Larnaca Holidays

What are the best things to do in Larnaca?

1. Ayia Napa’s Nissi Beach offers pristine white sands and shallow, clear waters that are ideal for families and perfect for snorkelling and swimming. There are ample sun loungers and parasols, too. The beach is lined with bars and restaurants and has become a popular draw for clubbers – most of the action centres around the Nissi Bay Beach Bar which hosts regular dance parties with guest DJs.
2. Fig Tree Bay in Protaras often ranks among Europe’s best beaches with its soft, white sand and clear turquoise waters. Snorkel among abundant marine life, enjoy water sports including jet skiing, banana boats and parasailing, or take a boat trip to nearby caves. There are many fish restaurants and plenty of lively bars and nightclubs, too. Stroll over to the rocky promontory to the east of the bay to catch a picture-perfect sunset. It’s a popular beach, so get there early. In addition to Fig Tree Bay, the appealing coastal resort of Protaras has plenty of tempting beaches. Green Bay offers vibrant marine life and intriguing rock formations for divers. Secluded Konnos Bay has breathtaking scenery and plenty of beachfront cafes while Sirena Bay is a hidden gem with pristine sands and gently lapping waves. Sunrise Beach, Pernera Beach, Agia Triada Beach and Louma Beach all have their unique charms.
3. The rugged Cape Greco National Forest Park is a protected area of around 385 hectares. It’s home to many rare plants and wildflowers, while resident animals include hares, porcupines, sea turtles and dolphins. Look out for the natural sea arch known as the Bridge of Love. There’s an array of hiking trails, including the gentle Aphrodite Trail, offering spectacular sea views, and the Cyclops Trail, a hair-raising clifftop walk. An underwater environment complete with rich marine life, ancient shipwrecks and impressive rock formations awaits divers and snorkellers.
4. The award-winning Ayia Napa WaterWorld, one of Europe’s leading themed water parks, is chock full of exciting slides and rides, alongside fun facilities like go-karts and restaurants. Upgrade to a luxurious VIP Suite here to enjoy floor-to-ceiling glass doors, beach cabanas and comfy seating with panoramic views of the water park.
5. The Larnaca Salt Lake is a striking sight with its shimmering expanse of caked white salt during the dry summer months. Despite the name it’s actually a network of wetlands with only the largest area Alyki being a true salt lake. In winter, plentiful supplies of shrimp attract flocks of flamingos, gulls and wild ducks. Once a lagoon connected to the Mediterranean, the lake was an important port in the second millennium BC when Larnaca was known as Kition. Today you can follow a two-mile nature trail around the lake.
6. The precise origins of the Ayia Napa Monastery are unknown, although it’s thought to date back to at least the 15th Century when Cyprus was in Venetian hands. The monastery, which is partly underground, gave Ayia Napa its name which translates as wild forest. According to local legend the monastery was founded on the spot where a hunter and his dog discovered an icon of the Virgin Mary. Today the monastery houses a small museum and hosts a range of secular and church events.
7. The Church of Saint Lazarus, one of the oldest on Cyprus, dates to the late 9th Century. It contains the tomb of Lazarus of Bethany, whom Jesus reputedly rose from the dead. In 1972 a marble sarcophagus was found under the altar during renovations. Inside were human remains believed to be part of Lazarus’ relics. The church is one of only two on the island to boast three domes – although the originals were destroyed in an earthquake.