Beautifully compact, easily accessible and truly authentic, Larnaka is Cyprus’ oldest soul with a history that dates back 10,000 years…
Beautifully compact, easily accessible and truly authentic, Larnaka is Cyprus’ oldest soul with a history that dates back 10,000 years, making it the longest continually inhabited region of the island. And with its status as the most centrally positioned city, Larnaka also offers easy access to the island’s other regions, making it the ideal destination for a Cyprus holiday or a business visit.
Whilst the region is rich in the ancient culture of hundreds of years of contrasting civilisations and architecture, Larnaka is also a thriving and modern European city that offers the best of all worlds. A characteristic feature is that tourists will find that there is no distinction between resort and town; locals and visitors alike can enjoy the same daily experience of a charming and diverse Mediterranean city. From stretches of varied coastline, a mix of traditional and cosmopolitan establishments and fascinating monuments, Larnaka seamlessly blends its two ‘faces’.
The distinctive feature of Larnaka city is its bustling Founikoudes Promenade which is lined with mature palm trees and flanked by beach, eateries and entertainment.
The parallel shopping centre with its traditional architecture puts everything at your fingertips – including cultural treasures and interesting museums that are nestled among the commercial shopping streets.
The promenade seamlessly joins the popular Piale Pasha sea walkway as it passes by quaint old neighbourhoods where traditional artists work, taking in a small fishing harbour and its fresh fish taverns as it stretches towards the hip Mckenzie area. In the same area, the famous Salt Lake fills with flocks of vibrant pink flamingos in the winter months and attracts visitors for its natural beauty and ecological value, offering a nature trail in the heart of the city.
Larnaka town is also significant for both Christians and Moslems. The most revered monuments of the two are included in the main attractions of the city: the Church of Agios Lazaros (Saint Lazarus), the patron saint of the town who Jesus resurrected and held dear as a friend; and the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque – an important place of pilgrimage for Moslems that is embraced by the Salt Lake.