Larnaca is home to Cyprus’s busiest airport and is also the island’s most developed town. However, the number of medieval monuments still standing proud in the town testifies to its long history, and its former name, Kition, supposedly derives from Noah’s son Kittim, who is by legend the founder of Larnaca.
Things to see and do:
- Seafront – if you’re after cafés, shops and bars, then Larnaca’s seafront strip is the place to come: it’s lined with palm trees and, of course, offers easy access to the miles of sandy beaches.
- Kition – the remains of the ancient city date back to the 13th century BC, when it was inhabited by the Mycenaeans.
- Ayios Lazarus church – this church was built in the 9th century and represents an excellent example of classic Byzantine architecture.
- Salt lake – if you’re in Larnaca in the winter, head for the salt lake just outside the town to catch a glimpse of the hundreds of flamingos that congregate here.
- Day trips – Lefkosia (Nicosia) is the island’s capital and just over 20 miles away: it’s well worth the trip if you want to get beyond the tourism and see what Cyprus is really like for the people who actually live here; about the same distance east of Larnaca lies Ayia Napa – famous nightclubbing resort and hotbed of hedonism.
Getting there:
Larnaca airport is 3 miles from the town, with taxis available 24 hours a day to take you the 15 minute journey into Larnaca itself. Regular buses link up all the major towns in the Greek side of the island, but they don’t run on Sundays; car hire is also available from the airport.
Location and weather:
Larnaca sits on the south-east coast of the island, 20 miles from the capital Lefkosia. As you would expect from an island in the eastern Mediterranean, the summers are very warm, the winters mild and the sun as good as year-round.
Top tip:
Larnaca is a good place to come during the Kataclysmos (flood) festival that takes place across Cyprus in late June. |
