Limassol Cruise Ship Port Guide, Cyprus

Cruise ships pull straight up to the DP World Limassol terminal on the southern coast of Cyprus, and from there it’s a short taxi or bus hop to the Old Town and marina. There’s no tender involved, the small boat some ports use to ferry you ashore, because ships berth right at the pier here. Paphos and Larnaca airports both sit about an hour away by road.

The terminal itself is modern and functional rather than the sort of historic harbour you might picture, which means the interest starts once you’re through the gates, not before. This guide covers the layout with a port map, plus what’s worth doing ashore if you’ve only got a few hours to spend.

Port of Limassol: Key Facts at a Glance

Limassol is Cyprus’s main cruise gateway, sat on the island’s southern coast and ranked among the busier ports in the Mediterranean. DP World Limassol, a global port operator, runs both the harbour and the passenger terminal building.

Limassol Cruise Terminal Facilities

As Cyprus’s main cruise port, Limassol is built around a 7,000 square metre terminal with two quays, the North Quay at 480 metres and the East Quay at 380 metres, both long enough to take the largest ships currently sailing. The building’s split into several passenger pods, which is the terminal’s way of trying to stop everyone queuing at once on busy call days.

Inside there are public phones, currency exchange, cash machines, a tourist information desk and a duty free shop, handy if you need euros or last minute essentials before you head into town.

Limassol Cruise Port Map and Getting to the Old Town

Distance estimates for the walk into the Old Town wobble depending on who you ask, most put it at 3 to 5 kilometres, though one source claims 10, so it’s worth budgeting up to 30 minutes rather than banking on the shorter figure. This is a working commercial port rather than a pretty harbourside one, so you can’t just stroll out of the gates into town. You’ll need some form of transport to get there.

• Bus 30 runs between the port and the old port area near the marina. Cash only, so keep some coins handy.
• Taxis wait right outside the terminal and get you into the centre in about 7 to 10 minutes.
• Walking takes around 30 minutes, but it’s a working port, not a coastal path, so most people skip it.

How Far Is Paphos Airport from Limassol Cruise Port?

Estimates for this route sit somewhere between 60 and 70 kilometres (37 to 43 miles), with a drive of around 40 to 55 minutes along the A6 motorway when traffic behaves.

The catch is there’s no direct bus between Paphos Airport and the terminal. Public transport means a change at Karavella Bus Station and can eat up close to two hours door to door, which is why most independent travellers book a taxi or a private transfer ahead of time rather than gamble on the bus.

Getting from Larnaca Airport to Limassol Cruise Port

Larnaca Airport is a touch further out, with most estimates putting the distance at 65 to 70 kilometres (around 42 to 44 miles) and a driving time of 45 to 65 minutes, traffic depending.

Same story as Paphos, no direct bus. Public transport routes via Larnaca’s Foinikoudes and Larnaca Marina area and takes roughly two and a half hours, so unless a cruise line transfer is picking you up, a taxi or pre-arranged transfer is the safer bet.

Getting Around Cyprus: Taxi, Shuttle, Bus or Car Hire

Working out how to get around for your day ashore usually comes down to four options, each with its own trade offs.

Things to Do in Limassol from the Cruise Port

With a full day ashore, most people head straight for the Old Town, a warren of narrow streets, traditional houses and small shops built around medieval Limassol Castle, said to be where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre. The castle now houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum.

From there it’s a short stroll to Limassol Marina, where you can wander past yachts and waterfront cafes, then carry on along the landscaped Molos Promenade, which runs along the seafront with art installations and green space.

• Ladies Mile Beach, the closest beach to the terminal, a long stretch of pebble and sand between the new port and a military base. Good for a swim if you’ve packed some reef safe sunscreen.
• Kolossi Castle, a 13th century fortified tower once used by the Knights Hospitaller, around 15 minutes’ drive from the port.
• Kourion, a UNESCO protected archaeological site with Greco-Roman ruins, best explored in a pair of comfortable walking shoes given the uneven ground.
• Paradox Museum Limassol, home to more than 50 optical illusion displays, a good option if the midday heat or a rainy spell keeps you off the streets.
• Omodos, a wine producing village in the Troodos Mountains, roughly an hour’s drive and a popular shore excursion for those with more time.

Cruises to Limassol and Cyprus Itineraries

Limassol usually turns up on Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, often paired with Paphos on the same cruise, so it’s worth checking our Paphos cruise ship port guide if your trip calls at both. Some routes carry on west into the Mediterranean cruise ports in Turkey, including the Çeşme cruise ship port guide.

Cruise passenger numbers to Cyprus can swing about a fair bit year to year, and the country recorded the largest year on year drop in cruise passengers of any EU nation recently, according to Eurostat. So it’s worth confirming your itinerary rather than assuming Limassol will definitely be on the schedule. Overall tourist arrivals to the island have been climbing, though, and the UK remains Cyprus’s single largest source of visitors according to the Cyprus Statistical Service, so British cruise passengers are hardly a novelty here.

• Confirm whether your call is a transit stop or a turnaround, meaning the start or end of the cruise, as this affects how much time you’ll have ashore.
• Check if Limassol and Paphos both appear on your itinerary, since transport links between the two are straightforward.
• Ask your cruise line whether an airport transfer is included, given the lack of direct public transport from either Cyprus airport.

Limassol Hafen: Auf Deutsch

Der Kreuzfahrthafen von Limassol, bekannt als Limassol Hafen, liegt an der Südküste Zyperns und wird von DP World Limassol betrieben. Schiffe legen direkt am Kai an, ein Tender ist nicht notwendig. Die Altstadt und die Marina liegen etwa 3 bis 5 Kilometer entfernt, erreichbar mit dem Bus, Taxi oder einem vorab gebuchten Transfer.

Common Questions

Do cruise ships tender into Limassol?

No. Ships dock straight at the pier at the DP World Limassol terminal, so there’s no tender involved in getting ashore.

How far is Limassol Old Town from the cruise terminal?

Most estimates put it at around 3 to 5 kilometres, roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive, though give yourself a bit longer if traffic’s heavy.

How far is Paphos Airport from Limassol cruise port?

Around 60 to 70 kilometres by road, roughly 40 to 55 minutes by car. There’s no direct bus, so a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the sensible choice.

How far is Larnaca Airport from Limassol cruise port?

Roughly 65 to 70 kilometres, around 45 to 65 minutes by car depending on traffic. Same as Paphos, no direct bus link.

Can I walk from the terminal into Limassol?

You can, in around 30 minutes, but it’s a working port area rather than a scenic route, so most people take the bus or a taxi instead.

Is there a shuttle bus at Limassol cruise port?

Bus 30 connects the port area to the old port near the marina. It’s cash only but a straightforward way into the centre.

What currency is used in Limassol?

Cyprus uses the euro. Carry some cash for the bus, since not every service takes cards.

Is Limassol Castle worth visiting?

Yes. The medieval castle sits at the heart of the Old Town and now houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum, with a history that ties back to Richard the Lionheart’s wedding.

What’s the best short excursion from Limassol port?

Kourion and Kolossi Castle are both easy to reach in a few hours, while Omodos suits anyone with a longer day ashore.

Why Trust About2Cruise

We research and cross-check port information from operator sources and independent travel guides, so UK cruise passengers can plan a Limassol day ashore around realistic distances and transport expectations rather than one unverified figure someone posted online. You can read more about how we put our guides together on our about us page.