Larnaca District

Larnaca is Cyprus’ oldest city, dating back to the Bronze Age, and is now the modern tourist gateway to Cyprus. Located to the South East of Cyprus, Larnaka is the third largest town on the island after Nicosia and Limassol with a population of around 100,000.

Home to Larnaca International Airport, it is extremely convenient to visit from most countries across Europe. It is an important tourist resort and the island’s second largest port. The city is surrounded by Blue Flag beaches with many luxury apartments and villas lining the sweeping Larnaca Bay.

Modern Larnaca sits upon the remains of the ancient city of Kition and is now an easy going, cosmopolitan centre which maintains strong links to the past.

Larnaka Today

One of the best features of the town is its modern seafront promenade lined with palm trees which run between the modern marina and the ancient fort. The golden beach and many tavernas and bars make it highly attractive to tourists, giving the area a vibrant buzz during the summer months.

The beach is ideal for families of all ages and in the evening Phinikoudes seafront is the best place for a night out with a wide selection of bars, restaurants and clubs.

Oroklini, or Voroklini as it is known locally, is a popular residential area conveniently located within easy reach of both Larnaca airport and Larnaca town. It is a popular location due to its picturesque setting, calm atmosphere and local amenities. It is surrounded by similar small villages and is close to the proposed 18 hole Tersefanou golf course.

Other popular areas in Larnaka include Livadia, which is close to the town centre and the nearby village of Pyla which is unique due to the fact that it is the only settlement in Cyprus still inhabited by both its original Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot inhabitants. It is also home to several luxury resorts and a thriving village life with many fine tavernas serving traditional Cypriot cuisine.

Places to Visit in Larnaca

The whole district of Larnaca has something special to offer visitors including Choirokoitia where archaeological excavations have revealed it as one of the oldest Neolithic sites on Cyprus, dating back to 7,000 BC.

The nearby salt lake is a stop-over destination for thousands of migrating bird, including flamingoes, in the winter. It is also the location of the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque which was built in 1816 over the tomb of Umm Haram, a relative of the Prophet Mohammed. The mosque ranks immediately after the shrines of Mecca, Medina and Al Aqsha in Jerusalem as an important place of Moslem pilgrimage.

Travelling along the main road towards Limassol is the Stavrovouni Monastery. It can be found perched on top of a solitary mountain and is the oldest monastery in Cyprus, founded in the 4th century by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.

Fun Days Out in Larnaca

As well as the amazing sites of historical importance that surround Larnaca there are many activities to entertain and amuse everyone. Cyprus is renowned for the quality of its diving and the world famous wreck dive of the Zanobia is a must do trip for any experienced diver.

The warm clear waters are ideal for a whole range of watersports including water skiing, windsurfing and sailing for all ages and abilities and for those that enjoy the thrills and spills of water slides there is the Waterworld waterpark just a 15 minute drive away.

With so much to offer, it is easy to see why Larnaca district continues to attract visitors and settlers from around the world.