Limassol, Kolosi Castle and Salt Lake

Limassol: Where history comes alive

Limassol immediately catches your eye with its combination of history and modern atmosphere. The second largest city of Cyprus is located on the southern coast and has a rich history dating back to ancient times.

The incredible city of Limassol was once known as Neapolis, which means “New Town” in ancient times. Furthermore, in the Middle Ages, the city played an important role when it was conquered by King Richard the Lionheart of England during the Crusades—what an exciting time for Limassol! But wait, there’s more! Limassol is also associated with the Templars, who built their base here. As you stroll through the historic center, you’ll come across the incredible Limassol Castle, where legend has it that Richard the Lionheart tied the knot with his wife, Berengaria of Navarre, in 1191! Today, the castle is home to a fantastic medieval museum where you can explore a wealth of fascinating artifacts from different periods.

Kolosi Castle

To the south-west of Limassol, you will find the imposing Kolosi Castle, one of the most important monuments in Cyprus. Notably, the castle dates back to the 13th century and was built by the Knights of St. John. Furthermore, its strategic value is evidenced by the fact that the castle served as the headquarters of several crusader orders.

The castle is open every day until 18:30 and the entrance fee is 2 € per adult, children are free. You have access not only to the castle but also to the top itself.

Castle and its chambers

You will not find any decorations or furniture in the castle; only the bare and cold walls are a reminder of its strength and indomitability. In fact, this austerity only reflects its importance and influence.

If you’ve seen or read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, pay close attention. You have the opportunity to try your hand at hopscotch powder and teleporting. Where will it be ?

These were exactly the thoughts and words of the children when they saw the old fireplace. It looked just like the one at Hogwarts .

Once you’ve had your fill, you can head to the top. Narrow, winding stairs are just the thing for people with vertigo like me, but luckily there aren’t many of them. It’s manageable.

Upstairs, you’ll find an amazing open rooftop with absolutely breathtaking panoramic views of the entire surrounding area! That said, just a word of caution, especially if you’re going with little ones—there are no barriers, so be careful!

Area

Various buildings await you on the castle grounds. Martin was particularly attracted by the dairy, which was used for milk processing, especially for the production of the legendary Cypriot cheese. It looked like something more mysterious and dark .

In the past, Kolosi Castle was also an important centre for the production of the famous Commandaria wine of Cyprus, which can now be enjoyed in the nearby vineyards.

The area is very compact and quiet, allowing you to sit on a bench and soak up the wonderful atmosphere. However, the only thing it lacks is any cafeteria, restaurant, or shop nearby where we could buy ice cream for the kids. Unfortunately, there was nothing proper in the area. Still, there was hardly anyone in the castle either and that’s a shame.

How to get here?

If you have a car, there is a parking lot right in front of the castle and Google Maps works perfectly. From Limassol, you are here in about 6 minutes.

If you go by bus, the journey is a bit longer. Specifically, from Limassol, you can get to Kolosi Castle by bus 16, which runs from the center of Limassol directly to the castle. Moreover, the line departs from various points in the center, including the Old Hospital bus station. In total, the journey takes about 20-25 minutes.

Limassol Salt Lake

Just a few kilometers west of Limassol is the incredible Limassol Salt Lake! Moreover, this truly spectacular natural area becomes home to thousands of flamingos in winter. However, in summer, you would look for them here in vain. During the summer, the hot weather causes the saltwater to evaporate, creating a unique white surface covered in salt.

Weaker markings

Right from the start, it should be said that it is not easy to get to the lake. In fact, the road goes around it, but from a greater distance. As a result, it took us longer to find a place from where we could start our journey to the lake. Eventually, we parked a short distance from the turnoff to the cat sanctuary and continued on the dirt road from there.

After a few minutes it was over and we got a more distant view of the lake.

We still had no idea where we would get closer and whether or not there was a path through the bushes, as there were almost no signs. Although we did come across two signs, there are so many beaten paths here that it doesn’t help you much. Along the way, however, the army gave us a gift that the kids and Daddy were blown away by.

The take-off and overflight of two fighters was simply exhilarating! We have never seen or heard them so close before. Undoubtedly, it was an incredible experience!

After a short interlude, we set off in search of the right route and managed to reach the lake. At first, the ground was covered with black, dried soil sprinkled with bits of white salt. The kids were in a hurry as everything indicated that we were in for a luxurious sunset.

A lake like from another planet

And so it was! The sun was absolutely incredible! Surrounded by the white salt, it created the perfect contrast, making the scene even more breathtaking. We were completely awestruck by the sheer beauty of our surroundings, soaking it all in until the sun finally set. What an unforgettable moment!

Only then did we finally start to look around. Naturally, the first thing we did was have an IG photo shoot with the teenage kids .

White was all around us, and tiny puddles, which had formed a lake only a few months ago, mirrored the sun’s last rays, further enhancing the magical atmosphere of the place. The whole scene felt like something from another world. Simply surreal!

After spending about half an hour soaking in the beauty, it dawned on us that we needed to head back. Since there were no signs and the bushes were quite dense, we weren’t confident we’d retrace our steps. At that point, we decided to split up and search the area, and fortunately, we eventually spotted the beginning of the dirt road. Crisis averted!

The principle is simple: you need to head towards the trees and then search for a path weaving through them. Feeling both tired and satisfied, we hopped in the car and set off for our accommodation.

What else to see in and around Limassol?

There is just so much to explore around Limassol! While we didn’t manage to see everything, we still had an amazing time. We were especially hoping to visit Lady’s Mile Beach, which a local had recommended, as well as Akrotiri Sand Dunes Beach. The kids were super excited to visit the Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats, but unfortunately, it was already closed. We can’t wait to go back and finish our adventure!

While you’re in the area, don’t miss the beautiful Governor’s Beach and the historic sites of Kourion and Amathous.