Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND LEMESOS
Whether you're searching for some sun, sea and sand action or want to dig into Cyprus' an-
cient history, there's plenty to do and see in the area around Lemesos.
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Getting There & Around
You can easily get to Ancient Kourion, Episkopi and Kolossi Castle all in the same day us-
ing a combination of Emel Bus 16 and 17. Pissouri Bay, Ancient Amathous and even the
Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats (if you don't mind a one-hour walk there and
back from Akrotiri village) can also be visited using Emel buses. Travelling this way does
take time though, and if you're in a hurry, or want to properly explore the beautiful villages
to the north of Lemesos, you're going to require rented transport or expensive taxis.
Cycling in and around Lemesos is fairly easy once you have cleared the confines of the
city and its surrounds. The terrain is reasonably flat until you encounter the first slopes of
the Troödos Mountains.
r
Beaches
Lemesos' city beaches are popular enough and decent for a quick swim but they don't have
any particular wow factor. For a quieter, and more picturesque, strip of sand look a little
further afield.
Kourion Beach
This is a lovely beach of sand and small pebbles; the area is windy and attracts windsurfers
and kite-boarders, as well as those who just want to chill out amid the unspoilt setting and
backdrop of white cliffs.
The beach is around 17km west of Lemesos, within Great Britain's Akrotiri Sovereign
Base Area (SBA), which is the reason for the lack of development. There's no natural
shade, but the adjacent tavernas rent sunbeds and parasols for the day (€4).
The eastern end of the beach is unsafe for swimming (note the sign), so head west if you
fancy a dip. This beach is best combined with your trip to Ancient Kourion. (You can get a
taster here: the remains of a 6th-century port basilica, complete with 11 columns, back on
to the centre of the beach.)
Locals rate the
Blue Beach Bar & Restaurant
(Kourion Beach; mains €9-15 ;
h
10.30am-10pm;
v
)
as the best on this short culinary strip. You can select your fish or tentacled choice from the
