus’ renowned dry red wine is bottled.
The slopes of Troodos are enchanting and offer superb walks on foot in the summer, walking through scented pine forests, and by ski in winter when they are covered with a magical white cloak. Incredibly, even with its wonderful all year round climate, it does snow in Cyprus! And it’s among the gentle Troodos hills that you’ll discover some of the most stunning countryside: vineyards and almond groves, citrus fruits, olives and avocados and banana plantations at sea level.
For some time now, Limassol has become the second home for many nationalities, particularly Russians, Lebanese and Iranians, who tend to be attracted to this financial hub. That means should you decide its the right spot for you, you'll be in good company and have plenty of opportunities to rent out your property. Let us show you what's on offer.
Getting There
Southern Cyprus has two main international airports, Larnaca and Paphos, served by approximately 30 major airlines with many flights from Europe and other destinations throughout the week. Both airports are undergoing major development work – the new Paphos terminal building will be complete around November 2008 and Larnaca ready in November 2009.
Budget airlines are now beginning to come in – Monarch, Excel and Easyjet, with Ryan Air still in discussion. The result being that the other scheduled carriers have had to reduce their prices to remain competitive. Low cost carriers are also coming in from Vienna bringing Austrians and Germans to the island, so Cyprus is no longer so dependent on the UK economy.
What’s more, the island is covered by a network of modern and newly built roads, so getting about is relatively quick and easy. And road signs are in English, so you shouldn’t get lost; at least not for long!
