We moved to the city of Limassol in May 2021. It is the second largest city in Cyprus, as well as the most modern, and most expensive one. Since we moved here, many new restaurants, cafes, and shops have opened, and luxury towers have been built and boutique hotels have opened. In addition, a deep-water port was established here, one that allows the docking of cruise ships, and last year the resort with the largest casino in Europe was opened. The city is constantly developing and has become a perfect vacation destination. If you are coming to Limassol with children, I wrote a detailed guide with recommendations on Limassol with children.
Tips before flying to Limassol
SIM abroad
I personally recommend using an eSIM, which is an electronic SIM, and highly recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of a SIM card abroad as well as about other options such as buying a local SIM card.
Blog followers have a 15% discount code for Airalo to purchase an eSIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. You’ll see it at
How do you get to Limassol?
There is no airport in Limassol. It is located between Paphos and Larnaca (a 50-minute drive from each), so you can land in either one of those cities and take a taxi, bus or rent a car and get to Limassol.
Where to stay in Limassol? Recommended hotels in Limassol
I wrote a detailed post with all my recommendations for hotels and resorts in Limassol.
Car rental in Limassol
There is no convenient public transportation in Limassol and in Cyprus in general. For those who only come for a backpacking vacation, the buses and taxis will provide a good enough solution, but if you also want to travel, I personally recommend renting a car. It is true that you drive on the opposite side here, but as someone who lives here, I can say that you get used to it quickly. You can search for a car in the Israeli search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies. I wrote an extended post on the whole subject of car rentals abroad and I recommend reading it especially if this is your first car rental.
Combined shopping and cafes
The easiest way is to put the NYX hotel in Google Maps.
And already there to start with a coffee and from there go out the side door straight to the shopping street Anexartisias Street, where you will find shops of local and international brands such as H&M, Zara, Mango and more…
And if you feel like buying cute things, you will also find the Flying Tiger store there.
I personally also like the Greek clothing brand BSB, especially their summer collection.
Additional and recommended coffee stops on Anexartisias Street are:
- Stories Cafe, that specializes in coffee and fresh croissants as well as in surprising flavors such as mango and berries.
- Astry Cafe, that specializes in coffee, bread, pastries and delicious desserts.
In addition, it is recommended to turn in the alleys so you can reach boutique fashion and jewelry stores (put Agiou Andreou Street in Google Maps).
If you are looking for more brand fashion stores, you can go to the MyMall mall, which I will detail later.
You can get there by taxi or bus line 30 (in front of the NYX hotel there is a bus stop).
And if you are looking for toys, gifts, household items and more, there are two branches of the Jumbo chain in Limassol.
Lady’s Mile
If you want to really feel like you’re on vacation in Limassol, then you have to go to the Lady’s Mile area (relatively close to the mall and the COD resort), it’s an area of a stunning beach and all along it there are different restaurants with sunbeds, food, and an amazing atmosphere. We personally really like Columbia Sun, which is relatively new and has pampering sunbeds and a luxurious atmosphere (and so are the prices :))
Casino
A year ago, a resort with the largest casino in Europe was opened in Limassol – the City of Dreams resort. I haven’t had the chance to go to the casino yet, but the novel has. This is a really big and well-invested casino. You get free drinks (no food). The entrance is open to everyone, even those who are not guests of the hotel.
Taverns with live music
I haven’t had the chance to be in a tavern with live music yet, but when my mother was here with friends, they went to the Nefeli Tavern and had a great time. They said that the food wasn’t very successful but there was a really good and happy atmosphere. In addition, there is also the Mageirio Tavern, which also has good recommendations.
Please note: the taverns are only open on Friday and Saturday evenings and reservations must be made in advance (it is advisable to reserve a place at least a week in advance). Both taverns are located in the old town.
Promenade and marina
The promenade of Limassol is 15 km long. At one end you will find the luxury hotels like Parkalne and Amara and at the other end the marina. Almost the entire length of the boardwalk has bike and walking tracks as well as bike rental stations along the way. In addition, there is the line 30 bus that starts from the Parklane Hotel and continues to the port, the marina, and then to the mall. Along the boardwalk you will find various stands of coffee or natural juices and in the marina area there are many restaurants and bars. In the area close to the marina called Molos you will also find several large playgrounds and a wide area of the boardwalk where the children can ride scooters.
