What to do in Larnaka
Sightseeing
A beautiful place to relax and enjoy the crystal clear beach. In that area you can find many choices of food (fast food & restaurant/tavern), and drink. Next to it is marina of Larnaka. There you can enjoy the view or even have a boat trip that includes lunch in the boat. An amazing experience.
Nearby you can also go for some shopping. This area is central and you can find everything you need.
You can find souvenir shops along with many other stores.
At the end of the Phinikoides you might want to see the ancient castle that stands by the waves.
201 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Finikoudes Beach
A beautiful place to relax and enjoy the crystal clear beach. In that area you can find many choices of food (fast food & restaurant/tavern), and drink. Next to it is marina of Larnaka. There you can enjoy the view or even have a boat trip that includes lunch in the boat. An amazing experience.
Nearby you can also go for some shopping. This area is central and you can find everything you need.
You can find souvenir shops along with many other stores.
At the end of the Phinikoides you might want to see the ancient castle that stands by the waves.
Right on the edge of Larnaca's seaside promenade, this Ottoman era fort, built in 1625, was used as the Ottoman's main line of defence for the city.
It stands on the site of a much earlier medieval fort of which nothing remains. During the British colonial period, the fort was turned into a prison.
Today, it's home to Larnaca's small Medieval Museum and displays a small collection of weaponry as well as some great black-and-white photographs of the local area.
Climbing up onto the ramparts offers good views across the Mediterranean Sea.
Across the road is Larnaca's Grand Mosque, which was once the Holy Cross Latin Church and dates from the 16th century. It's worth taking a peek inside the compound to check out the small cemetery with its old intricately-embellished tombstones.
Address: Leoforos Athinon Promenade
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Medieval Fort
Piyale PaşaRight on the edge of Larnaca's seaside promenade, this Ottoman era fort, built in 1625, was used as the Ottoman's main line of defence for the city.
It stands on the site of a much earlier medieval fort of which nothing remains. During the British colonial period, the fort was turned into a prison.
Today, it's home to Larnaca's small Medieval Museum and displays a small collection of weaponry as well as some great black-and-white photographs of the local area.
Climbing up onto the ramparts offers good views across the Mediterranean Sea.
Across the road is Larnaca's Grand Mosque, which was once the Holy Cross Latin Church and dates from the 16th century. It's worth taking a peek inside the compound to check out the small cemetery with its old intricately-embellished tombstones.
Address: Leoforos Athinon Promenade
Number one on the things to do list for those seeking some nature just outside Larnaca city is the serenely beautiful Hala Sultan Tekke. This mosque and shrine sits on the western side of Larnaca's Salt Lake, three kilometers west of central Larnaca.
An important place of pilgrimage for Muslims, this mosque honors the prophet Muhammad's wet-nurse, Umm Haram, who is said to have died at this site after falling from her donkey, and a shrine was dedicated over her tomb in AD 645.
The present mosque building was built by the Ottomans and dates to 1816.
Larnaca's Salt Lake is a nature reserve and in spring, large flocks of flamingos and ducks can be easily seen. Dung summer, the waters evaporate completely, leaving a crusty white layer of shimmering salt in their place.
The area is ringed by a walking trail, which also leads to the Hala Sultan Tekke and makes a lovely afternoon stroll.
Due to Larnaca's rather chaotic public transport system, it's easiest to get to the lake and the mosque by your own transport
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Hala Sultan Tekke
Tekke RoadNumber one on the things to do list for those seeking some nature just outside Larnaca city is the serenely beautiful Hala Sultan Tekke. This mosque and shrine sits on the western side of Larnaca's Salt Lake, three kilometers west of central Larnaca.
An important place of pilgrimage for Muslims, this mosque honors the prophet Muhammad's wet-nurse, Umm Haram, who is said to have died at this site after falling from her donkey, and a shrine was dedicated over her tomb in AD 645.
The present mosque building was built by the Ottomans and dates to 1816.
Larnaca's Salt Lake is a nature reserve and in spring, large flocks of flamingos and ducks can be easily seen. Dung summer, the waters evaporate completely, leaving a crusty white layer of shimmering salt in their place.
The area is ringed by a walking trail, which also leads to the Hala Sultan Tekke and makes a lovely afternoon stroll.
