Limassol in 5 days

Cyprus's cosmopolitan second city: a marina, a medieval castle and the island's wine country behind it. Best time to visit: April-June and September-November. Average daily budget: $100 to $180 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Old Town, Around the castle: lanes of tavernas, bars and the municipal market.

Morning: Limassol Castle & Old Town. Tour the castle where Richard the Lionheart married, then the lanes around it.

Afternoon: Explore Old Town, Around the castle: lanes of tavernas, bars and the municipal market.

Evening: Kourion. Stand in the clifftop Greco-Roman theatre above the sea, 20 minutes west.

Eat: Meze feasts in the old town tavernas

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Marina, The sleek yacht harbour with waterfront dining and nightlife.

Morning: The Marina. Stroll the superyacht harbour at golden hour and dine on the water.

Afternoon: Explore Marina, The sleek yacht harbour with waterfront dining and nightlife.

Evening: Commandaria wine villages. Taste the world's oldest named wine in the foothill villages behind the city.

Eat: Commandaria and Xinisteri wines

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Seafront (Molos), The long promenade strip of beaches, parks and hotels.

Morning: The Cyprus Wine Museum in Erimi, on the road to Kourion.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Seafront (Molos), The long promenade strip of beaches, parks and hotels.

Evening: Lady's Mile beach's wild, uncrowded salt-lake side.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Sheftalies, Cypriot herb sausages on the grill

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Germasogeia, The eastern tourist strip with busy beaches and restaurants.

Morning: Lofou and Omodos, stone-built wine villages 30 minutes inland.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Germasogeia, The eastern tourist strip with busy beaches and restaurants.

Evening: The sculpture park and sea caves at Governor's Beach, white cliffs east of town.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh octopus and sea bream at the marina

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Agios Nikolaos, A residential area near the marina with a local feel and lower prices.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Agios Nikolaos, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Agios Nikolaos, A residential area near the marina with a local feel and lower prices.

Evening: Dinner at Meze feasts in the old town tavernas, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Agios Nikolaos.

Eat: Meze feasts in the old town tavernas

Hidden gems

The Cyprus Wine Museum in Erimi, on the road to Kourion.
Lady's Mile beach's wild, uncrowded salt-lake side.
Lofou and Omodos, stone-built wine villages 30 minutes inland.
The sculpture park and sea caves at Governor's Beach, white cliffs east of town.

Getting around

Limassol sits between Larnaca and Paphos airports, each about 45 to 60 minutes by shuttle bus or taxi. Intercity buses run along the coast to both cities, and local buses cover the seafront strip. A car is strongly recommended for Kourion, the wine villages and Troodos; driving is on the left. The old town, marina and Molos promenade are easily walkable.

Safety

Limassol is a safe, well-policed city with low violent crime; petty theft from beaches and cars is the main issue, so keep valuables with you. Summer heat is intense and humidity high, so plan sightseeing for mornings. Sea currents can be strong on open beaches, so use flagged swim areas. Rental cars cannot be taken into northern Cyprus.

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