Cyprus is home to many beautiful and well-known attractions. Think of the capital Nicosia, the Troodos Mountains with its stunning Venetian bridges, Aphrodite’s Rock, the Edro III shipwreck and the Bridge of Love. You can even spot flamingos on the island! A lesser-known spot on the island is Limni Pier, an old pier in Chrysochou Bay. In this article, I’ll take you to this unique and wonderfully peaceful place in the northwest of Cyprus.
History of Limni Pier
Cyprus has been renowned for its rich copper deposits for centuries, playing a crucial role in trade throughout the eastern Mediterranean. As early as the Bronze Age (around 2500-1050 BC), copper from Cyprus was used for making weapons, tools and jewelry, establishing the island as a major trading nation. This explains why the island’s name is derived from the Latin term aes cyprium (metal of Cyprus), which was later shortened to cuprum, the root of the English word copper.
Copper remained a key export product throughout modern times. During the heyday of the Limni mine in the 1930s, Limni Pier was constructed. This pier served as a loading platform for ships transporting the mined copper to international markets. After the mine closed in 1979, Limni Pier fell into disrepair.
Renovation of Limni Pier
In 2014, Limni Pier underwent renovations, after which it became a popular spot once again, especially for locals. Occasionally, you might find a fisherman or a jogger there. Swimmers also enjoy using the pier. At the end of the pier, there are stairs leading to lower platforms. If you take a dive here, you’ll immediately swim in deep water, which is perfect for swimmers who like to swim laps. Bring your snorkel and mask; you can explore the bottom in search of the old railway tracks used for transporting copper during the mining operations.
Limni Pier, still a hidden gem in Cyprus
Tourists don’t usually include Limni Pier in their road trip itinerary across Cyprus. Most people tend to stay in the south, visit parts of the west coast, and often drive through the Troodos Mountains before heading back to Larnaca.
However, I believe Limni Pier is a spot worth visiting, especially if you enjoy places that aren’t overrun by tourists. From the end of the pier, you get a view of the coastline of Polis and the Akamas National Forest Park at the island’s most northwest point. I visited in mid-November and in the morning, there was only one fisherman on the pier. No one else around! It’s truly a peaceful spot to enjoy the tranquility, the nature and the sound of breaking waves.