Due to Larnaca's rather chaotic public transport system, it's easiest to get to the lake and the mosque by your own transport
According to local lore, after Lazarus rose from the dead, he lived here in Larnaca (then known as Kition) for another 30 years and was ordained as Bishop of Kition. When he finally died - this time for good - he was buried here, where the stately Agios Lazaros (Church of St. Lazarus) now stands.
The church was built in the 9th century by Emperor Leo VI and was faithfully restored in the 17th century.
The church has four domes over the nave, and the roof is supported on four sets of double columns. The pulpit is uniquely placed in one of these columns and is lavishly decorated in gilt. In another column is a silver icon from 1659, with a picture of St. Lazarus.
Check out the incredibly ornate iconostasis for an excellent example of Baroque woodcarving.
Beside the iconostasis, a staircase leads down into the Tomb of Lazarus (though remains found there in AD 890 - which may, or may not be of Lazarus himself - were moved to Constantinople and later to Marseille).
The church is also home to impressive paintings of the Virgin and Child and St. George and the Dragon.
Across the courtyard from the church is the Byzantine Museum, which holds a collection of religious icons and relics.
Address: Agiou Lazarou (Larnaca Main Square)
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Iglesia de San Lázaro
Ayiou LazarouAccording to local lore, after Lazarus rose from the dead, he lived here in Larnaca (then known as Kition) for another 30 years and was ordained as Bishop of Kition. When he finally died - this time for good - he was buried here, where the stately Agios Lazaros (Church of St. Lazarus) now stands.
The church was built in the 9th century by Emperor Leo VI and was faithfully restored in the 17th century.
The church has four domes over the nave, and the roof is supported on four sets of double columns. The pulpit is uniquely placed in one of these columns and is lavishly decorated in gilt. In another column is a silver icon from 1659, with a picture of St. Lazarus.
Check out the incredibly ornate iconostasis for an excellent example of Baroque woodcarving.
Beside the iconostasis, a staircase leads down into the Tomb of Lazarus (though remains found there in AD 890 - which may, or may not be of Lazarus himself - were moved to Constantinople and later to Marseille).
The church is also home to impressive paintings of the Virgin and Child and St. George and the Dragon.
Across the courtyard from the church is the Byzantine Museum, which holds a collection of religious icons and relics.
Address: Agiou Lazarou (Larnaca Main Square)
Built in 1746, this impressive aqueduct on the outskirts of town provided Larnaca's water supply until the 1930s.
Once part of a complicated water engineering system that used a combination of tunnels as well to deliver water into the town, it was constructed under orders of the local Ottoman governor and styled on typical Roman era aqueducts.
Today, the still sturdy 33 arches rambling across the green fields are an impressive sight.
Come during the evening when the arches are lit up, or during the day, when sheep are grazed in the fields between the arches.
You can get to the arches by hopping on any city bus that's heading in the direction of the K Cineplex.
Address: Old Larnaca-Limassol Road
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Acueducto de Kamares
Van Ntaik LarisisBuilt in 1746, this impressive aqueduct on the outskirts of town provided Larnaca's water supply until the 1930s.
Once part of a complicated water engineering system that used a combination of tunnels as well to deliver water into the town, it was constructed under orders of the local Ottoman governor and styled on typical Roman era aqueducts.
Today, the still sturdy 33 arches rambling across the green fields are an impressive sight.
Come during the evening when the arches are lit up, or during the day, when sheep are grazed in the fields between the arches.
You can get to the arches by hopping on any city bus that's heading in the direction of the K Cineplex.
Address: Old Larnaca-Limassol Road
Larnaca's Archaeological Museum is home to a collection of finds from across the surrounding region dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period.
The first room displays sculptures, mainly female torsos and terracotta figures, while the next room houses the pottery collection from excavations at Kition (Larnaca's ancient name) and Livadia, a village just east of Larnaca, with Mycenaean vases and a variety of ornaments in bronze, clay, and glass.
There are also some Neolithic artifacts from Choirokoitia and some glass from the Roman era.
Although the collection can be slightly haphazard and not well-labeled, it's worth stopping off here, especially to view the terracotta figures, which are supremely beautiful.
A short stroll from the museum is the archaeological site of Ancient Kition, where much of the collection hails from. Although there's not much to see, check out the remnants of the Cyclopaean walls and the ruins of temples, which date back to the 13th century BC.
Address: Plateia Kalogreon Street
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Larnaka District Archeological Museum
KalograionLarnaca's Archaeological Museum is home to a collection of finds from across the surrounding region dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period.
