At the intersection of antiquity and modernity: Larnaca's top 12 attractions

Larnaca Castle

Right in the middle of the picturesque Finikoudes beach, by the palm-lined promenade is the medieval castle, which is on all lists of Larnaca's top attractions. It is the oldest and perhaps the most visible monument in the city.

Despite the small territory, visiting the castle will be interesting for both children and adults. Inside there is a small museum that takes visitors back to the distant past of the area, and in the courtyard there are cannons pointing towards the sea. Larnaca Castle has a rich history, so it is better to visit it with a guide, but it is also interesting to just wander around and get into the spirit of the past.

Church of St. Lazarus

The Church of St. Lazarus is a functioning Orthodox church in Cyprus, whose history is inextricably linked to the events of the second half of the life of St. Lazarus of Bethany, a friend of Jesus Christ.

This church is nowadays deservedly considered one of the visiting cards of Cyprus, as it is known far beyond the island and is one of the places of mass Christian pilgrimage. It is one of the oldest, most beautiful churches of the island, preserved since Byzantine times.

Salt Lake

Larnaca's Salt Lake is beautiful when the flamingos arrive and when the snow-white cover covers its bottom, when it is sunny and when it rains heavily. This area always looks picturesque and bright.

But it is in winter that the lake gets the most attention from tourists, when pink flamingos migrating to Cyprus from Kazakhstan, France and Italy live on its shores.

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Finikoudes Beach

This is the beach where both locals and travelers love to gather. Along the line stretches a beautiful alley, flanked by exotic palm trees. Walking along it, you can walk from Larnaca Castle to Europe Square. On your way you will come across all sorts of shops and restaurants from cafes.

Many of the local establishments are owned by Cypriot families and offer meze and other Cypriot specialties. If you like quiet walks along the magical sea, this area will appeal to you.

Stavrovouni Monastery

The Stavrovouni Monastery is one of the three main active monasteries on the island and is located 700 meters above sea level between Larnaca and Nicosia. It is the oldest monastery on the island and is honored by all its inhabitants as well as pilgrims from other countries. According to legend, Stavrovouni Monastery was built on the site of a pagan temple of the Olympian goddess of love, Aphrodite, whose cult was the dominant religious belief in many regions of the island.

Nowadays, the monastery is under the jurisdiction of the Kythia Metropolis of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus and is home to monks who are actively engaged in the art of icon painting. The grounds of the monastery are extensive and well-maintained, lined with flowering plants and winding paths. As well as exploring local history, visitors to the monastery can hide in its embrace from the omnipresent heat.

For more on life in Cyprus, check out the video.

Archaeological Museum

The exhibits in this city museum represent archaeological finds from the 13th century BC to the 4th century AD.

Unfortunately, many of the unique items discovered by archaeologists have left Cyprus. The center only has "remnants" found after 1967 (after the necessary amendments to the legislation of the state). If you don't know where to go in Larnaca, take the unique opportunity to see Bronze Age and Neolithic objects, treasures of Mycenaean and Cretan cultures.

Medical Museum

The Larnaca Medical Museum is a place that can interest even a person who is far from being a doctor. This unique museum was started by a wealthy local family, the Kyriazis family, who donated their estate and most of the exhibits to the museum.

The museum opened in 2011. All the items in its expositions relate to medicine and the history of medicine. The collections include certificates, photographs, instruments of treatment, books, and medical equipment. Exhibits from antique to modern and advanced samples. The museum has a garden with plants with healing properties.

The wreck of the ferry Zenobia

The ferry sank at the end of the 20th century, and despite the fact that the event did not end in disaster (without loss of life), Zenobia is called the Titanic of the Mediterranean.

Divers are especially fond of coming here — they dive to the depths and study the wreckage of the ship, which is almost two hundred meters long, dreaming of finding some jewels. Have they ever managed to find really valuable things? Such finds were not uncommon in the past.

The settlement of Lefkara

Lefkara is an ancient settlement near Larnaca, where they do not imitate antiquity in order to please tourists, it is preserved in its original form. What is the secret of Lefkara's attractiveness? First of all, it is very picturesque! The village and its surroundings lie at the foot of the mountain system, and there are plenty of hills with panoramic views.

Secondly, Lefkara is a living old Cyprus. In fact, it is a labyrinth of narrow streets of the old device, unchanged for several centuries, and buildings with architecture from different eras. There are romantic buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries with the obligatory balconies, there is architecture from Ottoman times (it is the oldest), and there are also buildings going back to the 12th century. You can see that the inhabitants love their village and take care of it: it is very clean, neat and something is constantly being restored.

Camel Park

How about a unique opportunity to ride a camel and drink natural fresh camel milk? All this is offered at Camel Park in Larnaca.

"Home" for exotic animals began its work in 1998. Visitors to the complex are invited to observe the beautiful animals (both adult and baby camels reside here). Everyone will have an opportunity to ride a camel in the ennobled park territory. Besides, here you can organize picnics and just relax in the lap of nature. There is an excellent restaurant of national cuisine, and for children there is a play area.

Marina Port

The port of Larnaca is the largest marina in Cyprus. Vessels of all sizes and purposes stop here, and life on the quay is buzzing around the clock. The port in Cyprus is called by the beautiful word "marina", hence the English name Larnaca Marina.

If you're wondering where to go in Larnaca to get a feel for the city's vibe, the Marina Port is the best place to go. It's a pleasure to stroll among the variety of yachts and boats, breathe in the salty smell of the sea and take a closer look while choosing one of the many cozy seaside cafes for dinner.

Halla Sultan Tekke Mosque

The Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque, located on the shores of the famous salt lake, which we have already told you about. This mosque is one of the most famous mosques not only in Cyprus, but also in the whole world. It is the fourth most important Islamic shrine after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa, so even if you don't consider yourself a religious person, it is still worth seeing this place, if only for its cultural and historical value.

The mosque was erected in honor of the woman Umm Haram, which is completely atypical for Islamic belief.