Limassol wasn’t the plan. The plan was Athens. Then someone told us Cyprus in August was the kind of Mediterranean secret people don’t share and we changed the flight. Three months later we understood why.
An astounding collection of archaeological treasures. Perfect waters for snorkeling. A pace of life the rest of Europe seems to have forgotten.
Finding a long-stay apartment in Limassol
We stayed in Limassol, close enough to the sea to feel it, close enough to the old town to walk it. Cyprus apartments are built for the heat. Tile floors, air conditioning that actually works, shutters on every window. In August that infrastructure is not optional.
We also got the unexpected joy of taking care of Mr. Max the cat during our stay. He will forever have a place in our hearts. Walter and Olive tolerated him admirably.
Living in Limassol
Limassol is a long coastal strip with a proper old town in the middle. The old town near the medieval castle is Limassol’s cultural heart. The marina is modern. The Molos promenade runs along the sea for three kilometers and is where the entire city walks at sunset.
We fed a lot of stray kitties during our three months. Cyprus is a country full of them, and once you start feeding one, you’re feeding all of them. We were fine with that arrangement.
A typical day in Limassol
Morning swim before it got too hot. Coffee at a Greek-style kafeneio. Afternoons at the apartment because 3 PM in August is not for humans. Evenings at Molos with everyone else in the city, then dinner somewhere with grilled halloumi and a cold beer.
Weekends were road trips. Rented a car and drove around the island on the opposite side of the road and the wrong side of the car. Snorkeling at the Blue Lagoon was one of the most beautiful things we’d ever done. We also drove into the highly controversial territory of Northern Cyprus. Crossing the border in Nicosia is fascinating. Churches replaced with mosques. Signs in different writing. The buffer zone is a strip of no more than 30 meters, patrolled by UN peacekeepers. A sobering reminder that some divisions haven’t healed. Northern Cyprus itself has crystal blue waters we thoroughly enjoyed swimming in.
Limassol: our verdict after 3 months of living there
Limassol works best as a long stay because it’s not a highlight city. There’s no Louvre. There’s no bucket list attraction. What there is: sea, sun, warm nights, a real local rhythm, and food you’ll think about after you leave.
If you want a Mediterranean base for a few months of remote work and slow living, Cyprus is a strong answer more people should be considering.
Limassol long-stay stats
- Duration: Three months, summer into autumn
- Cost tier: Mid-range
- Walkability: Good in the center
- Wifi: Reliable
- Cat-friendly: Extremely (see: Mr. Max)
- Best for: Long stays, sun people, sea swimmers, cat rescuers
- Would return: Yes, ideally in June
Book the stay: Our Limassol apartment on Airbnb →