The first room displays sculptures, mainly female torsos and terracotta figures, while the next room houses the pottery collection from excavations at Kition (Larnaca's ancient name) and Livadia, a village just east of Larnaca, with Mycenaean vases and a variety of ornaments in bronze, clay, and glass.
There are also some Neolithic artifacts from Choirokoitia and some glass from the Roman era.
Although the collection can be slightly haphazard and not well-labeled, it's worth stopping off here, especially to view the terracotta figures, which are supremely beautiful.
A short stroll from the museum is the archaeological site of Ancient Kition, where much of the collection hails from. Although there's not much to see, check out the remnants of the Cyclopaean walls and the ruins of temples, which date back to the 13th century BC.
Address: Plateia Kalogreon Street
Larnaca Salt Lake is a complex network of four salt lakes of different sizes to the west of the city of Larnaca. The largest is lake Aliki, followed by lake Orphani, lake Soros and lake Spiro. They form the second largest salt lake in Cyprus after the Limassol Salt Lake
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Salt Lake Larnaca
Larnaca Salt Lake is a complex network of four salt lakes of different sizes to the west of the city of Larnaca. The largest is lake Aliki, followed by lake Orphani, lake Soros and lake Spiro. They form the second largest salt lake in Cyprus after the Limassol Salt Lake
The villages surrounding Larnaca are some of the best places to visit if you want to get a feel for traditional Cypriot life.
Famous for its lace production, the village of Lefkara, west of Larnaca, is a delightful place to explore, full of wonderfully preserved mansion architecture, quaint cafés, and a bundle of lace shops where local women sit in the sun outside creating new lace pieces for sale.
Lefkara lace gets its fame from the local story that Leonardo da Vinci bought a piece of lace here in 1481 to be used as an altar cloth in Milan's cathedral.
When you've finished shopping, the winding alleys lead you to Lefkara Local Museum, which contains dioramas of traditional local life and is brimming with information on the village's history. Afterwards, stroll on to the Church of Archangelos Michael, which holds some important 12th-century icon paintings.
The village lies about 38 kilometers southwest of Larnaca and is difficult to access by public transport, so it's best to hire a car, or take a taxi, here.
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Lefkara View
The villages surrounding Larnaca are some of the best places to visit if you want to get a feel for traditional Cypriot life.
Famous for its lace production, the village of Lefkara, west of Larnaca, is a delightful place to explore, full of wonderfully preserved mansion architecture, quaint cafés, and a bundle of lace shops where local women sit in the sun outside creating new lace pieces for sale.
Lefkara lace gets its fame from the local story that Leonardo da Vinci bought a piece of lace here in 1481 to be used as an altar cloth in Milan's cathedral.
When you've finished shopping, the winding alleys lead you to Lefkara Local Museum, which contains dioramas of traditional local life and is brimming with information on the village's history. Afterwards, stroll on to the Church of Archangelos Michael, which holds some important 12th-century icon paintings.
The village lies about 38 kilometers southwest of Larnaca and is difficult to access by public transport, so it's best to hire a car, or take a taxi, here.
The Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, occupied from the 7th to the 4th millennium B.C., is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean. Its remains and the finds from the excavations there have thrown much light on the evolution of human society in this key region. Since only part of the site has been excavated, it forms an exceptional archaeological reserve for future study.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Choirokoitia
The Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, occupied from the 7th to the 4th millennium B.C., is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean. Its remains and the finds from the excavations there have thrown much light on the evolution of human society in this key region. Since only part of the site has been excavated, it forms an exceptional archaeological reserve for future study.
Rated one of the top ten wrecks dives in the world, the Zenobia is a real treat for experienced diver. The Zenobia lies on her port side with 108 articulated lorries which can still be seen alongside the wreck. MS Zenobia was a Swedish built Challenger-class RO-RO ferry launched in 1979 that capsized and sank in the Mediterranean sea, close to Larnaca, Cyprus, in June 1980 on her maiden voyage.
The seabed is at 42m and the highest point is at 16m with visibility reaching 40m. Few currents and warm water it makes an ideal site for all qualified divers. Whether it is your first wreck dive or you want a series of penetration dives, Zenobia is a great choice.
