Are the beaches in Limassol nice?+
They're clean and well equipped, but the sand is dark to grey and most beaches are pebbly rather than sandy — a big difference from Ayia Napa or Protaras. The best are Dasoudi, with its eucalyptus grove that provides the only shade on the coast, and Ladies Mile on the Akrotiri peninsula, with shallow, warm water.
Is Limassol worth it as a base for the whole of Cyprus?+
Yes, it's the best-located town on the island: Pafos, Larnaka and Nicosia are all within 1 hour on the motorway, and Troodos is 70 minutes away. Ayia Napa and Protaras are further, around 1.5 hours. With a car, you can tour the whole south of the island from here without repacking.
When are the flamingos at the salt lake?+
From November to March, when the lake fills with rainwater; at the winter peak there can be up to 20,000 of them. In summer the lake is a dry white salt flat with no birds. You get closest to the flocks from the observation point near Zakaki, not from the main road — bring binoculars.
How much time do I need for Kourion?+
2–3 hours for the theatre, the House of Eustolios with its mosaics, the basilica and the baths. The site sits on a shade-free cliff with a sea breeze, so go in the morning or late afternoon. In July and August, ancient tragedies and concerts are staged in the theatre — the programme is usually announced about a month ahead.
Can you visit the wineries from Limassol without a car?+
Not easily. Rural buses to the Krasochoria villages run only a few times a day and not at all on Sundays. The simplest option is an organised tasting tour, which also solves the problem of not being able to drive after tasting. If you go by car, the driver won't be able to taste — police do check for alcohol on the mountain roads.
What is commandaria?+
A sweet dessert wine made from sun-dried grapes, produced without interruption on the slopes above Limassol since the time of the Crusades, and considered the oldest named wine in the world. It's named after the Knights Hospitaller commandery at Kolossi, from where its production was once overseen. It's sold at wineries in the Krasochoria villages.
Is Limassol expensive?+
It's the most expensive town in Cyprus, but there are big differences within the city. The marina and the new waterfront developments have prices on a par with Western Europe, while tavernas in the old town and inland districts are about a third cheaper for the same or better food. Accommodation is priciest in the tourist zone to the east.
How many days are enough for Limassol?+
2 days for the town itself. With Kourion, Kolossi, the wine villages and a trip to Troodos, that's 4–5 days. As a base for the whole of southern Cyprus, allow a week, since both airports and most of the sights are within an hour's drive.
