Limassol Cruise Port is Cyprus’s main port and second largest city (after its capital Nicosia). You might see it referred to by its Greek name, Lemesos (Λεμεσός), particularly in local signage, but most cruise lines tend to stick with Limassol.
Ships will dock at New Limassol Port, a modern cruise terminal located about 4km (~2.5 miles) west of Limassol’s Old Town, the Old Port (now a marina) and the city centre.
From medieval castles and historic churches to sleek marinas and sunny promenades, Limassol has plenty to explore! So let me share how you can easily from Limassol Cruise Port to Old Town and the city centre, and what there is to see and eat once you get there!
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Limassol Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward
A DIY Shore Excursion at Limassol Cruise Port, the main cruise port in Cyprus, is straightforward 😎😎😎😎 and here’s why:
- 15-minute Bus Ride to Limassol Centre: Limassol’s Old Town & its city centre is conveniently located just 15 minutes away from Limassol Cruise Port
- Frequent bus services: Public buses run frequently between Limassol Cruise Port and Limassol City Centre, so you can get into town for just €2
- Walkable City Centre: Limassol has a lovely promenade area, leading to the beach. Other attractions are easily walkable, too.
I’ll give you all the tips on getting into Limassol’s city centre below, as well as what to see and do, once you get yourself into Limassol Old Town.
Limassol Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know
- Currency: Euros
- Language: Official languages are Greek and Turkish, with Greek being the predominant language used in Limassol. But English is very widely spoken as Cyprus was a former British colony.
- Official Limassol Tourism Website: Limassol Tourism
- Local Buses: Limassol’s local bus authority is EMEL – Limassol Urban Bus Company – use its website for more complicated DIY itineraries!
- eSIM for Cyprus: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout
Limassol Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
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- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Limassol Cruise Port to Limassol City Centre: Your Transport Options
1. Cruise Line Shuttle
There’s no official port shuttle but your cruise line will almost certainly be running a shuttle service to Limassol’s Old Town. The ride to Limassol city centre is about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic.
Whether your cruise line’s shuttle service is complimentary or paid will depend on its own policy. I know that Celebrity Cruises & Princess Cruises usually operate free shuttles but Marella Cruises usually operates a paid shuttle bus service.
Cruise line run shuttles will usually drop you off near the Old Port, just outside Limassol Old Town (a few minutes’ walk to Limassol Castle) or somewhere along the Molo Promenade.
2. Public Bus #30
The local public bus route #30 is the most useful route for cruisers, as it stops right outside the cruise terminal and then at Old Port, heading north along the entire promenade, to the various beaches.
- Finding the Bus Stop: Look for a double bus shelter as soon as you exit the cruise terminal (ie. two bus shelters next to each other) – there’s where the bus #30 stops! See this marked on my Limassol Cruise Port map above. (Bus Direction –> Park Lane Hotel)
- Tickets: One-way ticket is €2 adults – cash only from the driver. Kids under 5 are free. Kids aged 6-12 can get €1 kids tickets. If you think you’ll take a few bus trips, then you can purchase a €6 daily pass from the driver (or €3 for kids). No debit / credit cards accepted onboard; the locals use a prepaid bus card.
- Timetables & Frequencies: Timetables here – during summer months, it runs every 10 – 15 minutes.
- Where to Get Off: You can either get off at Old Port or Agia Napa Church stops for Old Town. Stops after that are along the Promenade area. For your return trips, the bus stops are on the opposite side of the street, again near Old Port and Agia Napa Church.
- Map of the Bus Route: If you’re not heading to Old Town, then you can check the bus route here to find a suitable stop.
3. Taxis
You’ll also find taxis right outside the cruise terminal building. A ride to Limassol Old Town is about €15 one-way, depending on traffic.
Limassol Cruise Port: Top Things to Do
1. Limassol Castle / Cyprus Medieval Museum
Limassol Castle (aka Lemesos Castle), stands on the remains of an early Christian basilica (4th – 7th century AD) and a middle Byzantine monument (10th – 11th century AD).
