Travel to Larnaca

Travel to Larnaca

As the oldest continually inhabited town on Cyprus, the port city of Larnaca has a rich and interesting history stretching back 6,000 years. Legend says the original town of Kition was founded by Noahs grandson, Khittim. Due to its prime location in the Mediterranean, the town has been desired by every civilisation that has ruled over this region. Today, Larnaca is known for its lovely uncrowded beaches, great food and ancient historical sites.

Transportation to Larnaca

The compact Larnaca International Airport, which is the biggest air hub in Cyprus, is located just five kilometres from the town centre. Cyprus Airways as well as many other big European carriers handles flights in and out of the island. Although no direct flights exist between the United States and Cyprus, most of Europe and the Middle East is well-connected to Larnaca. There are limited bus options for reaching this city, but since Larnaca lies on the coast, you can choose to take a ferry or hydrofoil from several Mediterranean ports to Laranca harbour.

Once you are on the island of Cyprus, it is easy to drive to Larnaca. The islands main motorway connects Larnaca with the other main towns on Cyprus. In Larnaca, most of the city is easily navigated on foot or by bicycle, since everything is concentrated within a thin sliver along the coast. The citys seaside promenade is a particularly pleasant area to stroll around and enjoy some of the delicious local Cypriot cuisine and fresh seafood that is available here.

What to see

People have been living around the site of Larnaca for nearly 6,000 years. There are many amazing archeological sites, such as Kition, which offer a good understanding of life in this port town several millennia ago. The citys museums compliment these ancient sites with a plethora of interesting artefacts and information about the early Cypriot culture. Apart from the rich history, Larnaca is best known for the excellent beaches and clear seas which surround the city. Relatively undiscovered, Larnaca is an ideal destination for both culture and beachside lounging.

What makes Larnaca really special is the pleasant blend of Mediterranean nature and well-preserved architecture. At the centre of it all is the two-kilometre promenade, a lovely stretch of bars, cafs and seafood restaurants. The atmosphere here is calm and relaxing, and guaranteed to leave you with a distinct feeling of what daily life was like in an ancient Mediterranean port town.

Daytrips

Its fairly easy to get out and see a lot of Cyprus, since the island isnt that big. Apart from the other interesting towns and ancient sites scattered around the island, there are miles and miles of beautiful, unpopulated Mediterranean coastline to enjoy. The Troodos Mountains in the interior, with their quaint, rustic villages, are another wonderful area to explore. Larnaca makes a great base from which to venture out into the fascinating hinterland of Cyprus.

Activities and leisure

Most of the activities around Larnaca involve the sea and the many beaches which surround the city. This is a truly chilled-out town, so you wont find much else to do except sunbathe, swim and enjoy the water sports on offer here, but thats the beauty of Larnaca. The best activity around is leisure.

Safety issues

Larnaca is not considered a dangerous place to visit and shouldnt present any safety issues for the average visitor. However, during the brief summer period, the number of tourists greatly increases and this offers an opportunity for a few petty thieves to ply their trade. It is strongly suggested that you take out travel insurance before your trip to ensure that any mishaps dont ruin your holiday.