Larnaca, or rather the airport located 5 km from this city right on the Mediterranean coast, is the destination of every tourist who comes to rest in Cyprus. From the airport, you can go to any part of the island by private taxi or take a bus to Nicosia or Limassol. This international airport was built in 1974.
Larnaca is the third largest city in Cyprus and one of the major ports in the southern part of the island. It is a fairly economical city for vacationers’ wallets, and this makes it attractive to tourists with average incomes. Families with small children also like to vacation here, as they value the cleanliness of the local sandy beaches and sea, comfortable and inexpensive hotel accommodation, and not the number of entertainment options in the city.
According to legend, the settlement on the site of the modern city was founded by Noah’s grandson. In those days, the settlement was called Kition, or Hittim. Larnaca (from “larnux”) means “sarcophagus” in Greek and is associated with the fact that in the 16th century ancient burials were discovered here. Sarcophagus is not a nice name for a hometown, so many locals call it Skela (with an emphasis on the first syllable), which means “stairs.” In the Middle Ages, salt was mined here in the Salt Lake, and the city was also called Salina. Currently, salt is mined only for local needs and is not of such great economic importance to the country. On the other hand, many birds have chosen the Salt Lake for wintering – swans, herons and even beautiful pink flamingos.
The importance of Larnaca has been growing again since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Refugees from the northern part of the country have significantly increased the city’s population. Instead of the closed Nicosia airport, a modern international airport was built here in 1975, which became the main air gateway of Cyprus. The British again turned their attention to this part of the island, began to build hotels and invest in the development of local tourist infrastructure.
Undoubtedly, one of the best places in the city is the palm tree alley of Finikoudes. Walking among the tall palm trees, enjoy the view from the promenade of the bay, dotted with moored snow-white yachts. Numerous taverns and cafes are always happy to welcome you in their cozy interiors and, of course, to serve you delicious food. The food here is especially delicious, and the beautiful views from the cafe’s terrace make it truly incomparable.
Everything in Larnaca is conducive to a leisurely vacation. The clear blue sea beckons in its embrace, the smells from local restaurants tempt and encourage you to forget about your figure and enjoy the taste of a variety of delicious Greek dishes. The city celebrates Cataclysmos, the day of the World Flood, on a grand scale. Folk festivities with songs and music and all kinds of water competitions attract not only crowds of tourists but also locals to the holiday. The castle, which can be seen from the sea, also often hosts various cultural events in the summer.