On his way to the Holy Land to lead the Third Crusade (1189-1192), Richard the Lionheart of England (aka Richard I, reigned 1189-99) conquered Cyprus in 1191. According to legend, Limassol Castle is where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England in 1191.
But what’s remains standing today was rebuilt around 1590, after the Venetians partially demolished it to prevent the castle from falling into enemy lands. The underground chambers and the first floor were used as prison cells until 1950 and the castle became a museum in 1987.
Today, the castle serves as the Cyprus Medieval Museum, displaying artefacts that illustrate the island’s economic and social development from the 3rd to the 18th centuries. You’ll see medieval pottery, impressive silver plates from the Byzantine error, coins, weapons and armour.
- How to Get There: Use shuttle or bus to get to Old Port. Then Limassol Castle is about a 2 minute walk from the bus stop.
- Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday – Sunday 10am to 5pm. Closed public holidays.
- Tickets: €4.50 adults
2. Agia Napa Church
Agia Napa Church (aka Ayia Napa Cathedral) serves as the main Greek Orthodox cathedral for Limassol. It’s located on Agiou Andreou Street, in the heart of Limassol’s Old Town.
The current church is quite new, completed around 1906. But it stands on the ruins of an older, smaller Byzantine church. The name “Napa” comes from a revered icon of the Virgin Mary found in a glen (“Napa”).
Inside is a three-aisled structure with marble iconostasis (icon screen) and frescoes adorning the dome. As it’s an Orthodox Church, be sure to dress up modestly if you’d like to go inside – ie. covered shoulders and knees.
- How to Get There: From Limassol Castle, walk north for less than a minute to find where the pedestrianised street Agiou Andreou starts. Then keep walking and you’ll Ayia Napa Cathedral on your right in about 2-3 minutes.
- Opening Hours: 8am to 1pm, shut afterwards. Free to enter.
3. Limassol Old Town
If you fancy a wander in Limassol’s Old Town, then Agiou Andreou Street – the street that the Agia Napa Church is on – is your landmark. Agiou Andreou Street is largely pedestrianised, so it’s a good spot for strolling.
The cross streets around Agiou Andreou street are filled with boutiques selling clothing, jewellery, local crafts and souvenirs (like olive oil, wine and lace).
If you’d like to do some shopping, then the two biggest cross streets worth a stroll are Saripolou – leading up to Saripolou Square – and Anexartisias where it’s mostly branded shoes.
Limassol Agora, at Saripolou Square is a historic stone market building that’s been transformed into a modern food hall and entertainment hub. You’ll find many street food type stalls inside and is a good rest stop if you’d like to grab a snack or drink to fuel up.
4. Molos Promenade & Sculpture Park
The Molos Promenade stretches along Limassol’s central seafront, right next to the Old Town, all the way to the northern beaches. Wide, paved paths run the length of the park and several piers extend over the water, offering great views back towards the city and out to sea.
As you stroll through the Promenade, you’ll also see an extensive outdoor collection of modern sculptures created by Cypriot, Greek and international artists. Come here to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea breeze or just to take a break from your Old Town walk.
5. Limassol Zoo
Limassol Zoo started as an aviary during the British Colonia era. It’s a relatively small zoo (around 15 acres) but there’s about 90 species.
Expect to see everything from pygmy hippos, meerkats, various monkeys (e.g., baboons, capuchins), llamas, wallabies, otters, Patagonian maras, Cyprus mouflon and a good variety of birds including flamingos, pelicans, swans, owls and parrots. If you’ve got kids with you, the zoo is large enough to entertain them for at least an hour or two!
- How To Get There:
- Walk: From the end of Molos Promenade, Limassol Zoo is about a 10-minute walk away. Just keep walking along the waterfront on your right!
- Bus: Take route #30 from Limassol Cruise Port (more details above) and get off at the Municipal Art Gallery stop. The zoo is a few minutes walk from there.
- Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 6pm during summer months, shuts at 4pm over winter months.
- Tickets: €5 adults, €2 kids aged 5-15, €3 seniors
6. Limassol Municipal Garden
The Limassol Zoo is in fact located within the Limassol Municipal Garden. The gardens were officially opened in 1888 during the British colonial administration as a recreational space for residents.
