Limassol (Lemesos), Cyprus

Limassol is the second large city of Cyprus and is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the southern coast of the island. It features many tourist attractions and some of the best hotels of Cyprus.
Lemesos (in Greek) is the biggest port in the Mediterranean transit trade. Limassol (in Turkish) is one of the most important tourism, trade and services providing center in the entire area. The city is renowned for its cultural heritage and a great number of museums and archaeological sites can be visited there.
Limassol attracts holiday makers mostly during the summer season with its great accommodation facilities offered by several luxury hotels and apartment complexes.

Hotels & Tourist attractions

Some of the most interesting tourist attractions of Limassol (Lemesos) are:
- The medieval castle, one of the nine castles from Cyprus (the others are in Kolossi, Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta, Kantara, Buffavento, St. Hilarion, and Kyrenia). It was built by the Byzantine Empire around 1000 A.D. Richard the Lionheart is supposed to have married Princess Berengaria of Navarre on this site. The Castle was used as a prison, between 1790-1940. Now it serves as a medieval museum, the collections from there covers the era of 400-1870 A.D.
- The Archaeological Museum, which provides a very interesting collection of antiquities dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period. Some of the most important archaeological discoveries are: stone axes of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic period, potteries and objects from the ancient cities of Curium and Amathus, as well as Roman gold jewelery, coins, sculptures, columns, vases, earrings, rings, necklaces, marble statues, etc.
- The Public Garden, situated on the coastal road; it provides a great variety of Mediterranean vegetation: eucalyptus trees, pine trees and cypresses. Inside the garden is a small zoo containing deers, moufflons, ostriches, pheasants, tigers, lions, monkeys, vultures, pelicans and other animals. Not far away from the zoo is a small history museum and a garden theatre which host famous international groups.
- The Carnival from Limassol, which lasts for ten days. This festival is very old, going back to ancient times, and it starts with the entrance of the King of the Carnival, followed by children. During the Carnival many balls and parties take place at most hotels every night.
- The Wine Festival of Cyprus, during the first quarter of September, takes place in the Municipal Garden of Lemesos (Limassol) every evening. The holiday makers and locals can taste some of the best wines of the island, which are offered free of charge. Usually, in the evenings various groups from Cyprus and abroad perform folk dancing.
- other interesting attractions for vacationers are: the Flower Festival (held in May), Festival of the Flood (held in June), Shakespearean Nights and the Ancient Greek Drama Festival.