Limassol Holiday Guide

Flights to either Paphos to the west of Limassol or Larnaca to the east land you about an hour from the city.

Taxis throughout Limassol are fairly affordable, whilst shared taxis can be found if you're looking for something cheaper. Local buses offer a good service; there are three bus stations with services to many points across the island.

Dasoudi Beach is the main municipal beach and west of the new harbour is Lady's Mile Beach, which has good facilities, but can be marred by the sound of RAF jets from the nearby base.

With its quiet setting and lovely, clean sand, Governor's Beach is a much nicer bet. It's in the east but definitely worth making an effort to reach. Kourion Beach is a great all-round option, overlooked by the stunning amphitheatre. Pissouri is also worth a drive and has a pretty beach. It's a snapshot of tourism in Cyprus 20 years ago.

History Buffs on holiday in Limassol should join the two-and-a-half-hour walking tour with a local guide, starting from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation office every Monday. Take a relaxing stroll down at the seafront, known as Molos, where there's an attractive open-air sculpture park.

The city is an important historical hub – the 2,000-year-old ruins of Amathus are only one kilometre away to the east, and to the west is the 13th-century Kolossi Tower, built for the Knights of St John. At the old port, Limassol's castle is worth a look, and there's a Medieval Museum within the grounds.

The impressive ancient ruins at Kourion (also known as Curium) lie 11 miles from Limassol, high on a hilltop with great views of the Mediterranean beyond. Sunsets further west at Petra tou Romiou, the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, are said to be among the prettiest on the island. There is a pebble beach at Aphrodite's Rock.

Drive half an hour north through sleepy little Cypriot villages and you'll soon be in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains. You could even combine Cyprus with a Middle-East adventure, by taking a cruise to Lebanon or Egypt.

Holiday accommodation is mainly east of the city and is also where you'll find plenty of places to eat and drink. Or head to downtown Limassol's wide seafront promenade for a wide range of international fare, from Italian to Indian.

Limassol is the heart of the island's wine-making industry and if you fancy trying Cypriot nectar, make a date for the Limassol Wine Festival, held every September, or sample local wines on guided tours of nearby wineries.

Outside of Ayia Napa, Limassol has the best nightlife on the island, with lots to choose – from hip hangouts to Irish bars – along the seafront.

The in-crowd head to the burgeoning beach scene, where DJs play late at fashionable bars. Try Lady's Mile Beach for starters. You'll also find wonderful theatre, ballet, concerts and ethnic performances on offer in Limassol.

Limassol has arguably the best shopping on the island. In the centre of town, you'll find elegant, modern shops on Makarios Avenue, while St Andrew's Street, back from the seafront promenade, is more traditional. Expect to see big UK High Street names too.

If you plan to rent a self-catering villa or apartment, stock up on fresh supplies at the colourful municipal market.

Take a trip to the hillside village of Vouni and the Cyprus Donkey Sanctuary, which is run by a British couple.

Watermania Water Park or Wet'n'Wild Waterpark will both make a great day out for the kids, or there's a small zoo at the city's shady Municipal Gardens.