February 2026
After a week in Larnaca, we moved to Limassol for the next week. There was an intercity bus, but we opted to hire a taxi. Since we were splitting the cost, we splurged on door to door service. Cyprus highways are well-maintained, so if you don’t mind renting a car and driving, you can get from place to place pretty easily. Cyprus was a British colony, so they drive on the left.
As we entered Limassol, we could see it was a much bigger city than Larnaca, even though Larnaca is growing, due to its airport. In Limassol, construction cranes and skyscrapers are changing the skyline in the new part of the city. We wondered what was creating the growth. By talking to locals and doing online research, we learned that foreign money is pouring in from middle-eastern investors.
Our rental apartment was in the historic district of old Limassol. It was a little tricky to find and had a few quirks, but it was in a great location for walking and the view of the sea and the rooftops of the city was spectacular.
On our first evening, we walked to the area known as The Old Port. As its title would indicate, it once served as Limassol’s harbor. Nowadays, a deeper harbor accommodates larger cargo ships and cruise ships. The Old Port services sailboats, charter boats, and luxury yachts. It is also a lovely area for strolling and dining.
Our first dinner was at Tartufo, a beautiful Italian restaurant with fabulous food and elegant service. Limassol is a foodie paradise. There are numerous fine dining restaurants, gelato stands, corn on the cob carts, juice bars, and coffee shops with tempting bakery items. Outdoor seating is available everywhere.
If you indulge in the wonderful food in Limassol like we did, you can walk it off along Limassol’s stunning seaside promenade. It was modernized by the British during their rule from 1878-1960. Much of the modernization of Limassol’s infrastructure took place during those years. There is a lot to see along the boardwalk and you can finish your walk with a leisurely coffee, while you soak in the sun and enjoy the view of the sea..
Below: Scenes Along Limassol’s Promenade
Below: Shots from our Rooftop Terrace
Below: The Cyprus Museum of Industrial Pharmacy
We discovered this unassuming museum near Limassol’s Castle and the curator gave us a private tour of the machinery that was used to formulate and package generic drugs. This equipment is now obsolete due to digitization, but Cyprus is still a leader in the generic drug industry. She proudly told us Cyprus is much more than tourism.
Old town Limassol is best enjoyed on foot. We took a walking tour and enjoyed the guided history of the buildings. We met our guide at the Limassol Castle , which was built during the Crusades (1191 AD), and according to legend, hosted the wedding of Richard the Lionhearted to Princess Berengaria. We passed homes and shops that have been restored from the Venetian Occupation (1489–1570) and the Ottoman Rule (1570–1878). We later returned to the castle to explore and to enjoy the views from the top.
Below: Some Shots from our walking tour of the historic center
Below: Limassol’s Orthodox Cathedral (Ayia Napa)- Built on the site of an ancient Byzantine church in 1906.
Below: Contemporary Street Art of Limassol
Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish graffiti from art murals and advertising posters, but one of my favorite things is to walk through town in the early morning and photograph the street art that adorns the buildings.
We unknowingly arrived in Limassol a few days before the start of Carnival, the festival that precedes Lent. The Greek Orthodox Church observes Easter on a different calendar date than the Western Church. The citizens of Limassol were happy to share their customs with us. Think of it as Mardi Gras- Cypriot style. On “Smoky Thursday” the grills come out to the street early and they start cooking the kabobs and putting the lamb on the spit. Smoke fills the air and people come out to party. The party lasts late into the night and continues all weekend.
Below: Smoky Thursday kicks off the Carnival festivities
Below: Boats in the harbor
Below: More Great Food at Jamie Oliver and Oysia. We always share!
Below: Costumed Cypriots Celebrate Carnival
Music, Dancing, and the local brew at the town party.
Below: The Sunday Morning Family Parade
On Sunday, the festivities continued with the family parade. Families march in themed costumes and there is afternoon music, dancing, and food in the square.
We left town on “Green Monday” also known as “Clean Monday.” This is when Greeks and Cypriots begin the “Great Lent.” They observe Monday with picnics, fish, and abstinence from alcohol. Carnival was over and we were headed to Paphos. We loved Limassol.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more about Cyprus.
I am an independent traveler and unpaid. My opinions are solely based on personal experience.
Geri
Adventures In The South of Spain 