Limassol beaches, from town sand to quiet coves

If you only know the town, the picture you take home of Limassol’s beaches is dark sand with towers behind. That’s only half the story. The district has the lot, from the town beach with every facility to coves backed by red cliffs and hardly anyone about. Here they are from east to west, with what the tourist board says about each and what I’d do.

In town, Akti Olympion and Miami

The Limassol tourist board describes a long strip of sand in town, with hotels and water sports. The main beach is Akti Olympion, nearly 2 km in length and some 40 m across, which the council has improved with wider pavements, a cycle lane and more parking. It lies north-east of the Molos promenade. Miami Beach, also central, is small and ringed by shops and restaurants, good for a quick dip between walks.

To the east, Agios Tychonas and Amathus

Along the hotel coast come Onisilos, with pale sand and calm water, and Loures and Vouppa, among the rocks, all three at Agios Tychonas. Castella, also there, is narrow, grey sand and pebbles, with sunloungers, water sports and lifeguards from 10:00 to 17:00 in the bathing season. Aoratoi, at Pyrgos, and Parekklisia, golden sand and shallow water, complete the strip.

Next to the ruins of Amathus is Agia Varvara, sand with gravel and vertical breakwaters, joined to the central seafront in a long stretch for walking or cycling. And Dasoudi, small and backed by eucalyptus, is the one the board suggests for watching fish in turquoise water.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Limassol for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.

Further on, Governor’s Beach

Halfway between Limassol and Larnaca, Governor’s Beach is my favourite. Clear, shallow water, soft sand and white rocks that the board recommends for snorkelling. Nearby, off the Pentakomo exit, is Agios Georgios Alamanou, small, sand and grass, with a restaurant and rocks for snorkelling, and Kalymnos, with a campsite next to it.

To the west, Lady’s Mile and Kourion

West of town the coast changes. Lady’s Mile, by the Akrotiri peninsula, runs for about 8 km according to the board, with shallow water and space to spare most of the time. Further on, at Episkopi and about 17 km from Limassol, Kourion beach mixes sand and pebbles beneath the cliffs, with the Graeco-Roman theatre above and a steady wind that windsurfers like. Episkopi bay, the Tripiti and Zapalo stretch, has a coastline the board describes as a national park.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Limassol on GetYourGuide.

Towards Paphos, the quiet coves

Paramali is long and wide, sand and pebbles, with no tavernas nearby. The board points out that it’s an important sea turtle nesting site and asks visitors to watch from a distance. Avdimou is wide and sandy with shallow water and tavernas nearby, and Melanda, next door, has red sandstone cliffs, some seaweed and few facilities.

At the far end is Pissouri bay, about 30 km west of Limassol, between hills and the white cliffs of Cape Aspro, with golden sand mixed with colourful pebbles. For a whole day away from town, that’s my pick.

What I can’t promise you

The tourist board mentions 14 Blue Flag beaches but doesn’t say for which year, and I haven’t been able to check each season’s list in an official source I can cite. Nor do I have lifeguard hours for every beach, apart from Castella’s. With children, choose an organised beach and check the day’s flag when you arrive. Where to stay near the sea is covered in hotels in Limassol. To compare them with the rest of the island, see Cyprus beaches.

If you would rather go at your own pace, see the car hire deals in Limassol: the earlier you book, the more cars are left to choose from.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Limassol for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.