Modern Limassol is the centre of nightlife for many Cypriots. The second largest city on the island it is also the centre of winemaking. It is hardly suprising to find that this adds something to the nightlife to make this city popular with locals and visitors.

Even during the Medeaval Crusades, it gained notority on account of Richard the Lionheart's wedding party.

An ancient site of inhabitation, graves around Limassol have been found that date back to 2,000 years B.C.

Limassol has little of the architectural charm of the other towns of the Cyprus, but still offers a good location from which to explore the island especially the Trodos mountains that lie to the north.

Limassol Castle dominates the old harbour and was built in the 14th century. The Cyprus Medieval Museum is housed here and has a bewildering array of fascinating exhibits. The castle is famous for the marriage of Richard the Lionheart to Berengaria of Navarre. She was later crowned Queen of England in 1191.

The beaches along the coast here are mostly under the control of local hotels who charge a fee although the sandy beach at Avmidou, in the grounds of the British military base of Akrotiri, is free and open to the public.

A worthwhile day trip from Limassol is to explore the villages in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains. A car hire on Cyprus will be necessary because of the lack of public transport.. Many of the villages make their own wines, and other products such as wine, honey and cheese.

These villages seem a world a way from the busy cities or the coastal resorts. The pretty houses and white-washed churches complete a vivid and picturesque scenery.