Limassol is geographically the largest city in Cyprus, but second largest based on population. Its location on the southern coast of the island means it enjoys a typical, Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The popular summer months see hot days and balmy nights, while the slightly chillier winter months see mild days and moderate rainfall. The predictability of the weather in such a stable climate should make it easy for you to choose when to visit and the resort is popular for many months of the year.
Limassol is Cyprus' main industrial area and port. Its importance in Mediterranean trade routes was originally a factor in making Limassol such a popular holiday destination. However, it is the clear skies and high heat of the long summers, the turquoise waters and lovely beaches which now make it a classic choice.
Limassol is the largest seaside resort in Cyprus and claims the best nightlife. Nonetheless, the city has still been able to uphold many traditions of Cypriote life: religious festivals and meze restaurants with sprawling outdoor seating. However, you won't be the first to discover Limassol and you will have to enjoy the sights and customs amongst the tourist crowds unless you prefer to visit slightly out of season. Nearby Larnaca and Ayia Napa are also popular resorts and offer holidaymakers different experiences depending on whether the beach, country walks, good food or nightlife is your priority or a mixture of all!
Summer Weather in Limassol
Summer, as in most Mediterranean destinations, is the longest season with average high temperatures in the 20°Cs lasting all the way from May until October. Water activities provide cooling breaks which can feel essential in the peak months as temperatures in Limassol can often reach the mid-30°Cs. Rainfall is scarce, with a maximum of 4mm of rain per month from June to September, picking up slightly in May and October.
June, July, August and September see average highs between 27°C and 29°C. May and October have less severe highs around 24-25°C. Due to its proximity to the sea Limassol is slightly cooler than in-land areas. Like many Mediterranean coastal resorts, the area is cooled by evening sea breezes which offer much needed relief from the daytime heat. Evening temperatures cool off pleasantly to 20°C at the beginning and end of the season but in the peak months of July and August they stay around 22-23°C. In combination with the area's low humidity, this level of heat is generally not uncomfortable. Moreover, these mild nights allow for fun to extend long past sundown.
Summer days see many hours of sunshine beginning with 10 hours a day from May and continuing through until October. Sunshine levels peak in June and July at 12 hours per day so sun-lotion is a must! Limassol is known for its famous wine festivals held in August so this is a popular time to visit. The temperatures can soar into the high 30s at this time so a hat, sunscreen and lightweight clothing will be needed. Taking a dip in the sea will be glorious, but not necessarily that refreshing, as sea temperatures hover around 26-27°C this season.
Winter Weather in Limassol
After a short autumn in November the milder temperatures and abundant rainfall of winter set in. This season lasts from around early December until late February and resembles early British autumns. It is by no means cold compared to the UK but rainfall does increase and the sea gets chillier.
Winter throughout Cyprus is characterised by sporadic periods of dry, sunny weather interspersed with wet, windy weather. December and January are the wettest months with 12 days of rain each. In fact, December has the most rainfall of the year with 102mm falling across the month. The wind is very strong in winter and blustery days can develop into violent storms. However, the area still averages 5 to 6 hours of sunshine per day throughout winter which is better than elsewhere in Europe.
The average minimum temperatures throughout the winter months sit at 8°C and 9°C through December, January and February. This is pretty chilly and you'll certainly need a coat, but it rarely gets down to freezing and snow and frost are rare. Daytime temperatures are highly susceptible to the sun and wind. On average days will be 12-13°C with pleasant highs of 15°C in January bear in mind this is the coldest month and it is one or two degrees higher in the surrounding months. On sunny days it can get up to 20°C but wet and windy weather can see the daytime temperature not climbing much higher than the night-time lows. For this reason, it is necessary to check the forecast when travelling to Limassol during winter.
Spring and Autumn Weathers in Limassol
Spring and autumn are generally very short shoulder seasons in Cyprus and so they are periods of rapid change. March, April and November see great differences in temperature from their beginnings to their ends. In particular spring can be a good time to visit the island for a more active holiday as there are fewer tourists and the temperatures are more suitable for on-foot explorations, before the summer heat sets in. Rainfall is moderate and sunshine levels fantastic in both seasons, though spring is slightly cooler than autumn.
March sees an average high of 17°C, increasing to 20° in April, but lows can still fall to 9°C at the start of the season. In comparison, November maintains lovely temperatures of 21°C with night-time lows of 12°C. Spring sees slightly more sunshine with 9 hours per day by April, as the dry season sets in and rainfall reduces to 25mm across the month. Nonetheless 7 sunshine hours a day in November is not at all bad! The sea temperature sits at around 17°C in spring which is pretty chilly, but the hills come to life with green leaves and blossom. Autumn is not as picturesque as the landscape is often parched after the summer and the increasing days of rainfall are almost a welcome relief.