OVERVIEW

Wish you were here in old Limassol, when a coastal fortress, narrow streets and small churches were slowly shaping the city that stands by the sea today. Standing by Limassol Castle, you picture the late 16th-century Ottoman walls that rose over earlier medieval fortifications, built to defend the harbor and the life within. From there, the route unfolds on foot as you walk from the castle toward Ayia Napa Cathedral, following Agiou Andreou, the city’s oldest and longest commercial street. Its narrow lanes and neoclassical façades from the 18th and early 19th centuries make it feel as if you’re standing between eras—caught midway between an older Mediterranean town and a modern city. Nearby Agia Napa Cathedral was constructed a bit later over the ruins of a Byzantine church. The urban landscape will turn dramatically modern along the waterfront, where you will find the Oval, One Limassol and the Trilogy Limassol Seafront, three bold projects that have come to symbolize the city’s vision for the future. Free time follows at Limassol Marina, another innovative venture that besides accommodating yachts has become a hub for shopping and dining. By the end, it feels like time travel for the soul—from the Limassol you wish you could have seen centuries ago to the skyline and seaside lifestyle unfolding in front of you today.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Step into the Limassol you wish you could have seen, as you walk from Limassol Castle along Agiou Andreou to Ayia Napa Cathedral, tracing centuries in just a few streets.
• View the exterior of landmarks from the 16th to the 20th century as your guide connects each façade to the era it was built in.
• Behold three ultra-modern building projects that have transformed Limassol’s waterfront.
• Spend free time at Limassol Marina, where the modern waterfront setting lets you reflect on how far Limassol has come.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend a carefree day at a spectacular beach on the island’s southern shore, where you can relax most anyway you please. It won’t take long to reach this idyllic stretch of sand, giving you all the more time to enjoy the beachfront setting. You might take a refreshing swim in the inviting sea, stretch out on a towel and bask in the radiant sun, stroll along the lengthy shore or simply lie back and gaze out over the gorgeous scenery. It should be easy to find your own slice of paradise on it. Many of the beaches on the southern shore of Cyprus have earned a Blue Flag eco-designation for the high quality of their water and strict environmental preservation. Relax in comfort on a sunbed under a shared umbrella, and let your worries melt away.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax however you wish on a beautiful stretch of sand on Limassol’s southern coast.
• Spend the time however you please, whether swimming in the sea or just relaxing on shore.
• Take comfort in knowing that most beaches have earned a Blue Flag eco-designation.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore some of Limassol’s most historical and popular coastal attractions before relaxing on one of the finest beaches nearby. While walking along the seafront promenade – which stretches from the Old Port to the Amphitheatre of Molos – you will soon encounter an open-air sculpture park with inspiring works from Cypriot, Greek and international artists. The setting couldn’t be lovelier as towering palm trees standing all along the promenade and the sparkling sea rims the entire park. Just one block inland, you will find the 19th-century Agia Napa Cathedral, the narrow atmospheric Agiou Andreou – the oldest commercial street in Limassol – a bustling municipal market and Limassol Castle, an imposing centuries-old fortification that overlooks the Old Port. Before long, you will reach Kebir Mosque, a 16th-century landmark in the old Turkish quarter. You will have seen plenty to reflect upon as you head to a lovely beach to relax as you see fit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk along Limassol’s seaside promenade and admire the art in an outdoor sculpture park.
• Gain an understanding of the religious diversity while passing a cathedral and a mosque.
• Meander down the medieval street Agiou Andreou and by historical Limassol Castle.
• Spend free time relaxing at one of the city’s most spectacular beaches.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a scenic drive through Limassol that presents a wealth of attractions, including historical ones from medieval times and new skyscrapers whose designs push the envelope. As you travel up the coast, you will pass the city’s popular seaside promenade and continue on into another revitalized area with landmarks you can’t miss, even from a distance. One Limassol has the distinction of being the tallest residential seafront tower in Cyprus. It represents the epitome of luxury island living, much like Trilogy Limassol Seafront, a trio of towers that is the largest mixed-use skyrise development in the region. Seeing the iconic Agia Napa Cathedral, built more than century ago, shows that Limassol still deeply respects its past as it eyes the future. During free time in the Limassol Agora – a sprawling indoor food mall – you will notice that the shell of the building is historical but the interior has been repurposed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the gorgeous views while driving along Limassol’s beautiful coast.
• Behold One Limassol, Cyprus's highest residential tower on the sea.
• Be awed by the Trilogy Limassol Seafront, three boldly designed mixed-use skyscrapers.
• Spend free time independently exploring Limassol Agora.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy enlightening tours of vineyards that grow ancient Cypriot grape varieties and sample wines much like those that were produced centuries ago. The family-owned Zambartas winery is credited with re-discovering a dozen lost varieties and you will sample several of those wines, some of which may be organic. Similarly, Mallia Estate is dedicated to restoring ancient Cypriot grape varieties such as the Maratheftiko, which was mentioned in documents as far back as the Middle Ages. The wine has been re-introduced and may be among the ones you sample there along with local delicacies. If so, be sure to note its distinct aromas of violet and black cherries. You will also visit the Gerolemos winery, another family-owned operation that produces traditional Cypriot wines. Chances are, you will sample a fruity Morokanella and a Riesling that is often served as an aperitif. It is known for its nose of limes and lemons and nuances of fresh grapefruits.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit three wineries that have resurrected Cypriot grape varieties known in ancient times.
• Discover how the grapes were brought back and how they reinvigorated the local industry.
• Sample wines that reflect the terroirs of the three vineyards.