Limassol

A seaside city on Cyprus's south coast where the old-town castle sits beside the marina, surrounded by the ancient sites of Amathus and Kolossi, with painted churches and wine villages in the Troodos Mountains to the north.

Limassol is Cyprus's second-largest city, on the island's south coast, stretching along more than 10 km of shoreline. The city centre revolves around its medieval castle, with old-town lanes, the Agia Napa Cathedral, the Old Port and the marina (completed in 2014) all close together; the Molos seafront promenade runs east, and the seaside ancient city of Amathus lies on the eastern outskirts. To the west are the Crusader-era Kolossi Castle, the Sanctuary of Apollo, Akrotiri Salt Lake, where flamingos gather in winter, and the Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats (ancient Kourion is covered under Paphos). Head north for 40–60 minutes to reach the Troodos Mountains: wine villages such as Omodos and Lania, hiking trails and waterfalls on Mount Olympus (1,952 m), and UNESCO-listed Byzantine painted churches. The climate is classic Mediterranean: Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov are most pleasant, Jul–Aug is scorching, winters are mild, and you can ski in the Troodos from January to March; the Limassol Carnival in Feb–Mar is the liveliest on the island. Larnaca Airport is about 60 km away and Paphos Airport about 65 km. Public transport is mainly by bus; renting a car is strongly recommended for the mountains and beaches (traffic drives on the left). Allow 3–4 days: one for the city, one for the western archaeological sites and beaches, and one or two for the Troodos.

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