Ancient Kourion, perched on a dramatic cliff top 20 kilometres west of Limassol, is the finest ancient site in Cyprus and one of the most impressive in the Eastern Mediterranean. The city was occupied continuously from the Bronze Age through the Byzantine period, and the remains are extraordinarily well preserved — partly because of the very earthquake that destroyed it in 365 AD, which buried many structures before they could be pillaged for building materials.
The highlights are the Greco-Roman theatre, beautifully restored and still used for summer performances, with sweeping views over the sea; the House of Eustolios with its magnificent floor mosaics; and the Early Christian basilica complex. The nearby Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, a few hundred metres from the main site, preserves an Archaic-period sacred grove with temples, baths, and a stadium. Allow at least three hours for both sites, and visit in the morning before the heat builds.