Limassol (Λεμεσός) is on the south coast of the island and is washed by Akrotiri Bay. It adjoins the British territory of Akrotiri, and several of the sights I will discuss next are formally on British territory.
Kolossi Castle (Κάστρο Κολοσσσίου)
Kolossi Castle, 10 km west of Limassol, was built in the early 13th century by King Hugo I of Cyprus. It acquired its present form in 1454, when the building was rebuilt after the Genoese and Mamelukes attacked it. Knights of various orders were based here for a long time, who were attracted for the defense of the island. These included the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the Knights Templar and the Knights of Malta.
In addition to its military and strategic importance, the castle was an important economic center. Grapes and sugar cane were grown on the fertile land, and sugar and oil were produced on the castle grounds. The famous Cypriot wine Kommandaria got its name from this area.
Kolossi Castle is still one of the most popular historical sights in Cyprus. Only the 22-meter-high square dijon tower is more or less intact, while the rest of the castle is almost destroyed. You can enter the tower, walk through all three floors and go up to the observation deck on the roof. On the castle grounds you will see what is left of the sugar cane processing factory and the aqueduct that supplied the factory with water.
The castle is located in the village of Ipsonas (Ύψωνας). You can get here by public transportation: from Limassol there is a shuttle bus #17. It will take 30—60 minutes to get there.
- From September 16 to April 15, the castle is open daily from 8:15 to 17:15. In the summer season — until 19:45.
- Entrance to the castle: 2,5 €.
- Official site
The ancient city of Kourion (Κούριον)
One of the largest ancient polis was once located near modern Limassol, on the shores of Episkopi Bay (Κόλπος Επισκοπής). It was founded in the 12th century BC and existed until the Middle Ages, when it finally fell to Arab raids. In the 20th century it was found, excavated, and is now a rather large archaeological park with ruins.
It is best to come here in the morning or closer to the evening, when the heat subsides. Kurion is located on a 70-meter cliff, and the sun scorches mercilessly during the day. Take care of hats, sunscreen, water and comfortable shoes — you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Kurion has preserved several houses, an amphitheater, thermae and the temple of Apollo. I will tell you more about them.
House of Eustolios
This not insignificant and by modern standards, private house, built at the turn of the IV — V centuries, had about 35 rooms and two courtyards. The name of the owner is known to us thanks to the inscription on the mosaic decorating the building. Later, the place was a thermae, a place of public recreation. Thus the same Eustolios decided to contribute to the well-being of the inhabitants. It is worth visiting to admire the magnificent mosaics that have survived to this day.
Amphitheater
This building, traditional for the ancient polis, has a rich 4,000-year history. It was the stage for the classical plays of Aeschylus and Euripides, the venue for town meetings and the arena for gladiatorial fights. In 365 AD a strong earthquake almost completely destroyed the amphitheater.
In the middle of the XX century the theater was restored, and behind the theatrical orchestration — the performance area — was equipped with a modern stage, which is now used for concerts and performances.
House of gladiators
This Roman building from the second half of the 3rd century AD is famous for its perfectly preserved mosaics depicting gladiatorial combat scenes. These scenes are quite rare in Cypriot art.
The House of Achilles
The Roman villa with courtyard was built in the second half of the 4th century A. D. It is famous for its floor mosaic depicting the story of the discovery of the identity of Achilles by Odysseus from the famous Trojan cycle.
Temple of Apollo of Hilat
Even what remains of this majestic temple is amazing. The Temple of Apollo is depicted on many postcards from Cyprus. It was built in the 6th century BC, but most of the surviving structures date back to the 1st century AD.
Here you can see the ruins of the temple itself, the remains of the temple altar, a Roman sanctuary, thermae, palaestra and rooms used for temporary accommodation of pilgrims.
Ancient Roman Thermae
Like many other buildings in Curion, the floors of the thermae were decorated with mosaics. Now many of them are destroyed, and under them you can see a floor heating device — hypocaust. The floor was laid on special columns, and hot air was circulated between them and the two planes of the floor.
An early-Christian basilica
Christianity became the dominant religion in Cyprus in the 5th century A. D. At the same time, this basilica was built on the site of an episcopal cathedral destroyed by an earthquake. It was later destroyed by the Arabs.