The old City
From the marina area you can also go to the old city, which is charming in my eyes and especially worth visiting in the evening. It has stunning alleys and lots of bars and restaurants. Our favorite bar there is Da Vinci, but if you just want a coffee or something to drink then the Novak Bar Cafe (new place) is a great option, or if you are looking for a special restaurant you have the TIO restaurant, and a modern and new Mexican restaurant is also recommended.
Mymall mall
I don’t like shopping malls but I know many others do 🙂 It is important to know that in Limassol there is only one shopping mall called Mymall. It is relatively large and has many fashion brands, sports stores, and more. Downstairs there is also an ice skating rink and a children’s playground and game machines. On the top floor you will find several restaurants including TGI, McDonald’s and Ocean Basket (a local seafood chain). You can get to the mall on line 30 by bus, taxi or car (there is a huge free parking lot there).
Coffee shops
There are a lot of cafes in Limassol, but it is hard to say that they are all good. So I will give you a list of the cafes that I like the most and that have the best coffee in Limassol.
Our regular café, La Barista – excellent coffee, some desserts and pastries baked on the premises and the owner of the café, Tony, is really charming.
Inex Cafe – cafe and bike shop with good coffee, some desserts and sandwiches and has a breakfast and lunch menu.
The Cookhouse Cafe – excellent coffee and really delicious breakfasts, also suitable for lunch and dinner (I love their quinoa salad).
Stories Cafe – great coffee and fresh croissants
Espresso Drops Cafe – outdoor cafe with good coffee, really tasty sandwiches and burgers
The Shopkeeper Cafe – great coffee and a menu with light food.
Nomad Bread Cafe – they have several branches – good coffee, great desserts (also for those looking for healthy options), delicious breads and good sandwiches.
Cafe Toucan – great coffee and a menu for breakfast and lunch – I love their Sirenki (Russian cheese pancake) and their sausage sandwich.
Uluwatu Specialty Coffee – excellent coffee for takeaway and some options for healthy desserts and sandwiches.
Bike & Bean Coffee Station – great coffee and some healthy desserts and sandwiches as well as a bowl of muesli or acai. There are a few individual places to sit outside.
Picture above : La Barista Cafe
Wagmi Cafe – a great new cafe for people looking to work from a cafe. It has seating for working on the laptop. There is great coffee, desserts and food and it is open every day from 07:00-22:00. Directions.
Recommended breakfasts and brunches
We have found several places with breakfast that we really liked, some in cafes, some in restaurants, and some in hotels. I wrote a detailed post about all the recommendations for breakfasts and brunches in Limassol.
If you are in the old city area, I recommend the breakfast at Jam Limassol.
If you are in the city center, then Cookhouse.
If you are on the boardwalk in the resort area, then Malindi.
You are also welcome to take a look at my Instagram because I share quite a lot about restaurants and cafes in Cyprus and maybe there will be something that will catch your eye there, but which I haven’t had time to update in the blog yet.
Recommended restaurants
Limassol and Cyprus in general are a bit stuck in the ‘80s but the whole culinary world is improving day by day on the island and new restaurants of a higher standard are opening all the time. There are some excellent Asian restaurants, Israeli restaurants, local Greek restaurants, Mediterranean restaurants, gourmet restaurants, and more… I wrote a detailed post with the recommended restaurants in Limassol. If I have to choose one worthwhile meal, it would be at the Dionysus Mansion restaurant, a Greek restaurant in the old city that never disappoints (I really like its dishes).
If you are looking for a Meze meal (a Cypriot meal in which first courses and many meat or fish dishes are served) then the most recommended restaurant for this is called Meze tavern. We tried the fish market there and really liked it. It is important to reserve a place in advance because there are not many places there.
