An industrious resort town, Larnaka
has Cyprus’ main international airport on
its doorstep, a harbour with deep-water berths and a great marina.
The seafront promenade is fringed with palm trees and cafes and
tavernas (bars).
Places of interest include:
 The
Agios Lazaros Church and its associated Byzantine
Museum.
Larnaka Fort
The District Archaeological Museum
The Pierides Museum (a
private archaeological museum)
The
Natural History Museum
The Tornaritis-Pierides Palaeontology
Museum and the scant ruins of ancient Kition.
During the feast of Kataklysmos (the Greek Orthodox
Whitsun), celebrated throughout Cyprus but with especial enthusiasm
in Larnaka, crowds throng the shore for watersports,
singing, dancing, drinking and eating.
Excursions
Close to the airport is the Hala Sultan Tekkesi,
a historic mosque standing in beautiful gardens on the edge of Larnaka
Salt Lake (dry in summer), a winter home of beautiful migratory
flamingoes.
Nearby, in Kiti, Panagia Angeloktisti Church
contains a superb sixth-century Byzantine mosaic of the Virgin and
Child.
Located in the hills to the west is the village of Lefkara,
famous for its handmade lace, and the Convent
of Agios Minas.
Off the Limassol–Nicosia road are the hilltop Stavrovouni
Monastery, and the Crusader-era Chapelle Royal
near Pyrga. Further to the west, on a hillside at Choirokoitia,
are the remains of a neolithic village from 5800 BC, one of the
earliest settlements in Cyprus.
East of Larnaka, Larnaka Bay has a sand beach lined
with popular hotels. Beyond the bay, and the Dekeleia British
Sovereign Base Area, much of Famagusta (Ammochostos)
District, including the town of the same name, lies across
the Cypriot divide in the Turkish-occupied zone (the Turks call
Famagusta ‘Gazimagusa’). The area still
under Government control includes the fertile Kokkinochoria
(Red Villages) belt, where potatoes and other vegetables are grown
for export.
On the coast south of Famagusta lie busy resorts,
speckled with golden sand beaches, that are ideal for the children,
like those at Fig Tree Bay and Flamingo
Bay.
Agia Napa has a 16th-century
monastery – and an increasingly boisterous reputation as a
major clubbing resort. It also attracts families
to its beaches, Waterworld leisure centre and Go-Karts
track with Boat tours leaving from the
harbour.
Family-oriented Protaras and Pernera resorts
have great beaches, with cafes and beach bars. Other attractions
in the region include watersports and rock
climbing.
Around Cape Gkreko, the coastline becomes indented
with rocky coves and sandy beaches, ideal for snorkelling
and scuba-diving (both for experienced practitioners),
explorations by boat and picnics. The Potamos Creek
fishing harbour presents a lovely scene of colourful fishing boats.
Inland, the small town of Paralimni provides entertainment
in its restaurants, cafes and dance clubs. |