How to get to Kourion
The archaeological park can be reached by public transportation from Limassol — there are direct buses #16 and 16B to Kourion. The trip will take 45 minutes. To see the park itself, I advise you to allow at least 2 hours.
- The park is open to the public year-round and is open weekends, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter and 7:30 p.m. in the summer.
- The ticket office closes a half hour before the park closes.
- Admission: 4,5 €.
Agios Nikolaos, the «cat» monastery
The monastery of Agios Nikolaos (Ιερά Μονή Αγίου Νικολάου Γάτων) is one of the oldest in Cyprus, it was founded in 327 AD. However, it is not the antiquity of this place that attracts tourists, but its inhabitants and the beautiful legend associated with them. After all, cats once saved Cyprus from the invasion of snakes, which had proliferated here due to severe drought. A thousand cats were brought here by order of St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. The animals successfully coped with the task, and since then Cypriots love and honor them.
The monastery was originally a male monastery, but in the Middle Ages it was almost wiped out during numerous invasions and a strong earthquake in the XV century. It was briefly reopened in the XVIII century, but the real revival happened only in the middle of the XX century. Now it is a small convent, where 6 nuns and about a hundred cats live permanently.
You won’t need much time to see the monastery — its inner territory is closed to the public, 30—40 minutes will be more than enough. You can bring food for the furry inhabitants and leave it with them — it is not allowed to feed the animals on your own. In the monastery you can buy a handmade icon and olive oil produced here in a small factory.
- You can get to the monastery by public transportation: bus number 19A runs from Limassol to Akrotiri (Ακρωτήρι). From the stop you will have to walk another 3 km past the salt lake, so take care of comfortable shoes, hats, sun protection and bring water.
- In the winter season the monastery is open to visitors from 8:00 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 17:30. In summer — from 7:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00.
Limassol Salt Lake
It is the largest inland body of water in Cyprus and is conveniently visited together with the Monastery of St. Nicholas. During the winter months and off-season, flocks of pink flamingos and other migratory birds can be seen here. In summer, the lake dries up and becomes a flat area covered with a mixture of sand and salt.
You can’t get directly to the lake by public transportation, but buses #19, 19A, 20, 21 and 30 stop relatively close by. You can see the bus route and interactive map here.
Sanctuary of Aphrodite
This place stands a bit apart from the rest, but you can make it here in time to get here the same day if you have your own transportation. I still recommend that you allow more time for the trip. This is the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, located near the village of Kouklia — between Limassol and Paphos.
In ancient times, this was the site of old Paphos — Paleo Paphos, famous for its Temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. The cult of Aphrodite appeared on the island as a consequence of the worship of other female deities: first the Mother Goddess, then the Mesopotamian Astarte. The temple of Aphrodite is long gone, its appearance can be seen only on ancient coins. It was an open courtyard, in the center of which there was a black stone 1.2 m high — the main object of worship. Now it is kept in the local museum together with other finds from Kouklia.
The museum is located in a square building with a courtyard inside — it is a former sugar factory. There are many ancient ceramics on display, a fragment of the Leda and Swan mosaic floor, an ancient sarcophagus from the 5th century BC, a stone bath for ablutions between services to Aphrodite and the black stone.
Not far from the sanctuary and museum is the interesting ancient temple of Panagia Katholiki (Παναγία Καθολική), built in the 12th century. — It was probably built from the stone of the Temple of Aphrodite, which had been destroyed by then. Here you can see old frescoes from the XIV–XVI centuries. Wander around the territory of the Sanctuary, visit the museum, see the church — it is worth it.
- Admission to the museum is 4,5 €, free for children.
- The museum is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter season and from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the summer.
- Official site
You can reach Kouklia by car via the A6 highway — the journey will take about 40 minutes.
If you decide to use public transportation, you will need an intercity bus between Paphos and Limassol. Bus timetable
Advice before traveling
- All 5 places can be visited in one day if you have a car or bike. If using only public transportation, plan for several days.
- You can visit these places from anywhere on the island, no matter where you are staying in Cyprus.
- Limassol is conveniently located between Paphos and Ayia Napa, so you can choose it as a «base» and from it to get out on day trips around the island, combining them with a beach vacation.
- You can see the bus schedule and fare here.