The marine life in and around the wreck is unique in Cyprus. Nowhere else will you get the chance to see grouper, barracuda, tuna, turtle and triggerfish… the list of marine life is endless and all at the same dive site. Outside of the Zenobia you can see a variety of fish from large Groupers to barracudas and tiny Damselfish. If you look closely you may also see tiny Pink Flabellina nudibranchs that make the Zenobia their home.
The trucks and their cargo have never been salvaged, and are now lying on the seabed and still chained to the decks for you to see.
Two dives on the Zenobia Wreck is a start, but it’s simply not enough!
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zenobia Wreck Dive Site
Rated one of the top ten wrecks dives in the world, the Zenobia is a real treat for experienced diver. The Zenobia lies on her port side with 108 articulated lorries which can still be seen alongside the wreck. MS Zenobia was a Swedish built Challenger-class RO-RO ferry launched in 1979 that capsized and sank in the Mediterranean sea, close to Larnaca, Cyprus, in June 1980 on her maiden voyage.
The seabed is at 42m and the highest point is at 16m with visibility reaching 40m. Few currents and warm water it makes an ideal site for all qualified divers. Whether it is your first wreck dive or you want a series of penetration dives, Zenobia is a great choice.
The marine life in and around the wreck is unique in Cyprus. Nowhere else will you get the chance to see grouper, barracuda, tuna, turtle and triggerfish… the list of marine life is endless and all at the same dive site. Outside of the Zenobia you can see a variety of fish from large Groupers to barracudas and tiny Damselfish. If you look closely you may also see tiny Pink Flabellina nudibranchs that make the Zenobia their home.
The trucks and their cargo have never been salvaged, and are now lying on the seabed and still chained to the decks for you to see.
Two dives on the Zenobia Wreck is a start, but it’s simply not enough!
Shopping
The METROPOLIS Mall of Larnaca, is a fully enclosed, single-level, climate controlled Shopping and Lifestyle Centre. Focused on offering customers the convenience of having all their needs met in one location, it will cater for families, kids, teens and adults alike. With a full retail offering, including a supermarket, major fashion retailers, branded and independent shops, services, entertainment, food court with modern restaurants and cafes, kids play areas and free WiFi, it will be Larnaca’s ultimate lifestyle and shopping metropolis! With excellent access, location and visibility, METROPOLIS Mall @ Larnaca is well suited to cater for the entire catchment area within a 30km radius
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Metropolis Mall@Larnaca
5 European Union AvenueThe METROPOLIS Mall of Larnaca, is a fully enclosed, single-level, climate controlled Shopping and Lifestyle Centre. Focused on offering customers the convenience of having all their needs met in one location, it will cater for families, kids, teens and adults alike. With a full retail offering, including a supermarket, major fashion retailers, branded and independent shops, services, entertainment, food court with modern restaurants and cafes, kids play areas and free WiFi, it will be Larnaca’s ultimate lifestyle and shopping metropolis! With excellent access, location and visibility, METROPOLIS Mall @ Larnaca is well suited to cater for the entire catchment area within a 30km radius
Nature, Relax, children
If you have children is a great choice to go. Next to the library is the municipal garden of Larnaka where children can have fun while you read a book or drink a coffee in the cafeteria. On the same spot you can find the Natural History Museum. A beautiful garden to pass few hours with your family.
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Municipal Library of Larnaka
If you have children is a great choice to go. Next to the library is the municipal garden of Larnaka where children can have fun while you read a book or drink a coffee in the cafeteria. On the same spot you can find the Natural History Museum. A beautiful garden to pass few hours with your family.
Food Scene
If you want to try some Syrian - Lebanese (middle east food) with plenty of vegetarian choices thats your place to go. At certain times you can even enjoy a belly dance live show.
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Maqam Al-Sultan Restaurant
If you want to try some Syrian - Lebanese (middle east food) with plenty of vegetarian choices thats your place to go. At certain times you can even enjoy a belly dance live show.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Public Transport in Cyprus are not trustworthy
Please always keep in mind that the only public transport Cyprus has is the bus lines. However they are not trustworthy since they are never on time and routes are more or less every 1 hour or more than that.
Costumbres y cultura
Cypriot Cuisine
If you are a meat lover then sure Cyprus is your place. There are plenty of choices to try such as souvlakia, shieftalia, kleftiko, koupepia, souvla, makaronia tou fournou (pastitsio) etc.
On the other hand if you are vegetarian or vegan we can surerly give you some reccommndations of where and what to find as we are also vegetarians.