Larnaca: a city that does not need to draw attention to itself.
Larnaca is probably one of the easiest cities to settle into in Cyprus. It lacks the intensity of Limassol and the grand monuments of Paphos, but combines the sea, quiet neighbourhoods, history and local life in a particularly pleasant way. And the best part begins when you venture a little beyond the city: salt lakes, stone villages, prehistoric sites and inland roads reveal a completely different side of Cyprus.
Type
City · Sea · History · Villages
Time
1 day for the city · 2–3 days including the surrounding area
Best time to visit
All year round, with very different things to do each season
Car needed?
Not needed in the centre · useful for exploring the surrounding area
Ideal for
A first base in Cyprus · short breaks · combining city and villages
Larnaca is at its best when you stop treating it as a place to pass through.
Light · sea · salt · landscape
Getting to know Larnaca.
Larnaca is best understood at an unhurried pace. Start in the narrow streets around Agios Lazaros, walk to the sea, continue along Finikoudes and end the day at Mackenzie.
But one of its greatest strengths is what lies around it. In less than an hour you can go from the seafront promenade to a salt lake, a settlement dating back thousands of years, a stone village or a mountain road.
City
Sea · old town · stroll
Salt Lake
Nature · landscape · Hala Sultan Tekke
Surrounding area
Villages · archaeology · mountains
In the city
Start with the city.
Sea, history and a city best enjoyed on foot.
recommends
Agios Lazaros
The best place to start: history, the old town and streets worth exploring before heading straight to the sea.
Agios Lazaros Church is one of Larnaca's main historic landmarks, but it should be part of a wider visit. Start here and explore the narrow streets of the old town without looking for the most direct route to the sea. Among low-rise houses, small shops, cafés and courtyards, a much more interesting Larnaca emerges than the one you see from the seafront alone.
Finikoudes
The palm-lined promenade connecting the centre to the Mediterranean.
It is Larnaca's most recognisable scene: palm trees, a seafront promenade and the Mediterranean alongside the city centre. There is no need to make Finikoudes a visit in its own right. It works better as part of a walk linking the old town, the sea and other neighbourhoods of Larnaca.
recommends
Mackenzie Beach
An open stretch of coast with more space to end the day by the sea.
The atmosphere changes at Mackenzie. The coast opens up, restaurants and terraces line the sea, and planes descend very low before landing at Larnaca Airport. It is one of the best areas for a meal by the sea, a stroll, an afternoon on the beach or watching the day draw to a close.
Keep exploring
The lake, surrounding area and tips
Salt Lake, villages, the sea, a route for the day and practical information about Larnaca.
Keep exploring
The lake, surrounding area and tips
Salt Lake, villages, the sea, a route for the day and practical information about Larnaca.
Salt Lake + Hala Sultan Tekke
Between water, salt and stone.
Area
Salt Lake + Hala Sultan Tekke
Larnaca's great change of scenery: water, salt, migratory birds and an open horizon, depending on the season.
Religious heritage
Hala Sultan Tekke
Beside the lake stands Hala Sultan Tekke, one of the most important religious sites in Cyprus, surrounded by palm trees and the wetland landscape.
Salt Lake Trail
From the lake to Kamares.
If you want your Salt Lake visit to be more than a photo stop, a signposted trail lets you walk through the area towards the historic Kamares Aqueduct.
Approx. distance
4 km
Type
Linear
Difficulty
Easy
Ideal for
Winter · spring · autumn
History · Stroll
Kamares Aqueduct
Kamares Aqueduct was built in the 18th century to supply Larnaca with water. A series of large stone arches still stands, contrasting with the modern city that has grown around it. It makes much more sense to include it in your Salt Lake walk than to travel here just to see it for a few minutes.
City → surrounding area
Now head out of Larnaca.
Because some of the places that best reveal this area begin once you leave the coast behind.
Villages · history · mountains · sea
Now choose where to head next.
Three villages, one route
Lefkara
Stone streets, courtyards and workshops devoted to lace and silver filigree.
Lefkara is one of those places best enjoyed when you are in no hurry. Narrow streets, stone houses, courtyards, small workshops and a craft tradition have made it one of the best-known villages in Cyprus. The village is especially known for lefkaritiko, its lace-making tradition, and for silver filigree. Rather than sticking to the main streets, step into the small workshops and shops where these crafts are still kept alive.
Village
Vavla
Smaller and quieter; it works particularly well as part of a driving route.
Archaeology · UNESCO
Choirokoitia Archaeological Site
A Neolithic settlement that changes your perspective on the history of Cyprus.
Cyprus was inhabited long before its temples, castles and cities. The Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia is one of the island's most important archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It preserves the remains of a prehistoric settlement and several reconstructed circular dwellings that help you imagine life here thousands of years ago.
Mountains · religious heritage
Stavrovouni
A mountain road and a monastery with access restrictions you should know about.
Stavrovouni Monastery stands on top of a mountain, around 750 metres above sea level. Even before you arrive, the road and the views reveal a landscape very different from the coast of Larnaca. Entry to the interior of Stavrovouni Monastery is restricted to men. Women may visit the surrounding outdoor area but cannot enter the monastery. At the foot of the mountain is Agia Varvara Monastery, which is open to everyone.
Something you did not expect to do in Larnaca
Beneath the water.
Zenobia
A well-known wreck off the coast, for dives with a suitable operator and the right experience level.
Approx. depth
Between 16 and 42 metres
Type
Diving
Important
Suitable operator and experience level
Off the coast of Larnaca lies the MS Zenobia, a ferry that sank in 1980 on its maiden voyage. Today it is one of the best-known dive sites in Cyprus. This is not an activity to attempt without experience or without assessing the dive with a specialist operator.
A day in Larnaca, the
way
City, nature and sea without trying to see everything.
Step 01
Morning
Agios Lazaros + old town
Start in the historic heart and take a wander before heading to the sea.
Step 02
Midday
Finikoudes + Salt Lake
Head to the seafront promenade, then enjoy a change of scenery beside the lake.
Step 03
Afternoon
Hala Sultan Tekke + Mackenzie
Combine wetland scenery and heritage, then spend the final part of the day by the sea.
Step 04
End of the day
Take your time over dinner
Larnaca's appeal is precisely that you do not need to rush from place to place.
Seasons
Larnaca changes with the seasons.
Winter
recommendsHighly recommended.
Salt Lake, migratory birds, the city, villages and archaeology. This is the time of year when the lake's landscape can change completely.
Spring
recommendsHighly recommended.
Villages, trails, Choirokoitia, drives into the countryside and long walks.
Summer
Life shifts towards the sea.
Mackenzie, water activities, afternoons and evenings. Save the cooler hours for archaeology, villages and walks.
Autumn
recommendsHighly recommended.
Pleasant temperatures for combining the city, villages, day trips, inland scenery and the coast.
Practical information
Before you go.
One day gives you a feel for the city. Allow two or three if you also want to explore the surrounding area.
Not for exploring central Larnaca. It is highly recommended for Lefkara, Kato Drys, Vavla, Stavrovouni and other inland trips.
The salt lake changes completely with the seasons. During the wetter months it attracts migratory birds and, depending on conditions, flamingos can be seen at certain times. Do not plan your visit on the assumption that they will be there.
Larnaca is particularly well placed for exploring much of the eastern and central parts of the island. If you want to get around on foot, the centre and the area near Finikoudes are the most convenient options.
Start at Agios Lazaros, wander around the old town, walk towards Finikoudes, enjoy a change of scenery at Salt Lake and finish by the sea at Mackenzie.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Where do I start?
A quick guide to Cyprus to help you make your first decisions. Request it for free and receive it by email.