Larnaca Cyprus: The Complete Guide

Larnaca Cyprus is one of the best seaside resorts in the region. There’s a seafront promenade along the beach that is lined with palm trees. Overlooking the promenade is a squat fort. It has a laid-back atmosphere that makes it stand out from Limassol and Paphos. There are lots of things to do, place to see, and food to eat when you are in the port city.

Things to Do in Larnaca

There are lots of things to do when you are in Larnaca. Although it is the oldest city in Cyprus, the port city is described as a charming town with a mysterious and seductive character. Each moment of your stay in the port city will be memorable.

Nightlife

There is a lot of nightlife to explore in and around Larnaca. You can choose to have a cocktail by the beachfront, or dance the night away in top clubs and bars in the city. While the city is not as vibrant as Paphos and Limassol, you will still have lots of fun while you are in the city. Some of the top clubs and bars in Larnaca include Ammos, Savino, Dstrikt, and Deep Club.

Lounges and Cafes

If loud music is not what you consider as fun, then you can choose to head to one of the lounges and cafes in the city. According to a Larnaca Cyprus guide, the top lounges and cafes in town are Lush, To Kafe Tis Chrysanthi’s, Rebuke Lounge, Segafredo, and Art Cafe 1900.

Sites and Museum

There are also lots of interesting sites to visit in the port city. Some of these include the Church of Saint Lazarus, Khirokitia, Hala Sultan Tekke, Stavrovouni Monastery, Larnaca Castle, Pierides Museum, and the Ancient Kition.

Beaches

Larnaca Cyprus is known for its beautiful beaches. When you are in town, you should go to Finikoudes, Makenzie, Faros, and Oroklini.

Main Square

The Main Square is the heart of Larnaca. It is where you can find everything you need. The Finikoudes Promenade has restaurants and retail shops, desert shops, coffee shops, and other shopping options. The Main Square is close to both the old town and the marina.

Other Activities

Aside from the nightlife, sites, museums, beaches, and the main square, there are other activities that you can do in Larnaca. To start with, you can do water sports at the Central Water Sports or Vulcan windsurfing and kite-boarding.

You can also spend the day at the Lucky Star Park, or ride on Go-Karts at the Lucky Star Go Karts or the Oroklini Go-Kart Park. If you are a nature lover, then go hiking and explore the Prophet Elias Train at Kionia or the Cave of Athashia Trail at Vavatsinia. You can also ride a camel or horse at the Camel Park, Golden Donkeys Farm (telephone number 99 620 738) or the Andriana Folkloric Park (telephone number 97 808 056).

Where to eat

There are lots of dining options when you are in Larnaca. It doesn’t matter whether you are a budget traveller, someone who wants home cooked food, or a person who likes gourmet food. There are lots of seafood restaurants along the beaches. Not only that, restaurants in the city serve varied cuisines that make customers come back for more. There are also lots of family run Greek tavernas in Larnaca that offer great food, warm atmosphere, and friendly service. Below are some of the best restaurants in town.

Panos Steak House

It serves some of the best meals in a good location. It is the place where you can get best stake in Larnaca Cyprus.

Militzis

If you want meat, then head to Militzis. It is a place that serves local Cypriot food. And when you are there, don’t forget to order lamb kleftiko.

Takis Kebab House

This restaurant is family-friendly and provides free Wi-Fi for the customers. The food is good, and the price is reasonable.

Portokali Restaurant

Its location away from the city centre provides a good view of the sea. A lot of locals eat there, which is testament to how good the food they serve.

To Kazani

If you want to taste traditional Greek taverna food, then head to ToKazani. The family run taverna is said to be the best one in Larnaca Cyprus.

Souvlaki.gr

Another Greek restaurant that you should try while you are in Larnaca is Soulvlaki.gr. They serve great Greek food at affordable prices.

Keep in mind that the legal drinking age in Cyprus is 17. And just like anywhere in the world, you should not drink and drive. You will be considered DUI if your alcohol level is 22 μg or 100 ml of breath.

