Cyprus’s second largest city, Limassol, is the perfect travel destination for any kind of tourist. The city sits on the southern coast of the island and offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. You could spend days on end soaking up the sun and swimming in Limassol’s pristine waters. On the other hand, the city has a wealth of cultural and historic locations that give you a peek into the city’s interesting and tumultuous past.
Limassol was originally built between two ancient Greek cities, Amathus and Kourion, and it became known as Neapolis during Byzantine rule. The historic center of the city features the medieval Limassol Castle and the Old Port, two of Limassol’s most famous landmarks. In terms of food, you won’t find any better example of Mediterranean fares anywhere in the world than Limassol’s many restaurants and cafes. With a nearly endless amount of things to do in and around the city, the best way to experience all that Limassol has to offer is by hiring a quad bike and exploring every nook and cranny of this incredible coastal location.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring an ATV in Limassol. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motor scooter or motorcycle. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving permit to hire an ATV in Cyprus
- The best places to find quad hire in Limassol
- The price of quad rentals in Limassol
- Safety issues related to driving an ATV in Limassol
- The best things to do in Limassol by quad bike
Do You Need an International Driving Permit To Hire a Quad in Cyprus?
If you plan on driving any kind of motor vehicle as a foreigner in Cyprus, you’re legally required to carry a copy of your passport, your driver’s license from your home country, and an international driving permit at all times. If you fail to present Cypriot law enforcement with any of these documents while driving, you may be hit with a heavy fine.
If you want to apply for an international driving permit, you can do so here. There is a $20 application fee, and you should apply at least two weeks before departing for Cyprus, as that’s how long the permit usually takes to come in the mail. Once you have the permit, it is valid for one year.
Where Are the Best Places To Find ATV Hire in Limassol?
If you’re flying internationally to Limassol, chances are you’ll be flying to Limassol International Airport, the largest airport in Cyprus. There are several rental services online that will deliver a rental quad directly to your airport terminal when you arrive so you can drive it to your accommodation. You can also rent vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and motor scooters from these services. Paphos International Airport is another major airport near Limassol, and if you arrive here, you’ll probably need to wait until you get into Limassol before you can find quad rental.
If you want to wait until you're in Limassol’s city limits to rent an ATV, the best place to start your search is in the area around Limassol Marina. You can also find several rental shops around the Agia Zoni part of town. If you drive along the B1, the main road that goes along the coast in Limassol, you’ll surely run into a rental shop sooner or later.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire an ATV in Limassol?
If you want to rent a basic ATV, you’re probably going to pay around €60 per day on the low end. If you want a more powerful ATV, you can expect to pay a little more than that. If €60 per day is out of your budget, you should consider renting a motor scooter, which are typically available at cheaper rates.
If you plan on staying in Limassol for a longer period of time, you may be able to get discounts on weekly and monthly rentals from your rental shop of choice. You should also make sure that your rental shop includes the price of helmet rental and insurance in the stated rental price. Driving a motor vehicle in a foreign country without a helmet or insurance could be very dangerous and potentially expensive.
Is It Safe To Drive a Quad Bike in Limassol?
Driving in most parts of Cyprus is fairly safe and stress-free. The island is mostly free of congested roads and the local drivers are usually pretty respectful and relaxed. However, with Limassol being the second largest city in the country, there is more traffic than most other places in Cyprus. You should also be wary of poor road conditions and missing outside of the main metropolitan areas of the city.
If you’re traveling from the United States, you should be aware that they drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, which means you’ll be crossing traffic when you take a left turn. This can feel like a bit of an adjustment at first, so take it easy when you first start driving in Cyprus. If you’re from the United Kingdom, this will feel totally natural to you.
What Are Some of the Best Things To Do in Limassol by Quad?
Now that you’re well-informed on how to rent a quad bike in Limassol, here are some of the best things to do in the city with your rented wheels:
Kourion
Take a 20-minute drive west out of Limassol and you’ll end up in one of the most incredible historical sites in all of Cyprus, ancient Kourion. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the former home of an important city-state settled by ancient Greek travelers in the 12th century BC. The city soon rose to prominence and was even mentioned in the writings of Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy.
The centerpiece of the site is an ancient Greco-Roman amphitheatre that was restored in the most historically accurate way possible. Today, the theatre houses live open-air music and theatrical performances. The site also features an ornate bathing house and villa known as the House of Eustolios.
Molos
If you’re interested in taking a walk along the beach, Molos is perhaps the best place in all of Cyprus to do so. This seaside promenade stretches from the Limassol Zoo to the Old Port, and there are plenty of things to enjoy all along the way. If you’re walking along the Molos with children, you’ll surely find yourself stopping at the several inviting playgrounds along the way. There are also a bunch of fascinating sculptures, water fountains, swaying palm trees, and much more.
If you don’t want to walk, there are plenty of places along the Molos where you can rent a bicycle and feel the wind on your face as you peddle parallel to the ocean. And if you get hungry from all the exercise, some of the best cafes in Limassol are located on the promenade.
Limassol Castle
Located smack dab in the middle of Limassol, Limassol Castle is the most dominant landmark in the whole city. The outer appearance of the castle betrays its defensive purpose and hints at the many conflicted periods in Limassol’s history. The castle was originally erected by the Lusignans during the Crusades and a recent archaeological dig revealed that there are the remains of a Byzantine fortress lying under its foundation.
Limassol Castle withstood a barrage of attacks over the years, and was eventually used as a prison during periods of peace. Today, visitors can go inside the castle and see the many old coins, pieces of pottery, and weapons from the different periods in Limassol’s history.
Hop on a Quad in Limassol
Driving in Limassol is very easy and safe, and there’s really no reason you shouldn’t rent a quad bike or a motor scooter and drive around the city. It will give you the opportunity to drive all around the city and its surrounding areas and discover just how much this part of Cyprus has to offer.
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