Limassol: The Calm of the Mediterranean

2026 has been exciting, to say the least. I’ve spent more time traveling than staying at home in Paderborn. You know what happens when many of your research papers finally get accepted? Suddenly, you have to travel to different places and present them. And honestly, it almost makes up for the pain of getting one rejection after another.

In March, I traveled to Limassol in Cyprus to present at a conference. Because of the unfortunate situation in the Middle East, we were not sure until the very end if we would be able to travel. Thankfully, things were calm on the island of Cyprus, so we decided to continue with our plans. I arrived in Limassol at night and checked into my sea-view room. The next morning was unforgettable. The view from my room was very peaceful. As I looked out at the blue shades of the Mediterranean Sea with my morning tea in hand, I thought, “This is going to be a very exciting week!”

I had one free day to explore the city before the conference started, and I was truly the weather gods’ favorite child that week: my free day also happened to be the only sunny day of the whole week! I took a public transport bus that, for just 2 euros, took us along the beautiful coast. For a moment, I was almost jealous of the people who lived in Limassol, simply because they were so close to clean, blue beaches. The jealousy continued as I explored the well-maintained and modern Limassol promenade. Lined with tall palm trees and a lovely skyline, the views were really impressive. The old port and fishing piers almost reminded me of my recent trip to Cayucos (California). I spent the rest of my time switching between being amazed by the views and wondering if the ships on the horizon were actually warships guarding us from the Middle East.

Next, I explored the Old Town of Limassol, and it had a very different charm. It did not feel posh, like many old towns in Europe sometimes do. Instead, it felt simple, lived-in, and real! The narrow streets, small shops, older buildings, and everyday scenes gave the area a warm and familiar feeling. At some point, I felt like Limassol was a mix of Europe and Asia. Some buildings and street corners even reminded me of India, in the most comforting way. I visited the Greek Orthodox church, Ayia Napa Cathedral, which stood beautifully in the middle of this old part of the city. After that, I spent some time walking around and shopping for special souvenirs for my husband, who has a very special connection with Cyprus.

Ayia Napa Cathedral

I wish I could say that I spent a long time relaxing on the beaches in Limassol, but it turned out to be a super busy week. Aside from one quiet afternoon at the hotel’s private beach, most of the week was a mix of work and deadlines, just with stunning Mediterranean views in the background. It gave a whole new meaning to all those “this is where your email found me” moments you see all over social media.

My favorite part of the trip was the cultural evening planned by the conference organizers. Many researchers had chosen to attend the conference virtually, so the group that went for the traditional Cypriot dinner was small and cozy. The restaurant served us Meze, and at some point, it honestly felt like the food would never stop coming. Not that I was complaining! The amazing food came with Greek and Cypriot music and dance, which made the evening even more special. The most memorable performance was the dance of the glasses, a traditional Cypriot dance where the dancer balances stacks of drinking glasses on different parts of the body while moving to the rhythm of the music. It was slightly stressful to watch, but completely unforgettable.

And just like that, my week in Limassol came to an end. It was a mix of work, sea views, sunny walks, delicious food, and a little bit of uncertainty in the background. But more than anything, I will remember Limassol as a calm, culturally rich corner of the Mediterranean, where even a busy work trip managed to feel like a small adventure.