Most tourists arriving in Cyprus do not even know that when they leave the airport, they find themselves in one of the oldest cities in the world. Yes, Larnaca (Cyprus) is a city where every alley and every ancient building can serve as a living guide to history, where at every step you can feel the passage of time and the aroma of antiquity.
But such a hoary antiquity does not prevent Larnaca from being a bright modern resort with well-groomed beaches, an abundance of hotels, numerous taverns and a rich nightlife. As in other resorts of Cyprus, a holiday in Larnaca is comfortable and high-quality, but it is also relatively inexpensive.
Brief information about the city
Larnaca is located on the south-eastern side of the island of Cyprus, on the very shore. Since ancient times and for many years in a row, it was in Larnaca that the largest port of the island was located, but now this port is used only for mooring private yachts.
But now the largest international airport on the island operates near the city.
In terms of scale and population, the city of Larnaca in Cyprus is second only to Nicosia and Limassol. And since Larnaca is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island, the 80,000 local population is constantly supplemented by a huge number of tourists from all over the world.
Main sights of the city
The resort of Larnaca is not only a holiday by the sea. There is a lot to see in Larnaca, because on the territory of this city, and even near it, there are a significant number of natural and historical attractions.
St. Lazarus Cathedral
This landmark of Larnaca is one of the 3 surviving churches of the Byzantine period in Cyprus. The building has a rather rare style of architecture and is distinguished by many small narrow windows. The wooden iconostasis, which displays 120 icons, is decorated with a unique carved ornament and at the same time seems to be embroidered with threads of gold.
In 1972, when the church was being restored after a fire, a marble sarcophagus was discovered. It was later recognized that the sarcophagus contained the relics of Saint Lazarus. Now they are placed near the altar and anyone can join them.
The church has a museum that displays various religious relics: church books, a collection of crosses, clerical clothing, and a selection of Byzantine icons.
- Place of interest address: Apolloniou Kitieos, Larnaca, Cyprus.
- From March 1 to October 31, the temple is open from 8: 30 to 18: 00 on weekdays and from 6: 30 to 18: 30 on Sundays, with a break from 12: 30 to 15: 30. From November 1 to February 29, the temple is open from 8: 00 to 17: 30 on weekdays and from 6: 30 to 17: 30 on Sundays, with a break from 12: 30 to 14: 30.
- Admission to the cathedral is free, and you will need to pay 1 €to visit the museum.
Salt Lake
At a distance of 5 kilometers from Larnaca, there is an interesting natural attraction – a unique salt lake with an area of almost 5 km2. To visit there, you need to go from Larnaca on the B4 highway to the south-west, in the direction of the village of Dromolaskias.
In the cold season, the lake is full of water, and hundreds of thousands of birds, including pink flamingos, come to it during the winter.
In the summer, when Cyprus is surrounded by incredible heat, the water from the lake completely evaporates. And then, in place of the water, a white crust of salt 10 centimeters thick appears, mercilessly sparkling under the sun’s rays.
By the way, in Cyprus only in this place salt is on the surface. Not so long ago, they were engaged in the extraction of this mineral.
This is interesting! They say that once on the site of a salt lake there was a huge vineyard. And when Saint Lazarus asked the owner of the vineyard for some grapes, she was greedy and said that all the berries were withered, and that she had salt in the basket. The saint punished the greedy old woman: he dried up the vineyard and turned it into salt deposits. Surprisingly, the workers who were engaged in salt extraction here constantly found grape roots and vines.
On the shore of the lake is another important attraction of Larnaca and all of Cyprus-the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque.
Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque
This mosque is one of the most important shrines of all Muslims. The mosque stands at the burial site of Umm Haram. According to various versions, she was the aunt / disciple / wife of a friend of the Prophet Muhammad. According to legend, it was in the house of this woman that Allah came to the sleeping Muhammad.
The octagonal mosque with a minaret is only part of a large-scale architectural ensemble. It also includes residential facilities for ministers, a hotel for pilgrims, office space, and a sumptuous garden. In the building of the mosque there is a very original well, which is credited with an amazing property: it fulfills wishes.
Now services in the mosque are held only 2 times a year, the rest of the time-it’s just an interesting attraction, open to free visitors.
- Address where you can find the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque: Cyprus, Tekke Road.
- Official site of the attraction: www.mcm.gov.cy.
- The mosque is open daily at such times:from 7:30 to 19:30 in June-August, from 9:00 to 18:00 in April-May and September-October, from 9:00 to 17: 00 in November-March.
- Admission is free.
Kamares Aqueduct
The famous attraction not only of Larnaca, but of all Cyprus is the Kamares Aqueduct. The structure is also known as the Bekir Pasha Aqueduct – this name is given in honor of the Ottoman ruler Abu Bekir Pasha, on whose initiative and money the aqueduct was erected in 1747.
The aqueduct consists of 3 “bridges” with 32, 12 and 31 arches – a total of 75 arches. The total length of the ancient water pipeline exceeds 10 km.
