Larnaca is where most visitors land, and many simply pass through. That is a pity: the town has a relaxed, local feel, a palm-lined seafront called Finikoudes, a sandy town beach, and one of the most important churches in Cyprus, the ninth-century Church of Saint Lazarus. Ancient Kition, one of the island’s city-kingdoms, lies under the modern streets.
Just south-west of the centre, the Salt Lake fills with water in winter and attracts thousands of flamingos, with the Ottoman shrine of Hala Sultan Tekke on its shore. Offshore lies the Zenobia, a ferry that sank in 1980 and is now one of the best-known wreck dives in the world. Larnaca is also a handy base for Nicosia, the lace village of Lefkara and the beaches of Ayia Napa.
Highlights
- Church of Saint Lazarus — a Byzantine stone church built over the saint’s tomb.
- Finikoudes — the palm-lined seafront promenade and town beach.
- Larnaca Salt Lake — flamingos in winter and spring.
- Hala Sultan Tekke — a mosque and shrine among palms on the lake shore.
- The Zenobia wreck — a whole ferry on the seabed, for divers and snorkellers.
- Day trips — Nicosia, Lefkara and the east-coast beaches within an hour.
Quick facts
| Where | South-east coast, Larnaca district |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Airport | Larnaca International (LCA), about 10–15 min |
| Ideal stay | 2–3 nights |
| Best for | First and last nights, diving, a relaxed town beach |
| Getting around | Centre on foot; buses to the airport, Nicosia and Ayia Napa |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
Two or three nights covers the town, the salt lake and a dive or boat trip, with a day trip to Nicosia or Lefkara. Stay on or near Finikoudes to walk everywhere; Mackenzie Beach, near the airport, has beach bars and apartments; the hotel strip along the Dhekelia road east of town has larger beach resorts. Larnaca is also the obvious choice for the first or last night of a trip.
