Limassol

Bold and energetic Limassol, one of Cyprus' liveliest cities, has long attracted holidaymakers to its resort hotels, where sweeping sea views, swimming pools and private stretches of beach are de rigeur. Limassol also boasts a compact and charming old town, a palm-fringed promenade backed by long and thin sandy beaches and cooling water parks. The warren of streets that flank the seaside strip have an allure of their own and are crammed with cafés, trendy bars, lively nightclubs and shops selling everything from souvenirs to the latest fashions. This is a real city where tourists and locals mingle happily. After a hard day's shopping, relaxing on the beach, or tanning by the pool, you'll be congratulating yourself over a cocktail on taking your holiday in this cosmopolitan resort city.

From spring to autumn the majority of visitors to Limassol are Western Europeans and Russians. The diversity of the resort is reflected in the demographics of the holidaymakers who visit it. Limassol appeals to a broad age group of singles, couples, groups and families. In the mild winter months, Limassol tends to attract older visitors escaping cold winters back home.

Limassol is on the south coast of the island of Cyprus. It is located 14km (9 miles) east of Kourion; 70km (43 miles) southwest of Larnaca airport; 50km (31 miles) east of Paphos airport.

The resort overlooks the wide Akrotiri Bay and long stretches of sandy beach. It is backed by residential suburbs and the Troodos Mountains. The tourist area is reasonably flat, rising to the city centre and up towards the suburbs.

Limassol's waterfront is dotted with hotel and public beaches, where you can soak up the sun, or take a cooling dip in the Mediterranean. For the best beaches head away from Limassol to Ladies Beach, Curium Beach or Pissouri Beach. A raft of watersports is also on offer from pedalos to jet-skis.

Stroll along the seaside promenade to Limassol's old town where the assorted delights of centuries-old architecture, the city's medieval fort, an archaeological museum, the folk museum and a natural sea sponge exhibition await. This is a great place to enjoy a leisurely lunch, with the old carob warehouse (Vasilissis 1) and the other eateries that flank the fort all good options.

Limassol and its environs have plenty to keep children occupied. Away from the beaches the Wet ‘n' Wild and Fasouri waterparks tempt with their slides and pools. In Limassol's old harbour, the residents of the Reptile House thrill children, with the Time Elevator (Vasilissis 1) plummeting you (virtually) through Cyprus' history.

The second biggest urban centre in Cyprus, Limassol offers the kind of retail experience that you'd expect to find in any European city with the latest European fashions and household goods on sale. A dash of local colour is also in evidence with tailors offering made to measure clothes, and tailor-made shoes on sale. Tourist-orientated outlets selling everything from swimwear and beach gear to tacky or traditional (silver, ceramics, wickerware and woodcarvings) souvenirs are also ubiquitous.

Limassol's nightlife is amongst the liveliest in Cyprus, and with myriad stylish cocktail bars, Irish pubs and nightclubs all part of the mix, it is easy to see why it is so often dubbed ‘the city that never sleeps'. If you want to dance the night away you'll be spoilt for choice on the main strip (Georgiou A' Potamos Yermasoyias). Whispers and Basement are always good fun.

Cypriot tavernas, Italian restaurants, pizzerias and fast food outlets abound around Limassol's tourist centre. A diverse range of international eateries also exist, with everything from British cuisine to Lebanese fare on the menu. The dining scene in the old city is becoming increasingly eclectic with traditional meze served alongside first-rate seafood and simple grilled dishes.

The new city, where the bulk of Limassol's tourist accommodation is located, extends some 12km (8 miles) so unless you have hired a car you'll probably need to use the local bus or taxi services. Buses also run all destinations throughout the island from Limassol, including Nicosia, Paphos, Larnaca and Agia Napa.

Kourion, 18km (12 miles) west of Limassol, is one of Cyprus' most impressive archaeological sites. Dating from the 12th century BC this ancient settlement once looked majestically out over the Mediterranean. Highlights today include its amphitheatre, ruined Roman houses and mosaics. Watching a concert in the ancient arena on a balmy summer's evening is a hard-to-beat experience.

Head to Limassol's old harbour where Ladas (Old Harbour, located next to the Reptile House) serves up mouth-watering fish dishes in an atmospheric stone taverna. Only fresh seafood is served here, with the catch brought in from the adjacent port, so don't expect them to have everything listed on the menu.

Paphos International Airport (PFO)