City of Dreams – Mediterranean

One of Cyprus' most important city-kingdoms.

The ancient town of Amathous is situated on the south coast of Cyprus, about 7 km east of the town of Lemesos. Traces of the earliest human presence, dating to the Neolithic period, have been detected during archaeological excavations on the hills neighboring Amathous. During the Archaic period the town acquired special wealth as one of the Kingdoms of Cyprus, and had remarkable commercial relations both with the Aegean and the Syropalestinian coast. Amathous has not preserved a foundation legend. On the top of the hill of the acropolis, the Cypriot Goddess, named Aphrodite at least from the 4th c B.C., was worshipped. During the Persian occupation of the island, Amathous maintained a pro-Persian stance, a fact led to its siege by Onesilos of Salamis. The abolition of the Kingdom of Amathous, as well as of the other Kingdoms of Cyprus, at the end of the 4th c B.C (Hellenistic period), was due to the annexation of the island by the Ptolemies. Amathous enjoyed prosperity during the Antonine and Severan periods. Although the town survived the Arab raids of the mid 7th century A.D., it seems that it was definitely abandoned towards the end of the same century. The Department of Antiquities also focuses on the management, preservation and promotion of the archaeological site of Amathous, through the application of concrete strategies aiming at securing its sustainability and development.

Fasouri Watermania Waterpark is owned by Heaven’s Garden Waterpark Ltd, a member of the Lanitis Group of Companies. The vision of the Waterpark was born In 1998. In 1999, Fasouri Watermania started its operation for the first time on a 56.000 square meters (14 acres) of land. All construction was carried out having the protection of the environment in mind at all times. All equipment has been supplied by well-known international manufacturers and no aspects of safety were left to chance. In 2000, during our second year of operation, the park was expanded to include many new attractions and facilities. In 2003 we carried out another impressive expansion program, which further enhanced the Waterpark. We added the ‘Black Cannon’ slides to our already impressive array of attractions. We enriched the natural motif of the Waterpark with the addition of a Polynesian theme, which includes over 1.500 square meters of wooden pergolas. In 2007 Fasouri Watermania Waterpark has been awarded as Europe’s Leading Waterpark Attraction for the World Travel Awards, which is the biggest and the most prestigious awards program in the travel industry worldwide. Fasouri Watermania is presently the biggest Waterpark in Cyprus both in size (over 100.000 square meters – 25 acres) and number of attractions and facilities (with 30 different slides for all ages, two restaurants and three snack bars). We entertain thousands of local and tourist visitors every year. The Waterpark Fasouri Watermania is the ideal place for families, friends and children to spend a one-day outing, away from work troubles and paper loads. At Fasouri Watermania Waterpark we want you to enjoy being entertained in a safe, fun and relaxing environment. Get away from the hassle and bustle of the crowded city and join us for a unique thrilling experience. The Waterpark packs an impressive array of attractions, facilities and services. Dressed in a Polynesian theme, the Waterpark gives a tropical feeling to your experience. So…do yourself a favor this summer: Have some cool fun at the number one Waterpark in Cyprus, Fasouri Watermania! We look forward to making this an experience to remember!

After two years of hard work, the revamped Limassol Zoo was inaugurated in 2012. The zoo is one of the biggest in Europe and hosts beautiful and interesting animals, equally attractive to the public. The inauguration took place on 1 June 2012 by the Mayor of Limassol Andreas Christou, in the presence of a great number of distinguished guests. Ms Eliska Kubikova, the director of Jihlava Zoo, welcomed the opening of the LZ and expressed her excitement, wishing the best for this new project. Specially designed natural-looking habitats were created for all types of animals residing at the zoo. All species are well taken care of and are given the required attention and love, as well as proper nutrition. Guests can enjoy their stroll and grab the opportunity to take a close look at the animals in a pleasant environment, since all safety regulations are observed. In addition to the entertainment offered to the visitors, the LZ further participates, along with all the other zoos, in what is a zoo’s main mission, namely the research, protection, reproduction and release into the nature of endangered species. With the creation of a modern educational centre, visitors, especially children and students, are able to benefit from organized educational lectures, guided tours and updates relating to the animals, wildlife and fauna. By visiting this small modern Zoo, visitors will have the chance to view remarkable, beautiful and interesting animals, birds and reptiles from all continents. Pioneering signs have been created for all species, containing the most interesting information with regard to each animal. Educational animal feedings take place on a daily basis by caregivers, thus providing more information to visitors in relation to specific species of animals. The zoo includes a cafeteria called “Flamingo”, specially created for the recreation and relaxation of the visitors. The cafeteria offers unobstructed views to the sea, the greenery of the area and of course the flamingos! The modern playground and children’s corner with mini goats and sheep are sure to provide unforgettable moments to all young visitors.

