The Larnaca region
Larnaca is the upcoming cosmopolitan resort of Cyprus offering a combination of historical, cultural and historical attractions. It was founded by the Greeks in the 14th century BC known as Kition. This is the city of Zenon, the ancient Greek Philosopher, the city of St. Lazarus who lived, died and burried in this town. Apart from important Byzantine churches and ancient Kition sites, Larnaca hosts the ancient Hala Sultan mosque considered the 4th most important pilgrimage place of Islam. The center boosts of an interesting traditional arts & crafts market and modern shops of international brands. A nature's lovers paradise with a variety of sandy and pebble beaches and salt lakes with immigrating birds. The nightlife entertainment is endless among Phinikoudes Beach, Mackenzie beach and surrounded area with restaurants, taverns, bars, pubs and live music venues.
Larnaca Town
The MacKenzie Sands Apartment is located right on the Piale Pasa street and across the famous MacKenzie sandy beach with all-day lounge bars and fish taverns. Within 5 mins walk you can enjoy watersports at the beach, at the nearby marina take a boat for the Zenobia wreck which is among the top 10 world diving wreks, or enjoy walking and cycling. You can stroll along the narrow streets discovering arts and crafts shops, traditional coffee shops around St. Lazarus church as well as modern shopping of international brands. Visit the Venetian castle and the old mosque as well as Pierides museum and art galleries. The Palm Street Promenade and the surrounding old narrow streets are flooded with traditional Greek & Cyprus taverns, international cusine restaurants, cafeterias, pubs, bars and live music venues. Activities and festivals with music events take part on the Palm tree Promenade of which the Festival of Floods (Kataklysmos) by early Summer is the most important one.
LARNACA ATTRACTIONS
-----------------------------------
There is plenty to see and do in Larnaca, which offers visitors the chance to relax in a gorgeous Mediterranean setting, and the opportunity to explore a number of impressive archaeological sites. The main attraction in Larnaca is the remains of the ancient city of Kition; visitors can see parts of the excavations and explore the ancient ruins on the lovely coastline. A number of exciting atrefacts from Kition are preserved in Larnaca's museums, the best of which are the Larnaca District Museum and the Larnaca Medieval Museum (located in the thrilling Larnaca fort).
The city is truly rich in ancient history and a paradise for lovers of archaeology: just a little way outside of Larnaca visitors can explore the ruins and excavations of Choirokoitia, a Neolithic settlement dating back to 7000 BC and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Larnaca is also blessed with a number of significant religious institutions. The Church of Ayios Lazaros is a really special place to visit, with a richly decorated interior and a proud history. Another religious attraction in Larnaca is the Hala Sultan Tekke, a striking Muslim monument and mosque set in the beautiful Salt Lake landscape very close to the airport. The famous Stavrovouni Monastery makes for a great excursion from the city; it is the oldest monastery in Cyprus and is said to contain an important relic, a fragment of the Holy Cross. Regrettably, however, women are not permitted inside this Greek Orthodox monastery.
For those more interested in sand and sea the beaches of Larnaca are worthy of any amount of basking and swimming and the main town beach, Finikoudes, is very popular. Larnaca is also a dream destination for divers and boasts numerous worthwhile dives, both technical and recreational, including viewings of the Wreck of the Zenobia.