Official Language:
Greek
Secondary Language:
Turkish and English
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Currency:
EUR
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Population:
Approximately 135,000 people call Limassol home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Limassol Cyprus: The climate is equable, with an abundance of sunny days throughout the year. The average daytime temperature from June to September is 90°F/32°C, from December to February 61°F/16°C and the other five monehts 77°F/25°C. Very cool, cotton clothes are recommended for the hot summer months. Jackets and light sweaters may be required for the evenings during May and June, September and October, and warm clothes are worn during the winter months. Summer is a season of high temperatures with cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere in the coastal areas. Winters are mild with some rain and snow on Troodos Mountains (usually starting before Christmas). In Cyprus there is abundant sunshine, even in December and January, there is an average of six hours of bright sunshine per day.
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Cruise passengers will discover that Cyprus is a nation that not only has a Turkish presence and a very strong Greek culture. Cyprus is also the birthplace Aphrodite, the goddess of love. It is an eastern Mediterranean island covered in warm sunlight. It is an island divided between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. Limassol is not only the second largest city in Cyprus, but it is also the most important port and center of tourism for the southern portion of this island.
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Attractions |
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Limassol now functions primarily as a starting point to see the historical sights of the southern part of Cyprus, like the Kourion Castle or the Troodos Mountains. There are lots of taverns, wine and beer cellars, and places to sit and people watch. There are museums in town to visit, like the Limassol Castle, which houses the Cyprus Mediaeval Museum. Visit the Folk Art Museum, in a restored old house, exhibits national costumes, embroidery, and tapestry in a fascinating way.
Limassol Castle
This is where Richard the Lionheart (on his way to the Crusades) married and crowned as queen Berengeria, the Princess of Navarre, in May, 1191.
Amathus
A place where another of the city kingdoms left something behind. According to mythology, Theseus abandoned the pregnant Ariadne here after he vanquished the Minotaur. She was cared for by the local women and gave birth to twins: Oenopian and Staphylus. Oenopian is said to have planted the first vineyard in Cyprus.
Kolossi Castle
An outstanding example of mediaeval military architecture, it was the command post of the Knights Templar in the 13th century after they bought the island from Richard the Lionheart. It was rebuilt a couple of centuries later by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, and that is the structure you will see today.
Take a tour of wineries in the Troodos Mountains.
Take a tour or rent a car and travel west twelve miles to see the working archaeological excavation at Kourion. Here you will find the remains of an ancient city kingdom (of which there were dozens in Cyprus). You see a 2200-year-old Greco-Roman amphitheatre that has been fully restored and is used for performances. A private villa, The House of Eustolios, became a public recreation area in the early Christian period, and comprises a complex of baths and rooms with beautiful mosaic floors from the 5th century AD.
Beaches
If you prefer to spend your time on the water instead of on the land, Limassol has not only the beach called the Cypriot Riviera, but some spectacular dive sites as well. The Akrotiri Fish Reserve, where you can watch octopus and hand feed groupers, moray eels, and other fish, is good for all skill levels, being rather shallow. The Tombs is a dive that takes you to what appear to be man-made caves resembling ancient tombs. Sharks Cove offers a terrific dive with a tunnel and a rocky reef. There's enough here to spend your whole day underwater getting to know the submerged side of Cyprus. The clear blue waters of the sea around Cyprus and the long stretches of sandy beach offer excellent opportunities for swimming and sunbathing.
The Cyprus Tourism Organization Public Beaches which are located in very attractive sites, with cafeterias, bars and restaurants, offer full facilities to swimmers, including changing-rooms.
Shopping
Go shopping on St. Andrew's Street with its quaint buildings and overhanging terraces, under which numerous small shops can be found. Makarios Avenue is where you go for the more prestigious boutiques and malls. Consider the Lefkaria lace, Pafos embroidery (called "Pafitika" fabric), or leather and metal work. Gold and silver jewelry in faithful reproductions of ancient designs show off the skill of the Cypriot folk artists are. Pottery and basket weaving have existed here for centuries, and these wares would make perfect souvenirs.
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More Information |
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Web: http://www.yourcyprus.com/cyprusguide/lemesos.htm
Web: http://gogreece.about.com/cs/cyprus/
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