Amathus

Amathus was one of the ten city-kingdoms of ancient Cyprus, founded around the eleventh century BC and occupied until the Arab raids of the seventh century AD. The site climbs from the shore up an acropolis hill, with the agora and its restored colonnade at the bottom, a basilica, and at the top the sanctuary of Aphrodite where a colossal stone vase was found, now in the Louvre. Part of the harbour lies underwater just offshore and is visible to snorkellers in clear conditions.

What you actually see

• The agora - the market square with restored columns near the shore.
• The acropolis - the sanctuary of Aphrodite at the top of the hill.
• The basilicas - early Christian church remains on the site.
• The sunken harbour - ancient harbour works underwater just offshore.

When to go

March to May and October to November are the best; the site is exposed and severely hot in summer. Early morning is the only comfortable hour in July and August. Winter is pleasant but the grass is high.

Honest expectations

The climb to the acropolis is steep with no shade. The most famous find, the great stone vase, is in Paris and only its base remains here. Interpretation on site is thin.

Nearby

Limassol is ten kilometres west, and the Akrotiri peninsula is southwest.