Limassol beaches Travel Guide

About Limassol beaches

Bold and energetic Limassol, one of Cyprus's liveliest cities, has long attracted holidaymakers to its resort hotels, where sweeping sea views, swimming pools and private stretches of beach are de rigeur. Limassol also boasts a compact and charming old town, a palm-fringed promenade backed by long and thin sandy beaches and cooling water parks. The warren of streets that flank the seaside strip have an allure of their own and are crammed with cafés, trendy bars, lively nightclubs and shops selling everything from souvenirs to the latest fashions. This is a real city where tourists and locals mingle happily. After a hard day's shopping, relaxing on the beach, or tanning by the pool, you'll be congratulating yourself over a cocktail on taking your holiday in this cosmopolitan resort city.

Beach:

Limassol's waterfront is dotted with hotel and public beaches, where you can soak up the sun, or take a cooling dip in the Mediterranean. For the best beaches head away from Limassol to Ladies Beach, Curium Beach or Pissouri Beach. A raft of watersports is also on offer from pedalos to jet-skis.

Beyond the beach:

Stroll along the seaside promenade to Limassol's old town where the assorted delights of centuries-old architecture, the city's medieval fort, an archaeological museum, the folk museum and a natural sea sponge exhibition await. This is a great place to enjoy a leisurely lunch, with the old carob warehouse and the other eateries that flank the fort all good options.

Family fun:

Limassol and its environs have plenty to keep children occupied. Away from the beaches the Wet 'n' Wild and Fasouri (www.fasouri-watermania.com) waterparks tempt with their slides and pools. In Limassol's old harbour, the residents of the Reptile House thrill children, with the Time Elevator plummeting you (virtually) through Cyprus's history.

Exploring further:

Kourion, 18km (12 miles) west of Limassol, is one of Cyprus's most impressive archaeological sites. Dating from the 12th century BC, this ancient settlement once looked majestically out over the Mediterranean. Highlights today include its amphitheatre, ruined Roman houses and mosaics. Watching a concert in the ancient arena on a balmy summer's evening is a hard-to-beat experience.