Entertainment In Limassol

Limassol is the centre of the wine trade and wine making in Cyprus. Every house in the old village used to have a winery and the owner would take great pride in inviting guests to sample his wine and appetisers. This hospitality is still a feature of modern day Limassol and the local people are proud of their busy and lively city. The highlight of the year is the annual wine festival, usually held in September, when free wine flows and local food can be sampled.

Eating out

There are plenty of restaurants and tavernas to suit most tastes including Italian, Mexican, Indian and Chinese. Those who like Mediterranean food will enjoy the traditional mezze restaurants in the town centre and in the eastern quarters. Nearer the beach, there are a number of restaurants that serve Greek food as well as European dishes. Seafood lovers should head for the fish tavernas dotted along the seafront.

Local cuisine

One of the best ways of enjoying genuine Cypriot food is by ordering mezze (snacks), which enables you to try a large selection of local dishes. Some of the specialities include stifado (a tasty stew of beef cooked with wine, onion and spices), dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice), tava (a stew of meat, herbs and onions) and of course, kebabs. For desert, try the loukoumades, which is a Cyprus doughnut made with honey syrup.

Theatre and music

Limassol has been very active over the last few years with the intention of making the city the cultural capital of Cyprus. The Limassol Philarmonic Orchestra can be heard at many of the events that are held throughout the year. If you happen to be in the city for the annual wine festival, there are a number of open-air music and dance performances. The plays held in the Kourion Amphitheatre, 10 miles west of Limassol, are highly recommended. Shakespeare and other classic plays are staged on the cliffs, with performances having a wonderful backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea.

Shopping

The main shopping areas in Limassol are on Anexartiatis and Agiou Andreou Streets and Makarios Avenue, where many prestigious boutiques and showrooms are located. There are also some excellent jewellery shops. If youre looking for local handicrafts then keep an eye out for the basketwork, silks, pottery, handmade lace, woven curtains and tablecloths. Jewellery is seen as an art in Cyprus and has been practised on the island since the Mycenean period. Silverware is also very popular and silver spoons and forks are a traditional symbol of Cypriot hospitality. Lefkara village (on the Nicosia to Limassol Road) is world famous for producing Lefkara lace, and is one of the products most closely associated with Cypriot workmanship.