Holidays to Larnaca mix 6,000 years of history with balmy beaches and an up-to-date nightlife scene.
The old and the new
With about 6,000 years of history under its belt, Larnaca – a city on Cyprus’ south-east coast – is full to the brim with time-stamped sights. It’s not all old, though. Also in the mix are bang-up-to-date cocktail bars, seafront restaurants and a marina packed with shiny yachts. If you want to explore the rest of the island, the city makes a great base. You’re within easy reach of lively Ayia Napa, family-friendly Protaras and buzzy Limassol, and the capital – Nicosia – is less than an hour’s drive away, too.
Sand, sea and windsurfing
When it comes to beaches, Larnaca favours quality over quantity. There are only two main strips of sand here. One – Finikoudes Beach – is named after the palm trees that line its promenade, and is the ideal spot if you want to spend a day sunbathing within easy reach of restaurants, shops and cafés. It’s covered in sunloungers, so you’ll have no trouble finding somewhere to get comfy for a few hours. Further south, Pervolia Beach is a hotspot for windsurfing, so add it to your list if you’re into your watersports.
Time-stamped sites
Larnaca’s the oldest city in Cyprus, so you can expect to get plenty of glimpses into the past on your visit. The Church of Saint Lazarus, which sits in its own square, is a must-see. And so is Larnaca Fort – a Medieval castle with sweeping sea views, which is now home to a museum. If you fancy a look at what life was like around here in prehistoric times, pay a visit to Choirokoitia Archaeological Site, too. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site complete with well-preserved ruins and reconstructed cylindrical Medieval dwellings.
Salt Lake strolls
Nature lovers – head just south of the city centre to Larnaca Salt Lake. The four-kilometre-long nature trail here is the perfect place to stretch your legs and get acquainted with the local flora and fauna. You’ll also get to see an ancient aqueduct. If you’re here between November and March, you’re in for a treat – thousands of flamingos and wild ducks descend on the lake to feast on brine shrimp before continuing their migration to Africa. The best place to see them is from the dedicated observatory.
Best time to go to Larnaca
Thanks to its hot, Mediterranean climate, Larnaca sees sunny weather for most of the year. Summers are sizzling, temperatures can soar up to a whopping 40°C in July, and the sun shines for at least ten hours a day. If that sounds a bit too hot to handle, explore Larnaca in April-May or September-October, where the weather averages in the mid-twenties – way more bearable but still sunny enough to get a good tan.
Top things to see and do in Larnaca
Our experiences
)
)
)
)
)
Get a second opinion
Check out what some of our customers had to say about us...