Until 1939, this water pipeline successfully supplied water to Larnaca.
Interesting fact! In 1961, Cyprus issued a coin (1 lira) with the image of Kamares.
Archaeological Museum of Larnaca
The Archaeological Museum has been in existence since 1969, and its modernization was completed in February 2022. Now it has 4 exhibition halls, in which many exhibits are placed in chronological order: ivory products, ceramic products, pagan statues, reconstructions of ancient dwellings. The museum’s collection consists of artefacts found in the Larnaca area that tell about the rich history of the region.
- Archaeological Museum is located in the heart of the city, exact address: Kalogreon Square, Larnaca, Cyprus, Larnaca District Archaeological Museum
- The museum is closed on Mondays, but on other days it is open from 9: 00 to 16: 30
- Admission is free
Larnaca Medieval Fort
There is a medieval castle in Larnaca Harbour, near the palm-lined promenade. This two-story building made of large limestone is the most ancient city landmark.
In the courtyard of the fort there are ancient cannons aimed at the sea, and in the building itself there is a museum of the Middle Ages.
A tip! From the upper platform of the fortress, which offers a wide view, you can take stunningly beautiful photos of the city of Larnaca.
During the summer, concerts and other cultural events are often held in the courtyard of the fort.
- Address of the attraction: Ankyras, 6026, Larnaca, Cyprus.
- From April 16 to September 15, the fort is open to the public on Monday-Friday from 8: 00 to 19: 30 and on Saturday-Sunday from 9: 30 to 19: 30. From September 16 to April 15, the attraction can be visited on Monday-Friday from 8: 00 to 17: 00 and on Saturday- Sunday from 9: 30 to 17: 00.
- To enter the territory of the fort, you need to pay 2.5 €. For groups of 10 or more people, the discount is 20% of the total ticket price.
The beaches of Larnaca
The coast of Larnaca is washed by the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The total length of local beaches is 25 kilometers. The beaches are mostly sandy, with a slight admixture of small pebbles at the entrance to the water. But the sand in Cyprus is unusual: yellow-gray shade, quite dense and hard.
The coastal area and beaches of Larnaca are the main resort region of Cyprus. It is very difficult to say which of the local beaches is better-it all depends on personal preferences. And the leaders in popularity among vacationers are the beaches of Mackenzie, Finikoudes and Castella. All of them received the blue flag of the European Union for safety, well-groomed and comfort.
You can visit the beaches of Larnaca completely free of charge.
Mackenzie Beach
Mackenzie Beach, which is about 1 kilometer long, is within walking distance of the city of Larnaca. The sea there is warm and clean, the entrance to the water is gentle and comfortable – shallow water stretches for a couple of dozen meters into the sea, there are no stones completely.
On the beach there are taps to rinse your feet, as well as showers. There are public toilets and changing rooms. You can rent sun beds and umbrellas – each for 2.5 €.
For small children, a whole playground has been built on the beach, for adults there are 2 playgrounds – with simulators and for playing volleyball. And at the same time, there is a lot of free space on the beach, even in the middle of the season it is spacious and calm. Nearby there is a large selection of night clubs and a wide variety of gastronomic establishments.
Recreation on Mackenzie is as safe as possible – rescuers and emergency services are on duty there.
Mackenzie Beach is a great place to take incredible photos of Larnaca and Cyprus. Thanks to the proximity of the beach to Larnaca airport, you can get incredible pictures of planes taking off or landing there. By the way, this beach is included in the list of the best on the entire coast of Cyprus.
A tip! In order not to miss the right moment for shooting, you can view the take-off and landing schedule on the airport’s website. You can also use the Flyradar mobile app.
Finikoudes Beach
Finikoudes is not just the main city beach. This is a plot of about 600 meters long right in the center of Larnaca, between the old and new port, which combines a sandy strip for sunbathing, many restaurants, bars, hotels and entertainment venues.
And it is also an abundance of greenery and cool shade. “Finikoudes” translates as “small palm trees” – this name was given to the beach in 1922, when a palm alley was planted along the coast. Now the trees are already gigantic in size, but the name of the alley has not changed.
The sea at Finikoudes is shallow, warm and clean, which is appreciated by parents with small children. Finikoudes has everything you need for a comfortable stay: toilets, changing rooms and showers. You can rent sun beds and umbrellas.
On the beach there is a diving center, there are rental points with equipment for various water sports. The beach is often used as a summer playground for large-scale sports competitions.
Finikoudes is very popular among both tourists and the local population. There are always a lot of people there, both during the day and in the evening. The campers are watched by rescuers, there is a first aid service.
Castella Beach
Not far from the center of Larnaca, near the fishing harbor (fishing village) of Psarolimano, there is a small idyllic place called Castella.
This is a calm bay with clear and calm water, there are practically no big waves here. The entrance to the water is gentle and comfortable. The sandy beach strip stretches along the sea for 400-600 meters.
