Limassol

Located on the sun-soaked southern coast of Cyprus, Limassol (or Lemesos) is the island’s largest coastal resort, flanked by sandy beaches and strategically located for visiting the nearby sights. Whether you want to swim, snorkel or try your hand at water sports, there’s something for all the family at Limassol’s beaches and the lively waterfront is crammed with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The busy resort is also renowned as the island’s party capital and hosts a number of popular festivals throughout the year including a colorful Carnival parade, the summer Limassol Festival and the Kourion Drama Festival.

Set against a backdrop of rolling vineyards and the looming Troodos mountains, Limassol is also the center of Cyprus’ winemaking industry, with highlights including the Cyprus Wine Museum and the annual Wine Festival held for 10 days in September. It’s not all about drinking and sunbathing, though – there’s also an abundance of historic sites, like the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, the 14th-century Lemesos Castle, home to the Cyprus Medieval Museum, and the nearby ancient cities of Kourion and Amathus.