Larnaca (Cyprus) – the most detailed information about the city with photos and videos. The main sights of Larnaca with a description and the best beaches in the guide with a map.
Larnaca (Greek: Λάρνακα, Turkish: Larnaka) is a city on the southeast coast of Cyprus and one of the best resorts on the island, where the charming historic center with an atmospheric Turkish quarter and the resort area with a long promenade stretching along the beaches are surprisingly harmoniously combined. Larnaca is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in Cyprus, where you can see several interesting sights, including the Byzantine Church of St. Lazarus, an Ottoman aqueduct, a mosque and a fort.
Although Larnaca is the third largest city on the island, it is a quiet place with a relaxed and cosmopolitan atmosphere, which distinguishes it from the bustling Paphos, Ayia Napa and Limassol. Moreover, the city is conveniently located for exploring the southern part of Cyprus and traveling to some of the best beaches on the island, as well as to the quaint villages and attractions of the Maheras forest region.
Larnaca stretches along the bay between the capes of Kithi and Pyla and is located in the southeastern part of Cyprus. The city has a Mediterranean arid climate characterized by hot and dry summers. Winters in Larnaca are warm and relatively rainy.
The weather in Larnaca remains quite pleasant and sunny for most of the year. Summers in Cyprus can be very hot, so if you do not like the heat, we recommend choosing the second half of spring or autumn for travel.
Larnaca is one of the oldest cities in Cyprus. The settlement was founded 6,000 years ago. In the 13th century BC, the city-state of Kythion, one of the centers of Mycenaean Greek civilization, flourished in the vicinity of Larnaca. In the first millennium BC. Kition was rebuilt by the Phoenicians and later became a center of Phoenician culture. Fragments of powerful walls, a complex of five temples, and a naval port have survived to this day.
In the first millennium BC. Kition was conquered by a number of great ancient powers: first by the Assyrian Empire, then by Egypt and the Persians. The earthquakes of 322 and 342 BC destroyed not only Kythion but also Salamis. Later, the ancient harbor silted up and the population moved to the coast to the south.
The name of the city comes from the Greek word larnax, which means: “chest”, “box”, “funeral urn”, “sarcophagus”. Most scholars believe that the origin of the modern name is related to the huge number of sarcophagi found in the area.
During the Byzantine period, many monuments were built in Larnaca that have survived to this day, such as the Basilica of St. Lazarus. In the late Middle Ages, the city’s importance began to decline. During the Ottoman rule, Larnaca began to flourish again, becoming the diplomatic and commercial center of the island. The modern port, built by the Turks, was expanded after the island’s main port in Famagusta became part of Northern Cyprus.
Larnaca International Airport is the largest airport in Cyprus. It is located 6 km from the city. From the airport you can get to the center by bus 425. The trip takes about 15-20 minutes. It is also quite easy to get to other cities of Cyprus by bus from Larnaca.
Larnaca is famous for its jewelry, as well as cute shops with various tourist souvenirs. Here you can buy traditional lace from Lefkara and silverware.
Cypriot cuisine is a kind of Mediterranean gastronomy with Turkish influence. Its main ingredients are olive oil, legumes, lean meat, fish and seafood, local herbs, fresh fruits and vegetables. Larnaca offers many traditional taverns, many of which have their own unique specialties. In these cozy and authentic eateries you can try the famous “meze” – a variety of small appetizers, as well as stews, souvlaki, fish, specialty cheeses, delicacies and wines.
Larnaca has several interesting sights and cultural attractions, including several ancient churches and mosques, an Ottoman aqueduct, the ruins of an ancient city and a wonderful Archaeological Museum.
The Church of St. Lazarus is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in Cyprus. It was built in the 10th century. It is believed that the tomb of St. Lazarus, who was resurrected by Jesus Christ, is located in the crypt under the church. The church was restored in the 17th century. Although the three domes and the original bell tower were destroyed in the early years during Ottoman rule, the gold-covered iconostasis has survived to this day and is a magnificent example of Baroque wood carving. Across the courtyard from the church is the Byzantine Museum, which houses a magnificent collection of religious icons and relics.
Next to the iconostasis is a staircase that leads down to the tomb of Lazarus (although the remains found there in 890 may not belong to the biblical saint). These relics were transferred first to Constantinople (Istanbul) and then to Marseille.
The Archaeological Museum of Pierides is one of the most interesting museums in Larnaca. It is located in a restored 18th-century mansion. The museum was founded in 1839 and has 2500 different antiquities from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages.
