Cyprus the island of Love

Origins of the city of Larnaca

The city of Larnaca is the oldest continually occupied settlement in Cyprus and one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back to the time of Noah. Its location at the crossroads of civilisation has brought many different cultures to its port, some as conquerors and some as colonisers. In present times however, visitors to this coastal town are mainly tourists. More than three million of them arrive on the island each year to enjoy the stunning scenery and ancient ruins. Legend has it that the very first settlement on this site, named Kition, was founded by Noah's grandson, Khittim, some 6,000 years ago.

Beaches

There are long areas of safe, sandy beaches which stretch for miles along the coast in Larnaca. Nearly all of them are run by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation of Public Beaches. Most of the beaches have bars and restaurants, and offer full facilities for swimmers and sunbathers such as changing rooms and beach furniture for hire.The two most popular beaches in Larnaca are McKenzie and Dhekelia beaches. McKenzie Beach is situated on the outskirts of the city centre, less than five minutes drive from the airport. This beach is famous for its beautiful white sand and clean refreshing waters. Here you can enjoy many water sports and even do some scuba diving. There is also an excellent selection of restaurants which are well-known among locals for their fresh seafood and Cypriot cuisine.

Nightlife

For a relatively small town, Larnaca has an impressive nightlife scene, full of bars and nightclubs in a pleasant seaside environment. Whether you want to dance the night away or just chill out and sip a cold Cypriot beer, you can probably find something to your liking. Almost all of this town's nightlife is centred on the two-kilometre long seaside promenade and the surrounding block called Laiki Yeitonia.

An impressive selection of taverns, bars and cafés are clustered together in this lively area. For a nightclub experience, check out Club Memphis or Scaliano. For a classic pub, there's The Bailey, where you can try out the local lagers such as Keo and Leon. If you drive about 15 minutes from the city centre towards Ayia Napa, you will find the Larnaca-Dhekelia road. This is the main strip for top end hotels and the more ritzy nightclubs and bars in the city. Being a heavily touristed area, this is also where you'll find the most British and European tourists, and the fewest locals.

Local cuisine

Cypriot cuisine blends the elements of Turkish, Italian and British flavours, creating an interesting and very tasty menu. The main course of fish and meat is often cooked over the grill and naturally, the seafood is as fresh as you can get. Many restaurants change their menu depending on what is in season at the market.

Meals in local taverns and restaurants typically begin with mezes (appetisers), followed by kebabs, dolmas, stews, fresh fish or lamb dishes. Meals usually end with fresh fruit or honey pastries and a Greek coffee. The traditional food in Cyprus is simple, fresh and quite healthy, following a typical Mediterranean diet. Baked or grilled lamb usually appears somewhere in the course of dining, as does some kind of fish. The slow pace of eating and the series of food courses makes dining out in Larnaca a true delight.

Larnaca Hotels

Larnaca has an extensive selection of hotels to suit every taste and budget. As the second largest port in Cyprus, the city is used to handling large numbers of tourists. There are enough attractions in the city to keep most visitors interested, but Larnaca also makes an excellent base from which to explore the rest of the island. The hotels located in the downtown area are some of the cheaper options and best suited for short stays. If you decide to spend a long time in Larnaca, you should find somewhere quieter and more pleasant along the coast. The hotels in the northeastern part of Larnaca are typical seaside resorts, with plenty of entertainment and water sport facilities on site. Most of these resorts are modern and a bit more expensive than the hotels in town.

The Golden Bay Beach Hotel is Larnaca's only five-star resort and well worth the cost if you want to stay somewhere really nice. The 193-room hotel sits directly on the beach in the main tourist area, within easy striking distance of the town centre and the airport. All of the rooms have private balconies with a sea view.

When to visit

If you plan to visit during the peak summer season, you should consider making reservations in advance. If you arrive in August without a reservation, it may take a couple of hours to find a decent and affordable room. During the rest of the year, from October to May, advance bookings are not always necessary, as the town is relatively quiet during the off-season. Without a doubt, the best time to visit Larnaca is during the spring or the autumn. Springtime brings colourful flowers to the hillsides of Cyprus, along with refreshing, sporadic showers and no crowds. Autumn is also nice, as the weather cools off and the tourists disappear.