Things to do in Limassol: a local guide to castles, wine, food and the old town

The best things to do in Limassol: the medieval castle, a free old-town walking tour, Kourion, Kolossi, wine villages, food tours, sailing and rooftop drinks.

By Nina from InviteM · Published 10 Oct 2026 · Updated 10 Oct 2026 · Limassol

Limassol is Cyprus at its most lively. It has a long seafront and a compact old town of stone warehouses and narrow shopping streets, plus a marina. The wine villages are roughly 35–55 minutes' drive up the hill, depending on which village you pick. The tourism board calls it "the city of celebrations", and between carnival, the wine festival and a busy club calendar, the nickname fits. Here's how to spend a few days here, from free walks to wine tastings and nights out.

In the old town

Walk the Molos seafront and the old port

Start at Molos, the seafront promenade that locals have used as a meeting point for generations. It has been turned into an open-air sculpture park with work by Cypriot, Greek and international artists. Follow it to the old port, where many of the old stone warehouses are now restaurants and exhibition spaces. It's at its best in the early evening, when the heat drops and the promenade fills up.

Visit Limassol Castle and the Cyprus Medieval Museum

Limassol Castle, just above the old harbour, dates from the 13th century and was built over an earlier Byzantine fort. Inside, the Cyprus Medieval Museum has medieval pottery, tombstones, Byzantine silver plates, weapons, crosses and coins. Legend says Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre in the castle chapel in 1191 and crowned her Queen of England. The castle was later used by the Ottomans as a garrison and jail, and as a police station under British rule.

• Hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–17:00; closed on public holidays
• Entry: €4.50
• Address: Richardou & Berengarias, near the Old Port

Join the free Thursday walking tour

Every Thursday at 10:00, Limassol Municipality, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and the Cyprus Tourist Guides Association run a free guided walk of the old town called "A Stroll in Neapolis, Nemesos, Limassol… Lemesos". It lasts about 2.5 hours and covers Molos, the old port and castle, the Kebir (Great) Mosque, the Agia Napa Cathedral, the Municipal Market and the pedestrianised shopping street of Agiou Andreou. It starts and ends at the Tourist Information Office on Michalis Kakoyiannis Square by the Old Port. It runs all year except on public holidays. Advance booking is required on +357 25 362756.

See the Kebir Mosque

Built in the 16th century in the old Turkish quarter, the Kebir Mosque is still in use today. Excavations to the east have uncovered the remains of a 10th-century cathedral. Entry is free at any reasonable hour outside prayer times.

Eat your way around the old town

For a guided introduction to Cypriot food, The Secret Flavors of Limassol Old Town is a walking tasting tour of about two and a quarter hours, run by the team behind Pambos Wine Tasting Room. Or try a hands-on class: Cokones runs Cypriot cooking classes in the village of Eptagonia, where you cook recipes passed down through local families and then share the meal.

Make something: ceramics in the old town

Diatehnon's ceramics workshop in the old town offers regular weekly classes, one-off private sessions and creative workshops led by professional ceramicists. It's a good rainy-day plan, or a break from sightseeing.

Day trips west: Kolossi and Kourion

Kolossi Castle

Kolossi Castle, about 14 km west of Limassol, was first built in the 13th century and rebuilt in its current form in the 15th. After 1291 it became the Grand Commandery of the Knights of St John. The sweet wine the Knights made and exported became known as vin de Commanderie, today's Commandaria, one of the oldest named wines in the world. Next to the castle are the ruins of a 14th-century sugar mill.

• Hours: 16 Sep–15 Apr daily 08:30–17:00; 16 Apr–15 Sep daily 08:30–19:30
• Entry: €2.50
• Closed: Christmas Day, New Year's Day and (Greek Orthodox) Easter Sunday

Kourion archaeological site

Kourion, about 19 km west of Limassol on the road to Paphos, was one of the two great ancient city-kingdoms that bracket Limassol (the other is Amathus). Winter hours (16 Sep–15 Apr) are 08:30–17:00, with the last ticket at 16:30. Summer hours (16 Apr–15 Sep) are 08:30–19:30. Entry is €4.50, and the Department of Antiquities says almost all of the site is wheelchair accessible. Bring water and a hat: there's very little shade.

If you plan to see several ancient sites, the Department of Antiquities sells multi-site entry cards: €8.50 for one day, €17 for three days and €25 for seven days.

Wine villages and Commandaria

Limassol is the gateway to the Krasochoria ("wine villages") on the southern slopes of the Troodos. The official wine route covers 20 villages with 16 wineries, mostly growing the local Xynisteri (white) and Mavro (red) grapes. A separate Commandaria wine route runs through 14 villages that produce the island's famous sweet wine.

One easy first stop is Zambartas Wineries in Agios Amvrosios. It's open Tuesday to Friday 10:00–17:00 and weekends 10:00–18:00, with tastings by appointment. Its Winemaker's Selection, a guided tasting of four wines made from local grape varieties, costs €20 per person and takes 60–90 minutes. Book ahead, because walk-ins aren't guaranteed a spot.

Don't drink and drive on the mountain roads. Pick a designated driver or a guided tour.

On the water

The Cyprus International Sailing Club is based at Limassol Marina and runs beginner days, training and club regattas. Check its calendar for the next dates. In summer, Fasouri Watermania near Limassol is the classic family day out, with slides, an activity pool and food on site. It's a seasonal park: in 2026 it opened in May and closes after 11 October, and 2027 dates hadn't been announced at the time of writing, so check its website before planning a visit.

Divers can explore the Amathunta Marine Protected Area, known as "The Pyramids": an artificial reef laid in 2009 at the old harbour of ancient Amathus. It's reached by boat, at 18–35 m depth, and needs at least an Open Water qualification.

Evenings in Limassol

Drinks with a view

22B Roof Bar on Eleftherias Street is a cocktail rooftop in the city centre. Call ahead to reserve. For more ideas, see our guide to rooftop bars in Cyprus.

Club nights

Limassol has a busy electronic music calendar. Mason Bar and Dusty Munky host regular DJ nights with local and international guests. Open their cards to see what's coming up.

Practical tips

• Visit Kourion in the morning or late afternoon: it's very exposed to the sun.
• Check public-holiday closures: the castle museum closes on public holidays.
• Book the free walking tour in advance: it needs a reservation.
• What's on this week: see InviteM's weekly What's on guide for events across Cyprus.