Things to do in Lemesos (Limasol)
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Antonaros Tavern
For a no-frills, genuinely Cypriot, local-style evening meal. Only mezedes are served here. Choose from a wide range of dishes such as snails and mussels as well as fish. The handwritten notes on the wall are Greek philosophical sayings.
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Diving
If you love discovering remains, rocks or shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea, Cyprus is a perfect spot for a varied and interesting choice of dives. Either Larnaka or Lemesos is a good base for diving. The prime location is the Zenobia shipwreck, rated as one of the world's top-ten diving wrecks. Situated off the coast of Larnaka, this sunken cargo ship is almost completely the same as it was when it sank in 1980. You have to be a qualified diver to go to the depths of 17m to 43m.
The ship is around 200m long and still has its cargo on board. The fish have made the wreck their home, and you'll see lovely creatures such as giant tuna, barracuda, amberjack and eel swimming…
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Lemesos Medieval Castle
The city's most popular tourist attraction is Lemesos Medieval Castle, and its alluring gardens, on the west side of the Old City, are a shady haven in the summer heat. The structure, built in the 14th century over the remains of a Byzantine castle, has been used and plundered by many throughout Cyprus' exciting history. The Venetians vandalised it; the Ottomans gave it a face-lift for military use; and the Brits used it as a prison during their colonial rule. Inside is the Lemesos Medieval Museum, this building is an intriguing collection of vaults and air shafts, and its artefacts, transferred from the original Lefkosia Medieval Museum in 1974, are often fascinating.
Ac…
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Cyprus Tourism Organisation Tours
There are three different types of walk in Lemesos, all organised by the CTO. They're free, but it's wise to book in the high season.
'A Stroll in Neapolis, Nemesos, Limassol' takes you around Lemesos' historic centre, its monuments, craft shops, markets and traditional shops. As a bonus, local gossip from (some of) the CTO guides is thrown in.
'Germasogeia - A Village Blessed by Water' goes to, you guessed it, Germasogeia village, where the water theme is covered by a visit to the village dam. You also get to see the village itself, its architecture and street life.
'Discover the Natural Environment of Germasogeia' is a walk in the hills (a bit of fitness required), foll…
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127
In a country of meze and meat-eaters, 127 is a place with a serious difference. Vintage furniture adorns the three rooms inside, with comfy old sofas and rugged leather armchairs, and bowling pins sit on the 'mantelpiece'. Exposed-brick walls provide the backdrop, and some are painted in mossy greens, raspberry pinks and melon yellows. There is a lovely large garden for lunch or dinner.
And the food is all about salads. But don't go expecting a bit of rocket or lettuce and a slice of tomato. The people in this place know how to make a salad (and how to make your mouth water): the seafood salad is swamped with succulent prawns, thin slices of salmon and bits of squid, all …
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Wet 'n' Wild
As Lemesos' reputation as a 'good time gal' has to be maintained to compete with that of its younger sister, Agia Napa, so too Lemesos has to have a crazy water theme park. It actually has three, but Wet 'n' Wild is particularly special. It's in the middle of the tourist centre, and is set back a few hundred metres from the beachfront.
There are raft rides, inner-tube rides, body flumes, speed slides, a 'lazy river', wave pool, activity pool, kiddies' pool and 'wet bubble'. And if that doesn't get your kids to sleep like logs at night, we don't know what will.
If you are coming to Lemesos by car, exit at the Mouttagiaka exit (junction 23) on the A1 motorway. There's no pub…
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Archaeological Museum
The city's Archaeological Museum has a largish collection of pottery, and a collection of items dating from Neolithic and Chalcolithic times (primarily of shards and implements for domestic use) through to Mycenaean pottery. A multitude of terracotta figures exhibited are thought to be the remains of votive offerings. There is a display of classical pottery, jewellery and oil lamps, as well as curiously modern-looking glass bottles and vials.
Although it pales in comparison to Lefkosia's Cyprus Museum, it's worth a browse; and if you've been doing nothing but sunbathing and clubbing for a week, the museum offers a nice, refreshing change of scene.
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Bear Factory
Nothing to do with either the sea or Cyprus, but always guaranteed to make the little ones drool, are teddy bears. And here, at the Bear Factory, children can choose the kind of teddy bear they want.
They can choose the 'skin' or the softness of the material, how hard or soft the bear's 'insides' are, and even a 'heart'. Oh, and they can implant sound devices too. Then they get to choose its name, and watch it being sewn up, so they can feel the bear is truly their creation. And they get to take it away in its very own box, with, wait for it, a birth certificate! (Parents note: all major credit cards are accepted, so no wrangling.)
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Time Elevator
You'll see lots of advertisements for the Time Elevator in Lemesos, which is slightly worrying, but also symptomatic of the kind of lightweight approach to the island's history and culture by many a package tourist, at whom this kind of thing is ultimately aimed. But the history of Cyprus, from 8500 BC to AD 1974 compressed into 40 minutes, is great if you're trying to force some history on your kids.
You get water, wind and lots of jostling, so much so that it's recommended that pregnant women and sufferers of motion sickness should watch the show from static seats. Shows start on the hour.
