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    Tourist Attractions in Larnaca

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Larnaca. Photos and a brief description.

    Larnaca
    few clouds
    62.4 ° F
    64.3 °
    58.5 °
    35 %
    3.2mph
    20 %
    Fri
    59 °
    Sat
    64 °
    Sun
    66 °
    Mon
    67 °
    Tue
    72 °
    About Larnaca

    Sunny Larnaca is kilometers of magnificent beaches, a quiet family vacation and an abundance of architectural attractions, many of which are 700-1000 years old. This place is also suitable for lovers of diving and refreshing sea walks.

    Many temples, monasteries and fortresses located in and around Larnaca have survived intact to this day. You can experience unforgettable sensations while walking in the vicinity of the Angeloktisti Church or the Stavrovuni Monastery – a huge layer of the past centuries seems to be in the air and makes tourists think about eternity.

    But for many, Larnaca is, first of all, a high–quality, unhurried and relaxing beach holiday. The sea here is clean and warm, the beaches withstand even the most stringent requirements, and the infrastructure is perfectly adapted to the most demanding needs.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Larnaca

    St. Lazarus Church

    The appearance of the temple dates back to the IX century, when Emperor Leo IV ruled Byzantium. Saint Lazarus is the patron saint of Larnaca, he has lived in Cyprus for 30 years and has been preaching Christianity all this time. The place of his burial "Larnaca" means "sarcophagus" or "coffin", hence the name of the city. The Church of St. Lazarus has been standing for more than a thousand years, the building has been reconstructed several times. The last restoration was carried out in 1972, as a result of which part of the relics of the saint was found.

    St. Lazarus Church
    Salt Lake Larnaca

    Salt Lake Larnaca

    The appearance of the reservoir is associated with the legend of Saint Lazarus. The parable says that when he was walking near the vineyards, he asked the owners for one bunch of grapes to quench his thirst, but the stingy people refused him. Then Lazarus became angry and predicted that this land would be barren and nothing but salt would be born on it. The next day, instead of a fertile vineyard, people saw a salt lake. In summer, the reservoir completely dries up and is covered with a 10-centimeter crust of salt.

    Larnaca Castle

    According to one version, the fort was built in the XIII century during the reign of King James I to protect the city from enemies. In the XIV century it was captured by the Genoese. By the XVIII century, the complex was dilapidated and fell into disrepair, but it was rebuilt by the Ottoman Turks. During the First World War, the fortress was used by German troops as an outpost, but after the defeat of Germany, it passed into the hands of the British. Now there is a museum with valuable exhibits of the Early Middle Ages on the territory.

    Larnaca Castle
    Finikoudes Beach

    Finikoudes Beach

    A small city beach with a length of 500 meters with clear and clear water. It is perfect for children, as the descent into the sea is quite gentle, and there are no sharp stones on the soft sandy bottom. The beach is marked with the "Blue Flag" quality mark. Along the coast stretches a well—maintained picturesque embankment - the place of the promenade of numerous tourists. The alley is separated from the noisy roadway by a dense row of date palms.

    Mackenzie Beach

    The beach is located in the western part of Larnaca, its territory is adjacent directly to the airport. Tourists vacationing on Mackenzie have the opportunity to contemplate planes taking off and landing every few minutes. Along the beach there is a pedestrian road with numerous taverns and bars. As on all the city beaches of Larnaca, Mackenzie has a gentle descent into the water, the purest water and sand shining in the sun.

    Mackenzie Beach

    Port of Larnaca

    A parking place for yachts of all colors and sizes, as well as more modest boats. The Larnaca Marina accommodates about 450 vessels whose dimensions do not exceed 40 meters. In high season, you may not find a free berth in the port. Many ship owners offer a boat trip for tourists or fishing. But the main place in the marina is occupied by seafaring travelers who cruise the Mediterranean.

    Church of the Angeloctisti

    The Byzantine church of the XI century, built on the ruins of a temple of the early Christian era, partially destroyed during the Arab invasion. The frescoes of the VI century have been preserved in an amazing way, which have reached our days thanks to the layer of plaster covering them. The unique images were discovered during the restoration in 1952. A very ancient tree grows next to the church, protected by the state as a natural monument.

    Stavrovuni Monastery

    Stavrovuni Monastery

    One of the oldest monasteries in Cyprus. It is believed that the monastery was founded in the IV century by the mother of Emperor Constantine, later canonized — Saint Helena. The first written mention of the monastery dates back to the beginning of the XII century. The monastery was raided and destroyed more than once, at one time it was owned by the Catholic Church. The most important relic, which is kept in the walls of Stavrovuni, is a part of the Life–Giving Cross.

    Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque

    The mosque is located near the shores of the salt lake. At the moment, there are no services held in the temple, but it is open for excursions. Hala Sultan Tekke is a whole complex of structures, which includes residential buildings, a mausoleum and the temple building itself, designed for prayers. The last restoration of the mosque was carried out in the 50s of the XX century. The temple was used for its intended purpose until the Turkish occupation of the northern part of Cyprus in 1974.

    Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque
    Pieridis Museum

    Pieridis Museum

    A private collection created in 1839. The museum is located on the territory of a house that belonged to one of the mayors of Larnaca. The museum exposition is based on the collection of art objects of the mayor, which he transferred together with the house for public use in 1974. The Pieridis Museum exhibits 2.5 thousand exhibits belonging to different historical eras.

    Kyriazis Medical Museum

    The museum was opened in 2011. The exposition is entirely devoted to medical science. Equipment, books, medical devices, documents illustrating the development of medical practice in Cyprus are exhibited here. The time period covered by the museum collection is quite wide — from antiquity to the present day. In the garden at the museum there is a garden where medicinal plants are grown.

    Kyriazis Medical Museum
    Archaeological Museum of Larnaca

    Archaeological Museum of Larnaca

    The museum's collection consists of archaeological finds from the heyday of the ancient state of Kition, which existed in Cyprus from the XIII century BC to the IV century. Due to imperfect legislation, many valuable finds were removed from the island. Everything that remained, and was found after 1967, was placed in the Archaeological Museum. The halls exhibit valuable exhibits of the Cretan-Mycenaean culture, finds of the Neolithic, Bronze Age and much more.

    Pottery workshop "Emira Pottery"

    The workshop was founded in 1987 by a master who emigrated from the northern part of Cyprus due to the Turkish invasion in 1974. In "Emira Pottery" you can observe the process of making traditional Cypriot ceramics, you can also take a master class and stick clay pots yourself. There is a small shop attached to the workshop, where products of its own production are sold.

    Pottery workshop
    Lefkara Village

    Lefkara Village

    An exemplary village located in a mountainous area among picturesque landscapes. The first mention of this place appeared in the XII century. The village was glorified by a special technique of lace weaving — "lefkaritika". There are many home workshops for the manufacture of textiles. Tablecloths, dresses, elements of bed linen, curtains, shawls and shawls are made of lace.

    Hirokitiya Settlement

    The settlement of the Neolithic era, which existed during the VII-IV centuries BC. The people who inhabited this place lived in round-shaped mud brick houses that have survived to this day (about 100 houses have come down to us). In 1998, Hirokitiya was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to the excavations, the inhabitants had a cult of the dead, as they buried the bodies right on the territory of their homes.

    Hirokitiya Settlement
    Ancient city of Kition

    Ancient city of Kition

    In the XIII century BC, an ancient civilization arose and began to develop in Cyprus, which lasted for more than 1000 years – until the IV century. Its traces were discovered as a result of excavations in 1920 . The ancient state was named Kition. Archaeologists have found that in order to get most of Kition, it is necessary to dig up the whole of Larnaca and remove several cultural layers. Therefore, the surveys are conducted point-by-point, the ancient city is pulled out of the ground in parts.

    Camares Aqueduct

    The bridge was built during the rule of the Ottoman Empire on the island. The water supply system was built literally in one year in 1746-1747 . The total length of the aqueduct is 10 km., It consists of 75 arched spans. The water supply system worked until 1939, before the construction of a modern water pipeline. Only part of the structure has survived to this day, as it was severely damaged due to the expansion of the city limits of Larnaca.

    Camares Aqueduct
    The sunken ferry Zenobia

    The sunken ferry Zenobia

    The ship sank in 1980 near the coast of Larnaca, it was quickly dubbed the "Titanic of the Mediterranean", however, no one was injured in the crash. Since then, the place of Zenobia's death has become popular with divers. Underwater divers like to explore the remains of the ferry in the hope of finding something valuable (and many do). There really is something to see. The length of the vessel is as much as 178 meters, the width is 28 meters.

    Camel Park

    The park is located a 15-minute drive from the city airport halfway between Larnaca and Limassol, in the resort of Mazotos. It was established as a small private enterprise in 1998. You can ride a camel along the picturesque park paths. Also here you can relax with the whole family, have a picnic and take good photos. There is a separate play area for children. There is a restaurant in the park.

    Camel Park
    Donkey farm

    Donkey farm "Golden Donkeys"

    The donkey farm was opened in 2014 in the small settlement of Skarinu. It became the second in a row (the first farm opened in this place is called "Dipotamos"). Apparently, the interest in donkeys is so high that one farm was not enough for everyone. In fact, the creators want to preserve a rare species of donkey breed, which is on the verge of extinction. About 200 animals live on the farm.