Larnaca

For most visitors to Cyprus, the vacation begins in Larnaca, since this is where the island's largest airport is located. But a trip to Larnaca is worthwhile in its own right: with the Church of Saint Lazarus, the palm-lined promenade, the salt lake full of flamingos and the lace-making village of Lefkara.

City and District

Larnaca lies on the southeast coast on the site of ancient Kition. The Finikoudes promenade, with its palm trees and city beach, is lively in the evening. The 9th-century Church of Saint Lazarus stands over the tomb in which Lazarus, raised from the dead by Jesus, is said to have been buried; according to tradition, he later became Bishop of Kition. Thousands of flamingos spend the winter at the salt lake west of the city, and on its shore stands the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque, one of the most important Islamic shrines in Cyprus. To the northeast lies Oroklini, with a wetland area and stretches of beach. Pyla is a special place: the village lies in the UN buffer zone, and Greek and Turkish Cypriots live here side by side.

Sights in Larnaca

In the hinterland, Lefkara is known for Lefkaritika, intricate embroidery that is part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage; Leonardo da Vinci is said to have bought an altar cloth here. The Church of Panagia Angeloktisti in Kiti has a mosaic from the 6th century. Choirokoitia is a Neolithic settlement and a World Heritage site. Off the coast lies the wreck of the Zenobia, one of the most popular wreck dives in the world. Kamares, an 18th-century aqueduct, stands on the edge of town, and the Pierides Museum displays finds from many periods of the island's history. The bay of Larnaca, with hotels stretching toward Oroklini, invites you to go for a swim. At the Pentecost festival of Kataklysmos, the city celebrates with water games and music along the promenade.

Food, Getting There and Best Time to Visit

Fish taverns at the old harbor and in Mackenzie serve fresh catch and meze. Larnaca Airport is only a few miles from the center, and buses run to all the island's cities. The best time to visit is spring and fall; you can see flamingos from November to March.