Even if the zoo doesn’t interest you, the gardens is a great place to take a break, with plenty of shaded pathways with benches. There’s a cafeteria within the grounds for refreshments. Free to enter. See directions above under Limassol Zoo.
7. Limassol Marina
Limassol Marina is a commercial hub, with lots of shops and restaurants, within a full service marina. There’s also high-end apartments and exclusive villas.
You can walk around the marina freely, all the way to the Marina beach. It’s man-made but I’d say that it’s more for walking and sun bathing than swimming.
Limassol Cruise Port: Beaches Nearby
Cyprus Limassol is close to many beautiful beaches, including some which are suitable for land sailing – sailing a “yacht” on the beach. So if you’re looking for something more active than just sitting on the beach, consider doing a land sailing lesson while in Limassol!
1. Miami Beach / Akti Olympian Beach
Miami Beach is a small section of the larger Akti Olympian Beach area. I single out Miami Beach because it’s near the “Oval” building 👆 and easily recognisable from a distance if you’re trying to walk here along the Limassol seafront promenade.
Miami Beach is a sandy beach and holds a Blue Flag certification. During the summer months, there’s lifeguards on duty. Changing rooms, toilets and showers are all here, with sun beds and umbrellas for rent. There’s cafes and restaurants along the main road, as well as a few supermarkets if you’d like to pick up drinks and snacks to enjoy on the beach.
On my Limassol Cruise Port map, you’ll see that I’ve marked three beaches, Denz Yulu Beach on the south (closest to Molos Promenade) and Miami Beach to the north (farthest away from Limassol Cruise Port). Between these two beaches is basically continuous sand, so you don’t need to head to Miami Beach unless you’d like to be at the livest stretch of sand.
- How to Get There: Either walk from Molos Promenade or catch the #30 bus from Limassol Cruise Port – see bus route details above
2. Lady’s Mile Beach
If your idea of a perfect beach is more secluded, then Lady’s Mile Beach on the west side of Limassol Cruise Port may be more to your taste.
It’s so named because the beach is in fact about a mile long! I would describe the northern stretch of the beach as quite rocky and pebbly. But as you walk south, the sand gets finer and finer.
It’s much much quieter than the beaches close to Molos Promenade and therefore also have fewer amenities.
- How to Get There: Catch #30 from outside Limassol Cruise Port passenger terminal but in the opposite direction, away from Limassol City Centre.
- Bus Direction –> My Mall (not Park Lane Hotel).
- Ring the bell to get off when you’re at the Lady’s Mile Junction – a big roundabout after 3 stops
- After you get off the bus, it’s a straight-line 15-minute walk to Lady’s Mile Beach
Note: Lady Mile’s Beach is remote, so there won’t be any taxis there. For your return trip to Limassol Cruise Port, you’ll need to be comfortable walking back to “My Mall” – about 15-20 minutes away from the northern part of Lady Mile’s Beach. Bus route #30 starts from My Mall and will take you back to Limassol Cruise Port.
Limassol Cruise Port to Kolossi Castle & Kourion Archaeological Site
If you’re an archaeology enthusiast or a history buff, you may be interested to visit Kolossi Castle and the Kourion Archaeological Site, rather than visit Limassol Old Town. Alternatively, you may be on a Marella Cruises cruise with a 14-hour port day in Limassol – more than enough time to do all of the above!
Kolossi Castle is closer to Limassol Cruise Port but there’s more to see at Kourion Archaeological Site.
If you only have a few hours, then I would recommend visiting the Kourion Archaeological Site with a walk to nearby Kourion beach and aim for a return 4-hour trip from Limassol Old Town, as that’s roughly how the bus times work out to be.
1. Kolossi Castle
Kolossi Castle is located about 14km (~9 miles) southwest of Limassol. Its origins date back to the early 13th century (possibly 1210) when the land was given by King Hugh I to the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (the Hospitallers). The Knights Hospitaller later established their base in Rhodes, and eventually set up their headquarters in Valletta in Malta.
Due to rivalries, the castle was briefly held by the Knights Templar from 1306 until 1313. The imposing square keep (main tower) still standing today was rebuilt in 1454 and is a strong example of medieval military architecture.
