Limassol Cyprus

...2nd largest city in Cyprus

Limassol Cyprus has a population of 94,600 and every year this very lively and popular city attracts a huge majority of the tourists.

The 3km seafront is referred to as the tourist area and it's overflowing with luxurious hotels and apartments, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops.

The tourist area stretches a long way from the Old Town but all of this is set to change with the new marina which is aimed to be completed by 2014.

Limassol Marina

The new marina has attracted a £350 million injection which will boost not only the economy of the country but also regenerate the waterfront area and transform it into one of the most luxurious marinas in Europe.

There are many things planned including a walkway to Limassol Castle and a new beach will replace the old warehouses which are no longer used along the waterfront.

The project has already started and aims to have a large number of aparments and villas ready by next year with berths, shops and restaurants ready by 2013. The project will be completed by 2014.

Cyprus is known for its low tax system which has attracted investments into the project and when completed Limassol will well and truly be on the map.

Nereids Residences will include luxury apartments, penthouses and villas so close to the marina, it will take just a few minutes to reach your yacht.

Lemesos Old Town

To reach the old part of the city you take the No 30 bus which runs along the sea-front from Amathus Beach Hotel to the Old Port and the new harbor.

The bus runs from 7.00am - 7.00 pm and if you want to visit the Old City and town center be sure to get off at the last stop along the seafront (get off here otherwise you'll be taken to the new harbor which is about 2km away).

The area around the old Medieval Castle is full of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a drink and a meal and even a game of tavli.

This lovely Cyprus resort is also famous for Kolossi Castle (west of the city - 20 min drive) which once the headquarters of the Crusaders and famous for Commandaria wine. Other popular local attractions include the temple of Apollo, Ancient Kourion, Amathus and the September wine festival.

Shopping in Limassol

The old town is definitely the heart of the city. It's full of traditional restaurants, a lovely shopping center and the popular pedestrianized cobbled street of St Andrews which runs parallel to the seafront.

Whilst you're here, check out the Nut Cracker House on St Andrews Street which is full of local delicacies which the manager Pambos will be only to happy to show you.

If you're looking for trendy shops then head for Anexartiseas Street where you'll find popular stores such as Zara. There's also an indoor shopping center (Greek Agora = market) and along the seafront is the very popular Debenhams which can be found all over the island. However, if you like your clothes made to measure there are many excellent tailors and shoemakers offering this service.

The popular Makarios Avenue (Leoforos Arhiepiskopou Makariou) is full of chic and trendy designer fashion shops, and others selling crystal and Lladro porcelain. There's also the Bear Factory where you can have a bear made to measure and the recently opened 'Costas' has a large terrace where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine and your favorite drink.

Cinemas

The Othello cinema can be found in Lefteris Street and the multi-complex cinema can be found in the tourist area at the following address: K-Cineplex, Ariadnis, 8 Mouttagiaka kcineplex.

Markets

The daily municipal market is located behind the Central Bus Station on Georgiou Gennadiou.

You can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, honey, flowers and there are lots of lovely spices such as the traditional mastica at amazing prices. (closes around 2ish).

Galleries

There are many local galleries in the Old City and also a museum dedicated to car rallies.

Limassol Bus Station

To visit some of the places of interest which are located outside the city center it's a good idea to hire a car or you can easily take a bus from the Central Bus Station on Georgiou Gennadiou in the Old Town.

Be sure to get a bus timetable from here or from the local Cyprus Tourist Offices on the seafront next to the Continental Hotel.

Lemesos Carnival

The carnival takes place 50 days before Easter in Cyprus and the first week is the last week you can eat meat (called Kreatini) and the second week is cheese week (called Tyrini). This is one of the largest and most popular carnivals on the island during February.

International Childrens Festival

This is a relatively new festival held every year during the month of September in the Municipal Gardens.

Children from all over Cyprus come to celebrate and enjoy this event. The festival has a wonderful cultural mix of children from schools in Cyprus with children attendinging from 27 different countries.

Wine Festival

The internationally famous wine festival is celebrated during the month of September in the Municipal Gardens overlooking the seafront.

As well as being ideally located, the gardens have a small zoo and cafe and are full of trees, shrubs and flowers which make this a wonderful place to escape the hot summer months in Cyprus.

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in Cyprus