'''Larnaca''' (Greek __?__________ ''Larnaka'', [http://www.larnaka.com/tourism.html]) is a city in Cyprus.
Understand
Larnaca has a reasonable claim to being the '''oldest city in Cyprus''', with evidence of habitation up to 6000 years ago.
Modern Larnaca, like other Cypriot coastal towns, is divided into an older city center and a wide sprawl of hotels and restaurants along the beach.
Get in
'''Larnaca International Airport''' ({{IATA|LCA}}) is the largest airport on Cyprus, located 6 km to the west of the city center. Taxis to the city take 15 minutes, there are also scheduled city buses.
Shared taxis (''dolmus'') connect Larnaca to Nicosia and Limassol.
Get around
Larnaca is a thin ribbon of a town and you can walk around most of it. The seaside '''Larnaca Promenade''' (''Phinikoudes'') is particularly pleasant for a stroll in the evening.
By law, taxis should charge by the meter, but many cabbies will refuse to use it. Metered fares should be 65 cent; to get in plus 22 cent/km, night surchages apply after midnight.
Other destinations
South East coast of Cyprus
Ayia Napa
Kapparis
Protaras
Cape Greco
Agia Triada
Protaras
See
The '''Church of St. Lazarus''' (Ayios Lazaros Sq), an Orthodox church dating to the 9th century, is reputedly built around the tomb of the biblical Lazarus, brother of Mary.
The '''Larnaca Salt Lake''' is to the west of town near the airport. In winter (November to March), flocks of '''pink flamingos''' can be seen here.
The '''Hala Sultan Tekke''' mosque is perched by the side of the Salt Lake. The tomb of Umm Haram, the foster mother of Mohammed, is said to be here.
Do
For divers the main reason to come to Larnaca is the '''wreck of the Zenobia''' (watch video[http://www.cydive.com/video.php]), a ro-ro ferry that sunk in 1980 on her maiden voyage only a few hundred meters from the harbor due to a fault in the ballast computer. Fully laded with trucks and their cargo, the ship now lies on its side at a depth of 42 meters, with the top of the wreck at 18m and thus easily accessible even to PADI Advanced Open Water divers. If your flight comes in right, you can even see the shadow of the wreck as you land at Larnaca airport!
'''Dive-In Cyprus''' (Seagate Hotel, 132 Piale Pascha; tel. 24-627469; [http://www.dive-in.com.cy]) is a PADI 5-star dive center that specializes in dives to the Zenobia, and can also arrange nitrox and penetration dives for the technical diver. Figure on around £18 for a dive.
Buy
The nearby village of Lefkara is famous for its lace and silverware, and Larnaca being the nearest large town to the village, sells both in plentiful supply.
Independent jewellers and watchmakers are abundant, particularly among and just off the main Ermes/Ermou Street.
'''Oro Fino Jewellery''', Pavlou Valsamaki 26, ''50 metres from Foinikoudes beach, near St. Lazaurs'', tel. 24-654666. Italian and Greek designs, diamonds to zircons, precious to semi-precious stones. The shop also features the latest jewel in fashion, ''NEWD SKIN JEWEL'' as well as brand watches like GUESS, D&G and DKNY.
Eat
The beaches of Larnaca are littered with identikit seafood restaurants catering to tourists. The easiest way to find a good place is to simply walk along until you find a restaurant packed not with tourists, but with Cypriots!
'''Militzis''', 42 Piale Pascha, tel. 24-655867. A long-running favorite serving honest Cypriot fare (read: meat and potatoes) washed down with their own wine. No points for presentation, but the food is good and the restaurant is often packed. Figure on £5-10 for a meal.
'''Hobo's''', Phinikoudes Promenade. A lively Cafe/Restaurant popular with many Cypriots, right on the main promenade. You can't miss it, and its often full but doesn't take telephone reservations. Food is varied from Cypriot to International Cuisine.
'''Kantara''', '''Rendez-Vous''', and''' Ganga''' restaurants on Dhekelia Road are probably the best restaurants in Larnaca. More expensive than the rest, but well worth it. Both Kantara and Rendez-Vous have a good selection of international wines (Cyprus wines are an acquired taste ... to say the least!)
Drink
In the city centre an area just off the main promenade called "Laiki Yeitonia" fulfils the need for most Bars and Small scale Nightclubs. '''Club Deep''' is the most popular of these, along with '''Times'''.
Driving about 15-20 minutes away from the City Centre to the East in the direction of Ayia Napa is the Larnaca-Dhekelia Road. This is the main 'strip' for high quality hotels, nightclubs, bars, etc, and is where most British Tourists can be found.
The '''Blue Pine Bar''' near the American Academy has a huge selection of spirits (all real which is unusual for Cyprus) and has a real atmosphere. The decor is wood and dim lighting and lots of Jack Daniels and Blues music paraphernalia. Comes alive after 10PM. The Bar used to be located on Dhekelia Road but moved several years ago. By far the best bar in Laranaca for chilled music and spirits.
Sleep
There are countless hotels and hotel apartments of varying degrees of luxury by the seaside.
'''Frangiorgio Hotel Apartments''' [http://www.frangiorgio.com]. A friendly, modern hotel in the heart of Larnaca, 1-minute walk from the town's main beach and shopping areas. It has 24 luxury furnished apartments with fully equipped kitchens, individually controlled air-conditioning systems, heating, satellite colour TVs, double glazed windows, private balconies and telephones. Other facilities include: daily cleaning of rooms, laundry service, bar, fax service, internet facilities, 24 hour reception and a new in house 24 hour mini market. Rates range from __16 to __40 depending on the season.
'''Sandbeach Castle Hotel''', Piale Pascha, tel. 24-655437, [http://www.castlehotel.com.cy]. A fairly typical 2-star hotel, a bit of a hike from the city center, but not too far from the dive shops. Clean and generally acceptable. Rooms from £18.80 and up (with breakfast) in the low season, add in another £5 for the winter high season.
'''Blue Serenity Private Villa''', Pervolia ''10 mins in car'', [http://www.pervoliavilla.com]. A brand new family villa - 3 bedrooms - fully air conditioned - private pool. Nice quite getaway place. Prices in low season from £400 per week, rising to £600 in the high season.
Sveltos Beach Apartments. iale Pasha, Mckenzy. ckenzy Beach. 0357 246 57240. ww.sveltosmckenzy.com. 35. Self catering apartments 10 metres from the sea, with the most fantastic views over Larnaca Bay towards Cape Greco. Rates from ?35 a night in low season for a one bed apartment sleeping two to ?65 a night for a 2 bedroom apartment sleeping 4 in high season
'''Pyla Village & Pyla Palms Resorts Apartments'''. yla, Larnaca. ake A1 from Airport to Aiya Napa come off at 2nd Turn for Pyla Village, Pyla Palms on right 2 miles and Pyla Village Resort 0.5mils on right. 044 121 744 1444. ww.bmstravel.com. rom __119 pppw. Recently completed superior private large apartments with feature pool, 5 minutes from beach, and 10 minutes from town. They offer quiet luxury in secure surrounding, far enough away for the peace yet close enough for entertainment.
Get out