Kolossi was a major centre for the production of sugar from sugarcane grown in the fertile surrounding area – a key export for Cyprus during the Middle Ages. You can still see the ruins of a 14th century sugar mill or refinery and aqueduct next to the castle.
The area is famously associated with Commandaria, the sweet dessert wine often cited as the world’s oldest named wine still in production. The wine took its name from the ‘Grand Commandery’ based at Kolossi Castle. Legend holds that Richard the Lionheart declared it the “wine of kings and the king of wines” after his wedding in Limassol Castle.
- How to Get There:
- Tour: Join a 6-hour excursion to Kolossi Castle and the Kourion Archaeological Site, with pickup and drop off at Limassol Cruise Port
- Public Bus: Bus #33 will get you from Limassol Old Town to Kolossi Castle in about 20 minutes.
- Closest stop to Limassol Cruise Port is the first big roundabout as you walk from Limassol Cruise Port out to the port gates – see this marked on my Limassol Cruise Port map. But I think it’s easier to grab the bus from the Old Town bus station where #33 starts – see the bus route map here.
- Note the route only runs every 2 hours, so I would install the Limassol Bus app called Motion on your phone, so you can see when the bus is coming via real-time bus tracking on the app
- Opening Hours: 8:30am to 5pm during summer months
- Tickets: €2.50
Nearby is the Church of Agios Efstathios 👇, a small square stone church built in a vaulted, cross-shaped Byzantine style originating from the 12th century. The surviving frescoes in the dome dates back to the 15th century.
2. Kourion Archaeological Site
Kourion was a major ancient city-kingdom with a history stretching back to the Neolithic period. It truly flourished during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Early Christian/Byzantine periods (roughly 300 BC to 650 AD). Kourion is perched dramatically on a high limestone cliff overlooking Episkopi Bay and the Mediterranean Sea, about 19 km (12 miles) west of Limassol.
Kourion was an important urban centre until devastating earthquakes in the 4th century AD caused significant damage. The city was eventually abandoned around the 7th century AD, likely due to Arab raids.
What to See at the Kourion Archaeological Site
- Greco-Roman Theatre: Originally built in the 2nd century BC and later enlarged by the Romans to seat around 3,500 spectators. Today, it still hosts open-air musical and theatrical performances during summer months, due to its stunning location and acoustics.
- House of Eustolios: Once a lavish private villa, it’s renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved mosaic floors
- House of Achilles & House of the Gladiators: Other Roman villa famed for their floor mosaics – House of Achilles with a scene with Odysseus, while the House of the Gladiators show scenes of combatants
- Roman Agora (Forum): The remains of the city’s central public marketplace, surrounded by porticoes.
- Public Baths: Extensive remains of Roman bath complexes are visible near the Agora and House of Eustolios.
If you join a tour, you’ll also most likely be visiting the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, located 3 km (~2 miles) west of the main Kourion site, a major ancient religious centre dedicated to Apollo as the God of the Woodland. The Kourion Stadium, a Roman hippodrome (stadium for chariot races) is also nearby.
How to Get There:
- Tour: Join a 6-hour excursion to Kolossi Castle and the Kourion Archaeological Site, with pickup and drop off at Limassol Cruise Port
- Public Bus: Bus #33 will get you from Limassol Old Town to just outside the Kourion Archaeological site in about 30 minutes.
- Same bus to Kolossi Castle I describe above continues on to stop at just outside the Kourion Archaeological Site. I would recommend taking the bus from the Old Town bus station where #33 starts – see the bus route map here.
- Bus #33 runs every 2 hours, so I would recommend planning a 4-hour return trip from Limassol Old Town, with plenty of time to see Kourion as well as a walk down to Kourion Beach. Grab a €6 daily bus pass to get all your bus trips covered – pay cash to driver.
- I would recommend you install the Limassol Bus app called Motion on your phone, so you can see when the bus is coming via real-time bus tracking on the app
- Taxi: You can also catch a taxi to the Kourion Archaeological site directly from Limassol Cruise Port for about €20-25 one-way. But be in mind that you may need to walk into Kourion’s town centre to get one back.
