The church, seafront and fort are a few minutes apart in the centre. The salt lake and Hala Sultan Tekke are about 5 km south-west, on the way to the airport; the Zenobia is a short boat ride from the marina.
1 Church of Saint Lazarus
Lazarus, raised from the dead by Jesus, is said to have later become bishop of Kition and lived out his life here. The stone church built over his tomb in the late ninth century is one of the finest Byzantine buildings in Cyprus, with an ornate carved wooden iconostasis; the tomb is visible in the crypt. A small Byzantine museum is in the courtyard.
Practical: Free; small fee for the museum. Dress modestly. In the old town, five minutes from the seafront.
2 Finikoudes promenade and beach
The town’s palm-lined seafront, with a sandy beach, cafés and restaurants facing the bay. It is the heart of local life on summer evenings and during the Kataklysmos festival.
Practical: Free. Sunbeds rented in summer; Mackenzie Beach to the south is livelier.
3 Larnaca Salt Lake
A network of shallow salt lakes beside the airport. In winter they fill with water and attract migratory birds, especially greater flamingos, often in their thousands. In summer the lake dries to a white crust.
Practical: Free. Best from about December to March; a walking path follows part of the shore. Bring binoculars.
4 Hala Sultan Tekke
A mosque and shrine set among palms on the western shore of the salt lake, built over the tomb of Umm Haram, said to be a relative of the Prophet Muhammad who died here in the seventh century. It is an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims.
Practical: Free; remove shoes and dress modestly inside. About 10 minutes by car from the centre.
5 The Zenobia wreck
A Swedish-built roll-on roll-off ferry that capsized and sank just outside the harbour on her maiden voyage in 1980, with her cargo of lorries still aboard. She lies on her side at around 17–42 m and is regularly listed among the best wreck dives in the world.
Practical: Dive centres and snorkelling boats leave from Larnaca marina. Depth and currents make a guide essential.
6 Larnaca medieval fort
A small fort at the southern end of Finikoudes, built in its present form under Ottoman rule, which later served as a British prison. A small museum is inside, and the courtyard hosts summer events.
Practical: Ticketed (a few euros). About 30 minutes.
7 Ancient Kition and the town museums
Kition, one of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus, lies beneath modern Larnaca; excavated remains of temples and city walls can be seen in the north of town. The Larnaca District Archaeological Museum and the private Pierides Museum display finds from the region.
Practical: Each ticketed; allow 30–60 minutes per site. Check opening days.
