Larnaca, Cyprus
Luxurious hotels, cosmopolitan food, handmade jewellery and leather goods, as well as stunning beaches make Larnaca well worth a visit. There are many sights to be seen in Larnaca or you can simply spend your days on the beautiful beaches.
Larnaca
There are several beaches lining the coast of Larnaca starting at the city's central promenade and heading north to the Larnaca Bay area and south to the cape at Kiti. Larnaca beaches have ample sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, fine sand and calm shallow water ideal for swimming and for kids paddling the usual watersports such as jet skis, windsurfing and paragliding as well as scuba diving around the Zenobia shipwreck which lies just offshore.
Finikoudes is the main beach in Larnaca, backed by the central coastal promenade lined with hotels, shops, bars and restaurants. A beach of fine grey sand and the sea is shallow making it ideal for families with young children; facilities include showers, toilets and lifeguards in the summer season.
Around 2.5km south of Larnaca centre and at the end of the airport runway is the popular McKenzie Beach, the beach is quite narrow though around 1km long and is backed by a wide promenade lined with hotels, shops, bars and restaurants.
Faros Beach is a small and quiet beach 12km south of Larnaca, close to the village of Pevolia. Protected offshore by rock barriers make this an ideal choice for families with small children, facilities include a beach bar, watersports and lifeguards during the summer season.
Things to do
Along with watersports and snorkelling, diving is a popular activity with visitors to this area of Cyprus, as one of the worlds top wrecks, the Zenobia is just off the coast of Larnaca.
The church of Saint Lazarus (Agios Lazaros) is found in the centre of Larnaca, it has an interesting story and is said to be the later and second burial site of Lazarus.
The Pierides Museum is housed in the former Pierides family colonial-style home; it's the oldest private museum on Cyprus and features treasures from all over the island.
Larnaca Fort found next to the Finikoudes Beach contains a small Medieval Museum and its courtyard is used for cultural events in the summer season.
Out and about
Larnaca offers an array of restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets many of which can be found along the palm tree lined promenade which backs the Finikoudes beach. A number of bars can also be found along here as well as a choice of late clubs.
Nearby places of interest
Around 25km from Larnaca are the picturesque mountain village of Lefkara, renowned for the beautiful lacework produced here.
The Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement is a major archaeological site and can be found 35km outside of Larnaca just south of Lefkara. On the UNESCO World Heritage list the site dates from around 6800BC.
Set on the peak of a mountain offering a panoramic view is the Greek Orthodox Stavrovouni Monastery. The brotherhood follows strict vows so women are not permitted in the monastery, but may visit the church and bookshop in the grounds.
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