Larnaca is a city on the southern coast of Cyprus and the capital of the eponymous district. It is the third-largest city in the country, after Nicosia and Limassol, with a population of 144,200.
Larnaca is known for its palm-tree seafront, the Church of Saint Lazarus, Hala Sultan Tekke, Kamares Aqueduct, and Larnaca Castle. It is built on the ruins of ancient Citium, which was the birthplace of Stoic philosopher Zeno. Larnaca is home to the country's primary airport, Larnaca International Airport. It also has a seaport and a marina.
Tourist Friendly Economy of Larnaca
Larnaca's economy has been growing since 1975, after the loss of the Port of Famagusta, which handled 80% of general cargo, and the closure of Nicosia International Airport, meant that Larnaca's airport and seaport had increasingly important roles in the economy of the island. A €650m upgrade of Larnaca Airport has been completed.
The service sector, including tourism, employs three-quarters of Larnaca's labor force. Many travel and tour operators and other travel-related companies have their head offices in Larnaca.
Larncaca's Seafood Oriented Beaches
The beaches of Larnaca are lined with nearly identical seafood restaurants catering to tourists. Although there are many continental and international restaurants in Larnaca, visitors do not miss out on indulging in the local food. Many of the staple dishes involve beans, such as fasolaki (French beans cooked in red wine with lamb), and louvi me lahana (black-eyed beans with chard). Some of the standard appetizers are potato salad, kohlrabi salad, and hot grilled black olives. The next course may include Cyprus village sausage and sheftalia, dolmades and keftedes, kolokassi in tomato sauce, and several aubergine-based dishes. Baked or grilled lamb (souvla) usually appears somewhere in the course of dining, as does some kind of fish.
The Regious Larnaca Landmarks and Monuments
Although the tourism industry of Larnaca is thriving and many of the landmarks are modern and rather touristy, there are some wonderful historical monuments to see, enjoy and photograph. Three of Larnaca's most attractive and interesting religious landmarks are the Church of Agios Lazaros, the Grand Mosque (Buyuk Camii) and the nearby Chapel of Ayia Phaneromeni, all of which have evolved over the years.
The 17th-century Larnaka Fort is another very prominent landmark and enjoys a stunning harbourfront setting, while the site of Ancient Kition is considerably older. The ruins of Ancient Kition date from the 13th century onwards and are best viewed along the raised walkway. Look out for the Cyclopean Walls and the huge temple complex.
CHURCH OF AGIOS LAZAROS
The Church of Agios Lazaros is a particularly beautiful building and an attraction in its own right. Located on the southerly side of Larnaca, the Church of Agios Lazaros is said to be the very spot where Lazarus came when Jesus raised him from the dead, after he was expelled from Jerusalem. The church's Byzantine Museum is the main attraction here, along with the empty marble Tomb of Lazarus, although the architecture is rather interesting, being a mixture of Latinate and Orthodox styles. The bell tower is clearly visible from far away and dominates the surrounding area.
Address: Agiou Lazarou, Larnaca, Cyprus
Open hours: April to August, daily - 08:00 to 12:30, 15:30 to 18:30; September to March, 08:00 to 12:30, 14:30 to 17:30
Admission: free
GRAND MOSQUE (BUYUK CAMII)
Address: Agias Faneromenis, Larnaca, Cyprus
Located on the outskirts of the former Turkish and Greek quarters of Larnaca, the Grand Mosque is an important spiritual landmark in the city, although has remained rather underused and quiet since the events of 1974. Used by the small Muslim community, the Grand Mosque dates from the 16th century and formerly went by the name of the Latin Holy Cross Church, with its current appearance being the result of the major restoration project in the 19th century. Visitors are permitted, although somewhat reluctantly. If you do come here, be sure to climb to the top of the minaret and enjoy the stunning cityscape views.
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: free
ANCIENT KITION
Address: Ancient Kition, Larnaca, Cyprus
Much of the city actually stands over the original historical site of Ancient Kition and this area is now carefully protected, meaning that any digging is simply just not permitted.
In fact, as recently as the 1920s, Swedish developers unwittingly excavated a large chunk of the ruins and dumped the 'rubble' within the nearby malarial mashes. What remains of Ancient Kition is at its most visible at the site named 'Area II', approximately 1 km / 0.5 miles to the north-west of the city centre.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 14:30
Admission: charge
LARNAKA FORT
A famous Cypriot landmark, Larnaka Fort is home to the popular Medieval Museum and dominates much of the waterfront, separating the historical Turkish quarter from the promenade (Finikoudes / Phinikoudes). Formerly a Lusignan castle, the fortress was dramatically remodelled in the early part of the 17th century by the Ottomans. There aren't many attractions to be found in the actual castle, apart from its museum, although its coastal views are excellent and the main courtyard does occasionally play host to some open-air concerts and seasonal Cypriot events.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge
Address: Leoforos Athinon, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel: +357 2463 0576
Larnaca is a city on the southern coast of Cyprus and the capital of the eponymous district. It is the third-largest city in the country, after Nicosia and Limassol, with a population of 144,200.
