One of the ports I looked forward to stopping during our Mediterranean summer cruise was Limassol, Cyprus. One doesn’t hear much about this port compared to its counterparts like Santorini or Mykonos. We found Limassol as a destination where history, culture, and Mediterranean vibes meet. If your time is limited, here are things to do in Limassol for a day or while you’re in port.
Getting to Limassol City
The big cruise ships dock in a modern facility at Limassol harbour. Unfortunately, the town is not walking distance from the cruise ports. The good news is the cruise ships provide shuttle buses for a fee (8 euros per adult and 6 euros per child (ages 3-13) on our MSC cruise). They used the big, air conditioned tourist buses.
The ride was about 20 minutes to the city center. Though, this can vary with traffic too. For our cruise, the first bus was at 8:15 AM and the last bus from the city center was at 1400. The bus dropped us off near the roundabout very near the Old Port and the marina.
Local buses are also available. We saw some people getting on them at the port. Check out Bus #30 for routes and timetable.
History of Limassol
Not knowing much about Cyprus or Limassol, I was pleasantly surprised to find such a rich history for this island nation. Limassol’s history dates back to the 2nd century BC. The city was once known as Nemesos in the 10th century.
It flourished as a trading hub under various rulers, including the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. Its strategic coastal location made it a coveted prize for empires vying for Eastern Mediterranean dominance.
King Richard the Lionhearted, of England, conquered the island. During the medieval period, the Frankish Empire of the Lusignan King ruled for about three centuries ruled and the city prospered. The island nation was then ruled by the Venetians, Turkish and the British over the following centuries. Cyprus was liberated in 1960.
Over the centuries, Limassol evolved into a vibrant cosmopolitan city. Limassol is now Cyprus’ second largest city. It embraced the various influences from its diverse past while building a modern hub of commerce, culture, and tourism.
Things to do in Limassol
So, what can you do if you only have a few hours in Limassol? Surprisingly, quite a bit! We only had about five hours here but actually saw and learned more than we expected. With its blend of ancient wonders and seaside charm, it is a gem waiting to be explored.
Visit the Limassol Old Port/Marina
Head towards the Limassol Old Port Marina for a taste of the local maritime scene. This was an easy walk from our bus drop off. We were here early in the morning so there wasn’t much going on yet.
We enjoyed strolling along here lined with cafes and shops. The area was very modern and if they didn’t have this Old Port Limassol sign, we would have thought we were at a Southern California marina. This would be a wonderful place to hang out during sunset.
Stroll the Limassol Promenade
The Limassol Promenade, stretching along the city’s coastline, is a lively hub where sea meets art, creating a delightful atmosphere for both locals and visitors. We spent quite a bit of time strolling along the palm tree lined promenade and enjoying the ocean and city views.
Here are some main attractions and artwork we saw along the promenade:
Molos Park
The Molos Park is a green oasis along the promenade. It offered a scenic retreat with palm trees, sculptures, and open spaces. This multi-functional seaside park is a popular spot for leisurely walks with the wide walkways, has bike lanes, playgrounds, splash pods and even some exercise equipments. The shaded trees provided some relief during our walk in the hot summer sun.
We really liked some of their wooden extensions from the promenade with plenty of seats to enjoy the views and the water. This would make for a wonderful nighttime stroll here.
Limassol Sculpture Park
During our promenade walk, we really enjoyed passing by the Limassol Sculpture Park. This area has a collection of contemporary sculptures and installations by local and international artists.
Each piece tells a unique story, blending seamlessly with the surroundings. This outdoor gallery added an extra layer of cultural richness to the promenade.
Limassol’s promenade was not limited to traditional sculptures. it also boasts a burgeoning street art scene. We enjoyed seeing unique artworks like this egg collection art piece.
Relax at the Beach
We continued walking the promenade until we reached accessible areas to the beach. We found a small patch to lay down and relax. It wasn’t the type of expansive beach we are used to at home in San Diego. But, it is a good area to rest especially after walking the promenade.
Shade is limited and there are no places for renting chairs or umbrellas. Though, the Thalassaki beach bistro is nearby. This family-friendly seaside cafe is a wonderful stop for cold drinks, snacks and to enjoy the views
My kids went for a dip and welcomed the cool Mediterranean water during a hot day. They said the water wasn’t as warm as the one in Aegina Island Greece the week before but it was pretty clear.
If you just want a relaxing day by the water in Limassol, there are several beaches within and outside the city. We met some fellow cruisers who did a beach excursion to Lady’s Mile Beach for a few hours while were in port.
Cyprus has several Blue Flag beaches. This means that these beaches were internationally recognized and awarded for meeting water quality, access, environmental, safety and services criteria by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Old Town Limassol
After about an hour relaxing at the beach, we decided to walk back and explore Old Town Limassol. This area was a labyrinth of narrow streets and charming squares. It is a living testament to the city’s diverse heritage.
