| Larnaca Λάρνακα | ||
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Coat of arms  | ||
| State | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Inhabitants | 79.000 (2005) | |
| Prefix tel | 357 24 | |
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Larnaca (Λάρνακα) is a city on the southern coast of Cyprus.
To know
The attraction of Larnaca lies above all in its promenade adorned with rows of palm trees that give it the air of certain holiday resorts on the Côte d'Azur. To the north of the city center there is a long coastline where numerous hotels overlook. The construction in 1974 of a new international airport to replace the one in Nicosia fallen into Turkish hands, it helped to make Larnaca a seaside resort of international fame
Larnaka is regarded as the oldest city in Cyprus given that archaeological finds have been found that testify the presence of man dating back to a period prior to the Neolithic.
Modern Larnaca, like many other Cypriot coastal cities, is divided into two parts: an old town and the new part with the restaurants and shopping areas that have developed along the beaches.
Geographical notes
Larnaca is located on the eastern stretch of the southern coast of Cyprus, limited to the south-west by a lake which in summer turns into a crust of salt. In winter, numerous species of migratory birds from Europe overwinter here. On the east coast is the military base of Dhekelia under full British sovereignty.
Background
Larnaca occupies the site of ancient Kition (Citium in Italian), probably founded in the late Mycenaean (13th century BC). In theOld Testament, the term was used to designate the entire island of Cyprus. A stele from the 8th century BC was found in Larnaca. which mentions the act of vassalage made by 7 local kings a Sargon II, Assyrian ruler. The first settlements of Phoenicians, interested in the trade of copper extracted from the Tavassos mines. It was then the Persians who occupied the island. Cimon, son of Miltiades he tried to free Larnaca with a fleet of 200 ships but died of the plague during an epidemic that broke out on the ships that were besieging the city. Despite the admiral's death, the Athenian fleet managed to bring one back famous victory about the Persians in the waters of Salamis in Cyprus. A bust is dedicated to Cimon on the Larnaca seafront where we read the sentence "Although dead, he won". The philosopher was also born in Larnaca Zeno (333 BC - 263 BC), founder of the philosophical current of Stoicism.
According to the account of the Golden Legend, Saint Lazarus of Bethany he spent the 30 years of his second life in Larnaca founding an independent bishopric which lasted until the first Muslim raids (7th century AD) which determined the depopulation of the coast.
Rebuilt in the Byzantine period with the name of Larnaca, the city developed after the conquest of the Genoese (1373) to whom we owe the arrangement of Skala, the port of Larnaca.
How to orient yourself
Larnaca: full screen map.
How to get
By plane
L'Larnaca International Airport, the largest in Cyprus, is approximately 4km southeast of the city center. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the city by taxi, but there are also buses.
Cyprus Airways operates direct flights from Milan-Malpensa e Rome-Fiumicino.
By car
There are taxis (grams) which connect Larnaka to Nicosia is Limassol.
How to get around
Larnaca is quite small and can be easily explored on foot. The promenade (Phinikoudes) is very beautiful in the evening.
By public transport
On the seafront of Finikoudes there are buses that connect not only with the airport but also with other locations (Nicosia, Limassol, Agia Napa) All information can be found at Cyprus By Bus.
However, the information is not always up-to-date and reliable: in the event of a party, for example, the promenade is pedestrianized in the afternoon and the bus stops moved to other roads without any warning.
What see
- Strong. Built by the Ottomans in 1625 on the seashore, it houses a museum while its inner courtyard is used in summer for theatrical performances.
- Church of San Lazzaro (Agios Lazaros) (Near the Larnaca fortress). The church was built in 890 byByzantine emperor Leo VI on the place where the tomb of the saint was found with the inscription "Lazarus, the friend of Christ", brother of Mary of Bethany. In exchange, the emperor requested the transfer of the remains to Constantinople from which they were stolen by the Crusaders in 1204 and transported to Marseille.
- Tekké of Sultan Hala (Five km from the center on the shores of the salt lake). One of the most famous attractions of the city is this monastery which is reflected in the waters of the salt lake (dry in summer) in an idyllic setting worthy of a tale of "A Thousand and One Nights". The mosque houses the tomb of "Umm Haram", long considered an aunt (or adoptive mother) of Muhammad while in reality she was but the aunt of a humble secretary of the prophet. According to tradition she had wanted to accompany her husband on the expedition of 648 to Cyprus, then in Byzantine hands. Falling from the mule and fracturing her neck, she died and was buried on the very site of her fall. In the second half of the 18th century, the Ottamans began the construction of a mosque and then of a mausoleum. The term tekke (convent) may be an indication that a brotherhood was established in the complex Sufi.
- Faneromeni Church (Ekklisía tis Faneroménis). A mix of architectural styles in the city center.
- Ottoman aqueduct. The aqueduct was used for the city's water supply and conveyed the waters of the Trimithos River. It remained in operation until 1960. The best preserved section is on the Larnaca-Limassol, which remained in operation until 1960.
- Salt lake (Close to the airport). Thousands of pink flamingos can be seen here from November to March.
Events and parties
What to do
For many scuba diving enthusiasts the main reason to come to Larnaka is wreck of the Zenobia, a ferry that sank in 1980 on its maiden voyage a few hundred meters from the port due to an error in the computerized ballast system. The wreck lies on the bottom at a depth of 42 meters, but the top is 18 meters and therefore more easily accessible. Landing at the airport, it is sometimes possible to see the outline of the wreck.
