With the arrival of autumn, Cyprus enters its velvet season. The heat subsides, the air is no longer scorching but gently enveloping. It's a time to spend your free time with maximum activity so that you have something to remember in the winter!
We offer you the top 10 exciting ideas for a vacation in Limassol. Try to bring them to life to make your vacation truly memorable!
Take a Dip Under the Full Moon to Become More Beautiful
As known from ancient Greek myths, the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, emerged from the seafoam in Cyprus. Local legends specify the location of this epochal event near Petra tou Romiou Beach. Swimming far out here is not safe due to quite strong waves, but admiring the bay, clear sea, and the legendary Aphrodite's Rock is certainly worth it. Most importantly, if you take a nighttime trip and enter the water during a full moon, according to belief, Aphrodite will grant you a portion of her divine attractiveness.
Make a Wish at the Temple of Love
Not far from Limassol, there is another place where Aphrodite was worshipped— the ruins of the city of Amathus. It was thoroughly destroyed (for example, stones and decorative elements from some of its buildings were used in the construction of houses in Limassol), but some things have survived. Archaeologists conducting excavations here have discovered a marketplace, a port, city walls, and, of course, the temple of the goddess of love and beauty. The area here is very picturesque, and photos turn out beautiful. If you ask Aphrodite for help in matters of love, she is sure to hear you, as many have turned to her from this place over the centuries!
Dance the Sirtaki at the Wine Festival
Usually, the wine festival takes place in the municipal park of Limassol on the last weekend of August, but in 2023, the Wine Festival will be held from October 7th to 15th. The city authorities promise that you will be able to taste Cypriot wine and dishes of national cuisine in 7 restaurants and taverns, as well as in 28 kiosks. Guests can enjoy an entertainment program, and you can even become an active participant in the action. The highlight of the Wine Festival for over 60 years has been the dance in a wooden tub with grapes. As a bonus, we inform you that before Lent, Limassol also hosts a carnival where you can have a great time, but that joyful event is still six months away.
Ride Through an Art Gallery on a Bicycle
On the Molos promenade in Limassol, you can rent a bicycle and explore a sculpture park that stretches for more than one and a half kilometers. There are about twenty works by sculptors from different countries here. These creations greatly impress people who are far from the world of art, so the open-air gallery is very popular among tourists and locals.
Appreciate the Wedding Place of King Richard the Lionheart
Imagine how romantic a walk through the streets of Limassol Castle will be, where Richard the Lionheart led his bride to the altar. It is believed that in the local chapel, the legendary king, whom we all love for his friendship with the famous Robin Hood, married Castilian princess Berengaria of Navarre. According to medieval historians, the bride was "more intelligent than beautiful." For those with a practical turn of mind, we recommend visiting the Museum of Medieval History located in the same castle. In addition to armor and weapons, you can see, for example, such an amazing gadget as an ancient olive oil press.
Pet Saint Nicholas' Cats
In the life of this revered Christian saint, there is no mention of any special love for cats by Bishop Nicholas. However, the residents of Limassol have made their own adjustments to the canons of worshiping the miracle-worker. According to legend, in order to combat the proliferation of snakes, cats were brought here from Egypt in the 4th century by the order of another future saint, the Roman Empress Helena. Therefore, the clergy of Cypriot Christian churches love the purring creatures very much. Currently, there are less than ten nuns and around a hundred cats living in the Monastery of Saint Nicholas. The monastery accepts donations from visitors in the form of food for their furry guardians. Visitors are allowed to pet and photograph the cats.
Contemplate at the "Peace and Tolerance" Monument
Interestingly, one of the symbols of the city, solemnly unveiled on the promenade in Limassol four years ago, was erected by Russian businessman Nikolai Ivchikov. The "Peace and Tolerance" Monument consists of symbols that are familiar to all of us—olive tree, globe, doves. If your heart is uneasy, come here, look at the calm sea, make a wish for an era of peace and goodness—and wait for it to come true.
Take a Ride in a Vintage Car
In the Museum of Classic and Historic Cars owned by veteran racer Dimis Mavropoulos, there are no cars of Cypriot production because Cyprus does not produce cars at all. However, there are plenty of cars and motorcycles created in other countries. Exhibits are presented both in the form of "model" cars on shelves, which we loved to play with as children, and as fully operational vehicles that can be rented for a photoshoot or wedding. Among the unique exhibits is one of the first "Fords" to come off the assembly line at the beginning of the last century.
Take the Helm of a Yacht
You can get a taste of the life of the rich and famous with a walk around Limassol Marina. This area is called the "city within the city" because life here is significantly different from the everyday life of an average Limassol resident. For 200 euros per hour, you can rent a yacht. For this money, you will be taken for a swim in the open sea, taught the basics of operating the vessel, and even allowed to stand at the helm. However, for a much more modest sum (from 65 euros), you can find a sea excursion with a guide in Limassol, and if desired, even with fishing.
Befriend a Stray Donkey
If in some countries, unkind people abandon their cats and dogs on the streets, then irresponsible Cypriots leave donkeys without shelter. After they can no longer carry loads, their careless owners simply forget about their existence. Fortunately, not far from Limassol, there is a shelter that rescues these animals. Here, you can make a donation, feed the strays, and take a walk with them. If you really want to have a pet but cannot afford it for some reason, try befriending a stray donkey during your vacation.
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