We started our exploration at the pedestrianized Agiou Andreou Street. It was busy and filled with cafes, souvenir stores and boutiques.
We stopped up at Saint Andrews Cafe for some refreshing drinks. Of course, we had to try Cyprus’ unofficial national cocktail is called the Cypriot Brandy Sour. This was a mix of local brandy, lemon, bitters and soda water. My husband also ordered the local Keo beer.
The cafe also had free wi-fi and a clean restroom which made for an ideal pit stop. They also provided indoor and outdoor seating.
Don’t miss The Nutcracker House across the street. I have never seen so much selection of nuts and dried fruits. Yes, they also gave free samples. These were the perfect snacks to bring for more sightseeing around Limassol.
Umbrella Alley
I am a big fan of umbrella art installations all over the world. I was so happy we came across this alley with these colorful umbrellas. It was a restaurant with a couple of stores. Don’t miss this one.
Explore the Agia Napa Church
Walking through Agiou Andreou Street amidst the restaurants and shops, we were pleasantly surprised to see this beautiful church. The Agia Napa Church was completed in 1906.
They built the Agia Napa Church on top of a smaller Byzantine church here before. There are conflicting sources on the church’s name origins.
Some believe the church was named after the Virgin Mary’s icon found in a glen which means “napa” in Latin. Others believe it was named after a temple here dedicated to Holy Nappe of St. Berenice or ‘Saint Nape’.
Luckily, we were able to walk inside the church for free. I love European churches and this was a beauty. Its architecture reflected Limassol’s history with various influences of the Ottoman empire with neoclassical features.
There were several gold and crystal chandeliers hanging throughout its interior. I loved the blue and white columns with the gold leaves adorning them. The church was small but had a simple understated elegance and
Limassol Castle
Step back in time by visiting Limassol Castle. This doesn’t have the grandeur of European castles like Versailles or Neushwenstein. It was a bit more understated. If we walked past it without signs, we never would have known this was a castle.
Limassol Castle History
This medieval fortress is a time machine that takes you through Cyprus’s rich past and centuries of history. Originally built during the Byzantine era, the castle has seen numerous transformations under different rulers.
The Crusaders fortified it in the 12th century, and later, the Venetians added their architectural styles and legacy. During the Ottoman Empire rule, the castle served various purposes, from prison to royal residence. The castle now houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum, offering a curated journey through the island’s medieval past.
Limassol Castle Courtyard
There was a small courtyard within the castle’s ancient walls for visitors to relax. It offered a serene escape from the bustling city outside and free to enter. This was also a wonderful spot to appreciate the architectural details, including Gothic and Ottoman elements seamlessly blended together.
The castle charges a small admission fee of 4.50 euro We went inside to explore the medieval chambers, admire the architecture and see the views from its ramparts. These were some of the highlights from our visit.
Limassol Levels
We went in through the castle’s main entrance which was the ground level. There was an exhibition of Medieval and Venetian tombstones. These were actually quite impressive and quite an art form to honor the dead. There were also cannons from different periods and capitals from Medieval buildings
The first floor (which is actually more like the second story) showed many objects that reflected daily life in Cyprus from the 3rd to 18th century AD. These represented items in their social and religious lives like weapons, armors, glazed ceramics, lamps, coins, jewelry, glasses and items they worshipped.
The items were all so interesting to see and gave us a bit of an insight into items they used. I enjoyed all the full body armor exhibits and variety of ceramics and pottery.
Limassol Castle Keep
We climbed the narrow stairs to reach the castle’s keep, perched atop the fortress. The keep also served strategic purposes during different periods of the castle’s history. From this vantage point, the panoramic views of Limassol and the sparkling Mediterranean beyond are beautiful.
We ended our visit at the castle basement. This area with the rib vault is oldest part of castle and was built over a Gothic church.
Limassol Basement
The basement mainly contained a collection of Medieval and Venetian tombstones and glazed ceramics of the Department of Antiquities. The most interesting exhibit had to be the skeleton of one of the defenders of Lefkosia.
The exhibit areas actually weren’t very big and we were only inside for less than an hour. The tombstones, artifacts, everyday items, armors and weaponry from various periods were all very interesting to see. It was a wonderful insight and journey through Cyprus’s history.
Limassol Castle is not merely a historic gem. It is also a living space that continues to play a role in the city’s cultural scene. Throughout the year, the castle hosts various events, from concerts and theatrical performances to art exhibitions.
Check the local calendar to see if your visit here coincides with one of these cultural events. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the castle’s ambiance.
