Ancient Amathus
An ancient city-kingdom in Limassol district; it comes up in exam questions
The story
Amathus, also called Amathous, is one of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus, on the south coast about 7 kilometers east of Limassol. In the Archaic period the city grew rich on trade with the Aegean and the coast of Syria and Palestine. Under the Persians it took their side, and for that Onesilos of Salamis laid siege to it. The kingdom was abolished at the end of the fourth century BC, when the Ptolemies took over Cyprus; the last king was Androkles. Aphrodite was worshipped on the acropolis. By the seventh century AD her temple was gone, and a large basilica was built in its place. By the end of that same century the city was deserted. Today you can see the agora, the baths, remains of the walls and of the palace storerooms. The ruins of the outer harbor lie under water.
Amathus (Αμαθούντα) is an ancient city-kingdom on the south coast, east of Limassol. To the question “in which city is Amathus,” the answer is Limassol (Λεμεσός), not Paphos, Nicosia or Larnaca.
Visiting
There is an entry fee: according to the Department of Antiquities, a ticket costs €2.50. Open daily from 8:30: from September 16 to April 15 until 17:00, from April 16 to September 15 until 19:30 (last ticket at 19:00). Holiday hours differ; check before you go.
On the way
Photos
Sources
- Department of Antiquities of Cyprus — Amathous
- École française d’Athènes — Mission archéologique d’Amathonte
- Deputy Ministry of Tourism — New Guide to Cyprus 2026 (Greek)
- Exam question bank: “Η Αμαθούντα” (unofficial notes)
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