Limassol, like the rest of Greece has a rich and diverse history which has left its mark on the country today.

The history of Limassol links largely to the events of 1191 A.D. when Richard the Lionheart, King of England took power of the land and crowned his fiancé in the area, while on a crusade to the Holy Land, Jerusalem.

Limassol sits between two ancient towns - Amathus and Curium. The history of Limassol says that the King of England arrived on the shores and asked for help from the Byzantine governor, Isaac Comnenus who agreed only later to change his mind; at this, the king chased him and killed him taking power over Cyprus, ending the Byzantine reign and changing Limassol history forever. Limassol is a great place for sightseeing with lots of history and is now the second largest settlement in Cyprus, after Richard the Lionheart destroyed Amathus and moved its people to Limassol.

There is a lot to do; step into the history of Limassol by visiting its 12th century castle with medieval museum. Its walls stand as an impressive testament to the past and is well worth a visit, as it is where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre. You can experience the history of Limassol throughout February as this is when the Kings carnival is held. The streets are decorated, music is played and a good time is had by all.

You could also visit the old historical fort and stop off at the picturesque harbor of Limassol. The harbor is next to it and is a great place for eating in Limassol.

Discover more about Limassol holidays with our guides to the right of the screen.