Limassol (or Lemesos in Greek) is the largest seaside resort and the second largest city in Cyprus. Situated on the south coast, Limassol was built between the two ancient Greek kingdoms: Amathus in the east, and Kourion in the west. It now has a population of about 150 000 and is the centre of the country's wine-making industry, an important commercial
and tourist centre, and, of course, the birthplace of the most successful sports club in Cyprus: AEL.
Limassol is well known to British and other European tourists as the city with the best nightlife in Cyprus. It also stages some of the island's best-known festivals: The Drama Festival at Kourion Ancient Theatre (photo); the annual Wine Festival in September, when the various
wineries offer free samples of their products for ten days; the ten day
pre-Lenten Carnival with masquerade parties, balls and grand parades.
Concentrated
chiefly on the eastern side of Limassol, all types of holiday
accommodation have been built at close proximity to the sea. These range
from inexpensive apartments to luxury five-star hotels and exclusive villas. Near
them are a wide range of tavernas, pubs, discos and nightclubs.
There are numerous beaches to choose from. Some are very popular
during midsummer with the convenience of changing rooms, showers,
cafes and bars, others quite uncrowded, particularly those on
the outskirts of town, such as the sandy beach known as
Ladies
Mile, west of the new harbour. Limmasol also has an
attractive privately-run marina equipped with every facility for the yachtsman.
As a shopping centre Limassol offers the full gamut from ultra-modern
to traditional and handmade. European wares have place alongside
local produce, and as in other parts of the island, shoes and
clothes can be made to measure in a matter of days. Busy St
Andrew's Street (photo) - the very street in which AEL was
founded back in 1930 - not far from the sea front promenade, makes a fascinating
trip with its quaint buildings and overhanging terraces. Another important shopping street is
Makarios Avenue, where many prestigious boutiques and
showrooms are located, as well as small shops of every type.
Down
near the old port is Limassol Castle (photo), where Richard
the Lionheart allegedly married Queen Berengaria of Navarre
in 1191 and crowned her Queen of England - the first Coronation
and Royal Marriage to take place outside England. Its grounds
house the Medieval Museum of Cyprus with interesting
pottery and tombstones amongst its numerous exhibits. Limasol
also has an Archaeological Museum, with fascinating statues
and pottery finds, the municipal Art gallery as well
as a FolkArt Museum where specially staged room-sets
display the old clothes and utensils to their best. The Municipal
Gardens with small zoo offer a pleasant stroll amidst lush
trees plants and shrubs.