Eating in Limassol
We saw many restaurants around Limassol and especially in the Old Town area. Whether you want to try local food or want some comfort food, there was quite a variety to suit your palate.
Unfortunately, we had a big breakfast on the cruise ship and had snacks (i.e. gelato and nuts) while exploring the Old Town. We were heading back to the ship around 1 PM (via the bus) and decided to eat on the ship instead for a late lunch.
I would have loved to sit down and try some local dishes if we were here longer. I do regret not eating at least one of these local delicacies. Cypriot dishes are largely influenced by the Middle East, Turkey and Greece due to its location.
If you have some time, be sure to try some of these delicious looking food.
Halloumi – This cheese, made from goat and sheep milk, is Cyprus’ most popular product. It’s easily served cold along fruits or on fried or grilled dishes.
Souvlaki – Like its Greek counterpart, souvlaki in Cyprus is made up of grilled meat chunks on skewers and usually served with pita bread.
Fasolada – The is considered Cyprus’ national dish. It is a bean and vegetable soup/stew cooked and served with olive oil.
Keftedes – These are fried Cypriot meatballs usually made with pork. It also uses grated potatoes along with cinnamon, lemons and mint for that unique flavor.
Spanakopita – Known as spinach pie, the Cypriot version uses halloumi cheese with feta along with spinach in its filling and wrapped in layers of fill pastry.
Loukoumades – These are one of Cyprus’ popular desserts. They are small round doughnuts served with honey, nuts or cinnamon and can be topped with ice cream, sugar or melted chocolate toppings.
Other Things to do in Limassol
With our limited time, we certainly missed several interesting places around Limassol city and its outskirts. If you’re cruising, consider the shore excursions that include the Old Town and touring some of the nearby historic attractions. If we were docked here longer or returning for an extended visit, here are are some places worth visiting too.
Kolossi Castle
Explore the medieval charm of Kolossi Castle, located just outside Limassol. Originally built in the 13th century by the Knights Hospitaller, this keep, courtyard and sugar factory ruins offer insights into Cyprus’s feudal past and provides panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Kourion Archaeological Site
Step back in time at the UNESCO-protected Kourion Archaeological Site, where the ancient ruins tell the story of Cyprus’s Greco-Roman heritage. Highlights include a beautifully preserved amphitheater, the ancient Baths of Eustolios, and mosaics that offer glimpses into daily life in antiquity. You can also see a Roman agora and an early Christian church.
Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates
Located near the village of Kourion, the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates was an important religious center in ancient Cyprus. Many people came here to worship the god Apollo for many years. The complex features remains of the temple, a sacred precinct, and various structures associated with rituals and worship.
Larnaca Salt Lake Complex and Hala Sultan Tekke
Take a short drive to Larnaca to visit the tranquil Salt Lake which is actually four lakes. This is home to about 190 bird species and migratory flamingos in winter months. During the summer, the lake dries out and salt crust covers the lake floor.
Nearby, discover the Hala Sultan Tekke, a revered mosque and considered one of holiest Islamic sites in the world It also has a prehistoric settlement.
Shopping in Limassol
Our last activity before catching the bus back to the ship was some souvenir shopping. There were several souvenir stores along Agiou Andreou Street. I’m a big souvenir shopper especially in countries, like Cyprus, with a rich history and unique items.
One of the best places we found that seemed to have everything was Old Port Sea Sponges. They have a large selections of sea sponges which surprisingly had a lot of uses from skin care to blood circulation simulation. This store was located across the street from the marina.
Recommended Souvenirs
- Ceramics: Traditional Cypriot ceramics, adorned with colorful patterns and motifs, make for charming souvenirs. Look for decorative plates, bowls, or even a quirky handmade mug.
- Olive Wood Products: Cyprus is home to numerous olive groves, and olive wood items like salad bowls, utensils, or decorative pieces are both practical and beautiful.
- Cypriot Delights: Bring back a taste of Cyprus with local sweets like baklava, loukoumi (soft, chewy sweets made with sugar, cornstarch and flavoring or nuts,dusted with icing sugar), halva (fudge-like confection made with tahini, sugar, spices and nuts) or pastelli (sesame seed and honey bars). They also sold green olives. They were all packaged beautifully and made for sweet gifts.
- Lace and Embroidery: The Lefkara village is famous for its delicate lacework and intricate embroidery. Consider buying a handmade lace tablecloth or a piece of embroidered linen for a touch of Cypriot craftsmanship.
Limassol, Cyprus is all about embracing the laid-back Mediterranean pace while immersing in its unique history and attractions. If you only have a short time to spend in Limassol or while on a cruise port stopover, don’t miss strolling on the promenade, hanging out at the beach and exploring the Old Town area. It was a day well spent for us when we visited this underrated city gem.
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