Larnaca District

One of the oldest, continually inhabited cities in the world, Larnaca still retains its elegant, colonial-style. The bustling town centre is dominated by a magnificent mile-long, palm-lined seafront promenade that stretches from a luxury yacht marina at one end to an ancient mediaeval fortress at the other, now used as the town’s summer culture centre. The promenade is lined with many places of interest and entertainment, museums, art galleries and restaurants as well as many open-air cafes where you can just sit and watch the world go by.

The town centre is an intriguing mix of old and new. There are smart shops, boutiques, super-markets and a busy commercial centre trading alongside traditional artisans’ workshops, handicraft shops and a lively fruit and vegetable market. The magnificent church of St. Lazarus with its elaborate bell tower is a focal point of the old part of town. Dating back to the 9th century, it is the final resting place of the saint who was brought back to life by Christ. 

Larnaca is an excellent base from which to get to know the central and eastern section of Cyprus, and its proximity only ten minutes drive to the International Airport makes it a popular choice.

Places of Interest

Larnaca Fort - Larnaca seafront (Open 9am-7.30pm, Mon-Sat)
Built in 1625, it was used as a prison in the first years of British rule. It now houses a small archaeological museum, with finds from Kition and the Hala Sultan Tekke excavations. The Fort is also used as the Larnaca Municipal Cultural Centre.

Ayios Lazaros Church - Ayios Lazaros Square.
The magnificent church was built by Emperor Leo VI, in the 9th century. Restoration was carried out in the 17th century, keeping faithfully to the original plan, and the church can be called one of the tiniest examples of Byzantine architecture. The tomb of Lazaros, who after he was raised from the dead in Bethany by Christ, came to Cyprus and lived here for another thirty years and was consecrated as the Bishop of Kition by St. Barnabas and St. Mark, can be seen under the sanctuary. The iconostasi which separates the altar from the main church is an excellent example of baroque wood carving. Near the church are some tombstones of Europeans who lived in Larnaca, in the 17th to 18th century. Eight days before Easter, the icon of Saint Lazaros is taken in procession through the streets of Larnaca.

Kition -500m north-east of the archaeological museum (Open 9am-2.30pm, Mon-Fri)
One of the most important ancient city Kingdoms, with architectural remains dating back to the 13th century BC. In about 1200 BC, the area was rebuilt by the Mycenaean’s (Achaean Greeks), and one can see the remains of cyclopean walls made of giant blocks of stone, and a complex of five temples.

Palm Trees (Phinkoudes)
The palm-lined seafront of Larnaca town bustles with cafes, tavernas, shops and bars.
 

Larnaca Marina
The Larnaca marina with 450 yacht capacity attracts many boats as a safe wintering place. The Marina is an official Port of Entry into Cyprus.

Kamares - North of town on the road to Limassol near K-Cineplex Cinema.
These impressive remains of the huge 18th century aqueduct that carried water to the town during Ottoman times.

Salt Lake - Near Larnaca Airport.
The salt lake itself is temporary home to many migrating birds and during the winter months is covered with flocks of pink flamingos. Paths meander through the fertile fields surrounding the lake, making this a perfect place for walking or cycling, especially during the cooler months.


Museums

Larnaca Archaeological Museum - Kalogera Square (Open 9am - 2.30 pm Mon - Fri, 3pm - 5pm Thurs except July & August) Interesting collection of finds from the Larnaca area, dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period.

Pierides Foundation Museum - Zenonous Kitieou Street.
Remarkable private collection of Cypriot antiquities, originally gathered together by Demetrios Pierides (1811-1895), and further enriched by members of the family.

Larnaca Medieval Museum - Phinikoudes Beach (Open 9am - 7.30 pm Mon – Sat)
Collection of firearms, helmets and swords from the15th to 19th century. Small display of photos of historical sites and pottery from the Christian, Byzantine, Lusignan and Ottoman periods.

Lazarus Byzantine Museum - Courtyard of Saint Lazarus Church (Open 8.30 am - 1pm, 4pm - 6pm daily) Collection of religious items.

Tornartis Pierides Municipal Museum of Palaeontology - Phinikoudes Beach 
(Open l0am - 1pm, 5pm - 7pm Tues - Fri, l0am - 1pm Sat & Sun)
Opened in 1996 the first Palaeontology museum in Cyprus and the Middle East.

Archaeological Sites

Khirokitia
48 km south of Nicosia, off the Nicosia-Limassol road and 32 km from Larnaca.
The island’s oldest archaeological site, the Neolithic settlement dated to 6800 BC.
Excavations have brought to light one of the earliest Neolithic cultures in the world. Finds from Khirokitia are displayed at the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.

Hala Sultan Tekke
3 km west of Larnaca on the road to Kiti, passing the Larnaca Airport.
Built in 1816 over the tomb of Umm Haram, who died on this spot in 649 during the first Arab raids. According to Legend Umm Haram was an Aunt of the Prophet Mohammed and the Tekke is an important place of Moslem pilgrimage ranking immediately after the shrines of Mecca, Medina and Al Aksha in Jerusalem.