Larnaca, one of the oldest towns in the world...

 

Larnaca is a town located on the southern coast of Cyprus and is the third smallest town after Nicosia and Limassol. Larnaca is home to the main International airport and an international gateway to Cyprus with the second largest port and a 400 birth marina which is admired by many visitors with yachts. 

Phinikoudes promenade, with its strip of beautiful palm trees is the centre of this historical town. At Phinikoudes you will find cafés, clubs, restaurants and tavernas on the strip adjacent to the famous Phinikoudes beach, making this a very popular place with tourists and Cypriots. In close proximity is Larnaca’s Marina, visited by yachtsmen from all over the world. 

Larnaca is very well known for its important attractions such as St Lazarus Church which is located in Larnaca town centre on a newly built pebble square road. This renowned church is an old Byzantine memorial, built in 890 BC and is visited daily by tourists and locals. 

Another major attraction is the Salt Lake in Larnaca, where you will see nature at its utmost. The Larnaca Salt Lake is one of the largest on the island, with a nature trail for enthusiasts where they can see many forms of migrating birds throughout the winter season, in particular flamingos. 

Stavrovouni Monastery is an additional popular sight in Larnaca; it is located at the top of the Stavrovouni Mountain and is in the peak position of Larnaca. Many people visit this holy place where only men are permitted to enter, there is also another church called Agia Varvara very close by for both men and women to visit. At this peak of this famous mountain there is an amazing panoramic view of Larnaca and its surrounding villages. The monks who are residents of the monastery are renowned for their icon painting. 

Larnaca is celebrated for its yearly festival of the Kataklysmos (the festival of food) which takes place fifty days after the Orthodox Easter. This is the most celebrated and important holiday in Cyprus and the event is celebrated on the Phinikoudes Promenade with many booths offering Cypriot products, games, toys and a live entertainment show with many well-known singers and other conventional dancing shows. 

Larnaca is a town that shows all of its guests a genuine welcome and treats each person as a friend. The level of crime in Larnaca is so low as to be more or less non-existent.