Larnaca
A palm-lined seafront, flamingos in winter and 10 minutes from the airport.
Welcome to Larnaca
Larnaca is built on the ancient city-kingdom of Kition, settled more than 3,000 years ago. Today it is a relaxed seaside city with a palm-lined promenade, a long town beach and plenty of history within walking distance.
The airport is about 10 minutes away, which makes Larnaca an easy first or last night — or a base for the whole holiday.
Life in Larnaca centres on the seafront. Finikoudes promenade is lined with palm trees, cafés and restaurants, and the long sandy town beach is shallow and safe for swimming. In the evening, locals and visitors alike come out for a walk along the sea, an ice cream or dinner by the water.
Just behind the promenade is the old town, with narrow streets, small craft shops and the beautiful Church of Saint Lazarus. A short walk south brings you to the old Turkish quarter and the medieval castle, and a little further on the Salt Lake — one of the most important wetlands in Cyprus.
Larnaca is a city that works all year round. Summers are hot and perfect for the beach, while the mild winters bring flamingos to the Salt Lake and pleasant weather for sightseeing. Restaurants, shops and supermarkets stay open throughout the year.
Its central position also makes Larnaca a great base for exploring the island: Ayia Napa and Protaras are around 40 minutes to the east, Limassol is about 45 minutes to the west, and Nicosia, the capital, is roughly 40 minutes inland.
Highlights of Larnaca
Church of Saint Lazarus
A beautiful 9th-century stone church built over the tomb of Lazarus, who according to tradition became the first bishop of Kition after leaving the Holy Land.
Larnaca Salt Lake
A large salt lake next to the airport. In winter it fills with water and with flocks of pink flamingos; in summer it dries to a shimmering white crust.
Hala Sultan Tekke
An Ottoman mosque among palm and cypress trees on the shore of the Salt Lake — one of the most photographed views in Cyprus.
Kamares Aqueduct
A row of stone arches built in the 18th century by the Ottoman governor Bekir Pasha to bring water into the town.
Larnaca Castle
A small fort at the end of the seafront, rebuilt by the Ottomans in the 17th century, with a museum and views along the bay.
Finikoudes & Mackenzie Beach
Finikoudes is the town beach and promenade, lined with cafés and restaurants. Mackenzie Beach, near the airport, is known for its beach bars and watching planes come in to land.
Day trips
The lace-making village of Lefkara and the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are both within about 40 minutes’ drive.
Interesting facts
- Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoic philosophy, was born in ancient Kition — today’s Larnaca.
- “Finikoudes” means “little palm trees”, after the palms that line the promenade.
- The wreck of the Zenobia, a ferry that sank off Larnaca in 1980, is one of the best-known dive sites in the Mediterranean.
