For most tourists, the island begins with Larnaca, as it is home to the main international airport, named after the President of the Republic, Glafkos Clerides (Greek: Διεθννής Aερολιμένας Λάρνακας). There is a large seaport (Larnaca Marina), part of which is occupied by a marina. Larnaca is actively developing, new hotels, residential buildings, roads are being built and the old town is being restored. It is not the most luxurious resort of Cyprus, but it is perfect as a starting point for traveling around the island, as a base.
The oldest city on the island is famous for the Church of St. Lazarus, the medieval fortress built in 1625, the Hala Sultan Mosque Tekke, the Larnaca Salt Lake with pink flamingos that arrive in winter. The city is also famous for its beaches: Larnaca’s 25km coastline has three central beaches within the city limits and three remote ones.
- The beaches of Dasaki Pylas, Faros, Yanathes are in the suburbs. From the center they can be reached by bus, cab, rented car or staying in a hotel nearby.
- And the most famous beaches are within walking distance from the center: Finikoudes, Mackenzie, Kastella. I will tell you more about them.
What you need to know about the beaches of Larnaca
- The sand here is not as white and the sea is not as azure as in fairy-tale Ayia Napa or delightful Protaras. The beaches of Larnaca are characterized by tamped sand of gray-brown color, which many people do not like and resembles clay.
- The sea is shallow, but impeccably clean. The distance to the depth is 50—100 meters and more. The entrance is comfortable and gentle. Soft, flat bottom without stones.
- Safety and environmental friendliness is confirmed by the international award «Blue Flag». The water is so clear that you can see the undulating sandy bottom, reminiscent of a washboard, and flocks of carefree fish.
- There are lifeguards working everywhere.
- Entrance is free, but renting a sun lounger and an umbrella costs 5 € per day, that is 2.5 € each — the same price for the Cypriot coast. There is no charge before 9:00 and after 16:00. You can lie on your own beach mat or towel. An umbrella is sold in local stores for 3 €.
Finikoudes Beach (Finikoudes Beach)
«Finikoudes» is the central beach that spreads along the main promenade of Larnaca. It is up to 100 meters wide and 500 meters long. Opposite Finikoudes Beach is a succession of hotels and restaurants. A few blocks away, the usual city life is bustling.
Nearby are the port, the highway and the bus stop. The beach is bordered by a boat marina and the medieval Larnaca Castle, where the «Finikoudes» promenade turns into Piale Pasa. The beach is separated by a pier going into the sea, from which it is forbidden to jump.
Compared to Mackenzie Beach and Kastella Beach, there are more people here, but the beach is clean and well-maintained. You can take a sunbed and umbrella or sunbathe on the sand.
Volleyball courts are equipped and traditional beach activities are available. There are toilets, paid showers, foot washing facilities and changing rooms. The bar and cafe sells drinks, snacks and sandwiches.
How to add:
- Distance from the city center — 200 m.
- From other parts of Larnaca and the airport there is bus number 425.
Kastella Beach
In the direction from the center to the airport, the Piale Pasa promenade leads to Kastella Beach. In the neighborhood there is a fishing cove, from which the beach is separated by a rampart of large white stones. The length of the beach is 500 meters. It is not too crowded and not too noisy.
Discarded seaweed along the surf line spoil the impression, but the beach itself is clean, there is no garbage. There are umbrellas and deck chairs along the shore. Plenty of space to sit on the sand or play with a ball. There is a playground for children. From the minuses — paid shower (0,50 €), no foot wash to wash off the sand, and few changing rooms.
Often a van with local ice cream stops near the pier. The price of ice cream in a waffle cone is 1 € per scoop. I recommend trying the mango flavor.
There is a bar on the beach, and for a substantial snack I recommend the nearby Zephoros Beach Tavern. The menu includes fresh fish dishes and traditional meze.
Near the beach there is a small fish market, a parking lot and the pier of the boat marina «Psarolimano».
How to get there:
- Distance from the center — 1.8 km. Walk along the embankment — 22—25 minutes.
- Stop «Pigale Pasa 2», opposite the boat marina «Psarolimano».
Mackenzie Beach.
Just behind «Castella» on the outskirts of Larnaca is the most famous Mackenzie Beach. The main feature is the neighborhood with Larnaca International Airport: the runway starts right behind the grid. Every 15—20 minutes a new airplane comes in for landing, flying very low. The hum of running engines is practically inaudible. Fans of spectacular selfies and photos specially come here to catch a good shot.
Another advantage of «Mackenzie» is a wide coastline 1 km long without crowds. The beach is clean, and unlike Castella, there is no seaweed washed ashore. Every day it is cleaned, and the traces of special equipment can be seen on the sand in the early morning.
In the morning the beach turns into a stadium by the sea — so many people go jogging. There are sports and playgrounds for children, you can ride a banana boat, rent a catamaran, windsurfing boards, jet ski. The password for free Wi-Fi is given at the beach bar or when paying for an umbrella and a sun lounger.
There is a restroom and locker room, but we never found a shower or foot wash.
Locals love to vacation with their families at Mackenzie Beach. A stage is often set up on the open-air beach for concerts. Cafes and restaurants stay open late into the night. Opposite are hotels and a string of small stores with traditional beach merchandise, with a parking lot nearby.
How to get there:
- Distance from the center — 2.8 km. Walk along the embankment — 30—40 minutes.
- You can take bus number 425 connecting the city center and the airport.
Where to stay in Larnaca
Larnaca is often chosen for beach vacations: it has a low cost of accommodation, a sandy beach and from here you can leave to other parts of Cyprus when you want to sightsee.
The airport is located 6 km from the center. The local bus #425 runs every half an hour and will take you to the city in 15 minutes. The fare is 1.5 €. From Larnaca it is easy to reach other cities by comfortable bus.
For a beach vacation, I recommend choosing a hotel between Lake Larnaca (it is near the airport and Mackenzie Beach) and the Cathedral of St. Lazarus. The closer to the cathedral — the more active life in the city. Towards Mackenzie and the lake, the neighborhoods are quieter and calmer.
- The price for a one-bedroom apartment, depending on the season and distance to the beach — from 40 € per day.
- On the first line a room for two with breakfast in a 4* hotel right by the beach will cost at least 130 € per night — for example, in designer Ciao Stelio Deluxe Hotel or Sun Hall Hotel overlooking Finicudes.
- A room for two at the 4* Best Western Plus Larco Hotel costs only from 75 € per night with breakfast. It is a compromise between the high level of the hotel and the location: the Mackenzie beach is only 200 m away and the center of Larnaca is 15 minutes on foot.
- In the very center of Larnaca prices are higher: a 3* hotel will cost an average of 70 € for two people.
There are no problems with entertainment and food. There are a lot of cafes, restaurants and stores. It is advantageous to buy groceries in chain supermarkets located on the outskirts. And also here there is no typical for resort towns bustle and noise. A measured and quiet life flows smoothly along the spacious embankments and original streets of the old town.
