Bilingual and Sometimes Confusing

All signs bilingual: Greek + English. No Greek needed to navigate. But: English transliterations inconsistent (Lefkosia/Nicosia). Once understood: no problem.

What's Different

City names differ: Lefkosia=Nicosia, Lemesos=Limassol. Colors: green=motorway, blue=main roads, brown=tourist sites. Warning signs: EU standard. Speed in km/h (not mph despite left-hand traffic).

The section on "Bilingual and Sometimes Confusing" was the most valuable for us. We couldn't find this information anywhere else before our move. It saved us a lot of time and hassle.

– Newcomer from Cologne, in Nicosia since 2022

Reading Greek Script

Deciphering Greek letters on signs surprisingly easy: Λ=L, Ε=E, Μ=M, Σ=S. ΛΕΜΕΣΟΣ = LEMESOS = Limassol. 30 minutes practice: read most signs.

Reading and Understanding Road Signs in

Locations: Limassol, Nicosia
Topics: Bilingual and Sometimes Confusing, What's Different, Reading Greek Script

CMC Practical Tip

30 minutes practice: read most signs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Signs in English?

Yes, all bilingual. Motorways, towns, attractions. Google Maps works perfectly in English.

Why Limassol sometimes Lemesos?

Lemesos: Greek name. Limassol: English (colonial). Official signs: Lemesos. Confusing first week, then normal.

Must I read Greek script?

No, English sufficient. But: learnable in 30 minutes, makes daily life easier.

Speed in km/h?

Yes – despite left-hand traffic. 100 motorway, 80 rural, 50 urban. Not mph like UK.

How CMC Supports You

At CMC Certus Management Consultants, we are here for you – not only for tax and legal questions, but also for all practical topics of everyday life in Cyprus. Our team in Larnaca and Pafos knows the local conditions first-hand.

As your local contact, we handle: company formation and management, tax advisory and Non-Dom applications, ongoing bookkeeping and tax returns, support with authorities, and referrals to estate agents, lawyers, doctors and tradespeople.

Further Reading