Limassol
If you want to enjoy an interesting and varied day, take a short trip to Limassol. The area boasts a wide range of beaches to enjoy the sun, a charming old harbour area for eating and relaxing, monuments, museums, ancient ruins and water parks. It`s a great day out for families and couples, all within a short drive of the Larnaca Apartments.
Getting there
Take the A1 motorway from Larnaca, following the signs to Limassol (also known as Lemesos). The journey takes around 45 minutes. Alternatively, the coastal road is quieter and takes in sights including the Camel Park at Mazatos and the superb Governors beach area.
What to take
Light clothes and comfortable shoes will make exploring and wandering through the picturesque streets easier. Sunscreen, plenty of drinking water and a camera to capture these rich historic and cultural sights are essential.
Things to do
During the day the many beaches around the area are perfect for exploring and enjoying the sun.
For a more adventurous experience, try water skiing, diving, jet boats, boat rides, buggy rides, and parascending - all widely available.
Locally attractions include the Fasouri Water Park, Limassol museum, Limassol castle, the Kouron theatre and ruins, and a wine museum.
Beaches
Limassol`s beaches are ideal for enjoying a relaxing sunbathe, a wide range of beach activities and the excellent Mediterranean food offered by the various cafes and restaurants.
Governors beach is situated to the east of the town. Quiet and tranquil with a safe stretch of sand and easy access to cafes and restaurants, the beach is ideal for families. Lady`s Mile beach stretches for four miles, with beautifully secluded sand and pebble beaches enjoyed by visitors and surfers.
Akti Olympion beach - with its dark sand and wide range of beach activities - is very popular, and Aoratoi beach near Pyrgos is also renowned for watersports and facilities.
Some 20km west of Larnaca is Kourion Beach, which lies at the foot of the stunning 2nd century AD amphitheatre.
Other Blue Flag Beaches in the area include Kalymnos Beach at Pentakomo, Pissouri Beach at Pissouri, Santa Barbara, Loures, Vouppa, Aphrodite, Onisilos, Armonia and Castella at Agios Tychonas just outside Lemesos.
Shopping
For the best shopping experience, head for the busy shopping streets of St Andrews and Makarios Avenue for an Aladdin`s cave of treasures - from traditional Cyprus keepsakes to contemporary gifts. For a completely unique memento of your trip, hand tailored clothes and shoes can be custom made for you in a matter of days. The new Tiffany shopping mall with over 150 units including designer brand names, restaurants, and an ice rink opened in May 2009.
Culture and entertainment
From the ruins at Kouron to the Watermania Waterpark, Limassol offers visitors a varied choice of activities, entertainment and history.
Children of all ages will love Fasouri Watermania water park, with its exciting slides, rides and wave pools. Daredevils can try out the Kamikaze slide, or even the black hole! For fun with a difference on dry land, take a trip to the camel park near Mazatos and experience a journey on the ‘ships of the desert`.
Visitors looking for a cultural experience should head for Kouron ruins and theatre, a must-see set of roman ruins with a working amphitheatre staging regular concerts. The ruins offer spectacular views to the coast, where some great beach restaurants can be enjoyed.
Kolossi castle, a medieval castle close to Limassol is well worth a visit, as is Limassol castle and museum - built in the 14th century and according to tradition, where Richard the Lion heart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England in 1191.
For a spectacular and once on a lifetime experience, why not cruise from the harbour at Limassol to Egypt? A three day excursion will whisk you to the exotic world of Pharaohs and the famous Pyramids of Giza.
Food and drink
Limassol`s beach areas are great places to sample local seafood, along with local and traditional meals. In the town, a wide range of traditional restaurants and high street fast food favourites can be enjoyed. In particular, the harbour area boasts excellent places to eat - try La Maison Fleurie, one of the top ten restaurants on the island, offering authentic French cuisine in period surroundings. The Old Fox restaurant comes highly recommended, as does the Meze Taverna, a traditional restaurant. For reasonably priced European cuisine, Old Vienna is an excellent choice.
Cyprus has always been a wine growing area, and the town`s wine museum and vineyard trips reflect this - as well as offering plenty of opportunities to taste the local products!