- @lpha Divers (Alpha Divers), Dhekelia Road, 2 (Close to Lordos Beach Hotel and Mariandy Hotel), ☎ 357-24-647519, @[email protected]. PADI 5-star center.
- Dive-In Cyprus, Blu View Residence, 132 Piale Pascha, ☎ 357 24-627469, @[email protected]. PADI 5-star dive center specializing in Zenobia diving.
- WOW Action Park, Pavlou Liasides 6, 7102, Aradippou,, ☎ 357 24533805.
10:00-22:00. Center designed for children who can have fun with many activities. - Aquadream scuba diving academy, adonidos 13, ☎ 357 99397287. Diving in the most beautiful spots on the island.
- [link not working]Moments & Meze - City Walking Food Tour, ☎ 357 99041595, 357 99484197. Discover Larnaka through a food tour.
10:00-22:00. Center designed for children who can have fun with many activities.Shopping
The nearby village of Lefkara is famous for lace and silverware, and most of these products are sold in Larnaca.
Around Ermes / Ermou Street then there are several jewelers and watchmakers.
- Fine Gold Jewelery, Pavlou Valsamaki, 26 (50 meters from Foinikoudes beach near San Lazzaro), ☎ 357 24-654666. Unique pieces created by local artisans.
How to have fun
Night clubs
In the center and not far from the seafront there are many nightclubs. 15-20 minutes out of town, heading east towards Ayia Napa along the Dhekalia road, are hotels and nightclubs frequented mainly by British tourists.
- Dimmers Bar, Dimitriou Square No. 16, ☎ 357 99 639892. Open only on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 to 03:00
- Rock Bar Savino, Gouitkins n ° 9 - Laikì Yitonià, ☎ 357 99 42601. Open from 5pm until 3am. The architect who restored it wanted to recreate the typical atmospheres of the late 19th century premises. Foreign visitors will find it resigned in appearance. The fact is that it is frequented by people of all ages.
- Galu Bar, Mesopotamias 34, ☎ 357 24824100.
- [link not working]Secrets, ☎ 357-99-557433. A gay club on the way to the airport
Where to eat
Larnaca's beaches are full of fish restaurants that cater to tourists. The easiest way to find a good spot is to simply walk around until you find a restaurant that is crowded not with tourists, but with Cypriots. Then there are many other things to eat on a budget: in addition to the usual fast-food, try the hot-dogs, they are cheap and good.
Moderate prices
- Prasino Amaxoudi, 20 Turan Road (Corner of Turan Road and Buyuk Cami Road near the mosque at the end of the promenade), ☎ 357 24 622 939. They serve the typical Sheftalia (traditional Cypriot meatballs) and other local specialties.
- Militzis, 42 Piale Pascha. 357 24 655867. Traditional Cypriot cuisine.
Average prices
- Hobo's, Phinikoudes Promenade. Bar restaurant with traditional and international cuisine. Impossible not to see it.
- Nippon, Grigoris Afxentiou Ave (In front of the American Academy), ☎ 357 24657555.
From € 50. Expensive but popular sushi restaurant. Booking highly recommended as it is always busy. - Avenue, ☎ 357 24664888. 10:00-00:30. Bar / restaurant also for breakfast and dinner. International cuisine with some specialties such as prawns.
From € 50. Expensive but popular sushi restaurant. Booking highly recommended as it is always busy.High prices
- Kantara, Rendez Vous, and the Gangue in Dhekelia Road are probably the best restaurants in Larnaca. More expensive than others, but worth it Both Kantara and Rendez-Vous have a good choice of international wines (Cypriot wines appreciate over time)
Where stay
Moderate prices
- Achilleos Hotel Apts, Mitsi Street (In the center of Larnaca), ☎ 357 24 624150, 357 24 624490, fax: 357 24-624376.
Average prices
- 1 Lordos Beach Hotel, Dhekelia Rd (On a beach), ☎ 357 24647444. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Considered among the best on the island and has recently been renovated.
- Hello Stelio Boutique Hotel, Tasos Mitsopoulos Ave- McKenzie (Just 1km from the city center).
- 2 Amorgos Boutique Hotel, 11 Mitsi Street, 6307 Larnaca, Cyprus (In the center), ☎ 357 24 621900.
Apartments
- 3 [link not working]Paschalis Hotel Apartments, 2 Olympou Street, Pyla (200 meters from the beach, close to the Golden Bay, Sandy Beach and Lordos hotel), ☎ 357 24 64 52 22. Check in: 14:30, check-out: 11:00. Ideal for families. Private swimming pool or beach easily accessible.
- Pyla Village & Pyla Palms & Pyla Gardens Resorts Apartments, Pyla.
- StayCentral Apartments, 19 Onisillos Street (In the center, a few minutes from the church of San Lazzaro, the beach and the shopping area), ☎ 357 99585397, @[email protected]. Comfortable apartments.
- 4 Petrou Bros Hotel Apartments, 1, Armenikis Eklisias Street, 6022 Larnaca, ☎ 357 24650600. Petrou Bros Hotel Apartments is located downtown. It offers different types of apartments from the simplest ones to suites for several people.
High prices
- 5 Golden Bay Beach Hotel, Dhekelia Rd, ☎ 357 24645444. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The only 5-star hotel in Larnaka.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- Aya Napa - Among the major seaside resorts of Cyprus, Aya Napa, often compared to Rimini, is a few tens of km east of Larnaca.
- Leukara (Lefkara) - beautiful village just 30 km.
