traveldk.com

The little wooden boats that moor here are a reminder that, before the tourism boom, Limassol was just a fishing port. The cruisers in the neighbouring marina show how things have changed.

This sturdy little stronghold was build by the Lusignan princes on foundations erected by the Byzantines. Later Venetian, Ottoman and British occupiers strengthened its defences.

Inside Limassol Castle this museum houses a collection of armour from the days of the Lusignans, beautiful Byzantine silverware, icons and pottery.

The graceful minaret of the city’s largest mosque is a Limassol landmark. The mosque is still used by the handful of Turkish Cypriots resident in the city, and by visitors from the Middle East.

The former carob mill behind the castle has been tastefully converted into a trendy complex whose chief attraction is the Time Elevator (see Time Elevator, Limassol); also see Southwest Cyprus), which gives a multi-media account of Cyprus’s history. There are also cafes, restaurants, an exhibition space and even a micro-brewery.

On the fringes of Limassol’s old quarter, the cathedral of Agia Napa is Orthodox religious architecture at its florid and grandiloquent best.

On the fringes of Limassol’s old quarter, the cathedral of Agia Napa, with its twin towers and dome, is an example of Orthodox religious architecture at its florid and grandiloquent best.

Housed in an old merchant’s mansion is a glorious clutter of farm implements, household utensils, silver necklaces and bangles, and traditional village costumes.

A combination of Bronze Age pottery, Roman glassware, gold and jewels from the Classical era and various other finds, including terracotta statuettes and votive offerings, make this museum worth a visit.

The carefully maintained shrubs, flowerbeds and trees of the Municipal Gardens are the venue of the annual September Wine Festival. The rest of the year this is a quieter spot. It is also home to a mini-zoo.