Larnaca - City of Cyprus

Larnaca is a city of the Republic of Cyprus situated on the southern coast of Cyprus. The island's largest airport, Larnaca International Airport is located on the outskirts of the city.

The city of Larnaka is well-known for its picturesque seafront which includes rows of palm trees . Here you will also find Larnaca Marina, one of the four official entry points, by sea, to the island. Much of the activity is centred around the city promenade during the major festivals. The most important of these for the city of Larnaka is Kataklysmos or the Festival of the Flood, celebrated in early summer with a series of cultural events. The festival used to last about a week, but in recent years, with the increased commercialism of peripheral stalls, rides and temporary loukmades restaurants it has extended to about 3 weeks, with the seafront being closed to traffic in the evenings.

Larnaca was founded by Phoenicians and was known as Kition, or Citium. The biblical name Kittim, though derived from Citium, was in fact used quite generally for Cyprus as a whole, and occasionally by the Jews for the Greeks and Romans. Larnaca is colloquially known as "Skala" meaning "ladder" or "landing stage", referring to the town's status in history as an important port.

Like other cities of Cyprus, it has suffered repeatedly from earthquakes, and in medieval times when its harbour silted up the population moved to Larnaca, on the open seafront farther south. The harbour and citadel have now disappeared. Traces remain of the circuit wall, and of a sanctuary with copious terra-cotta offerings; the large cemetery has yielded constant loot from illicit excavations for more than a century.

The fort on Larnaca seafront has recently been opened up for better viewing by the removal of the Megalos Pefkos and a few other illegal restaurants set up on the sea front by refugees after the 1974 invasion.

Larnaca is one of the major seaside resorts in Cyprus. There are numerous beaches in and around Larnaca which extend for approx 25 km . The main Phinikoudes and McKenzie beaches both have been awarded Blue Flags for environmental cleanliness.

The archaeological sites and its six museums are in the centre of the town. Summer sports and sea activities are readily available. The shops are well stocked and medical care is good. Since 2001 there is one main six-screen cinema on the edge of the town.

There is a wide variety of restaurants, tavernas, cafeterias and bars catering for varied tastes between 'traditional Irish pub' through international chains like McDonalds to local Cypriot fare. The Cyprus 'meze' is the food specialty of the town. Cultural life is rich and many events are organized by the town's municipality almost daily.

Along the Larnaca Bay there are luxurious beach hotels and also hotel apartments or holiday apartments within all price ranges. Prices are generally lower from the rest of the island. Its international airport lies a few kilometres from the centre of the town, but because the flight path is over the sea there is almost no audible noise from landing and departing aircraft.


Larnaca has a theatre and art gallery both run by the Municipality, and is home to the celebrated Pieridis Museum of Antiquities, founded by Demetrios Pieridis. It is also the location of two art schools, the Alexander College, which specialises mainly in design subjects, the Cyprus College of Art, which concentrates of fine art.

Larnaca boasts a Municipal Band of over 60 musicians competent in all families of musical instruments. Larnaca Municipal Band offers a large repertoire of music, ranging from marching-parade music to latin, and from Greek favourites to rock and roll. Apart from playing for parades on national holidays, the band also makes regular appearances in various concerts and music festivals throughout Cyprus and abroad, representing both Larnaca and Cyprus internationally.