LIMASSOL HOTELS and LIMASSOL HOLIDAYS
If you are looking for a Limassol Hotel, or are planning a holiday in Limassol, the following information may help by giving you an overview of the resort.
Location of Limassol :The south coast resort of Limassol is the largest seaside resort in Cyprus, and is the biggest port in the Mediterranean. It is situated between the two ancient towns of Amathus and Curium, or Kourion as it is now known. Limassol is renowned for its cultural history and is home to a wide variety of activities, a large number of museums and archaeological sites on offer to its visitors. A Limassol holiday will mean a fun-filled holiday in terms of the number of fairs and festivals held here with the year starting with a riotous carnival; May marks the Flower Festival and September brings the famous Wine Festival.
Cyprus Weather and Temperature Chart : | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Sunshine
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| Limassol's main claim to fame is that England's Richard the Lion-Heart. The English king was famed for his courage and one of his ships carrying his sister and fiancee was blown ashore. The ruler of Cyprus imprisoned both princesses and the crew. The outraged Richard the Lion-Heart landed with his army on the island, smashed the Cyprus army, imprissoned the Cyprus ruler and occuypied the island. In May 1191, in the chapel of Limassol castle, he married Princess Berengaria. Soon afterwards he sold Cyprus to the Knights Templar. |  |
Limassol has seen a huge tourist development in recent years and has a line of hotels along each approach road and along the beach. The resort has a great atmosphere and offers a wealth of shopping, nightlife and restaurants, which are relatively inexpensive and offer a selection of tastes including Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Indian and the typical Cypriot cuisine. The main seafront promenade is full of bars, shops and tavernas although please be aware heavy traffic can build up along this one-way stretch of road and throughout Limassol.
Limassol Holidays - Beaches in Limassol :The beaches of Limassol are a mixture of dark sand and pebbles, with the most popular being Lady’s Mile [a long and relatively quiet sandy beach], Governers Beach and the main beach of Dasoudi, which is well equipped with modern changing rooms, a restaurant, snack bar, car park and like other beaches in Cyprus offers a variety of water sports. Perfect for an evening stroll, Limassol's palm-fringed promenade stretches for nearly 3km along the shoreline, starting at the old harbour and continung eastward towards Sst Catherine's Church. The promenade is lined with well-kept greenery and benches, from where you can admire the seascape and watch the ships awaiting entry to the harbour.
The sights of Limassol are easily explored by foot with the main attraction being the castle and medieval museum. Locals often describe the nearby Troodos Mountains as the
Fruit basket of Europe with apples, cherries, apricots, strawberries, oranges, grapes, bananas, melons, almonds and pistachios all being grown in the fertile, rich soil. Limassol is also commonly recognised as the winemaking town of Cyprus and every September holds a wine festival offering a lively experience and of course wine tasting!
Limassol Holidays - What to see and do in Limassol :Carob MuseumThis museum is located in a renovated former mill closes to the medieval castle, in an area that is know for its art exhibitions and stylish cafes. The Carob Museum shows how the carob is harvested, what it is used for and its relevant to the economy of Cyprus. The carob can be used in the production of honey, sweets and chocolate. Derivates are also used for paper making, photographic filmplates and medicines. Historic machinery used to store and process the fruit is displayed alongside utensils and useful information.
Open: Daily, but hours will differ.
Municipal Gardens and Mini-ZooThe Municipal Gardens feature ponds and fountains. Shaded by trees, they are full of exotic greenery and flowers. the gardens include an amphitheatre and a small zoo and aviary. Zebras, cheetahs and moufflon are among the animals here. During early September the Municipal Gardens become the venue for the famous Wine Festival where you will be able to see grape tampling and folk dances and the crowds are treated to free wine from local producers.
Open: 09:00-19:00 in summer / 09:00 - 16:00 in winter.
