Cyprus attractions

Limassol (Lemesos) Area

Limassol Castle

It was inside this 14th-century fortress that Richard the

Lionheart, having been shipwrecked in Cyprus on his

way to the Crusades, married Berengaria of Navarre.

It houses the Mediaeval Museum, with fascinating

exhibits of armor, cannons and other relics related to

the Crusades. Visitors can climb a wooden staircase to

the rooftop for a panoramic view.

Kolossi Castle

Kolossi Castle dates from the Lusignan period (14th century)

and it served for a time as the Grand Commandery of the

Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. On the land

given to them by the Lusignans the knights cultivated sugar

cane and vines, producing the sweet wine they named

Commandaria. From the roof there is an excellent view of

the Akrotiri Peninsula.

Kourion

Kourion site is on the old Limassol to Paphos Rd

and concedes of Graeco-Roman Theatre, Basilica

and Greaco-Roman Baths with some off the most

beautiful mosaic floors in the Med

Temple of Apollo

Three kilometres west of Kourion, the Sanctuary of Apollo

covers an area of some 15,000 square metres and is one

of the largest historic religious sites in Cyprus. While the

earliest ruins date back to the 8th century B.C., the temple

site was dedicated to Apollo in the 5th century B.C. Apollo

was a god of beauty, music, woodlands, prophecy and

archery, and he was a protector of forests. Ylatis derives

from an ancient Greek word meaning woodland, and this

was also the old name for the forest which surrounds the

sanctuary even today.

Paphos (Pafos) Area

Aphrodite emerged from the gentle waves near Pafos, on the island’s western coast, and made her home in this region. Pafos itself is a leading cultural centre of the Mediterranean, with fascinating mosaics to see at the Houses of Aion and Dionysos, St. Paul’s Pillar, the Tombs of the Kings and more. The whole town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the nearby Akamas Peninsula and inland region there are beautiful monasteries, such as Agios Neofytos and Chrysorrogiatissa, picturesque villages and nature trails.

Further north near the Akamas peninsula and the Baths of Aphrodite lies the resort-town of Polis, overlooking the beautiful Chrysochou Bay with its charming fishing refuge of Latsi. The relatively unspoilt state of the countryside and villages make the area a real delight for the walker and naturalist. East of Polis you come accross such villages as Pomos and Pyrgos that lie on beautiful rocky cliffs and rocky beaches.

Troodos - The mountain region of Cyprus

The thick cedar and pine forests and sun-soaked slopes

of the Troodos region offer an unexpected contrast to the

Mediterranean coast, less than an hour away. Halfway be

tween the busy towns of Nicosia and Limassol, halfway

between sea and sky, rising to 1,950 meters (6,500 feet),

Troodos is a counterpoint to the rest of the island. Connecting

the mountain resorts of Troodos, Kakopetria, Platres, and Agros

are trails that hold delights for mountain bikers, hikers, bird

watchers and botanists alike. Signs mark the presence of flora

and fauna unique to Cyprus. Glimpses of the blue sea beyond

peek through the lace-like canopy of cedar trees.

Close enough to touch, herds of grazing moufflon, or agrino, the shaggy mountain sheep indigenous to Cyprus — pass by. And the clear mountain air is fragrant with lemon and orange from the groves below. Happily, a natural reserve in the heart of the region insures that this wild beauty will remain forever.

Nine of Troodos’s remarkable painted Byzantine churches have been listed on UNESCO’s prestigious World Cultural Heritage List. The famous Kykkos and Trooditissa Monasteries are well worth a visit for their icons, frescoes, and inspiring architecture.

Larnaca (Larnaka) & Agia Napa

Most people arriving in Cyprus go through Larnaca,

one way or another (by air or sea)

Facing the Lebanon and set in a wide bay is Larnaca,

the shopping is excellent and the sea front is wide and

paved with many outdoor restaurants which specialise

in Cyprus cuisine, you will also find kebab vendors,

( the local take away,) who's kebabs and sheftalies

( a type of charcoal grilled sausage/meatball) served

in pitta bread with salad is a great value meal.

Activities in and around Larnaca include Sailing and boat-trips from the marina, which can berth around 400 yachts and sightseeing on one of the many coach trips. Diving is a popular sport here as well.

Culture is rampant in Larnaca, and the Municipal Cultural Centre. Do a wonderful job and bring a lot of interesting events to Larnaca's various venues. Larnaca has the best of both worlds, it is on the coast, with all that implies, is an interesting and charming destination both modern and old world.

There are many museums and places of interest to visit

In Larnaca district :

Stavravouni Monastery is perched atop a solitary mountain,

The Mountain of the Cross. It is the oldest monastery in Cyprus

Larnaca Mediaeval Museum - Larnace Fort - Seafront

Built in 1625, it was used as a prison in the first years of British rule. It houses the District Mediaeval Museum. The fort is also used as the Larnaca Municipal Cultural Centre during the summer.