← Larnaca Marathon·1 night

Limassol: One Night on the Molos

A single night on Limassol's flat seafront promenade, with an old port, a medieval castle and a Monday dinner at a taverna that shuts on Sundays.

Duration1 night
TransitIntercity bus, about 1 hr 30 min from Larnaka (Nikolaidis building)
DepartsLarnaka Nikolaidis bus station

After the Larnaca Marathon: Limassol

The Route: Larnaka → Limassol → Larnaca Airport Logistics: Intercity bus from Larnaka, about 1 hr 30 min, then a short walk or taxi to the hotel. The Limassol Airport Express serves Larnaca Airport for the journey home. Marathon Month: November Duration: 1 night

Larnaka Nikolaidis ──(about 1 hr 30 min Intercity bus)──> Limassol ──(walk or taxi)──> Molos / Old Port
                                                                                              │
                  Larnaca Airport (LCA) ◄──(Limassol Airport Express, check timetable)───────┘

Limassol makes a sensible single night after the Larnaca Marathon because it removes the decisions. One bus takes you there, the seafront walk is flat, and the old port and castle sit within the same few streets.

November in Limassol: this is a working seafront city in the off-season, and the promenade is quiet enough to walk at a slow pace. In most years the days are mild enough that a light jacket will do, though conditions vary and showers are possible. Check the forecast the evening before.

The Intercity bus to Limassol leaves from the Nikolaidis building in Larnaka and takes about 1 hr 30 min, with several departures during the day. Ask your hotel to confirm the nearest stop and whether a taxi from the stop is simpler with luggage. Check intercity-buses.com for the current timetable and fare.

Night one: the Molos and the Old Port

Limassol's main walking asset is the Molos, the seafront promenade, which is paved, level and lined with benches. A tired runner can walk it in short sections and sit between them. The Prokymea sculpture park runs along the promenade and is open air, so there is no ticket and no schedule to plan around.

The Limassol Medieval Castle stands near the Old Port, on Richardou and Berengarias. It opens Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and on Sundays from 10:00 to 13:00, with an entry fee of about €4.50, though winter hours can differ, so check before you walk over. The interior has steps, which is a reason to visit on the Monday rather than the Sunday of the race.

For a hotel, Old Port Hotel, at 7–9 Dimitri Mitropoulou, sits close to the Old Port and the castle. It is a boutique property with its own café and bar, so ask about room position if you want a quiet night. NYX Hotel Limassol, at the corner of Anexartisias and Christodoulou Hadjipavlou, publishes a distance of 100 metres to the Molos promenade, 750 metres to the castle and 800 metres to the marina. Breakfast starts at 07:00 and checkout is at noon, which suits a late morning on legs that need it.

Eat at Meze Taverna, at Agiou Andreou 209, which is closed on Sundays and takes kitchen orders from 12:15 to 21:45 on Monday to Saturday. Monday evening is a good fit, and booking directly is wise. If you prefer to stay near the hotel, Jam Restaurant Café, attached to Old Port Hotel, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an all-week brunch.

Getting to Larnaca Airport

For the flight home, the Limassol Airport Express runs to Larnaca Airport (LCA), with a published adult fare of €10 at the time of writing. The route stops at the Agios Georgios Havouzas station in the city, and the timetable should be checked with the operator the day before. Allow more time than you think you need for a Tuesday morning flight, and keep your seat reservation or ticket on your phone.