Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Wealthy Russians Have Completely Taken Over This Cyprus Beach Town

So many Russians have made their home in the coastal port city of Limassol that they jokingly refer to the city as "Limassolgrad.".


So many Russians have made their home in the coastal port city of Limassol that they jokingly refer to the city as

Limassol's tourist strip, which faces the water, has stores that cater to the Russians, selling everything from kefir (a Russian yogurt drink) to Russian beer..


Limassol's tourist strip, which faces the water, has stores that cater to the Russians, selling everything from kefir (a Russian yogurt drink) to Russian beer.

It's clear that the Russians are big buyers here when you see the large billboards advertising sea view villas and apartments — in Russian..


It's clear that the Russians are big buyers here when you see the large billboards advertising sea view villas and apartments — in Russian.

It's common to see signs in Russian all around Limassol..


It's common to see signs in Russian all around Limassol.

Russians have been buying property in luxury sea view high-rises and private residential gated communities with private pools and central heating..


Russians have been buying property in luxury sea view high-rises and private residential gated communities with private pools and central heating.

Luxury car rental agencies have popped up, leasing out Ferraris, Mercedes, and Porsches, mainly to Russian tourists..


Luxury car rental agencies have popped up, leasing out Ferraris, Mercedes, and Porsches, mainly to Russian tourists.

Many of the multi-million dollar yachts parked in the Limassol Marina belong to Russians..


Many of the multi-million dollar yachts parked in the Limassol Marina belong to Russians.

But there are also simple fishing boats, which helps retain the feel of a small fishing village..


But there are also simple fishing boats, which helps retain the feel of a small fishing village.

Limassol's old town has the feel of a quaint Mediterranean city..


Limassol's old town has the feel of a quaint Mediterranean city.

Yet there are modern shops that cater to the Russian tourists and expats. Incredibly, there are high-end fur shops, like Avanti Furs, that sell fur coats to people — even in the tropical Mediterranean climate..


Yet there are modern shops that cater to the Russian tourists and expats. Incredibly, there are high-end fur shops, like Avanti Furs, that sell fur coats to people — even in the tropical Mediterranean climate.

On weekends, Russians flock to Debenhams, a high-end British department store with a branch in Limassol..


On weekends, Russians flock to Debenhams, a high-end British department store with a branch in Limassol.

For those who don't own property, there are luxury hotels like the Le Méridien Limassol Spa & Resort. It's considered one of the best resorts on the island..


For those who don't own property, there are luxury hotels like the Le Méridien Limassol Spa & Resort. It's considered one of the best resorts on the island.

There's also a five-star Four Seasons Hotel here..


There's also a five-star Four Seasons Hotel here.

This is still very much a beach resort town, and Russians love Lady's Mile Beach, outside the city center. .


This is still very much a beach resort town, and Russians love Lady's Mile Beach, outside the city center.

There's also Governor's Beach just outside Limassol, a long sandy beach with craggy peaks and many beach-side fish restaurants..


There's also Governor's Beach just outside Limassol, a long sandy beach with craggy peaks and many beach-side fish restaurants.

There are plenty of casual seaside cafes in Limassol..


There are plenty of casual seaside cafes in Limassol.

Russian businessmen like to smoke hookahs and drink at these cafes..


Russian businessmen like to smoke hookahs and drink at these cafes.

There are several Russian restaurants here, including a branch of Taras Bulba, where you can get Russian food and beer, like Baltika..


There are several Russian restaurants here, including a branch of Taras Bulba, where you can get Russian food and beer, like Baltika.

There's a Cypriot-Russian Festival each June on the Limassol seafront, which features shows, concerts, and performances by Russian artists and groups..


There's a Cypriot-Russian Festival each June on the Limassol seafront, which features shows, concerts, and performances by Russian artists and groups.

Every September, there's a wine festival in Limassol..


Every September, there's a wine festival in Limassol.

The wine festival can get a little wild..


The wine festival can get a little wild.

At night, Russians frequent Limassol's nightclubs, like Dolce..


At night, Russians frequent Limassol's nightclubs, like Dolce. 
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