Travel Eye on Larnaca (Cyprus)

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Overview:

Larnaca is the international gateway to Cyprus, being its second port and having an international airport. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and has plenty of historical sightseeing on offer to complement its deep-blue sea, bright sandy beaches and reliably sunny skies.

With its 400-berth marina, Larnaca is also a favoured destination for visitors with yachts. Land-based tourists enjoy the palm-lined harbour promenade and the city's international calibre shops, inviting cafes and panoramic ocean views. 

The city was called Kition in the days of the Old Testament and the ruins of the ancient city can still be seen. Much of its rich archaeological heritage has been preserved and is showcased in two of its main museums. The surrounding area beyond the city is also a treasure-trove of historic ruins from the Neolithic period onwards.

Larnaca enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with abundant sunshine year round. Long dry summers and mild winters are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. Summer is a time of high temperatures with cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere in the coastal areas. Winters are mild, with some rain and snow on Troodos Mountains.

This area attracts all markets, particularly young singles and families, in high season. More mature clientele in the low season. There are over 80 tourist hotels and apartment buildings concentrated in the 3 resort areas.

There are plentiful amenities and the beaches are good, with plenty of sand and clear waters, but they can get very crowded, especially at weekends when locals descend and access from the hotels inland is across the main road with its nonstop traffic.

Locality:

Larnaca is on the south east coast (25 mls SE of Nicosia. 3 mls N of the international airport). It is built around Larnaca Bay and is generally flat with some hills and mountains farther inland.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to:

There are a few fine sandy beaches situated in all 3 resorts. Beaches at the rear of beachfront properties tend to be described as "private" and are looked after.

Some of the public beaches are looking a little neglected and are also narrow in places, making them extremely crowded, especially at weekends. Sunbeds and sun umbrellas for hire on all public beaches. Main beach areas are regarded as safe for swimming; if they are not, it is clearly marked.

Shopping is fairly uninspiring on the whole. Some shops, albeit of a limited variety, in the resort areas at Mackenzie Beach and in the Larnaca-to-Dekelia Rd area. therer is a wider variety of shops in the town centre, mainly souvenirs etc for tourists or everyday essentials for locals. There is a weekly Sunday market in Larnaca centre.

During the daytime there are plentiful water sports, including windsurfing, diving, snorkelling, sailing, parasailing and jet-skiing. Other activities include fishing, horse riding, go-karts,a fun park and camel rides. For the more cultural types exploring the town, with its museums, churches, 17th-century fort and remains of the ancient city of Kition is a must.

The nightlife in Larnaca offers plenty of bars, pubs and tavernas with live music. There are a few discos and clubs and an open-air theatre.

There is a wide variety of restaurants and cafes offering fast food and local and international cuisine, particularly kebab houses and open-air, beachfront eateries.

Eating out on the whole is a more casual affair. It is now getting harder to find the traditional meze houses, but there are some very appealing tavernas in the Larnaca-to-Dekelia Rd area. Fine dining is restricted to the 4- and 5-star hotels.