The city of Larnaca is an ideal base for exploring the south coast of Cyprus. It boasts beautiful palm beaches and many historical buildings.
The town also offers a variety of other attractions for visitors to enjoy, some of which are less known. To help you get the most out of your Larnaca holiday, we’ve created a list of our favourite things to see and do in this gorgeous coastal city.
St. Lazarus Church
Lazarus is a very special saint in the Cypriot church. According to a tradition, he sought refuge in Cyprus after being resurrected by Jesus.
This early-10th century Greek Orthodox basilica was erected over Lazarus’ tomb. The original church was built in stone and it is famous for its three domes.
The church was turned into a mosque during Ottoman rule, but it was sold back to the Greek Orthodox in 1589. After this, the church was restored in a Latinate style.
The church also has one of the island’s most impressive baroque carved wood iconostases. Its white-painted belfry is unique and escaped the Turkish ban on such structures.
Larnaca Castle
The third largest city in Cyprus, Larnaca is home to a wide range of attractions and monuments. It’s an ideal place to start if you want to explore the rest of the island.
Located at the end of the city’s most famous promenade, Foinikoudes, Larnaca Castle is a medieval fort that once protected the port. Today, it houses a museum that showcases black-and-white photos and artifacts.
Another place to check out in the area is a small local art gallery. Here you’ll find Cypriot art that reflects the country’s culture and history.
You can also see a selection of Byzantine icons in various states of preservation as well as ecclesiastic equipment from the 16th to 19th centuries. A small price for a half-hour tour makes this a worthwhile stop.
Larnaca Salt Lake
The Larnaca Salt Lake is one of the most popular natural attractions of Cyprus. This shimmering, otherworldly lake, known as Aluke Larnakas in Greek and Larnaka Tuz Golu in Turkish, is actually a complex network of four salt lakes (three interconnected) that cover an area of 2.2 km2 to the west of the city of Larnaca.
It is a protected area under Cypriot Law for the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife, as well as under European Habitats Directive. It is also a significant Ramsar and Natura 2000 site.
In winter this lake transforms into a beautiful oasis for flocks of pink flamingos and other birds. However, in summer it completely dries up, changing its appearance to that of a ghost lake.
Aphrodite Cultural Route
Larnaca is located on the southeast shore of Cyprus and is a great base for visiting the rest of the island. Its cinnamon-coloured beaches, shallow coastal waters, year-round warm microclimate, palm trees and wonderful places to see make it a perfect holiday destination.
The Aphrodite Cultural Route is a combination of archaeological sites, museums and nature trails that explore the ties between ancient Kition (Larnaca) and the Goddess Kyprida Aphrodite. These include the main archaeological site of Palaipafos (Kouklia), Chalcolithic site of Lempa, a number of museums and nature sites.
The cult of Aphrodite was probably mainly oriental and related to fertility rituals, sacred marriage and prostitution. Water played an important role in her cult, represented by the huge stone vases at her sanctuary. She was a bisexual goddess who promoted fertility and embodied the universal power of desire.
