Lemessos, a city rich in contrasts

In the south of the island of Cyprus, between historical heritage and city life, life pulsates in this important city in full change.

Latest edition : 24 June 2024

Limassol, or Lemessos, is a city that you may not like at first glance. After the occupation of the north of the island by Turkey, housing had to be built at full speed for all the refugees. It was not then the time to think about an urban plan.
 
But we should not trust this first impression, since urban developments over the last 20 years have transformed and improved its image.
Along the coast, a pedestrian path allows you to reach the city from its “hotel suburb”.
Reach the city along the sea, an invigorating walk.

Certainly, recent years have also seen towers with a bit of fanciful architecture rising along the coast (mostly for foreign investors) but modernity comes at this price.

When architects have fun...

 

Lemessos is not yet another tourist spot. It is a young city, where people live and work. A major industrial center, its port is the largest transit commercial port in the Mediterranean, the new marina attracts foreign yachts, excellent restaurants delight gourmets and young people enjoy the many trendy bars.
In Limassol Marina.
Restaurants with a fantastic view in the old port of Lemessos.

Along the sea, the “Molos”, a park laid out for kilometers separates the road from the beaches and other access to the water: gymnastics facilities, playgrounds, cycle paths, pedestrian paths, offer great walking possibilities.

Molos Park is a multifunctional park.
The wooden jetties along Molos Park in Limassol serve as diving boards but also as fishing stations.
Many free activities are offered throughout the walk.

 

The Molos, one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Cyprus, is also a real art gallery, with fixed works and temporary exhibitions.

La vague gelée, une sculpture de Victor Bonato dans le parc Molos à Lemessos.
The Frozen Wave, a sculpture by Victor Bonato in Molos Park in Lemessos.
Metal sculpture by Georgiis Tsara in Molos Park in Lemessos.
This bronze statue is a tribute to the pediatrician Americos Argyriou. He is at the origin of the Theotokos foundation.
Molos Park in Limassol is also an open-air art gallery. 

 

The pedestrian path leads to the old port (which has been completely redeveloped) and the new marina.

The old port of Limassol has become a pleasant place to walk, eat, and watch the small fishing boats.
Small businesses in the old port of Lemessos supply fresh fish to restaurants.
Good traditional cuisine is brought up to date in the Old Port.

 

 

Just opposite, it only takes a few steps to reach the old town of Limassol and its castle, one of the nine castles in the country.
Cyprus had nine castles.

 

The first castle was built around the year 1000 by the Byzantines. It is here, according to legend, that Richard the Lionheart married Bérangère de Navarre.
Richard the Lionheart would have married at the castle of Lemessos.

The current building dates from the period of Ottoman domination and was built around 1590, on the ruins of a Christian basilica and the old castle. Now a medieval museum, it served as a prison until 1950.

Lemessos Castle served as a prison until 1950.
Limassol Castle houses a medieval museum.
Limassol Castle houses a medieval museum.
Limassol Castle houses a medieval museum.

 

 

The workshops around the castle square, in the old bazaar, now house souvenir and clothing stores. Only one still offers traditional Cypriot barbecues.
Castle Square in Lemessos, you can still find everything you need for an authentic Cypriot barbecue. 

 

Nearby, in the old Ottoman district, stands the white minaret of the 16th century Great Mosque.
The Great Mosque of Lemessos.

 

By moving a (very) little bit away from the old bazaar, we discover small, typical and nice neighborhoods.
Limassol also has beautiful, quiet streets.
In the small streets of Limassol, the plants leave their pots...

As throughout the island, numerous religious buildings bear witness to the importance of the place of the Church in the country.

The Ayia Napa Orthodox Cathedral in Lemessos.
The interior of the Aya Napa Cathedral in Lemessos.
The church of Saint Mary Pantanassa.
The interior of the Church of Maria Pananassa is covered in frescoes.

 

Street art works brighten up the facades of some (still) abandoned houses. It’s a real festival of colors.

Street artists beautify the decrepit facades.
Street artists beautify the decrepit facades.

 

 

In the old town of Limassol, we are far from the more cosmopolitan and busy atmosphere of the other districts. To the point of reconciling with this constantly evolving city!
Calm reigns in the streets of old Limassol.

Lemesos is the perfect base if you want to do a lot of sightseeing without changing hotels every day. The city is located a maximum of 1h30 from interesting sites and places: Kourion, Kolossi, Paphos, Nicosia, the vineyard villages, the monasteries… (to be continued)

Stay
 
 

There is no shortage of hotels of all categories in Lemessos. Very luxury establishments, luxury establishments, boutique hotels, simpler accommodation, holiday apartments... by the sea, in the city, in the mountains, with or without swimming pool, spa, etc.

The Atlantica Miramare Beach hotel (4*) in Lemessos is a good compromise when you especially want to discover the island while enjoying all the comfort of a good hotel returning from an excursion. Located on the edge of a small sandy beach, it also offers three outdoor swimming pools, an indoor swimming pool, a spa, a gym, music evenings, several restaurants and bars. Lemessos town center is only 6 km away and can be reached by a municipal bus. https://www.atlanticahotels.com/hotels/atlantica-miramare-beach-hotel

 

 

 
 

Miramare Beach is part of the Atlantica Hotels & Resorts group which manages several establishments in Cyprus and Greece.

For an active vacation on site, Atlantica's two other establishments are perfect. Especially for families.

Near Paphos airport, the Atlantica Mare Village (5*) in Paphos offers outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a water park, a rich daily program of various activities for the whole family, and cultural events. Every year, musicians liven up the resort. Baby, children and teenagers clubs. All inclusive. 400 m from the beach. https://marevillage.com/paphos/

 

 

 

Near Larnaca Airport (50 km), Atlantica Callisto in Ayia Napa is located in a quiet environment 50 m from the beach. Two outdoor swimming pools, one heated indoor swimming pool (novembre to march), playground, children's club, numerous activities and evening entertainment.
The lively center of Ayia Napa is just 1.5 km away.
The hotel is just 100 m from the MUSAN (museum of submerged sculptures).
Sun loungers and parasols around the swimming pools and on the beach.
Several bars and restaurants. All-inclusive option. https://atlanticahotels.com