Day Trips and Tours from Limassol

The second-largest city in Cyprus, Limassol is a bustling hub of culture and activity. It's not only a  great place to spend a day, but also the perfect base from which to explore the rest of the island — whether that be the heights of Troodos Mountain, the history-soaked eastern coast, or the ancient ruins and crystal-clear waters of Salamis.

From archaeological sites and nature reserves to beautiful beaches and picturesque villages, there's no shortage of day trips and tours from Limassol to choose from.

Regardless of which Limassol day trip you choose, you can expect to have convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, transport to and from the sites, your own guide,  and all the necessary equipment needed for whichever adventure you choose.

Let's take a look at some of the most popular options.

Troodos Mountain

Sitting about an hour's drive north of Limassol, the Troodos Mountain range stretches through the middle of the island, offering stunning views and a much more rugged landscape than what you find on the coast.

Day trips to this part of the island will typically check off a handful of the area's popular attractions, such as the Trooditissa Monastery, Omodos Village, the Artemis Nature Trail and the Myllomeris waterfall, to name a few.

Depending on which tour you choose, you might also get the chance to visit Lefkara and Platres, two villages set against the backdrop of breathtaking mountains, where you can sample a handful of locally-grown wines and learn about the local culture from your guide.

One of the most coveted destinations in the Troodos region is the famous Mount Olympus. Towering close to 2,000 meters above sea level, it's the highest peak in Cyprus — serving up spectacular views of the entire island on a clear day.

Many of the Troodos Mountains day trips from Limassol center around particular themes, such as wine-tasting, hiking, or off-roading in a 4x4.

Famagusta

Sitting on the east coast of the island, in the Turkish Cypriot-administered portion of northern Cyprus, Famagusta is a city known for its rich history and impressive Medieval fortifications — but most of all, its ghost town of Varosha, which has become well known in "Dark Tourism" circles since being abandoned in 1974.

On day tours from Limassol to Famagusta, you'll usually start off by exploring the Salamis region, which is included thanks to its proximity to Famagusta.

Here, you can expect to visit historical sites such as St. Barnabas Monastery (which is home to the tomb of St. Barnabas) and learn all about the rise and fall of this Great Greek Kingdom.

In Famagusta itself, you'll typically check out the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas (also known as Lala Mustafa Mosque), the largest medieval building in Famagusta, as well as the Othello Castle, after which Shakespeare allegedly based his famous play. Then, journey to the ghost town of Varosha and get a glimpse into what it's like to wander through an abandoned city.

Nicosia

The capital of Cyprus, Nicosia is a fascinating city split in two by the "green line" — the UN buffer zone that has separated the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities since 1974.

On day trips from Limassol to Nicosia, you'll usually start off by exploring the old city walls which were built during Venetian rule in 1567. After this, depending on your exact itinerary, you might venture to the Büyük Han historic building, the Selimiye Mosque, the Ayia Sofia Church, or simply spend a few minutes wandering around the narrow lanes of the Old Town neighborhood.

You'll also sometimes visit the Archaeological Museum in Nicosia, where you can see some of the most important archaeological findings from Cyprus. Outside of the town itself, you can expect to visit the beautiful St. Hilarion Castle and the 13th-century Bellapais Abbey as well.

Many Nicosia day trips from Limassol also make a stop at the charming harbor town of Kyrenia, which sits about 30 kilometers north of Nicosia. Here, you can check out the Shipwreck Museum, take photos in front of the Byzantine-era castle and admire the Ottoman-period houses that line the narrow streets.

Salamis

Sitting on the island's east coast, just north of the Turkish ghost town of Famagusta, Salamis — which dates as far back as 1100 B.C. — was once the capital of the island until it was overtaken by Paphos in the Hellenistic period.

Day trips to Salamis from Limassol usually focus on exploring the ruins of the ancient city — there's a Roman amphitheater, a Roman villa, a Byzantine water cistern, the Agora stone forum, and several temples and tombs, which are in fantastic condition considering their age.

Thanks to their proximity, most tours will also pay a visit to the nearby tomb of St. Barnabas and Famagusta.