Places to see in Limassol
Prastio Waterfall
The Prastio Waterfall is recommended mainly in the rainy season, but even when there is no water in the waterfall, it is nice to walk there. You can only get there by car or taxi and it’s about a 20 minute drive from the city center. It is a beautiful area for nature for those who want to do a hiking trail. Just note that there are areas with spikes, so it’s worth coming with comfortable shoes and no socks. You cannot travel there with a stroller, so if you come with a baby, bring a carrier. During the rainy season there is a sandwich truck and an ice cream truck, but when there is no water in the waterfall, there isn’t much to eat in this area.
Yaramsoya Dam
The Yaramsoya Dam area is one of our favorite areas in Limassol. A beautiful and calm place. In principle, you are allowed to enter the water, but the locals warn of eddies. If you want to take a little walk here – put this location or if you want to have a picnic, put this location .
The White Stones
The White Cliffs – we came to this place by chance and were really fascinated by it. This is an area of natural white cliffs with small bays from which you can enter the water and in addition there is a huge tavern nearby, Agios Georgios Alamanou Fish Tavern is very suitable for families and groups, because there are large plates of meat and fish and a large variety of foods. The tavern is really suitable for those who come with children, because there is an area with trampolines and some games for children.
Villages in the district of Limassol and the surrounding area
Our favorite villages in my area of Limassol: a distance of between 10-20-minutes-drive are
Kalavasos – a magical village with three taverns and a boutique hotel.
Trocni – a medieval-looking village with two excellent restaurants.
Fasoula – a village with a beautiful monastery and a really good tavern.
Zigi – a fishing village with many fish taverns and a special nursery.
You can find all the details in the post about the villages and trips in Limassol.
Castles
In the old city area you will find a medieval castle which is now used as a medieval museum. If you are already in the area of the old city, I recommend going into the castle for a visit of about an hour. This is a nice activity for children, too. Arrival instructions.
Kolossi Castle was originally built in the 13th century, and rebuilt in its current form in the 15th century.
Near the castle are the ruins of a sugar mill from the 14th century. Arrival instructions.
Museums
The Museum of Illusions in the marina area. A great activity with children that lasts around an hour – an hour and a half. A relatively small museum but there are all kinds of interactive illusions for children. You can also ask the employees there for help to understand how to see the illusion properly. It’s also nice because you get great photos for the children’s souvenirs.
Car Museum – a museum dedicated to collector cars and classic cars, including a Ford Model T from the beginning of the 20th century. Arrival instructions. If you are a car lover then you will be happy to come to the Historical and Classic Museum of Cyprus, a place where you can admire the most magnificent classic vehicles of all ages. Since its opening in February 2014, the Cyprus Historic and Classic Car Museum remains the only automotive museum in Cyprus.
Water park in Limassol
One of the most fun attractions in Limassol for both children and adults. I have both gone there alone with Roman and of course with the children as well. The park is large, with many slides, and facilities for both children and adults. There is a wave pool and a slow tube course that is perfect even with babies (note that in the middle there is a small waterfall in a cave and there are children who might be frightened by it). There is a fast food restaurant and an Italian restaurant with pasta and pizza, there is a cafe, a Cinnabon stand, an ice cream and coffee stand, and lockers. Most of the time the water park is not busy and if you come in the middle of the week, there are no queues at all.
There are slides with tubes and slides with a mattress.
To purchase water park tickets
Free stuff to do in Limassol
Beaches – if you don’t sit on sunbeds that are paid for, you can be on the beaches for free.
Walk around the old city, the marina and the promenade.
Playgrounds: the recommended ones are: Desudi Beach (directions), Petite Plage (directions), Molos (directions), the Municipal Garden (directions).
Take a walk in the villages and in the area of the dam.
Castles and the archaeological site of Amethos – these are not free but the entrance costs only a few euros so I put them on the list as well.
Amethos archaeological site
Archaeological site of one of the oldest royal cities of Cyprus. The city was destroyed by an earthquake and now there are only remains discovered in archaeological excavations. According to mythology, the site was founded by King Kiniras. Entrance Entrance costs 2.5 euros
In winter the opening hours are from 08:00-17:00 and in summer 08:00-19:30.
You can get there by bike, bus, taxi or on foot. It is 2 km from the hotel I recommended or 11 km from the center (the old city).