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Dive-In
If you're a qualified diver, you'll know what you're doing. But if you're in Cyprus on holiday and want to try it out, check out the island's best known diving company Dive-In, which has branches in Larnaka, Lemesos and Pafos. Try-dives (in a pool) usually cost around €34 to €40. Internationally recognised PADI courses teach you the basics of diving in open water. They last around five days and cost between €306 and €323. They operate from various locations, so check the website for more details.
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Grand Mosque
Set in the midst of the old Turkish quarter, the Grand Mosque is surrounded by palms almost as tall as its minaret. It is used by the remaining Turkish Cypriot population and Muslims from the Middle East who live in Lemesos. As with any mosque, visitors are requested to dress conservatively, leave shoes by the door and avoid visiting at prayer times. There are no fixed opening hours as such - if the gate is open, step inside the courtyard and take a look.
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Notes Studio
If you're serious about experiencing Cyprus (or at least the Greek part), then a bouzouki club is a must. And what great fun it is too. Notes Studio specialises in live performances, bringing over Greek performers, who throw themselves about (and you, if you let them) until dawn. It's your chance to try yourself at Zorba the Greek dancing, but beware: strong thighs are necessary. Your first drink is included in the admission price.
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Hammam
The tiny Hammam is near the mosque. It isn't really a tourist site, and visitors are not encouraged to go in and 'have a look', since many count on privacy when going in for a steam bath. Don't go there expecting any luxury; it's a back-to-basics place where people go to relax. Keep in mind that all sessions are mixed. Also on offer are full-body massages, shiatsu, Swedish massage, Indian head massage, and anti-stress massages.
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Syrian Arab Friendship Club
Sister of the Lefkosia restaurant and just as good, the SAFC is a delight to all lovers of Arab cuisine that's rich with chick peas, beans, herbs, spices, grilled and marinated meats and deliciously sweet desserts. And here the meze will absolutely blow your tastebuds. A nargileh (Middle Eastern water pipe) after eating is a superb treat, and, if you're lucky, you may even get to have a belly dancer flex her abdominals at you.
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Karatello
The tall ceilings of the old mill and the massive space inside gives Karatello a stylish, modern look that goes with the interesting cuisine. Dishes that stand out in tastiness are rabbit in yoghurt and lemon sauce, seasonal greens baked with feta cheese, and a delicious and neatly served kleftiko (oven-baked lamb or goat). The menu has little boxes where you tick off your order and hand it over to your waiter.
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Sesto Senso
The in-est place in town, where the crowd is so beautiful and admiring of itself, it finds it hard to dance. The décor is also beautiful, and the drinks are expensive (which is not so beautiful), but if you want to see who's in and what it's all about, check this place out. If they let you in, that is. Aside from the whole looks thing, the sounds in this place are the best in town if you like good dance music.
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Draught
This bar is in the Old Carob Mill complex. The Carob Mill people seem to know what they're doing, don't they? Once an ultra-fashionable place, Draught is a bit less maniacally sought after now. That means it's a pleasant place to have a drink, while it still has a nice buzz; it gets really busy only on weekends. Massive copper vats line the wall, where the decent in-house ale is brewed.
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Stretto Café
Part of the Old Carob Mill complex, cafés in Lemesos don't come any more fashionable than Stretto. Tall ceilings and comfy sofas, beautiful people in real life and on TV. Sounds intimidating? Fear not, the atmosphere is good and relaxed, and its icy frappé on a hot day will make you come back for more.
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To Frourio
Priding itself on its setting in an 18th-century historically listed building opposite the castle, To Frourio is popular and a little on the touristy side, but decent. There are meat and vegetarian dishes (such as tasty, aubergine-laden vegetarian lasagne), as well as both variations of meze.
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Folk Art Museum
The somewhat mediocre Folk Art Museum is housed in an old mansion, not far from the city centre. It displays woodwork, traditional dress, jewellery and household utensils. There is a guidebook for sale at the ticket desk, which is the only thing that explains what you're looking at.
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Rogmes Piano Bar
A highly praised bouzouki bar. It has a mad, wonderful tempo on weekend nights when the musicians stay and play as loud and as late as the crowd wants it, like in the good old days. Book a table on Saturdays when the locals pour inside for singing and dancing 'til dawn.
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Trata Fish Tavern
Arguably one of Lemesos' best fish restaurants, Trata is choc-a-bloc every night with people wanting some of those fish meze. The décor is minimal and the place looks like an unassuming family restaurant. Booking is advisable on weekdays and essential on weekends.
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Graffiti Bar
Silky drops hang over cushioned sofas in a very Middle Eastern style. Nargileh smoke billows over the cocktail-drinking customers, and the garden where all this happens is behind an old mansion that the becomes the bar's location during the winter months.
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K-Cineplex
As in Lefkosia and Larnaka, the cinema scene in Lemesos is now dominated by the multiscreen K-Cineplex, which features many new-release movies. It's in the middle of the tourist centre and is best reached by taxi. See the website for current showings.
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Rizitiko Tavern
An excellent, low-key establishment, tucked away by the mosque, which spills out onto the narrow street at night. The afelia (pork cooked in red wine and coriander seeds) and kleftiko are homemade quality and worth every cent.
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