The beach has all the necessary amenities: public toilets, changing rooms, showers. You can rent umbrellas from the sun and sun beds – regular and double. Safe rest is provided by 2 services: rescue and first aid.
Next to Castella Beach, you will find traditional fish taverns, restaurants, small grocery stores, and numerous kiosks with food and leisure facilities on the beach.
CTO Beach
CTO Beach has another name: Saw. This beach is located at a distance of 10 kilometers from the city center.
CTO Beach is a fairly wide coastal strip with a length of about 300 meters. The entrance to the sea is shallow at first, but after a few tens of meters there is a fairly deep bottom. The water is warm, warm and clean.
The infrastructure on this beach is well developed, and not only for a comfortable stay, but also for an interesting pastime. You can rent umbrellas and sun beds, kayaking and windsurfing are available from water activities, there is a playground for small children, restaurants and grocery stores are open.
On weekdays, Pila beach is very sparsely populated, and even on weekends there are not too many people.
Places to stay in Larnaca
Most of the hotels in Larnaca are located in the tourist area of the city, and many are just a few minutes ‘ walk from the sea. Basically, these are inexpensive, but quite comfortable apartments and hotels without “stars”. For tourists who are used to relax with increased comfort, there is no special choice – there are only a few level 4-5* hotels in Larnaca.
The summer price tag for one night in a double room will be as follows:
- in a budget hotel – from 20 € to 50 €;
- in a 3* hotel, the average price is 70-85 €;
- in hotels of level 4-5*, standard rooms cost 115-200 €, suites with all-inclusive services – from 365 € to 540 €.
Food prices
In the city of Larnaca, as in any resort, there are many gastronomic establishments. Most of the restaurants and cafes are located on the Finikoudes promenade and near Mackenzie Beach. In a restaurant with an average price level, you can eat well together for 55-65 €.
A tip! In restaurants, it is customary to leave tips in the amount of 5-10 % of the order amount. As a token of appreciation, the customer is usually brought a free ice cream or dessert.
The further away from the beaches there is an establishment, the cheaper it is – lunch will cost 15-20 €. For example, you can have a delicious and economical meal in the taverns on the square next to the famous local landmark – the Church of St. Lazarus. The most budget – friendly option is a set menu. But you can also order one dish separately – the portions are so large that it may even be enough for two people. Cafes, taverns, pizzerias in Larnaca are open from 7: 00, so it will be convenient not only for lunch or dinner, but also for breakfast.
A tip! The same dish is always cheaper if you take it out. So, when sitting in a tavern, you need to pay 6.5 € for souvlaki (shish kebab), and if you take it out – 5 €.
McDonalds in Larnaca is also available. McMeal or similar food can be purchased for 7 €.
Local supermarkets offer a huge selection of products, but the most extensive range and low prices – in the German Lidl. In addition, this store holds large-scale sales every week.
Approximate prices for some products in supermarkets:
- water (0.33 l) – 0.94 €,
- cola or pepsi (0,33 l) – 2 €,
- beer (0,33 l) – 4 €,
- draft beer (0.5 l) – 3.75 €.
There are only 2 grocery markets in Larnaca:
- Fish market, near Castella Beach, is open only in the morning.
- The market near the Church of St. Lazarus is open on Saturdays in the morning and until approximately 13: 00. You can buy any food, and much cheaper than in stores.
How to get to the city from the airport
Larnaca Airport is the main international airport of Cyprus, and it is there that the majority of tourists arrive.
Important! At the airport, an information desk is located next to the baggage claim line. Tourists can apply there with any question, in particular, they can find out how to get to the city.
To the city by bus
There are 6 buses that go from the airport and pass through the center of Larnaca. The most convenient routes are Nos. 417, 425 and 429.
These buses run daily from 5:55 to 23:25 every 30-50 minutes. The city center is a 50-minute drive away. The exact schedule is available on the carrier’s website: https://www.cyprusbybus.com/busfares.aspx.
Finding a bus stop is easy. You need to go to the arrivals hall (Arrivals), go up to the second floor in the departure hall (Departures) and go outside. To the left of the entrance, 30 meters away, there will be a bus stop.
The fare is as follows:
- during the day for adults-1.5 €, for students-0.75 €;
- from 21:00 hours, the night rate is valid, adult ticket costs € 1.5, student ticket costs €1.25;
- travel is free for children under 6 years of age;
- a ticket for children over 6 years old costs 50 % of the ticket price for adults.
The driver has to pay for the trip. They only accept payment in cash.To the city by taxi
The taxi rank is located at the exit of the arrival hall.
A tip! Before getting in the car, make an agreement with the driver about the fare. Or, if the car has a counter, make sure that the driver turns it on.
Travel from Larnaca Airport (Cyprus) directly to the city of Larnaca will cost 10-15 €. At night (from 21:00 to 6:00), taxi fares are 15 % more expensive.
