Larnaca (Greek Λάρνακα Larnaka) is a city on the southern coast of Cyprus. With 85,000 residents in 2015, metropolitan Larnaca is the island's third largest city.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Larnaca has a reasonable claim to being the oldest city in Cyprus, with evidence of habitation up to 6,000 years ago. Major landmarks are the Church of St. Lazarus, and the Hala Sultan Tekke. Modern Larnaca, like other Cypriot coastal towns, is divided into an older city centre and a wide sprawl of hotels and restaurants along the beach.
Larnaca is a thin ribbon of a town and you can walk around most of it. The seaside Larnaca Promenade (Phinikoudes) is particularly pleasant for a stroll in the evening. Bus fares (daytime) cost €2.40 cash or €1.80 with a pre-paid card (April 2024). A card costs €5 and is valid for 10 years. It can be used for multiple passengers on the same journey. The bus 425 goes from the airport to the town centre every 20 minutes during the day. By law, taxis should charge by the meter, but many cabbies will refuse to use it. Metered fares should be 65 cent; to get in plus 22 cent/km, night surcharges apply after midnight.
1 The Church of St. Lazarus, Ayios Lazaros Sq. An Orthodox church dating to the 9th century. It is reputedly built around the tomb of the biblical Lazarus, brother of Mary. (updated Mar 2015) 2 Larnaca Salt Lake (to the west of town near the airport). In winter (November to March), flocks of pink flamingos can be seen here. (updated Mar 2015) 3 Hala Sultan Tekke (perched by the side of the Salt Lake). The mosque is said to be the tomb of Umm Haram, the foster mother of Mohammed. (updated Mar 2015) 4 Faneromeni Church (Ekklisía tis Faneroménis). This mashup of various architectural styles used to stand in the centre of the city — until 1974. There is a marble mausoleum next to it.
Football: AEK Larnaca play soccer in the First Division, the top tier in Cyprus. Their home ground AEK Stadium (capacity 7400) is 2 km west of the city centre. Anorthosis also play in the First Division. They were forced to relocate from Famagusta, now part of Turkish Cyprus, and play at Papadopoulos Stadium (capacity 10,200) 2 km north of the centre. Diving: the main reason to dive in Larnaca is the wreck of the Zenobia, a ro-ro ferry that sank in 1980 on her maiden voyage only a few hundred metres from the harbour due to a fault in the ballast computer.
The beaches of Larnaca are littered with identical seafood restaurants catering to tourists. The easiest way to find a good place is to simply walk along until you find a restaurant packed not with tourists, but with Cypriots! Eating in Larnaca can be quite expensive. However, if you're travelling on a budget, there are a few bargains to be had. Possibly the cheapest way is by grabbing a hotdog at the 'Enjoy kiosk' on, you guessed it, Phinikoudes Avenue. Hotdogs are just €1 and rather enjoyable. All these are in the city centre: 1 Edesma Cyprus Taverna - Souvlaki Place, Lordou Vyronos 50. Authentic Cypriot taverna, great food, service, atmosphere.
In the city centre an area just off the main promenade called "Laiki Yeitonia" fulfils the need for most Bars and Small scale Nightclubs. 1 Club Deep is the most popular of these, along with Times. Driving about 15–20 minutes away from the City Centre to the east in the direction of Ayia Napa is the Larnaca-Dhekelia Road. This is the main 'strip' for high quality hotels, nightclubs, bars, etc., and is where most British Tourists can be found. 2 Blue Pine Bar, Louki Pieridi 3, ☏ +357 24 646553. Near the American Academy has a huge selection of spirits (all real which is unusual for Cyprus) and has a real atmosphere.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
Top-rated tours and tickets from €25 — book ahead for the popular ones.
Tours and tickets provided by Viator (a Tripadvisor company). Some links earn Stayonomy a commission.
In Jul, Larnaca typically sees ~33°C daytime highs and 0 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-07-23. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy