A CITY GUIDE: BEST THINGS TO DO IN LIMASSOL FOR COUPLES & WHERE TO DO STAY.
I haven’t felt quite at home anywhere as much as I did in Limassol on our recent visit. Despite being the second largest city in Cyprus, the old town feels like a welcoming neighborhood.
As we enjoyed a carafe of wine in a taverna in the centre of Limassol, children played happily in the nearby square and parents languidly enjoyed meze chattering with friends. Cats mingled around our feet, or gazed up at us with eyes like saucers. We felt safe in the knowledge that great food was on the way and even better, it wouldn’t be followed by an expensive bill. These are the moments that we look for when travelling and we found it in Limassol.
Limassol is a coastal city in Cyprus. Less popular than the resort towns of Paphos and Larnaca, but offering more for adventurous tourists and foodies. We believe that Limassol is an excellent base from which to explore Cyprus and enjoy all that the city has to offer.
This blog post sets out the best things to do in and around Limassol, where to stay in the city and how to get to Limassol.
Why is Limassol worth visiting?
We very nearly missed out on visiting Limassol because we had read a lot online about it being a noisy, dirty city with lots of traffic. Our experience was very different to this and we are so glad that we chose Limassol as a base for our travels in Cyprus.
Limassol is hectic and a bit noisy, yes. You won’t enjoy Limassol if you’re looking for a quiet retreat or to get away from it all. But if you want a buzzing, lively, trendy city when you visit Cyprus- Limassol is it.
The best argument that I can make for visiting Limassol is that it does not feel like a “holiday resort.” Instead, it’s a lived in city filled with charming hangouts, chic restaurants and boutique stores.
When we visited Larnaca and Paphos, we had to try very hard to find authentic and interesting places to eat and drink. Yet in Limassol, it felt that everywhere we went was achingly gorgeous and well designed. The back streets of the old town reminded us of Tel Aviv or Antalya – both of which are cities that we love.
Limassol will suit families looking for a base from which to explore Cyprus, as well as couples of solo travellers seeking nightlife and a thriving city vibe. This blog post specifically sets out the best things to do in Limassol for couples.
17 best things to do in Limassol for couples
Here are some of the best things to do in Limassol.
1/Meze at a Taverna
Meze is one of the most excellent Cypriot pastimes. It involves a long drawn out meal with a number of small courses and lots of wine. Luckily, Limassol is an amazing place to enjoy Meze.
We found two places that we loved in the city. First is called Meze Taverna, but don’t let the simple name deceive you. It offers upmarket food and a romantic atmosphere that will suit couples in Limassol.
By far, our favourite place was an umassuming Taverna on the large square of Pavlou Mela. I’m honestly quite embarrassed about how many times we visited for supper. The prices are incredibly reasonable and the atmosphere on the square is just unbeatable.
2/ Lunch at the Marina
In recent years, Limassol has become somewhere that many wealthy Cypriots and expats frequent. In particular, the marina, a modern area of Limassol. Subsequently, this isn’t the cheapest area of the city, but it is quite chic and worth a visit.
A great spot for a decadent seafood lunch on the Marina is Pyxida Fish Tavern. They offer a la carte or Meze, including a fish meze. We suggest booking ahead if you plan to visit on the weekend.
If you’re on a budget, there are a few cute ice-cream places or coffee shops in the Marina area, so you can still take advantage of the scenery without spending a fortune.
3/ Visit the City Beach
Most city beaches that we have experienced are not worth visiting. Limassol is different.
The water and sand are incredibly clean and visiting the beach is popular with local families.
Many people visit in the evening after work, enjoying a sunset swim and a drink at one of the beach bars. We particularly loved that the beach bar Thalassaki, which was unpretentious and inexpensive, the ideal place to take a cold beer after a dip in the ocean.
This setup also worked really well for us as a couple – one of us loves to sunbathe and swim, whilst the other prefers the shade of a cafe. If you’re a similar couple – then the city beach will be one of the best things for you to do in Limassol.
4/ Drinks on Zig Zag street
There’s a street in Limassol that has become quite famous because of it’s shape. Named Zik Zak, meaning Zig Zag, because it winds through the old town of Limassol like a serpent. This street and the area around it are great for late night drinks.
We were drawn to Tria Poulakia Bar like moths to a flame. It has wonderful alfresco seating and a great wine list.
We think visiting Zig Zag street and enjoying a few drinks and the different bars is one of the best things to do in Limassol for couples.
5/ Enjoy a morning frappe
After visiting Limassol, we are converts to Cypriot coffee. Whether you want to stick to the traditional coffee pot creations, try cold brew or enjoy a frappe – the old town is filled with excellent coffee shops.
Two of the best spots we found are Black Rooster Espresso Bar – a tiny but beautiful space, where locals hang outside ordering coffee through the hatch. And Natives – a smart coffee shop with outdoor seating.
6/ Shop in Limassol Old Town
Amongst the bars and restaurants of the old town, you can also find fantastic shops. From boutique clothing stores, to home ware stores like Thesis and even charity stores selling some vintage items. We really enjoyed browsing some of the local handicrafts.
Agiou Andreou and the area around it in the Old Town has some of the best stores. You’ll also find the more usual chain stores like Zara and H&M on the busy street of Anexartisias.
7/ Wine tasting at a vineyard
The area around Limassol is famous for producing wine. Subsequently, there are many vineyards that you can visit close by to the city. What could be more romantic for couples visiting Limassol than a vineyard visit?
We visited Lambouri Winery, in the village of Kato Platres. This is a contemporary vineyard offering an excellent 10 Euro tasting and one of the easiest to get to by bus – more information here. You can also tie in a hike to the Caledonia Waterfall (below).
A second option is Ayia Mavri Winery, in the village of Koilani. I believe that this is accessible by public transport, but we unfortunately didn’t get a chance to test the route.
If you’d like to visit on a tour then consider the Grape Escape tour, which is centered around vineyard visits.
8/ Hike to Caledonia Waterfall
In the village of Platres, you’ll find Caledonia Waterfall. The waterfall is a unique experience, with a short 1km hike to see it.
If you are driving from Limassol, you can reach here in around 40 minutes. Otherwise, there is a direct bus to Platres – more info here.
Find our full guide to visiting the waterfall here.
9/ Visit Aphrodite’s Birth Place
From Limassol, you can visit Petra tou Romiou – famous as the birthplace of Aphrodite. You may recognize the location from the Botticelli painting, The Birth of Venus.
Legend has it that Aphrodite emerged from the seawater on this beach. Today, you can visit it as a tourist attraction, it’s free to enter. Plus, this is one of the best things to do for couples as Aphrodite is the Goddess of love. People visit from far and wide to worship Aphrodite and wish for love, beauty and fertility.
From Limassol, it is around 35 minutes drive. Unfortunately there are no buses so you will need a car if visiting from Limassol. However, if you’re also staying in Paphos you can visit this attraction from there on a public bus.
10/ Head to the Troodos Mountains
Limassol is found to the south of the expansive Troodos Mountains. If you fancy a day trip away from the sea to find some respite from the heat, we recommend heading up and away to the mountain villages.
From Limassol, the easiest village to get to by bus is Platres – where you can hike to Caledonia Waterfall and go wine tasting. As an alternative, you can take a tour which will most likely call into some of the prettiest villages like Omodos and Lofou. As an example, this tour includes wine tasting and a visit to Omodos.
Find our full guide to the Troodos Mountains here.
11/ Eat souvlaki at Livadis
Souvlaki Livadis is a bit of a Limassol stalwart drawing in locals and tourists to sample delicious kebabs. You can go for Gyros or Souvlaki – both are delicious. Opt for takeout or eat inside in the cute seating area.
12/ Take a cruise to the Blue Lagoon
If you’re using Limassol as a base to explore further afield in Cyprus, you might like to consider a visit to the stunning Blue Lagoon.
