Limassol (Lemesos) & the Southwest
The second-largest city in Cyprus, Limassol is the island’s main industrial centre and port. It is also the focus of Cyprus’ wine industry. In September, the town holds a wine festival, at which wine and food are served free. During the pre-Lenten Carnival, Limassol bursts into celebration, with bands, gaily decorated floats and dancing. The city is an important tourist destination, and has beaches like Dassoudi Beach and those at nearby Germasogeia, backed by cafes and tavernas. Limassol Castle stands guard over the old harbour and houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum. There is also a Folk Art Museum, the Limassol District Archaeological Museum and, in the Municipal Gardens, a small zoo.
There are several places of historical and archaeological interest around Limassol. Amathus, just outside the city to the east, was once the capital of a city-kingdom, but is now in ruins and partly covered by the sea. The Acropolis, Necropolis and the remains of an early Christian basilica can be seen, and excavation continues in the lower part of the ancient city. Further east lies Agios Georgios Alamanos Convent and the black sands of Governor’s Beach.
West of Limassol, at Fassouri, are extensive citrus orchards and the Water Mania leisure park. Nearby Kolossi Castle was the headquarters of the Crusader Knights of St John of Jerusalem. The ancient city of Kourion, on a steep hillside near Episkopi, has a superbly sited Graeco-Roman theatre where concerts and Shakespearean plays are performed in summer. Kourion contains other interesting sites, including the House of Eustolios, which has beautiful mosaics; the Acropolis, the ruins of the Roman-era forum; the Christian Basilica; and public buildings. Beyond Kourion to the west are the city’s stadium and the Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis. All of these sites lie within the Akrotiri-Episkopi British Sovereign Base Area.
South of Limassol, on the Akrotiri Peninsula (and also inside the British military base), Lady’s Mile Beach is a long stretch of excellent sand. Nearby Akrotiri Salt Lake (dry in summer) is a winter home to thousands of flamingos; on its southern shore stands the Agios Nikolaos ton Gaton Convent.
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