Lemesos (Limasol)

Introducing Lemesos (Limasol)

Lemesos, still known to many as Limassol (Limasol in Turkish), is one of Cyprus’ most underrated cities. Modelled on what seems to be an American seaside cityscape, the long stretch that is Lemesos has its busy main road running across the entire city, with cafés, shops, restaurants and general life going on to the north, while a long, mediocre but popular beach is lapped by the Mediterranean to the south.

There are two parts to Lemesos: the Old City, a much-renovated, historic part of town with stylish cafés, restaurants, shops and bars around the Old Fishing Harbour and the former Turkish quarter; and the tourist area (also known as Potamos Germasogeias), a rather abysmal stretch of town around 3km to the east of the Old City.

The second-biggest city in the country, Lemesos has several reputations: ‘the city that never sleeps’ is one, and the cliché is thanks to the tourist area’s exuberant nightlife, rivalled only by that of Agia Napa; another is ‘sex town’, with the many ‘cabarets’ (basically brothels) that dot the area around the Rialto Theatre, recently reclaimed from the pimps and rebranded for respectable theatre-goers. Some see Lemesos mainly as an industrial and commercial centre with little to recommend it. But if you like a city that’s rough around the edges, with great places to eat and drink, plus several spots for beach parties and fantastic sights, then pay a visit to Lemesos.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009