Larnaca is known for its palm-tree seafront, the Church of Saint Lazarus, Hala Sultan Tekke, Kamares Aqueduct, and Larnaca Castle. It is built on the ruins of ancient Citium, which was the birthplace of Stoic philosopher Zeno. Larnaca is home to the country's primary airport, Larnaca International Airport. It also has a seaport and a marina.
Tourist Friendly Economy of Larnaca
Larnaca's economy has been growing since 1975, after the loss of the Port of Famagusta, which handled 80% of general cargo, and the closure of Nicosia International Airport, meant that Larnaca's airport and seaport had increasingly important roles in the economy of the island. A €650m upgrade of Larnaca Airport has been completed.
The service sector, including tourism, employs three-quarters of Larnaca's labor force. Many travel and tour operators and other travel-related companies have their head offices in Larnaca.
Larncaca's Seafood Oriented Beaches
The beaches of Larnaca are lined with nearly identical seafood restaurants catering to tourists. Although there are many continental and international restaurants in Larnaca, visitors do not miss out on indulging in the local food. Many of the staple dishes involve beans, such as fasolaki (French beans cooked in red wine with lamb), and louvi me lahana (black-eyed beans with chard). Some of the standard appetizers are potato salad, kohlrabi salad, and hot grilled black olives. The next course may include Cyprus village sausage and sheftalia, dolmades and keftedes, kolokassi in tomato sauce, and several aubergine-based dishes. Baked or grilled lamb (souvla) usually appears somewhere in the course of dining, as does some kind of fish.
The Regious Larnaca Landmarks and Monuments
Although the tourism industry of Larnaca is thriving and many of the landmarks are modern and rather touristy, there are some wonderful historical monuments to see, enjoy and photograph. Three of Larnaca's most attractive and interesting religious landmarks are the Church of Agios Lazaros, the Grand Mosque (Buyuk Camii) and the nearby Chapel of Ayia Phaneromeni, all of which have evolved over the years.
The 17th-century Larnaka Fort is another very prominent landmark and enjoys a stunning harbourfront setting, while the site of Ancient Kition is considerably older. The ruins of Ancient Kition date from the 13th century onwards and are best viewed along the raised walkway. Look out for the Cyclopean Walls and the huge temple complex.
CHURCH OF AGIOS LAZAROS
The Church of Agios Lazaros is a particularly beautiful building and an attraction in its own right. Located on the southerly side of Larnaca, the Church of Agios Lazaros is said to be the very spot where Lazarus came when Jesus raised him from the dead, after he was expelled from Jerusalem. The church's Byzantine Museum is the main attraction here, along with the empty marble Tomb of Lazarus, although the architecture is rather interesting, being a mixture of Latinate and Orthodox styles. The bell tower is clearly visible from far away and dominates the surrounding area.
Address: Agiou Lazarou, Larnaca, Cyprus
Open hours: April to August, daily - 08:00 to 12:30, 15:30 to 18:30; September to March, 08:00 to 12:30, 14:30 to 17:30
Admission: free
GRAND MOSQUE (BUYUK CAMII)
Address: Agias Faneromenis, Larnaca, Cyprus
Located on the outskirts of the former Turkish and Greek quarters of Larnaca, the Grand Mosque is an important spiritual landmark in the city, although has remained rather underused and quiet since the events of 1974. Used by the small Muslim community, the Grand Mosque dates from the 16th century and formerly went by the name of the Latin Holy Cross Church, with its current appearance being the result of the major restoration project in the 19th century. Visitors are permitted, although somewhat reluctantly. If you do come here, be sure to climb to the top of the minaret and enjoy the stunning cityscape views.
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: free
ANCIENT KITION
Address: Ancient Kition, Larnaca, Cyprus
Much of the city actually stands over the original historical site of Ancient Kition and this area is now carefully protected, meaning that any digging is simply just not permitted.
In fact, as recently as the 1920s, Swedish developers unwittingly excavated a large chunk of the ruins and dumped the 'rubble' within the nearby malarial mashes. What remains of Ancient Kition is at its most visible at the site named 'Area II', approximately 1 km / 0.5 miles to the north-west of the city centre.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 14:30
Admission: charge
LARNAKA FORT
A famous Cypriot landmark, Larnaka Fort is home to the popular Medieval Museum and dominates much of the waterfront, separating the historical Turkish quarter from the promenade (Finikoudes / Phinikoudes). Formerly a Lusignan castle, the fortress was dramatically remodelled in the early part of the 17th century by the Ottomans. There aren't many attractions to be found in the actual castle, apart from its museum, although its coastal views are excellent and the main courtyard does occasionally play host to some open-air concerts and seasonal Cypriot events.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge
Address: Leoforos Athinon, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel: +357 2463 0576