Limassol Holidays - Compare Prices & Departure Dates

Limassol, also known as Lemesos, is the second largest town after Nicosia in Greek Cyprus. Sitting on the Akrotiri Bay on the souther coast of the island, Limassol is a bustling and lively city that combines a working port with a vibrant tourist area and several ancient monuments and mediaeval villages.

A holiday in Limassol offers an excellent mix of history, shopping, nightlife and beaches which attracts thousands of British visitors every year. The seafront area is over seven miles long and offers several coarse-sand beaches, coves, marins and ports along its stretch.

Inland Limassol offers an Old Town lined with bazaars and cobbled streets and the New Town with the main tourist and commercial areas. Just outside the main city you’ll find ancient monuments and villages to visit.

British nationals do not a visa for a visit of three months or less. Since 1st January 2008, the currency is the euro and the island is two hours ahead of GMT. The official language is Greek, with most people also speaking English especially in the business and tourist areas.

The majority of visitors to Limassol arrive by air, however there is currently no airport in Limassol. The major flag carrier, low cost and charter airlines all fly into Paphos (IATA code PFO) and Larnaca airport (LCA) both about 70kms away from Limassol.

Flights from the London area to the airports are around four hours, with four and a half hours from East Midlands and Manchester, whilst flights from Scotland take around five hours.

Motorways link the airports to Limassol, so the transfer time is around one to one and a half hours from both airports to resort. If you have booked a package holiday you will most likely be transferred by coach to Limassol. If you are travelling independently you can pre-book minibus transfers from Paphos and Larnaca airports to Limassol, which are cheaper than just getting in a taxi on arrival.

Once in resort, taxis are widely available but quite costly. Lots of people join organised trips, but you can also rent a car, scooter or bicycles to get around and see the sights.

You can also explore much of the Old and New towns on foot, with the promenades along the seafront being a popular evening activity.

Holidaying in Limassol offers an eclectic mix of history, shopping, nighlife and beaches with something to suit every taste, which often means everyone is happy!

Although Limassol is a town with a commercial and leisure port, where goods and large cruise ships dock, the resort is large enough to have a pleasant touristy area away from the busy everyday comings and goings of the city.

Visitors will find the seven mile long seafront a real delight, as it offers several promenades, beaches and marinas to explore. One of the highlights of Limassol Old Port area is the castle, which was built in the 14th century and is reputedly where our very own Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre. Open every day, Limassol castle is a must-see.

Just 15 minutes away from Limassol is the ancient city of Kourian. Discover the ruins of the House of Achilles, the Altar of Appollo them impressive theatre, maze and mosaics. The site also offers panoramic views of one of Curium beach, which many believe is the most beautiful in the area.

Another very popular excursion is Lefka village. This mediaeval village is just 9km from Limassol off J13 of the Limassol to Nicosia motorway and offers a fascinating insight into Cypriot culture. The village is also home to the famous Lefka lace which attracts hordes of visitors each day in holiday season, so make sure you get there early if you want o avoid the crowds.

Back towards Limassol, it is always worth visiting the Archaeological museum, which is just behind the Municipal Gardens. The museum is packed full of ancient artifacts from pottery and glassware, to jewellery and armour. Don’t forget to visit the neighbouring Municipal Gardens, offering two acres of calm with a children’s play area too.

If you want more castles and ancient ruins, head to the 13th century Kolossi Castle which is 14km west of Limassol on the road to Paphos. You can also visit the Amathus ruins which are 11km east of the resort, but these are generally thought of as not being as impressive as Kourian.

Limassol is also a great wine producing area, with vineyards dotted around the foothill of the nearby Troodos mountains. A fun afternoon can be spent visiting local wine producers. One of the largest is KEO and a visit there means you can sample their wine, brandy and sherry.

Depending on what time of year you are in Limassol, you could be there for one of the many annual festivals and sporting events which take place in and around the resort. In September there is a renowned wine festival, whilst if you happen to be in Limassol for the Carnival, you will have a great time as the whole city parties with street parades, music and dancing into the early hours of the morning. Carnival is usually held in February/March time.

