Larnaca Holiday
Sunny Larnaca provides the perfect summer destination - with beautiful beaches and interesting ancient features easily at hand.
The city of Larnaca on the island of Cyprus is drenched in history, sun and culture, with a rich past stretching back millennia.
With a palm tree-lined sea front, 25km of beautiful beaches, attractive shops, activities and a wealth of archaeology, it is a firm favourite with holidaymakers.
Known in ancient times as Kition or Citium, Larnaca was home to the famous stoic philosopher Zeno of Citium, whose marble bust adorns the crossroads near the American Academy, and witnessed the death of Athenian general Kimon, for whom a statue has been erected on the seafront.
Cyprus has been a key trading post between Europe, Africa and the Middle East and has been held by an array of nations, including the Phoenicians, Egyptians, Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, the Ottoman Empire and the British.
The oldest living city on Cyprus, the earliest remains at Larnaca date from the Mycenean era (between 1400 and 1100 BC). The city and the surrounding area are home to a wealth of archaeological sites, including an impressive a complex of Mycenean temples, the ruins of ancient Kitium and the remains of the Cyclopean Walls.
Larnaca suffered from several devastating earthquakes during its history and the medieval harbour and citadel have almost disappeared as a result. However, there is still a great deal to see on your holiday, including the ninth century Byzantine Basilica of Saint Lazarus, the 17th century Fort of Larnaca, the underground chapel of Ayia Phaneromeni and six interesting museums.
Larnaca is a joy to wander around in the soft sunlight, with most of the city's main attractions and sights within easy walking distance. Meanwhile, in and on the water, tourists can opt for swimming, an array of watersports and relaxing cruises around Cyprus.
The city is home to the Zenon Stadium where local teams AEK Larnaca and ALKI Larnaca FC both play. Shoppers will delight in the varied shops and boutiques in the centre of Larnaca and families will particularly enjoy paying a visit to the flamingoes at Larnaca Salt Lake
In the evenings, Larnaca comes alive with an array of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, tavernas and cafes, many serving Greek specialities in picturesque settings.
The municipal authorities organise a range of cultural events and there is a lively arts scene, with a number of charming art galleries and wineries to visit.
Accommodation in Larnaca tends to be in great demand, with high occupancy rates year round. Most hotels and apartments are clean, basic and reasonably priced, though it is possible to find both quirkier and more luxurious places to stay.
Cyprus enjoys hot Mediterranean summers and cooler, wetter winters. Visitors to the city catch a flight and arrive at Larnaca International Airport or into the port and around three million travellers a year enter Cyprus via Larnaca, with numerous flights and package deals available from the UK.
