Book a Flight to Larnaka from €48

Church of Saint Lazarus: This iconic landmark in the centre of Larnaka is a Byzantine church built in the reign of Leon the Wise (Leon VI) in 900 AD. In the crypt lies the tomb of Lazarus, who is said to have served for thirty years as Archbishop of Larnaka, following his miraculous resurrection by Christ. Pause to admire the gilded, wood-carved screen and the exquisite Byzantine icons. Next door you will find the Byzantine Museum, with relics from the thousand-year history of the church.
Address: Agiou Lazarou Square, 00357 24 652 498, http://ayioslazaros.org

Larnaka Archaeological Museum: A unique collection of finds from Cyprus, ranging in date from the prehistoric era to the Byzantine age. Of particular interest are the exhibits from the prehistoric settlements of Hoirokoitia and Kalavassos, including bone tools and ivory artefacts from the Bronze Age.
Address: Kalograion Square, 00357 24 304 169

Pieridis Archaeological Museum: One of the most important museums on the island, the life’s work of the Cypriot philanthropist and collector Dimitris Pieridis, and home to veritable treasures from the island covering 9,000 years of history, from the Neolithic Era to the Middle Ages.
Address: 4 Zinonos Kitieos St., 0035724652495

Fortress of Larnaka:  The Fortress has stood beside the sea since the 14th century and evokes memories of the Ottoman period and the years of British rule, when it served as a prison. There is a small museum with exhibits relating to the history of the Fortress.
Address: south of Foinikoudes beach, 0035724304576

Aghia Napa: Located 40km east of Larnaka, Aghia Napa is a cosmopolitan resort with fabulous white sand beaches. You can take a little boat from the harbour of Aghia Napa to the beaches of Protaras and Pernera, and to the rocky headland of Cape Greco with its sea caves, hidden coves and the rare orchids which bloom here in springtime.

Lefkara: You should definitely visit this village 40km west of Larnaka, famed for its lace and silver. It is said that even Leonardo da Vinci came here to order embroidered cloth for the altar of Milan Cathedral. Wander among the dazzling white houses, and visit the Museum of Silverwork and Embroidery.

Panagia Angeloktisti: It’s worth arranging an outing to Kiti, 11km south-west of Larnaka, to visit the 11th century Byzantine church, built on the remains of an earlier structure. Admire the superb 6th century mosaic depicting the Virgin and Child, flanked by the Archangels Gabriel and Michael.

Stavrovouni Monastery: Perched on the top of Olympus Hill, the monastery dates from 327 AD and has a thrilling history. It is said that St. Eleni, mother of Constantine the Great, was shipwrecked on the Cypriot coast on her return from the Holy Land. A vision instructed her to found the historic monastery, close to the village of Kornos in the province of Larnaka. Within the church a fragment of the True Cross is preserved.

Hala Sultan Mosque: The mosque, one of the most important of Islamic shrines, emerges from the palms and cedars on the shores of the Larnaka Salt Lake, six kilometres outside the town. A superb example of 19th century Ottoman architecture, this octagonal mosque was built on the site where Umm Haram, a relative of the Prophet Mohammed, is said to be buried. The salt lake beside the mosque is a wetland protected by the Ramsar Convention and home in winter to flamingos and other migrating birds.

Hoirokoitia: You should visit one of the oldest prehistoric settlements on the island, for a journey back to 6800 BC! The Neolithic settlement, located 33km from Larnaka, is a UNESCO world heritage site; it is believed to have been home to two thousand settlers, living in houses made of stone and clay, engaged in rearing goats and making earthenware vessels.

On Larnaka’s main shopping streets – Ermou St., Zinonos Kitieos St., G. Afxentiou and Makariou Avenue, Pieridi Square – there are top fashion items for men and women, original designs of bags and shoes, sunglasses, jewellery and accessories, stocked in the elegant boutiques of Cypriot, Greek and foreign designers and European chain outlets. You should also go to the open-air market held every Sunday morning on Ermou St., where you will find vintage clothes and records, souvenirs, craft items, fruit, vegetables and flowers.

In the town’s souvenir shops there is a wealth of hand-made embroidery, fabrics, lace, ceramics from the village of Kornos, and leather goods.

At the village of Lefkara, which has long been home to talented silversmiths, you can buy silver items and the famous hand-made embroidery items, sewn by the village women using white or dark-coloured thread on linen to create geometrical motifs, diamonds and crosses.

In terms of cuisine, Larnaka follows the rich gastronomic traditions of Cyprus, while also assimilating multicultural influences from East and West. Even the most demanding gourmet will be delighted by the breadth and artistry of Cypriot cuisine to be found in the town’s traditional tavernas, where a special place is occupied by seftalia (skinless sausage), afelia (braised pork), koupepia (stuffed vine leaves), grilled halloumi cheese and ofto kleftiko (lamb casserole). There will be a range of fine local wines to accompany these dishes, the home cooking of the local people.

But there are also ethnic restaurants, with authentic flavours from Italy, Mexico, Asia and the Middle East, as well as fish tavernas with fresh fish grilled in salt, ouzo parlours serving mezedes, and restaurants specializing in kebabs.

Nightlife in Larnaka is just as inclusive and progressive, with uplifting evenings, hot parties for new arrivals with excellent dance music including trance, tribal house, arabesque and even Greek popular hits!

There are clubs where you can dance and party all night, to the sound of famous DJs who keep the clubbing excitement at fever pitch with unexpected exclusive events. For cosmopolitan clubbing, make your way out to Aghia Napa for crazy nights of entertainment and dancing till dawn.

• Larnaka Festival: The annual festival, held each July, transforms the town into an open-air stage, a fine showcase for music and the other arts.
• Cultural events organized by the Municipality of Aghia Napa: Every summer the Mediterranean resort plays host to concerts and international dance events.
• Easter in Larnaka:  Across the island, and in Larnaka itself, Easter is celebrated with great solemnity. On Good Friday the women of each parish decorate the bier of Christ with flowers. On midnight of the day before Easter Sunday the chant of Christ has Risen is heard in all the churches and following the Resurrection service families gather at home for a special Easter dish known as mayeiritsa, a sort of liver soup. At lunchtime on Easter Sunday they meet again for lamb, painted eggs and flaounes (an Easter bread with filling of cheese, eggs, raisins).

Transport from the airport

Aegean flights land at Larnaka international airport, just 5km south of the town centre. This is the largest airport on Cyprus, with duty-free shops selling clothes, electronic goods, accessories, souvenirs, as well as restaurants, cafes, bars, banks, ATMs, bureaus de change, a post office, a pharmacy, car rental agencies, a children’s play area and free Wi-Fi.

The best way into town is by taxi. It takes 15 minutes and is relatively inexpensive. There also lots of buses plying back and forth between the airport and the Central Bus Station in Larnaka, leaving every 5-10 minutes. The journey lasts between 11-23 minutes.