Arrival instructions.
Zoo and municipal garden
In the center of Limassol you can find a small zoo with a cafe in the middle of it and next to it there is a city park with a large playground. There is also a grocery store there. We like to buy pigeon food at the grocery store and then feed them in the square. In addition, the municipal garden has many events such as a wine festival, events in honor of Christmas, activities during the carnival, and more… Directions.
Before you come to visit Limassol, I think it’s worth looking for special events in the city, I recommend going to this website to see what events there are.
Nightlife in Limassol
I’ll already mention that I’m not really familiar with the nightlife here in Limassol since we have two little girls and hardly go out in the evenings haha, but I’ll list the entertainment places that exist in Limassol, some of which I’ve been to and some of which I haven’t.
- Columbia Beach – a beach restaurant that can be reached from morning until night. On weekends it has a DJ from the afternoon on, and has a party atmosphere.
- Du Soleil Marina Bar – an excellent bar in the marina area. One of the most famous and full bars here in Limassol.
- Breeze Club
- Rumors Bar – a recently renovated bar in the Yaramsoya area.
- Guaba Beach Bar Club
- Nammos restaurant – similar style to Columbia Beach.
- Bar Da Vinci – a bar in the old city.
In general, in the area of the old city and the marina there are many bars and there is a really fun atmosphere in the evening and at night.
I think it would be most convenient for you to go to Bar Da Vinci and then from there explore the old city area to see what bars and restaurants you find.
If you arrive by car, there are small parking lots on the road that cost 3 euros and there are also parking lots in the Molos area.
Beaches in Limassol
As I mentioned above, the area of Lady’s Mile beaches is the most special in Limassol and is great for both adults and children.
Other beaches that are recommended if you want to go with children are:
Dasoudi Beach – an organized beach with two restaurants, a playground, video games and a bar.
A beach in the area of the Four Seasons Hotel that has sand games for children is Vouppa Beach.
Panagies Beach – a beach in the area of luxury hotels at the other end of the city.
For those who want to go a little further out, there is Governor’s Beach, which is close to the villages I mentioned above. There is also a restaurant there.
On most beaches you can also find water sports that include SUP, tubes, pedal boats, jet skis, paragliding, and more.
Tours and activities in Limassol
I haven’t had the opportunity to do the following activities yet, but I saw that there were good reviews for them and they seemed like great things to do for those who come here on vacation:
A jeep trip that leaves from Limassol to the Akames Reserve in Paphos
Land cruise from the marina in Limassol
Bonus for blog followers
If you are planning to come to Cyprus and are looking for someone to plan an itinerary for you that you can do independently with a car (minimum for 3 days) or if you want to do a private trip with a driver (also suitable for large groups) then I recommend contacting Rony Schwartz. We met not long ago and I was very impressed by his knowledge of Cyprus (he has been living here for 5 years in Paphos) and beyond that he is really charming and has been planning trips for many years.
Link to Roni’s WhatsApp for contact
If you book a “private trip” for a family, or a small group, Roni will make for you a “detailed plan for a sightseeing day, with a culinary emphasis”, in Paphos, or Larnaca, or Limassol, including warm recommendations! Such a program costs 50 – 40 euros normally, but you will get it for free.
If you order a trip planning you will get one day at my expense, pay for three days planning and you will get four.
If you book a trip for a group of over 7 participants, you will receive a shuttle to the airport and back at an attractive price or a detailed culinary trip planning for an independent trip for free.
In conclusion, Limassol is a great city for a vacation and it is also conveniently located between Larnaca and Paphos, so you can combine it with other destinations, especially if you rent a car. It has many restaurants, cafes and bars, fair beaches, and excellent hotels.
Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.
Looking for more information about Limassol? I have more posts about Limassol and posts about Cyprus on my blog.
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More posts I wrote on that
Great day trips in Cyprus
Vacation in Limassol – where to stay and what to do
Best villages near Limassol, in Cyprus
The most recommended breakfasts and brunches in Limassol, Cyprus
Recommended hotels and resorts in Limassol
What to do in Cyprus in winter
Recommended restaurants in Limassol
Cyprus with kids