Best things to do in Limassol

Fasouri Watermania Water Park claims to have the biggest wave pool in Europe and ranks as the largest water park in Cyprus. Spread across 10 hectares (25 acres) of Polynesian-themed gardens, the park has 30 slides and attractions plus seven shaded venues for resting, dining, and enjoying a drink. You'll find 2,000 beach chairs scattered throughout the park. This action-packed park allows you to reach speeds of over 50 km/h (30 mph) at a six-story drop; climb ropes, bridges, and slippery walls; and zoom through twists and turns in complete darkness. Or jump in a cannon, where you'll be shot out into a pool.

Wander into Ancient Roman and Byzantine ruins at Kourion for a look at the remains of houses, monuments, markets, baths, and an intact 3,500-seat theater. Although the site had been inhabited in Neolithic times from five millennia BCE, the town is believed to date back to the 13th century BCE. It supported an uprising against Persia in the 4th century BCE and was used by Alexander the Great. See mosaic floors from the 3rd and 4th centuries CE, private residences of the rich dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries CE, and a 5th century CE early Christian basilica at the site.

The robust cubical Kolossi Castle represents a Gothic military structure of the Middle Ages, with a Luisignan coat of arms carved into its walls. Originally built around 1210, the exact edifice that you can see today was completed in 1454. Some of the 13th-century fragments are still at the site. Standing 21 m (69 ft) tall, the castle contains storerooms at the ground floor, a kitchen on the second floor, and living quarters in the upper section. At one time the complex also featured sugarcane production facilities. Look south to see a courtyard building and ruins of what's thought to have been a stable or storehouse.

Nestled right among upbeat cafes and restaurants, Limassol Castle stands tall, reminiscent of the days of the Byzantine Kingdom, Lusignan rulers, and King Richard the Lionheart. Believed to have been built over an early Christian basilica, the present-day edifice dates back to the year 1590. Burned and looted by the Genoese, the Egyptians, and the Venetians, and shaken by powerful earthquakes, the castle was finally rebuilt by the Ottomans and served as a prison until 1950. Today you can visit a medieval museum inside the castle, with exhibits depicting the economic, social, and cultural development of Cyprus from the 3rd to the 18th century.

See 90 species of mammals, reptiles, and birds at Limassol Zoo. The animals hail from Europe, Africa, Asia, America, and Australia. Nestled in a small subtropical garden at the center of Limassol, the zoo is steps away from the sea and tourist facilities. Completely renovated and reopened in 2012, it features a range of different habitats in a very compact space of 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres). See animals such as monkeys, llamas, meerkat, caimans, kangaroos, frilled dragons, giant turtles, fish, and swans, among others. You can watch animal feedings throughout the day.

Nestled on a sandy, pebbled seashore, Pissouri Beach features beach chairs, water sports, and spacious areas for walking and relaxing in the sun. In addition to swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the warm sands, you can water ski, windsurf, sail, and paraglide here. The beach is 1.5 km (0.9 mi) long and up to 90 m (300 ft) wide, and it's far less crowded than the main beaches of Cyprus. Lined with palm trees and greenery, it provides a bit of shade to cool off, which you can do while sipping on a  drink from one of the beachside venues.

Walk along Promenade, a seaside spot amidst subtropical vegetation featuring decorative fountains and bars. Situated near popular tourist facilities, the site features a large park that provides much-needed shade during sunny days. Popular among families and outdoor-lovers, the park also has playgrounds and long paths where you can jog, roller skate, or bike. Take a break on a bench while drinking a freshly squeezed orange juice from one of the stands or capture the wide views of the Mediterranean Sea.