Ancient Amathus
Ancient Amathus is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Limassol audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~60 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type ruins
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Limassol Limassol guide
About Ancient Amathus
The ruins of one of Cyprus's oldest city-kingdoms, on the coast east of Limassol, a great centre of Aphrodite's cult, with a hilltop temple, a colonnaded agora and a harbour now partly under the sea.
Ancient Amathus, on the coast about eleven kilometres east of Limassol, was one of the oldest and most important of the city-kingdoms of Cyprus, settled from around 1100 BC. It was a great centre of the cult of Aphrodite, whose worship here ranked second on the island only to Paphos, and it is wrapped in the myths of the goddess and of Adonis and Ariadne.
On the acropolis hill stood the Temple of Aphrodite, among the oldest sanctuaries of the goddess in the ancient world; two colossal stone vases once stood here, one now in the Louvre. Below spread the agora, with a colonnaded court and a fountain, while the ancient harbour now lies partly submerged beneath the sea. Excavations have also uncovered early Christian basilicas across the site.
Did you know? Ancient Amathus, on the coast about eleven kilometres east of Limassol, was one of the oldest and most important city-kingdoms of Cyprus, settled from around 1100 BC.
How long should you spend at Ancient Amathus?
Plan about ~60 min at Ancient Amathus. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Ancient Amathus worth visiting?
Ancient Amathus is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Limassol, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Limassol
Day 2 of the Limassol in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Ancient Amathus
Preview the Limassol tour free in the Gingerguide app.