- Kourion Opening Hours: Daily 8:30am to 7:30pm from 16 April to 15 September, daily 8:30am to 5pm from 16 September to April 15
- Tickets: €4.50 for Kourion Archaeological Site, €2.50 for Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates
- Useful Info: Written Guide (PDF) here and an official audio guide is available too
Taste of Cyprus: What to Eat at Limassol
Cypriot cuisine is a delicious blend of Mediterranean flavours. While you’ll recognise many similarities to Greek food, thanks to shared ingredients like olive oil, fresh vegetables, grilled meats, and seafood, the island’s unique history adds distinct Middle Eastern and Anatolian influences, creating dishes that are uniquely Cypriot.
Here’s my best tips on how to have a delicious introduction to Cypriot cuisine during your day at port in Limassol. Here’s a few suggestions on what to try:
1. Meze
Meze is not a single dish but a traditional style of dining involving a large selection of small hot and cold dishes. Expect Cypriot to include dips (like hummus, tahini, tzatziki), salads, grilled halloumi, olives, vegetables, seafood dishes (in a fish meze), various grilled meats (like souvlaki, sheftalia, lamb chops in a meat meze), and often slow-cooked dishes like stifado (beef stew) or kleftiko.
Look for traditional tavernas in Limassol Old Town: Meze Taverna and Karatello Tavern both have meze on their menu – see these marked on my Limassol Cruise Port map. Both have English menus and are good options if you have food allergens as their menus have extensive allergen markings to help you decide.
2. Halloumi
Halloumi is Cyprus’s famous semi-hard, unripened brined cheese, typically made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk. It’s widely available in almost all tavernas. Alternatively, try them in food stalls in Limassol Agora in Old Town.
3. Kleftiko
Kleftiko is a traditional dish of slow-cooked lamb, typically with potatoes, lemon and sometimes vegetables, cooked in a clay oven. The name “Kleftiko” means “stolen”, referring to historical tales of bandits cooking stolen lamb hidden in sealed pits!
This is very popular in traditional Cypriot tavernas. Meze Taverna and Rizitiko Cyprus Tavern both serves Kleftiko – see these marked on my Limassol Cruise Port map.
4. Souvlaki
Souvlaki consists of small pieces of meat (usually pork or chicken) grilled on a skewer. Souvlaki is typically served in or with Cypriot pitta bread (which is thinner and flatter than Greek pitta, forming a pocket) along with salad (tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley) and perhaps pickles, on a platter.
You will find souvlaki served widely in casual grill houses (‘psistaria’), take-away spots, and some stalls within the Limassol Agora.
5. Commandaria & Local Wine
Local Cypriot wines are focused on indigenous grape varieties. The most famous ones are made using Xynisteri (zin-is-ter-EE), producing crisp, refreshing white wines and Maratheftiko (mah-rah-THEF-tee-ko), producing a rich, complex red wine.
Commandaria is an amber coloured, sweet dessert wine with protected designation of origin, made in the Commandaria region on the slopes of the Troodos Mountains from sun-dried Xynisteri and Mavro grapes. It’s one of the oldest named wines in the world still in production!
Zivania is a traditional Cypriot pomace brandy, distilled from the residue of grapes pressed during winemaking, sometimes mixed with local dry wines. It’s potent, often called ‘firewater’, with alcohol content typically around 45%! Often served ice-cold straight from the freezer as a digestif.
Most restaurants and tavernas will offer a selection of local Cypriot wines by the glass. Otherwise, you’ll also find a few wine shops in Old Town.
6. Cyprus Coffee
Cyprus coffee is similar to how coffee is served in Greece and Turkey – super strong (and quite bitter unless you add a lot of sugar)! So be careful when ordering coffee locally, if you don’t want a coffee brewed Cyprus style.
Featured Photo of the Limassol Marina area by Mikhail Nilov
If your cruise itinerary includes Limassol, then I hope that this DIY excursion guide has given you some ideas on how to spend your time there! If this guide has been helpful to you, please help me by sharing it with your friends who cruise, or with your roll-call groups. Thank you!
