Welcome to Larnaka!
Beautifully compact, easily accessible and truly authentic, Larnaka is Cyprus’ oldest soul; the longest continually inhabited region of the island, with a history that dates back 10,000 years, and the most centrally positioned, offering easy access to other regions.
And whilst it is rich in the ancient culture of hundreds of years of contrasting civilizations and architecture, Larnaka is also a thriving and modern European city that offers the best of all worlds. A characteristic feature of the region is that tourists will find that there is no distinction between resort and town; locals and visitors alike can enjoy the same daily experience of a charming and diverse Mediterranean city. From stretches of varied coastline, a mix of traditional and cosmopolitan establishments and fascinating monuments, Larnaka seamlessly blends its two ‘faces’.
The defining features of Larnaka city include the bustling promenade of Foinikoudes – which is lined with mature palm trees and flanked by beach, eateries and entertainment – and its joining sea walkway of Piale Pasha, which passes by quaint old neighbourhoods and fresh fish taverns. The parallel shopping centre with its tradtiional architecture puts everything at your fingertips, whilst the famous Salt Lake that fills with flocks of vibrant pink flamingos in the winter months attracts visitors for its natural beauty and ecological value. Larnaka town is also significant for both Christians and Moslems. The most revered monuments of the two are included in the main attractions of the city: the Church of Agios Lazaros, the patron saint of the town who Jesus resurrected and held dear as a friend; and the mosque of Hala Sultan – an important place of pilgrimage for Moslems that is flanked by the Salt Lake.
Larnaka city stretches out to rural villages with some of the larger suburbs, constituting small towns in their own right, and active in the cultural offerings of the region with their own annual festivals, museums, monuments and tourist attractions.
Mountainous Larnaka
Further still, the mountainous areas of Larnaka trail up the Troodos range, which is dotted with charming villages with narrow streets, where traditions and skilled handicrafts are still practiced. Of the most famous is the handmade lace embroidery of Lefkara and its delicate filigree silver, whilst villages like Kato Drys and Odou are also pretty and tranquil.
Once you fall in love with Larnaka, you will discover for yourself why both flamingos and visitors always return to their favourite Mediterranean region!
Embraced by the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is surrounded by coast, and as one of the main coastal regions, Larnaka is home to miles of sand, sea and a host of associated leisure and sporting facilities that further enhance its beautiful coastline. A large number of the region’s beaches are holders of various quality awards, including the prestigious EU Blue Flag that recognises the highest standards in cleanliness, water quality, safety and services, whilst there are also disabled facilities available at the main beaches.
With such a beautiful and diverse coastline, all that is left for you to do is select a beach… and enjoy it.
Larnaka’s traditional villages offer you the chance to experience genuine Cypriot hospitality and culture. In the peace and quiet of rural Larnaka, traditional village life and all its special elements can be discovered and enjoyed by visitors wanting a taste of authentic Cyprus.
Why not visit a village coffee shop and share a conversation with the locals over a Greek coffee? Or, if you fancy something to eat, perhaps try a traditional meze – an abundance of small Cypriot dishes, washed down with the local village wine and accompanied by the sounds of the bouzouki.
By day, immerse yourself in village life and watch how the delicious local bread is prepared, or experience how Cyprus’ famous Halloumi cheese is made by hand. During the different seasons you can watch various crops being harvested and processed into delicious byproducts – with most villages welcoming visitors to join in the work and savour its rewards after. From olives and nuts to citrus fruits and grapes, each is blessed with the fresh and vibrant flavours the sun’s rays and the fresh air bestow upon them.
And each village also retains a craft or folkart of its own, which ranges from the handmade production of traditional food and drink to the most intricate of art forms that require the skill and knowledge of previous generations, handed down exclusively to those in the village. Among the many specialties you will find handmade lace linens, filigree silver, ornate wood carvings, complex basket weaving, pretty pottery, bronze ware, glass art and more.
From folk customs to authentic tastes, from village architecture to the beauty of the natural environment, Larnaka’s diverse region offers you the chance to escape and experience something totally different.
Larnaka Salt Lake
Located southwest of Larnaka town and east of the villages of Meneou and Dromolaxia, the Salt Lake – known locally as ‘Alyki’ – is actually one of four lakes in Larnaka. Together, with Lake Orphani, Lake Soros and Airport Lake, the lakes collectively cover a total area of 1761 hectares.
During the winter, the lake fills with water and is home to migrating birds, including thousands of flamingos that stay between November and March, along with wild ducks and other water or shore fowl that find refuge here on their migratory journeys. The most basic element of the food chain in the lakes’ ecosystem is the small brine shrimp Artemia (Artemia salina), which the other life greatly relies on. When flamingos and other water birds are unable to find the shrimp, they desert the salt lakes and continue their journey by travelling to Lake Akrotiri in Lemesos or south towards Africa.
Winding through the lake area is a designated, linear nature trail that is 4 km in length, and leads all the way up to the old aqueduct of Kamares. The various flora of trees, shrubs and flowers is signposted with information along the way, and there are also periodic benches, making the path popular for walkers and joggers.
According to legend, the lake’s saltiness stems from Agios Lazaros (Saint Lazarus) request of an old woman for food and drink. She refused, claiming her vines had dried up, to which Lazarus replied ‘may your vines be dry and be a salt lake forever more’. A more scientific explanation is that the salt water penetrates the porous rock between the lake and the sea, making the water very salty.
Throughout the Middle Ages, salt was so plentiful that it became one of the primary export commodities of Cyprus. Its harvesting and selling were strictly controlled and taxed. Salt was last harvested in 1986.