WineriesWine-growing is a long-established tradition in the area surrounding Limassol. Along the avenue leading from the old town to the new harbour are the largest wineries in Cyprus. These are open for tours, led by guides who explain the island's traditions of wine and brandy making. You can visit the vaults to see the huge barrels used to age and mellow the sweet desset wine, Commandaria, that ha sbeen prduced in Cyprus for over 800 years. At the end of the tour you will be offered a change to taste and buy the wines. Other distilleries produce zivanai, a spirit distilled from grape seed left over from the production of wine and sherry. "Five Kings" brandy which commemorates a medieval banquet attended by five kings, including the King of Cyprus, is also produced here.
Open : Year round
Municipal Art GalleryThis gallery houses works by Cypriot painters, including early artists such as Diamantis, Kashiakos, whose famous work Chariot Drawn by Two Donkeys is displayed. Kanthos and Frangoudiss Contemporary painters are also represented.
Open : 07:30-14:30 Monday to Friday.
Fasouri Water Mania WaterparkThis popular waterpark has many water attractions including swimming pools, slides and artificial waves. Great for families and children of all ages.
Open : 10:00-18:00 daily from May to October.
District Archaeological MuseumLocated next to the Municpal Gardens. At the entrance to this museum is a mosaic depicting the bath of Eros and Aphrodite. the museum's collection includes artifacts found in excavations of the ancient city-states of Kourion and Amathous, as well as Neolithic tools and jewellery. The highlights of the collection ar the statue of the Egyptian god Bes, Hathor, Zeus and the head of Zeus carved from limestone. Other exhibits include a collection a glass and terracotta artifacts, and roman coins.
Open : 08:30-15:00 Tuesday, Friday and Saturday / 08:30-17:00 Thursday
Folk Art MuseumThe museum is housed in an attractive historic building dating from 1924. Arranged over 6 rooms is a good collection of 19th and 20th century Cypriot folk art. The exhitition includes tools and domestic utensils, traditional folk costumes, jewellery and handcrafted poroducts such as net curtains, bedding and bedspreads.
Open : 08:30-13:30 Thursday, and then also 16:00-18:30 Monday to Friday from June to September / 08:30-13:30 Thursday, and then also 15:00-17:30 Monday to Friday from October to May.
Central MarketThe Central Market, housed in a graceful arcaded building dating from the early 20th century, is a great place to shop for handmade reed baskets, olive oil and other Cypriot delicacies, as well as fruit, vegetables, cheeses and meats. The stone market hall, its roof supported by metal pillars is of particular note, featuring two arched gates with Doric columns. The market is surrounded by old tavernas that make a welcome change from the modern eating places and souvenir shops in the city's resort area. The stone-paved square in front of it is used as a venue for shows and fairs.
Open : 06:00-15:00 Monday to Saturday.
Cyprus Handicraft CentreAt this centre you can buy locally made gifts and souvenirs including jewellery, lace, ceramics, mosaics and woodcarvings, produced by Cypriot craftspeople using traditional methods. All stock is vetted by the government and the fixed prices offer a good gauge of how much visitors should spend on products elsewhere.
Open : 07:30-14:30 Monday to Friday and 15:00-18:00 Wednesday [with the exception of July and August].
Limassol CastleLocated at the centre of the Old Town, near the harbour, the main buildings of the castle wre constructed in the 14th century and was used during World War II as British Army headquarters. Today, it houses the Medieval Museum.
Castle Roof - The flat stone roof was once used by its defenders. Today, visitors can admire the panoramic view which is undoubtedly the best in Limassol.
Main Hall - The Main Hall houses a large collection of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance sculptures, carvings and reliefs.
Grape Press - The grape press is among the stsone artifacts located in the castle gardens.
Knights' Hall - The 1st floor hall in the south of the castle houses two suits of armout and a collection of antique coins.
Sarcophagi Chamber - A chamber hidden in the shadowy recesses of the castle contains a collection of sarcophagi and tombstones.
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Disclaimer:
By its very nature much of the information in our travel guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
