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If you’re looking to relax on sandy shores, you’ve come to the right place. Limassol is blessed with an expansive coastline and plenty of spots to kick back on a sunbed. Some of the most well-known Limassol beaches, many of which are Blue-Flag certified, include the popular Lady’s Mile Beach, Akti Olympion Beach and Dasoudi Beach. Governor’s Beach – about 10 km outside Limassol – and next to the village of Pentakomo is also particularly stunning and famed for its smooth white rocks. If you fancy a drive out of town towards Paphos, stop off at the village of Pissouri and make a splash in the crystal clear waters of the picture-perfect Pissouri Bay.

Inhabited since ancient times, Limassol was built between the two ancient cities of Amathus and Curium. And both these stunning sites beckon culture vultures and history buffs. The Amathus Archaeological Site, just a 10 km drive from Royal Apollonia, is famed as one of the most important city kingdoms on the island. Dating back to 1100 B.C. it was also once a sacred place where Ancient Greek Goddess Astarte-Aphrodite was worshipped.

Be sure to also visit The Curium (Kourion), revered as one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in Cyprus and located just 20 km from our hotel. It boasts a magnificent cliff-top Greco-Roman amphitheatre built in the 2nd century B.C. as well as the ruins of stately villas with superb mosaic floors. All this, against a stunning Mediterranean backdrop, overlooking the land and sea beyond.

For a taste of history within the city centre, head straight to the Limassol Castle, famed as the place where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria and crowned her Queen of England in 1191. And if you love wine, be sure to add Kolossi Castle to your Limassol bucket list, world-renowned as the birthplace of the famous Commandaria.

Curium is one of the most spectacular archeological sites in Cyprus and is just 20 km from Royal Apollonia. It boasts a magnificent cliff-top Greco-Roman amphitheatre dating from the 2nd century A.D. as well as the ruins of stately villas with superb mosaic floors, and a 5th century Early Christian basilica. On-going excavations continue to uncover new treasures and the amphitheatre is still used today for open-air theatrical and musical events against a stunning Mediterranean backdrop.

On the Eastern outskirts of Limassol,10 km from Royal Apollonia, lie the ruins of the ancient city of Amathus. Amathus, which dates back to 1100 BC, was one of the most significant ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus. Mythology has it that it was here that Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be cared for after his combat with the Minotaur. An important place of worship in the Aphrodite-Astarte cult, it was in Amathus that the world’s largest stone vase, now on display in the Louvre Museum of Paris, was found.

The site overlooks the sea and a clear day you have the impression you can see forever.

You will never run out of things to do in Limassol! If you crave a little action after a day of sunbathing or sightseeing, go wild out at sea with a water skiing, windsurfing, or kitesurfing escapade. Sailing is also popular in Limassol and lovers of the underwater world can take a deep plunge on a diving adventure. If you prefer to get your heart pumping on dry land, the long Molos promenade that stretches 1 km along the coastline is popular with cyclists and runners.

For an out-of-town excursion, head to the rugged pine-covered slopes and the towering peaks of the Troodos Mountains, laced with nature trails and blessed with cascading waterfalls. All are within easy reach of the leafy Troodos village of Platres and you can stop off at Caledonia, Millomeris, and Chandara. While you’re touring the area, be sure to also visit local wineries producing some of the island’s finest produce.

Limassol is notoriously celebrated as the most fun-loving city in Cyprus, packed with chic cafes, popular pubs, and cool clubs. Over the past decade, this thriving cosmopolitan destination has also undergone a great transformation, with the revamped streets of the old town now forming a hub of activity, lined with some of the island’s most stylish establishments to sip on your sundowner.

The seaside resort is also popular for its year-round street parties, traditional and cultural celebrations, and flamboyant festivals. The extravagant annual Limassol carnival is not to be missed, while the summer wine festival always goes down a treat with locals and visitors alike.

Traditional Cypriot cuisine is one of the finest in the Mediterranean thanks to an abundance of locally grown fruits and vegetables, top-quality olive oil, fresh local herbs, and lean meat. And there’s no better place to savour the intoxicating taste of Cyprus than Limassol, famed as the gastronomic capital of the island.

Home to some of the very best restaurants in the region, the dining options here are endless. Enjoy an abundant meze feast at warm and welcoming local taverns. Or treat your taste buds to a twist on tradition in some of the city’s new fusion restaurants. Limassol is a real melting pot of flavours, and keen gastronomes can also please the palate with Asian, Middle Eastern, South American, and modern European dishes in countless establishments around the city. Happy dining!