Relaxing around town

As a town Limassol has it all with an eclectic blend of ancient and modern. The old part of town is a lively little community of shops, traditional restaurants, wine cellars and coffee bars that spill lazily onto the streets. This is a perfect place for shopping and people-watching. Local bargains range from traditional crafted souvenirs of leather and silver, to designer clothes, shoes and sunglasses. The great thing about Limassol is how it has preserved the traditions of Cypriot life despite the constant influx of tourists. If you enjoy wine, this really is the place to be, particularly in September when the city celebrates its annual wine festival in the centre of the town. The local wine producers, whose vineyards adorn the adjoining foothills of the Troodos mountains, invite visitors to try their wines for free in an atmosphere of great celebration with firework displays, traditional singing and dancing. Also on offer here and in the traditional restaurants of the town are some great culinary offerings such as seafood, lamb cooked with bay leaves, pork cooked in wine and traditional casseroles, all cooked to perfection with olive oil and local spices.

Relaxing on the beach

Limassol's beaches are legendary for their clean, soft sand, safe swimming in crystal clear waters as well as diving and other watersports. Probably the best known stretch of beach is Ladies Mile, close to the port, where the water is shallow and great for children. Curium beach is a spot of unparalleled beauty, flanked by cliffs where the sea is somewhat wilder. Governors Beach, to the east of the town, is a lovely tranquil stretch of sand and gentle waters, and the journey here from Limassol by bus is a memorable ride through lovely countryside and rural villages.

Surrounding areas

The landscape surrounding Limassol is one of cedar forests, orange groves, volcanic peaks, pine forests and vineyards. You could not wish for a lovelier backdrop to the town than the picturesque foothills of the Troodos mountains where hiking, trekking and horse-riding are the best way to connect with nature. It is well worth exploring the surrounding area not only for the spectacular natural landscape but also in order to visit the many cultural attractions that remind us of the town's colourful past, a past marked by battles, invasions and occupations stretching back to the times of Greek mythology. Visit Limassol castle, where King Richard the Lionheart married Queen Berengaria of Navarre, the only English Queen never to have set foot in England. The city's Folk Art Museum is a lovely exhibition of Cypriot crafts, and Curium, adjoining the famous beach that shares its name, is a major archaeological site and its settlements include the ancient Roman theatre, which in its elevated position overlooking the bay, is one of the most breathtaking sights on the island.

Conclusion

Limassol is probably the liveliest town on the island by night and by day, and those wishing to take advantage of the hustle and bustle of the liveliest spots in town may be best advised to go for an apartment close to the seafront boulevard otherwise known as the Yermasogia tourist area. Those looking to explore the area and happy to hire a car may prefer to choose a family villa on the outskirts of the town or up in the foothills of the mountains, where the views are breathtaking and the pace of life is somewhat slower. One thing is for sure, there is an enormous selection of lovely properties for rent and the visitor to Limassol has a very wide choice available. The decision is yours.