Hala Sultan Tekke or Umm Haram Mosque is a historic Muslim complex located on the shores of the Salt Lake of Larnaca. The mosque was built in 648 on the site where a relative of the Prophet Muhammad, Umm Haram, died during an Arab raid. Today, the mosque is one of the most important religious buildings in the Muslim world.
The Larnaca Salt Lake is a nature reserve located about 3 km from the city. In the spring, you can easily see large flocks of flamingos and ducks. In summer, the water evaporates completely, leaving a white layer of shimmering salt in its place.
The architectural ruins of the ancient city – the Kingdom of Kition – are the first convincing evidence that the Mycenaean Greeks arrived in Larnaca in the 13th century BC, and the Phoenicians in the 9th century. The Achaeans redeveloped and rebuilt the city around the end of the 13th century BC, fortifying it with powerful walls of giant stone blocks, while the Phoenicians settled in the area in the 9th century. In 312 BC. BC. Kythion was occupied and then destroyed by Ptolemy Soter, although the settlement continued to exist in Christian times.
Kition flourished in ancient times thanks to its harbor, from which many agricultural products were exported to the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt and the Aegean coast. In addition, the city’s favorable strategic location made it an exceptional naval base. Of particular interest in the ancient port are the drawings of ships engraved on the walls of buildings. The most interesting architectural ruins are the temples of Aphrodite and Astarte, built by the same Phoenician masons who built Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. The temples of Kition date back to the 9th century BC.
Nearby, temples in the Egyptian style of the 18th Egyptian dynasty were also discovered, which are older than their Greek counterparts and were intended for the pre-Hellenic Cypriot population.
The Kamares Aqueduct is a hydraulic structure built in 1746. This amazing aqueduct provided water supply to Larnaca until the 1930s. It was once part of a complex hydraulic system that also used a combination of tunnels to deliver water to the city. This complex network was built on the orders of the local governor and was stylized to resemble typical Roman-era aqueducts. Today, 33 arches have been preserved, crossing green fields and presenting an impressive sight.
The Ottoman-era fort, built in 1625, right on the edge of Larnaca’s waterfront, was used as the city’s main line of defense. This fortification stands on the site of an earlier medieval fort, of which nothing has survived. During the British colonial period, the fort was turned into a prison. Today, it houses a small Medieval Museum with a small collection of weapons and some excellent black and white photographs. Climbing the rampart you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Old Turkish Quarter or The Rock is one of the most interesting areas of Larnaca, which has retained the charm of the Ottoman era. This area starts near the fort and continues south through a mishmash of narrow streets. After the Turkish population of Larnaca was forced to move north after the partition of the island, the area fell into disrepair.
In recent years, however, artisans have taken to the rock, setting up ceramic workshops here. The neighborhood has retained much of its traditional character and white Ottoman-style cottages, gracefully decorated with colorful window frames. Come here to see the quaint old-fashioned architectural style that has practically disappeared in the popular seaside resorts of Cyprus.
The Buyuk Jami Mosque (also called Kebir Mosque) was originally a Catholic church built in the 13th and 14th centuries. After the Turks conquered Cyprus, the church was converted into a mosque. This religious building is still active and is located next door to the fort.
Approximately 40 kilometers west of Larnaca, on top of a picturesque jagged cliff, is the ancient monastery of Stavrovouni. It is one of the most important sacred places in Cyprus. In ancient times, a temple in honor of the goddess Aphrodite was located on top of the cliff.
In 327 AD, Empress Helen (the mother of Emperor Constantine) sponsored the construction of this monastery to replace a pagan temple and left a valuable relic (a fragment of the Holy Cross) here. During the Arab invasions of the 15th century, the original monastery was burned to the ground, and the current building dates from the 19th century.
The villages surrounding Larnaca are some of the most interesting places to visit where you can experience traditional Cypriot life. The village of Lefkara, located to the west of Larnaca, is known for its lace production. It is a wonderful place full of beautifully preserved old mansions, quaint cafes and traditional craft shops.
Lefkara lace is widely known for the local story that Leonardo da Vinci bought a piece of lace here in 1481 to use in the decoration of the altar in the Milan Cathedral.
The Monastery of St. Joseph and the Catholic Church were founded in 1844 by French immigrants. The church has a beautiful Latin arched architecture and for many years was known for its hospital, which existed until 1922.
The Chrysopolitan Orthodox Church dates back to the 18th century and was built on the site of an earlier religious building. The church building has a simple stone facade decorated with arches.
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