There are a number of boat cruises which include transport from either Limassol or Paphos. This tour includes transfer from Limassol hotels.
You can read about our experience of a Blue Lagoon Boat Tour here.
13/ Visit Kourion Archeological Park
Kourion Archeological Park is found to the west of Limassol and it is one of the most important historic sites in Cyprus. Kourion is found perched high on a hill side overlooking a bay of the same name. It is believed that the structures were built in neolithic times and became a settlement, or city, in the 13th Century.
Today, it is a ruin, but offers a unique insight into life in Cyprus so many years ago. You’ll need a couple of hours to explore the site.
You can find out more about Kourion Ruins here.
14/ Swim at Kourion Beach
We loved the city beach in Limassol, but from time to time it’s nice to explore nearby beaches. This is how we found Kourion.
Kourion Beach is around a 30 minute drive away, or a 45 minute bus ride to the west of Limassol. It is a delightful cove with calm water and lovely soft sand. There are two restaurants/ bars on the beach offering refreshments – so there’s no excuse to leave all day!
You can find out more about getting to Kourion beach here.
15/ Run, walk or cycle on the Molos
We were quite taken by the promenade in Limassol. Named locally as “Molos”, meaning jetty – there’s more to the promenade than you might expect.
Not only does the promenade offer cycle lanes and walking areas, but there’s a park running pretty much along the whole area. This creates a really pleasant atmosphere, with seating and plant life to enjoy. There are also a few outdoor gyms along the coast.
I’d suggest heading out early in the morning for a run (if you’re that way inclined) or walking early evening. You can also pick up bikes along the route.
16/ Yoga class on the beach
Limassol has a number of boutique yoga studios which are worth exploring. In summer months, classes break free of the studio and head to the shore.
Check out Yoga by the Sea Limassol for more information.
17/ Take a day trip to Nicosia
Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and the only capital city in the world to be divided – part Greek and part Turkish. Visiting Nicosia offers an interesting insight into the history of, and indeed current, division of Cyprus. It is possible to cross the border on foot to visit both sides of Nicosia.
Aside from this, Nicosia is also a cosmopolitan city – with great bars and restaurants and a lively vibe. We particularly loved the Cyprus Museum, a free museum with a number of amazing artifacts.
From Limassol, you can take one of the excellent Inter City bus services to Nicosia. The journey takes around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Where to stay in Limassol
Limassol has quite distinct areas and as such, choosing the right one will have a bearing on how you enjoy the city.
The Old Town is the best for nightlife and anyone who wants ease of access to the city, but can be a little noisy. The Marina is a more upscale area of the city, with hotels to match. Finally, you can choose accommodation on the seafront, perhaps to the outskirts of the city for a quieter vacation.
Hotels & Airbnbs in Limassol
Here are some choices for the best accommodation in Limassol.
BUDGET: For budget travellers, there are a few hostels in Limassol. Retro Hostel is one of the better located, close to the old town.
OLD TOWN:
The Old Town has a number of Airbnbs as well as hotels. Consider Alinea Primo Hotel with a roof top pool and central location. Alternatively, this boutique hotel offers location in a converted old mansion.
We stayed in a studio in the heart of the Old Town. We loved the design touches here and the price was very reasonable. It would not suit anyone with children, as the street is quite noisy.
BEACHFRONT:
There are a number of hotels along the beachfront to choose from. Consider somewhere like NYX Hotel, which has an epic swimming pool with sea views. Breakfast is also included in the room rate.
How to get to Limassol
There are no airports in Limassol, instead you’ll have to fly into either Paphos or Larnaca. Limassol is more or less equidistant between the two.
From either airport you can take an inexpensive shuttle bus, or of course take a taxi. Find out more about the bus service here.
One of the reasons that Limassol is a great base, is that you don’t require a hire car when you’re there. As a city, it is very walkable and there are excellent public transport links.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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