About Southern Cyprus

Limassol is just a 35 minute drive from both Larnaka and Pafos airports. This cosmopolitan town is one of the island’s leading holiday resorts … its 10 mile seafront is lined with luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, a large yacht marina and many exclusive residences. There’s always plenty to do here … you can lose many an hour in the modern shopping centres, art galleries, theatres, cinemas, restaurants and bars.

Limassol is also the island’s main port … you can expect to see luxury cruise liners stopping over on their way to the Greek islands and the exotic destinations of the near east. The ‘old town’ is overlooked by a castle, where it is said that King Richard the Lionheart, on his way to Jerusalem, married Queen Berengaria.

Proceeding westward out of Limassol … past Lady’s Mile Beach where most of the locals go to swim … for some 7km brings the medieval castle of Kolossi into view. Surrounded by many vineyards and sugar cane plantations, you’ll marvel at this notable example of military architecture. Travelling north for just a few more minutes brings you to the village of Episkopi … at the two-storey museum, originally designed as a private residence, you’ll discover a whole hosts of treasures including marble statues, tombs, amphoras and pottery.

But perhaps the most impressive archaeological site on the whole island is that of Kourion, built on a hill and enjoying views over orange trees, vines and garden produce. To the left and right of it are the bays of Limassol and Episkopi. The site will draw you back time and time again to identify with life as it was all those years ago in the Roman theatre … now restored and used for plays, musical concerts and other events; in the Houses of Eustolios, Gladiators and Achilles; at the early Christian basilica; and in the Roman agora and stadium.

Almost equidistant from the other main towns and resorts, you can reach the cool forested slopes of the Troodos Mountains usually within an hour’s drive. It’s also the main wine producing area … where viticulture and wine making have a very long standing tradition and where the dry red wine that Cyprus is so renowned for is produced.

The slopes of Troodos are enchanting and offer you enjoyment on foot in the summer, walking amid pine forests redolent of resin, and by ski in winter when they are covered with a white cloak. Yes … despite its fantastic all year round climate, it does snow in Cyprus!

It’s amongst these gentle hills that you’ll come across some of the most stunning countryside. Vineyards and almond groves give way to orchards of citrus, olives and avocados and, at sea level, banana plantations. As you enter the tiny villages where the donkey is still the preferred mode of transport, you’ll meet some of the friendliest and most hospitable people on earth.

Whether you choose a home in the hustle and bustle of Limassol or the peace and tranquillity of the countryside, you are assured of three things … a fantastic quality of life, magnificent views in all directions and a very warm welcome.