Cyprus is a popular beach holiday destination but many will arrive at Larnaca International Airport and give little thought to the town of Larnaca itself. However, it's an interesting place to visit in its own right - and has 25km of its own beautiful beaches. It's also the third most important town in Cyprus - and its oldest.
Mosques and monasteries are evidence of a history stretching back 6,000 years and its six museums and archaeological sites are in the centre of the city and close enough to walk to. Visitors also enjoy the vibrant nightlife, the huge range of tavernas and restaurants and the fact it's easy to get to the rest of Cyprus from the town.
Mosques and monasteries are evidence of a history stretching back 6,000 years and its six museums and archaeological sites are in the centre of the city and close enough to walk to. Visitors also enjoy the vibrant nightlife, the huge range of tavernas and restaurants and the fact it's easy to get to the rest of Cyprus from the town.
Beaches in Larnaca
The town has a man-made beach parallel to the promenade but the two most popular beaches are McKenzie and Dhekelia. McKenzie is on the outskirts of town, while Dhekelia stretches for miles, forming the backdrop to many of the area's apartments and four and five-star hotels.
If you travel one hour to the east, you'll discover the beach resorts of Ayia Napa and Protaras.
The town has a man-made beach parallel to the promenade but the two most popular beaches are McKenzie and Dhekelia. McKenzie is on the outskirts of town, while Dhekelia stretches for miles, forming the backdrop to many of the area's apartments and four and five-star hotels.
If you travel one hour to the east, you'll discover the beach resorts of Ayia Napa and Protaras.
Sightseeing in Larnaca
A poke around inside the eclectic Pierides Museum, with its wealth of fascinating relics from across the island, is a good place to start sightseeing.
Step further back in time at Kition, the ancient site where Larnaca first took shape. Most of Kition is buried beneath the modern city, but there are still remnants from different eras scattered around.
Larnaca is home to the 9th-century church of St. Lazarus, undoubtedly one of the island's most cherished sites. There's also the immensely pretty 18th-century Hala Sultan Tekke mosque, which is an important Muslim shrine.
The city has an ancient fort which even served as a prison in the days when the island was British. It's now home to the annual Larnaca Festival every July.
Stroll along the palm-lined and recently renovated Finikoudes promenade. And, if you're here in winter, look out for flamingos nesting on the salt lake.
A poke around inside the eclectic Pierides Museum, with its wealth of fascinating relics from across the island, is a good place to start sightseeing.
Step further back in time at Kition, the ancient site where Larnaca first took shape. Most of Kition is buried beneath the modern city, but there are still remnants from different eras scattered around.
Larnaca is home to the 9th-century church of St. Lazarus, undoubtedly one of the island's most cherished sites. There's also the immensely pretty 18th-century Hala Sultan Tekke mosque, which is an important Muslim shrine.
The city has an ancient fort which even served as a prison in the days when the island was British. It's now home to the annual Larnaca Festival every July.
Stroll along the palm-lined and recently renovated Finikoudes promenade. And, if you're here in winter, look out for flamingos nesting on the salt lake.
Family attractions in Larnaca
The Museum of Palaeontology is a great place for kids to learn about ancient fossils. Go-karts, bowling, quad biking, windsurfing and sailing in Larnaca and its surrounds will be good for more active kids.
Take a trip to Camel Park, near the village of Mazotos, about 15 minutes from Larnaca. Kids can try camel rides then cool off in the pool.
WaterWorld, Europe's largest themed water park, is about an hour away in Ayia Napa.
The Museum of Palaeontology is a great place for kids to learn about ancient fossils. Go-karts, bowling, quad biking, windsurfing and sailing in Larnaca and its surrounds will be good for more active kids.
Take a trip to Camel Park, near the village of Mazotos, about 15 minutes from Larnaca. Kids can try camel rides then cool off in the pool.
WaterWorld, Europe's largest themed water park, is about an hour away in Ayia Napa.
Day trips in Larnaca
The village of Lefkara is 25 miles away and worth a look if you fancy buying its famous and exquisite handmade lace.
If you want an awesome view of the island, make your way up to Stavrovouni, the oldest monastery in Cyprus - but only if you're a man. Women are not allowed to enter the monastery
The village of Lefkara is 25 miles away and worth a look if you fancy buying its famous and exquisite handmade lace.
If you want an awesome view of the island, make your way up to Stavrovouni, the oldest monastery in Cyprus - but only if you're a man. Women are not allowed to enter the monastery
Eating out in Larnaca
A tasty Cypriot meal is likely to kick off with a 'meze', when the table fills with a number of little dishes or other essentials including souvlakia, Cypriot kebabs, or halloumi, the local cheese made from goat's or sheep's milk
There are plenty of restaurants and English-style pubs along Larnaca's promenade too. During the day, beach restaurants at McKenzie and Dhekelia offer simple, fresh seafood and Cypriot cuisine.
A tasty Cypriot meal is likely to kick off with a 'meze', when the table fills with a number of little dishes or other essentials including souvlakia, Cypriot kebabs, or halloumi, the local cheese made from goat's or sheep's milk
There are plenty of restaurants and English-style pubs along Larnaca's promenade too. During the day, beach restaurants at McKenzie and Dhekelia offer simple, fresh seafood and Cypriot cuisine.
Nightlife in Larnaca
Nightlife is focused around and along the promenade area, or visitors can take a15-20 minute-taxi ride east to the area around the Larnaca-Dhekelia road.
Ayia Napa, one of Europe's hottest clubbing resorts, is about an hour's drive from Larnaca.
Nightlife is focused around and along the promenade area, or visitors can take a15-20 minute-taxi ride east to the area around the Larnaca-Dhekelia road.
Ayia Napa, one of Europe's hottest clubbing resorts, is about an hour's drive from Larnaca.
Shopping in Larnaca
Zinonos Kitios is the main shopping hub and leads to a busy market. Silver and copper goods - the island is known for its skills in copper pots, saucepans and planters - are best buys. Larnaca's also said to be a good place for discounted spectacles and lens.
If you fancy going potty, make a short side trip to Kornos, known as a centre for good quality ceramics.
Zinonos Kitios is the main shopping hub and leads to a busy market. Silver and copper goods - the island is known for its skills in copper pots, saucepans and planters - are best buys. Larnaca's also said to be a good place for discounted spectacles and lens.
If you fancy going potty, make a short side trip to Kornos, known as a centre for good quality ceramics.
1 comment:
Kition shines with stark contrasts of deities of Astre; productiveness & male deity of sea to mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke, from Larnaca salt lake to museums in city, from underground pagan church of Ayia Phaneromeni to Turkish fort of Larnaca. To get enchanted with Kition, refer : http://www.journeyidea.com/primeval-kition-part-ii/
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