Anthestiria Flower Festival

The Anthestiria, or Flower Festival, is held in May across several cities in the Republic of Cyprus, with the celebration in Limassol among the largest. The name comes from the Greek word anthos, meaning flower, and the modern festival is inspired by an ancient Athenian festival of the same name that honoured Dionysus and marked the renewal of nature in spring.

The centrepiece is a parade of floats decorated with fresh, locally grown flowers, which moves along the seafront and through the city centre. Around the parade, the festival runs flower exhibitions, markets and shows. The celebration is also held in Paphos, where it spreads along the coastal avenue toward the old harbour, and in Larnaca on the Finikoudes promenade.

When and where

Spring is the natural time across the Republic of Cyprus, when the island is green and the gardens are in bloom. In Limassol the festival fits a wider day in the city, near the old town and the seafront, and many visitors pair it with a drive up to the wine villages of the Troodos foothills such as Omodos. For the other side of the city's event calendar, the autumn Limassol Wine Festival fills the Municipal Gardens with wine and folk performances months later.

• The festival is held in May, with the main parade on a set weekend.
• Watching the flower parade is free; arrive early for a spot along the route.
• Exact dates differ by city and year, so confirm the local programme.

The seafront is the best vantage point for the floats. For the host city, see our Limassol guide.