Limassol Castle sits in the heart of the old town, a few steps from the old port, and it is the obvious starting point for a day in the city. The present castle was built in the thirteenth century on the site of an earlier Byzantine fortress, then expanded by the Venetians, who strengthened its walls against pirates. Legend says that Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre in its chapel in 1191, during the Third Crusade. The Ottomans took the castle in 1570 and used it as a garrison and prison, and under British rule it served as a police station. Today it houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum, run by the Department of Antiquities, with a compact collection of medieval pottery, carved tombstones, silver plates of the Byzantine era, weapons, crosses and coins displayed in vaulted stone halls. Entry costs a small fee, and the museum is open all year except on public holidays. We link to the official Visit Cyprus page.
How it works: the castle stands at the corner of Richardou and Berengarias streets, near the old port. Opening hours are nine to five on weekdays and ten to five at weekends, and the museum closes on public holidays, so check before visiting around Christmas and New Year. Tickets are sold at the door, and the Department of Antiquities multi-day cards are accepted.
What to expect: the visit takes under an hour. The vaulted ground floor and upper rooms hold the museum’s displays, and a staircase leads up to the roof, where you look out over the old town’s rooftops, minarets and church domes to the port and the sea. The surrounding lanes are full of cafés, tavernas and small bars, especially around the castle square and the old carob mill complex nearby.
Making the most of it: visit in the morning, then walk down to the old port and along the seafront promenade toward the marina. In the evening, come back to the old town for dinner, when the streets around the castle are at their liveliest. Combine it with a Kourion visit for a full Limassol history day.
What to expect
The experience
A compact state museum inside a medieval castle, with vaulted display halls and a rooftop viewpoint over Limassol old town.
Best time
Weekday mornings, before strolling down to the old port and the seafront for lunch.
How long
Under an hour for the museum and the roof, longer if you linger in the surrounding old town.
Tips
Check for public holiday closures in late December and early January, and wear shoes with grip for the stone stairs.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors to Limassol who want the city’s story in an hour before exploring the old town.
- Families
- Children enjoy the armour, the narrow stairs and the views from the roof, and the visit is short enough to hold their attention.
- Couples
- Combine it with an evening stroll through the old town lanes and dinner near the castle square.
- Pair with
- The Troodos food and wine tour from Limassol, or a seafront walk to Limassol Marina.
- Time needed
- About an hour, or half a day with the old town.
Good questions
Is Limassol Castle open in winter?+
Yes, the museum is open all year, from nine to five on weekdays and ten to five at weekends. It closes on public holidays, so check around Christmas and New Year.
Did Richard the Lionheart really marry in Limassol Castle?+
Tradition says Richard married Berengaria of Navarre in the castle chapel in 1191. The castle you see today was largely built later, on the site of the earlier fortress.
What is in the Cyprus Medieval Museum?+
Medieval pottery, carved tombstones, Byzantine-era silver plates, weapons, crosses and coins. The collection is compact and well displayed in the vaulted halls.
How much does it cost?+
Entry is a small fee paid at the door, with reductions for groups. Department of Antiquities multi-day cards cover it along with Kourion and the Paphos sites.
Can you go up on the roof?+
Yes, stairs lead up to the roof terrace, which has wide views over the old town and the port. The steps are steep and uneven, so take care.
