Larnaca holidays combine the relaxation of beachside jaunts with the thrill of a city break, underneath the beautiful sunshine associated with Cyprus. There are picturesque beaches, palm trees, modern and stylish shops, and a number of great restaurants serving traditional Cypriot food (meat and potato based dishes) aplenty on holidays in Larnaca. Cyprus holidays are known for offering culture with their beaches and Larnaca, with its architecture and historical sites, is an example of this. Nightlife is also known as a vibrant aspect of cheap Cyprus holidays and with an abundance of bars and small clubs, Larnaca holds its own as a lively evening destination.
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Larnaca’s main beach just so happens to be the finest you’ll see on your Larnaca holidays. Finikoudos Beach is a luscious stretch of golden sand with an inviting turquoise ocean and plenty of loungers and parasols for rental. Should you tire of relaxing, there’s plenty of watersports and beachside activities available that’ll soon have you longing for the lounger again! The beach is lined by palm trees that act as a barrier between the sand and the town’s frontline restaurants. Essentially, the perfect spot for all inclusive Cyprus holidays.
Constructed in the 9th Century, the Church of St. Lazarus is built over the supposed location of Lazarus of Bethany’s second tomb (for those that don’t know the tale of Lazarus, the Bible states that he was raised from the dead by Jesus). Lazarus is said to have fled to Cyprus to escape persecution in Judea, and upon arrival in Kittim (now Larnaca) was appointed as the town’s first bishop. The relics of Lazarus’ tomb were transferred from Larnaca by the Byzantine Emperor and as compensation, the Emperor ordered the building of the church in its location. A marvellous structure, the church would be worth visiting on holidays in Larnaca regardless of its rich and culturally significant history.
The calm, warm, crystal clear waters of the ocean around Larnaca make it a great location to go diving, well, that and the wreck of MS Zenobia just off shore. In 1980, on her maiden voyage, the Zenobia capsized and sank in Larnaca Bay, taking no lives but nearly £200m of cargo with her. The wreck has been voted as one of the best dive sites on the planet and because of the varying depths appeals to newly qualified and experienced divers alike. Interesting fact: You can see the ship beneath the water when your flight is coming into Lanarca, weather pending.
Composed of four lakes but collectively known as just one, Larnaca Salt Lake is a landmark for numerous reasons. As culturally significant as its nature is pleasing on the eye, Larnaca Salt Lake is one of the most popular destinations to visit on Cyprus holidays. For the culture vulture, on the bank of the Lake is the Hala Sultan Tekke, an important shrine within Islam, while you don’t need to be a nature lover to enjoy watching the thousands of Flamingos that gather at the Lake between November and March to feed on shrimp during the winter months.
On Lanarca’s seafront promenade is a statue commemorating one of its most famous sons. The Statue of Zeno pays homage to Zeno, the founder of the school of Stoicism - an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches its students how to become unresponsive to emotions. Holidays in Larnaca are steeped in history and tradition, something the locals are very proud of and want to share these attractions with visitors.
Essential info
Currency: Euro
Language: Greek
Visa: N/A
Vaccinations: N/A
Dress code: N/A
Important numbers: Embassy: 020 7321 4100, 020 7569 8800
Other info: N/A