Sports fan you’ll feel at home too. Cypriots absolutely love their sport in particular the British and Cypriot football leagues and there are three different teams playing in the Limassol area. If you’re a motorsport fan, the WRC Cyprus rally is held in September time.

And last but not least for days out, there’s the donkey sanctuary which makes a fun day out that the kids will just love.

If you’re not tired out with all that sightseeing and shopping, there is plenty of nightlife to be had too. The tourist area around Yermasoyia boasts many cafes, bars and restaurants and can eat, drink and party into the small hours.

Limassol is a large tourist area, which means there is a full range of accommodation readily available from self catering apartments, villas and hotels ranging from one to five star, bed and breakfast to all inclusive.

Most accommodation is in and around the main Yermasoyia tourist area, with many hotels close to or on the long seafront area.

Limassol is a real shopper’s paradise. The main shopping area is around Ayios Andreas and Anexartisias streets, with lots of boutiques for you to browse around including well known High Street names like Debenhams and Carrefour.

The charming Old Town is lined with cobbled lanes leading out from the modern city and is a favourite place for a wander, with lots of bazaars and markets to browse.

On the outskirts of town there are more and more ‘outlet’ style shopping centres with all the big name brands at discounted prices.

If you’re looking for an authentic souvenir from Limassol, the town is well known for locally produced wines, sea sponges and loofahs as well as lace products from local village Lefkas.

It’s also worth noting that shops close over lunch time, re-opening at around 4pm until 7pm. Shops tend to open only in the mornings on Saturdays and are shut on Sundays.

You can’t beat a real Cypriot kebab for a cheap and filling meal! Another very authentic meal is a Cyprus Meze which is a tasty platter of different hot and cold dishes which can be meat or fish-based.

Of course, with the amount of international visitors in Limassol comes the usual fast food chains, but also a wide range of cuisine from around the world. In the main tourist area you’ll see all sorts of restaurants from Chinese, Italian, Lebanese, Mexican, French and Indian to steak houses, pizza parlours and International cuisine.

Many of the hotels have their own restaurants too which are more often than not open to non-residents. Many also have bars with entertainment laid on too.

If you head to the Old Town area, you’ll find more traditional Greek Cypriot-style bars, cafes and restaurants where locals tend to go, with very good local cuisine.

If you want to try the local tipple, there is a very good local sweet wine called Commandaria which produced in the Limassol area and often drunk after a meze meal. Watch out for the local ‘eau de vie’ type drink, which is called Zivania – it’s very strong!

To wash all that alcohol down the local tap water is perfectly OK to drink and most apartments and hotels have a separate tap by the sink for drinking water.

Limassol is very much a bustling town and the tourist area never really has a closed season, so attracts visitors all year round.

Cyprus itself is the sunniest island in the Mediterranean with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures soar in the summer months, often reaching in excess of 35 degrees, so if you’re not good with the heat make sure your accommodation is air-conditioned and stay out of the mid day sun like the locals do, especially when holidaying with children.

The most comfortable time to visit Limassol is in April/May time and September/October, where the climate is dry but still between 22 and 30 degrees. The area is coldest in Dec and Jan, where temperatures can fall as low as 10 degrees.

• A pleasing mix of sightseeing, shopping, good food and nightlife too
• Choice of accommodation types with something to suit most budgets
• Year round sunshine with plenty of things to do

• Anyone who can’t stand real heat – you should avoid the summer months
• People who only want to take a short-haul flight
• Those seeking an ‘away from it all’ holiday

Limassol Info – a useful local website with news and information
The official Cyprus Tourist website – the official website for information on the whole of Cyprus

Limassol is a vibrant and bustling tourist area based around the Old and New Town areas. Combining beaches, sightseeing, ancient history, shopping and nighlife, there really is something for everyone.