Museum devoted to classic & collectible automobiles, including an early-20th-century Model T.

Lady’s Mile Beach An unspoiled and beautiful coastline. Located in Lemesos (Limassol), this 5 km coastal stretch of stunning, unspoiled sands and shallow waters runs along the east side of Akrotiri. The beach boasts dark grey sands and crystal-clear and calm seawaters, with the shallowest waters found at the southern end of the beach - where the dark grey sand turns a golden brown colour. Seashells can be found along the beach. Facilities on the beach include toilets, showers, changing rooms, sun beds, and umbrellas. Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April - October. The beach took its name from the mare of the governor during British rule, who used to ride along the beach. Today, the area is well-known locally for its restaurants of fresh fish and traditional Cypriot cuisine. Some of the restaurants offer their own additional facilities, including water inflatables and games for children. Around 1.5 km from the seashore you can see Akrotiri Salt Lake, a significant wetland in Europe, which attracts migrating birds, including flocks of vibrant pink flamingos and herons during the winter months. Further south of Lady’s Mile is the unspoiled area of Button Beach, where small coastal sand dunes have grown. The interesting Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas of the Cats - built in 365 - is also located nearby. Access is easy by foot, bike, bus or car, with car-parking available.

Akrotiri Environmental Education and Information Centre Situated at Akrotiri Village, the Centre has been operating since October 2004 with the purpose to promote the unique environmental and cultural significance of Akrotiri Peninsula through programmes and exhibits. The Centre consists of an exhibition room, library, projection room and wildlife observation kiosk and offers educational programmes for schools on the history and habitat of the region. Visitors can view exhibits related to the protected Akrotiri peninsula, the geological formation of the region and can admire the view of the nearby Salt Lake. Region: Lemesos (Limassol) Address: Akrotiri Village, 14km west of Lemesos Contact No: Tel.: +357 25 826 562, Fax: +357 25 826 563 Operating Hours: Monday - Friday and Sunday: 08:00 - 15:00 Saturday: Closed Operating Period: All year round. Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox). Entrance Fee: Free. Disabled Access: Offers facilities for the disabled. Website: www.akrotirienvironment.com Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

Birthplace of Aphrodite - Petra tou Romiou Aphrodite’s mythical birthplace ‘Petra tou Romiou’ is an interesting geological formation of huge rocks along one of the most beautiful coastlines on the island, located on the southwest coast of the Pafos (Paphos) district. According to the legend, the Ancient Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty - Aphrodite - was born of the sea foam here. Legend tells that she rose from the waves and was escorted on a shell to this particular beach. The giant rock formations, which are seen at the same location are linked with another - more recent - legend which tells that the Byzantine hero Digenis Akritas heaved them there to keep the Saracens Arabs (7th-10th centuries) at bay. The name of Petra tou Romiou (‘rock of the Greek’ in Greek) comes from the hero. It is said that in certain weather conditions, the waves rise, break and form a column of water that dissolves into a pillar of foam. With imagination, this momentarily looks like an ephemeral, evanescent human shape. Other popular myths tell that swimming around the rock three times will bring various blessings, including eternal youth and beauty, good luck, fertility and true love. The site is linked to the Aphrodite Cultural Route.

A project started with Mr Christos Christoforou’s love of Birds & Wildlife. The Zoo was originally going to be used to house Mr Christoforou’s enormous collection of Birds, but he decided to open the Zoo to the public, so that they may also enjoy the splendours of his collection & it would also be a unique Zoo in Cyprus.Mr Christoforou’s other aim was to educate the local community about the importance of caring & conserving all wildlife. The Zoo took approximately 3 years to complete & it was finally open to the public in September 2003. ‍ Pafos Zoo was the first established and biggest licensed zoo in Cyprus, and is set in a lush and unspoiled natural environment of more than 100.000 sq.m. One of the island’s leading tourist attraction. Its home to an extensive variety of birds and animals from every corner of the planet. The collection of parrots and venomous snakes is one of the largest in Europe! Pafos Zoo offers a great wildlife experience and we are situated just a few minutes from Pafos. Come and meet all the residents: giraffe, monkeys, meerkats, crocodile, kangaroos, albino wallabies, mouflon, white lions, tigers and many more. Don’t leave out the performers: the brightly-coloured macaws and the smart owls. They will amaze you with their clever and amusing tricks that they perform everyday in the Amphitheatre. Spend a perfect day surrounded by the magical sounds and colours of nature. Enrich your senses in this beautiful environment of lakes, ponds and gardens.