Cruise port · Cyprus · Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic
Limassol cruise port guide
Limassol is Cyprus’s lively second city and main cruise port, a sunny seafront town with a medieval castle, a modern marina and easy access to some of the island’s best sights. Ships dock at the port west of the center, and most visitors either explore the old town and promenade or head out to the clifftop ruins of Kourion, Kolossi Castle and Aphrodite’s Rock.
- Greco-Roman ruins
- Crusader castles
- Cypriot food
- Seafront strolling
Photo: Στέφανος Νικολάου, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- Cyprus
- Region
- Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- Greek. English is very widely spoken, a legacy of British rule.
- Currency
- Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted.
- Best time to visit
- May–September
- Average highs
- 62–88°F through the year
About Limassol
Cyprus sits at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, and Limassol shows it. A stocky medieval castle stands among old town lanes, a long palm-lined promenade runs beside the sea, and gleaming high-rises and a smart marina point to the city’s more recent wealth. English is everywhere, cars drive on the left and road signs are bilingual, legacies of British rule that ended in 1960.
A port day can be a gentle stroll through the old town to the castle and along the Molos seafront, ending with a long meze lunch. Or it can be a half-day tour west to Kolossi Castle and the Greco-Roman city of Kourion, perched on a cliff above the sea, with a stop at Petra tou Romiou, the rock where legend says Aphrodite was born from the waves.
Limassol suits travelers who like a mix of archaeology, food and seaside town life. It isn’t a picture-postcard port, and summer heat is intense, but the variety within a short drive makes for a satisfying day.
Where cruise ships dock in Limassol
Ships dock at the cruise terminal in Limassol Port, west of the city center. The old town and castle are a short taxi or shuttle ride away, around 10 to 15 minutes; walking is possible but long and not especially pleasant. Kourion and Kolossi are about 20 minutes west by road, Aphrodite’s Rock around 40 minutes, and the Troodos foothill wine villages about 45 minutes inland. Allow three hours for the old town and seafront, or a half day for the Kourion loop.
Best things to do in Limassol on a cruise
- 1
Limassol Castle and old town
history
The medieval castle near the old harbor houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum, with armor, coins and carved tombstones. Tradition says Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre here in 1191. Around it, the old town has lanes of shops, cafés and the Grand Mosque.
- 2
Ancient Kourion
history
Set on a bluff high above the sea, Kourion has a restored Greco-Roman theater with views straight out over the water, plus villas with fine floor mosaics, including the House of Eustolios and the House of the Gladiators. It’s one of the most dramatic ancient sites in the Mediterranean.
- 3
Kolossi Castle
history
A square, three-story keep built by the Knights of St. John, who used the surrounding estates to make sugar and the sweet wine still called Commandaria, named after their Grand Commandery. Climb to the roof for views over the vineyards and plain.
- 4
Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock)
scenery
A cluster of sea stacks off a pebble beach on the coast road toward Paphos, where myth says the goddess Aphrodite rose from the foam. It’s a photo stop on most tours, and some people swim around the rock for luck.
- 5
Molos promenade and Limassol Marina
scenery
A long seafront park with palm trees, sculptures and cycle paths runs along the shore from the old harbor. It connects to the marina, lined with upscale restaurants and cafés, a pleasant place for an evening stroll if your ship stays late.
- 6
Omodos and the Troodos foothills
food
Inland, villages such as Omodos have cobbled squares, a historic monastery and small wineries offering tastings of local grapes such as Xynisteri and Maratheftiko. The air is cooler and the pace slower than on the coast.
Limassol weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 6216 | 6217 | 6418 | 7021 | 7624 | 8228 | 8831 | 8831 | 8630 | 8027 | 7323 | 6619 |
| Low °F (°C) | 5714 | 5714 | 5815 | 6317 | 6920 | 7524 | 8027 | 8127 | 7926 | 7424 | 6820 | 6116 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.794 | 1.948 | 1.743 | 0.614 | 0.410 | 0.26 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.24 | 0.821 | 1.539 | 3.793 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
What to eat and drink in Limassol
Cypriot food is made for sharing. Order a meze and expect a long parade of small plates: grilled halloumi, sheftalia sausages, souvla, slow-baked kleftiko lamb, salads and dips. Commandaria, a rich dessert wine with very ancient roots, is the classic finish, along with loukoumades, honey-soaked doughnuts. Zivania is a potent local spirit, and Cypriot coffee is served strong and thick.
Tips for your port day
- Remember that Cyprus drives on the left. Take extra care crossing streets, and think twice before renting a car for one day.
- Kourion has little shade. Visit in the morning, bring a hat and water, and wear sturdy shoes for the uneven paths.
- A meze is a lot of food. Order one for two people and ask staff how many dishes to expect.
- Eastern Mediterranean itineraries can change with regional security conditions. Check with your cruise line close to sailing.
- Cyprus is divided, and the north is administered separately. Visiting it means a drive to Nicosia and a checkpoint crossing, which rarely fits a port day.
Cruise lines that visit Limassol
Often on the same itinerary
Limassol cruise FAQs
Can you walk from the Limassol cruise terminal to the old town?
It’s possible but not ideal. The old town is a 10- to 15-minute ride by taxi or shuttle from the terminal, and the walk follows busy roads.
Is Kourion worth visiting from Limassol?
Yes. It’s about 20 minutes away and combines an impressive theater, fine mosaics and spectacular cliff-top views. It pairs easily with Kolossi Castle.
What is Limassol known for?
Its castle, seafront, wine and food, and as a base for Kourion and Aphrodite’s Rock. It’s also Cyprus’s main cruise and commercial port.
Do people speak English in Limassol?
Yes, very widely. Cyprus was a British colony until 1960, and English is used in shops, restaurants and on road signs.
Can you visit Paphos from Limassol on a cruise?
Yes. Paphos, known for its Roman mosaics and Tombs of the Kings, is about an hour away by road. It makes a full day, often combined with Aphrodite’s Rock on the way.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.