Limassol, Cyprus Tour Excursion Question

[KWW88]

Cruise next year includes a stop in Limassol.  By the time we get there, will have seen the ruins in several Greece and Turkey locations, Jewish and Christian sites in Jerusalem and Haifa.  So my question is, we can book a 4x4 Jeep in the Cyprus countryside;  Kouris Dam, Village of Lofou, Mesa Potamos and ends with a stop at a local winery.  If you have done this was it worth it or would our time be better off in the city, just seems like such a fun way to spend the last day of our cruise on land.  Very interested to get your thoughts, open to suggestions.  We then have 2 days at sea before arriving back to Rome.   

[cruisemom42]

What are your other options?  

 

Limassol is a kind of dusty, not very pretty city. But there are a number of destinations around Cyprus that are really pretty and also interesting from a historical standpoint. 

 

Is there an excursion to Paphos?  That combines some pretty scenery (rocky promontories, pretty beaches) with some really gorgeous Roman-era mosaics. 

 

Kourion is another pretty setting of ruins and mosaics, not as far as Paphos.   https://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/rural/sites-monuments/item/2403-kourion-mosaics

 

I may not represent the majority opinions because tours of small villages (absent any historical setting) don't tend to appeal to me much. But by all means don't just plan to walk around Limassol or see its sites -- you'll be missing the best part of the island.

[KWW88]

5 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

What are your other options?  

 

Limassol is a kind of dusty, not very pretty city. But there are a number of destinations around Cyprus that are really pretty and also interesting from a historical standpoint. 

 

Is there an excursion to Paphos?  That combines some pretty scenery (rocky promontories, pretty beaches) with some really gorgeous Roman-era mosaics. 

 

Kourion is another pretty setting of ruins and mosaics, not as far as Paphos.   https://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/rural/sites-monuments/item/2403-kourion-mosaics

 

I may not represent the majority opinions because tours of small villages (absent any historical setting) don't tend to appeal to me much. But by all means don't just plan to walk around Limassol or see its sites -- you'll be missing the best part of the island.

There are several options:

 

- Ancient Curium & Kolossi Castle

- Nicosia - Last Divided City

- Nicosia Highlights

- Journey to Paphos

- Walk Through Limassol

- Spirit of Cyprus Mountain Villages

 

[iancal]

On our fall trip prior pre  covid we spent two weeks in Cyprus. First time.   We did not spend any time in Limassol but we did go to Kourion, just outside town.   We were six days in Paphos,  six  in Protaras, and two in the mountains.  Rental car for the entire time to tour.

 

IF we had one day to spend and were not interested in visiting ruins we would rent a car.  Drive through mountains, perhaps stop at a vineyard.  Then we would drive into Nicosia, park, and see the city on our own.   Take your  passports so that you can pass into the Turkish section and spend a short time wandering about.   Then return to Limossol via the highway...much faster and very good highway all the way.

 

IF we had extra time still and were interested in a small museum, we would highly recommend an hour in the Nicosia museum..if only to see the beautiful gold jewelry.

 

For beaches, it is short drive to Paphos on a divided highway.

 

These are all very doable on your own and will allow you to move about on your own.

 

IF you decide to rent a car you will need to present an international drivers license.  

Edited April 10, 2021 by iancal

[KWW88]

41 minutes ago, iancal said:

On our fall trip prior pre  covid we spent two weeks in Cyprus. First time.   We did not spend any time in Limassol but we did go to Kourion, just outside town.   We were six days in Paphos,  six  in Protaras, and two in the mountains.  Rental car for the entire time to tour.

 

IF we had one day to spend and were not interested in visiting ruins we would rent a car.  Drive through mountains, perhaps stop at a vineyard.  Then we would drive into Nicosia, park, and see the city on our own.   Take your  passports so that you can pass into the Turkish section and spend a short time wandering about.   Then return to Limossol via the highway...much faster and very good highway all the way.

 

IF we had extra time still and were interested in a small museum, we would highly recommend an hour in the Nicosia museum..if only to see the beautiful gold jewelry.

 

For beaches, it is short drive to Paphos on a divided highway.

 

These are all very doable on your own and will allow you to move about on your own.

 

IF you decide to rent a car you will need to present an international drivers license.  

Thanks very much for the detailed information!  There look to be two nice full tours, one of Paphos and one of Nicosia, we will only be in port 8am - 4pm and each tour is 6 hours duration.  With that timeframe in mind, which would you suggest?

[iancal]

We would choose   Nicosia.  Take your passport.

 

Especially if you get time to walk around on your own. Too bad your time in port is so short.

Edited April 10, 2021 by iancal

[Bruin Steve]

I was considering the 4x4 thing as well...though not all that thrilled about visiting a dam.  Last time we were there, we did a tour to Paphos...and the 4x4 thing sounded, at least, different...

 

We'd take a private tour or do our own thing except we have WAY TOO MUCH OBC to spend...and even doing the most expensive shore excursion everywhere won't use it up...And there is little else to spend it on with Premium Drinks, Streaming WiFi and gratuities all included...

[KWW88]

7 minutes ago, Bruin Steve said:

I was considering the 4x4 thing as well...though not all that thrilled about visiting a dam.  Last time we were there, we did a tour to Paphos...and the 4x4 thing sounded, at least, different...

 

We'd take a private tour or do our own thing except we have WAY TOO MUCH OBC to spend...and even doing the most expensive shore excursion everywhere won't use it up...And there is little else to spend it on with Premium Drinks, Streaming WiFi and gratuities all included...

We decided on the full day in Nicosia.  This cruise is kind of a whet your appetite to get a flavor of the Turkey, Cyprus and Israel.  Next year we are planning a 3 week land trip so wanted to get a lay of the land(s) so to speak.

Edited April 10, 2021 by KWW88

[iancal]

We decided to go to Cyprus while we were in the middle of a land trip.  Enjoyed it so much that we plan to go back but this time will include a week in the Turkish side.  

 

What surprised us?  The huge difference in temperature from the beach to the hills.  And driving round the corner of a mountain road and seeing a chair lift operated the Cyprus Ski Club.

[cruisemom42]

5 hours ago, iancal said:

We would choose   Nicosia.  Take your passport.

 

Especially if you get time to walk around on your own. Too bad your time in port is so short.

 

And I would choose Paphos. Different strokes -- which is why it can be difficult to make recommendations for others.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

We did Spanos Buses Cyprus "Limassol Highlights and Traditional-Modern Cyprus Tour in Oct 2019 

it was disappointing, when we book the bus was to seat only 25 and they put over 54 on the bus

that main people is a waste of time