How to Move Around

There are several ways you can move around in Cyprus. A lot of visitors rely on tour company coaches to get around the port city. However, independent travellers have a lot of choices that include catching buses, hailing taxis, or renting a car. Walking and cycling are also some of the options that you can consider.

Buses

The buses in Larnaca are operated by Zinonas. The buses are modern and reliable. They will arrive at their destinations on time. You can learn about the routes and the stops by visiting the website: http://www.zinonasbuses.com/skcontent2.php?id=289.

The bus fares are standard and easy to remember. A single journey is €1.50, daily ticket is €5.00, weekly ticket costs €20.00, and monthly ticket is priced at €40.00. To learn more about the bus fares, go to http://www.zinonasbuses.com/skcontent.php?id=278.

Taxis

There are three taxi companies in Larnaca. They can be hailed from the street or picked up in some areas. Their fares and meters are controlled by the government. The top taxi companies are Larnaca Taxis (telephone number 99 368 804), iTaxi (telephone number 96 691 004), and Johns (telephone number 99 405604).

Rent Vehicles

Another way to get around Larnaca Cyprus is by renting a car. Car rentals are around €25 daily in winter and €50 in summer. However, the longer the rental period, the lower the rental rate, if you want to inquire about renting a vehicle, you can contact Cosmos Car Rental, 7777Rentacar, Stevens, and Sure Drive.

Parking

When you rent a car, you should consider where to park it. In Larcana there are lots of paid parking lots that include FinikoudesMultipark, Manuel’s Car Park, LordouVyrona Street Parking, and Marina Parking.

Where to Stay

In general, accommodation options in Larnaca are cheap. Staffs are friendly and ready to provide you with anything you need. You can choose to stay close to the sea or within the city centre.

Guest Houses

One of the options is to stay at any of the guest houses in the city. You can find lots of houses for rent through this link: https://www.airbnb.com/s/Larnaca--Cyprus/homes? type=guesthouse.

Hotels

There are also lots of hotels in the port city. You should consider booking a room in a hotel in Oroklini and Makenzie. The two areas have a lot to offer to visitors of the city. And to find the latest hotel deals, go to https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/SmartDeals-g190379-Larnaka_City_Larnaka_District-Hotel-Deals.html.

Villas

Renting a villa allows you to enjoy the comforts of a home while on a holiday. It has all the amenities that you need in an accommodation, as well as the privacy you can’t get while staying in a hotel. You can check out some of the villas for rent in the city at this link, https://www.airbnb.com/s/Larnaca--Cyprus? type=villa.

Apartments

You can also opt to stay in an apartment during your holiday in Larnaca. It might be smaller than a villa, but it is more affordable and has the amenities to make you feel at home. You can browse through the apartments for rent in the city by going to the link: https://www.airbnb.com/s/Larnaca--Cyprus? type=apartment.

Stay Connected

If you want to stay connected online, then you can choose to turn on your mobile internet. Larnaca’s prefix is 357. You can also opt to buy a sim card from kiosks in the airport or any other shopping centres in the city. Some of the sim cards provide free data when activated.

You should also consider saving emergency numbers in your phonebook, in case you need them during your stay in Larnaca Cyprus. Below are some of the important numbers that you should know:

Larnaca General Hospital — 24 800500

Larnaca Police Station — 24 804034

How is the Culture

There are several reasons why tourists love going to Larnaca. First of all, the prices are low compared to other parts of Europe. People can speak Greek or English, and generally friendly. You can start a conversation with any local you meet, whether it is on the street or in the bar. The accepted amount for tips is around 10 percent of your bill.

Opening Hours

When it comes to shops in Larnaca, their opening hours during the weekday except Wednesday are 9 am to 1 pm and 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm. During Wednesdays and Saturdays, they are open from 9 am to 2:30 pm. It should be noted that during the summer season (April to September), shops open from 4 pm to 8:30 pm on weekdays except Wednesdays, and 9 am to 4:30 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Nightlife venues, such as bars and clubs, are open on Friday and Saturday from 12 midnight to 4 am.

Public Services are open only during the weekdays from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Other things that you need to know about Larnaca Cyprus is that plugs and electrical outlets are UK style. Driving side is at the left. And the currency accepted in the city is euro.