Larnaca apartments - holiday apartments throughout Larnaca

LARNACA

Larnaca Bay

With 300 days of sunshine a year and almost no rain in summer, you?re almost guaranteed a fair-weather holiday in Larnaca, even in winter. Many people take advantage of the sun and head to the beach where there is a new seaside promenade and several of the town?s beaches have recently been revamped. There is also a nice marina for those who have (or who dream of having) a yacht. The atmosphere in Larnaca is quiet, and there is not much modern development, though there are restaurants and bars for those interested in a more festive atmosphere.

Read our mini guide to Larnaca

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Like the rest of Cyprus, Larnaca has a long and complicated history. Ruled in turn by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Turks and British, conflict was constant. The island of Cyprus continues to be divided between the Turks and the Greeks. All this history is good news for a curious traveller. One of the holiest shrines in the Muslim world, the Tekke of Hala Sultan, is near Larnaca, and a 5th-century mosaic of the Virgin Mary is in a Byzantine church just 5 miles away.

Near Larnaca are the resorts of Ayia Napa and Protaras. Ayia Napa has a lively night scene and plenty of restaurants to choose from. A pretty town center and a harbor add to its appeal. Close by is Protaras, a modern resort with good beaches and lots of shops.

Larnaca Bay

Typically Mediterranean, the summers here are dry and long, while winters are mild. Spring and Autumn are the most pleasant times to come because the high summer temperatures and summer crowds haven?t yet hit, but the water is usually warm enough to enjoy.

Larnaca Bay

Larnaca International Airport, just 5 km from the town center, is one of the island?s two major airports (Pafos International Airport is the second.) Most European airlines, including the island?s carrier, Cyprus Airways and major airlines like British Airways, fly here regularly. Monarch are the first budget airline to start flights here from the UK, starting in 2007. The flight takes about 4 ? hours from London. Visitors can also arrive directly to Larnaca port by boat from Greece, though service may be scarce in winter. All other towns on Cyprus are an easy drive away. Hiring a car is the recommended means of transport around the island, as public transportation is not overly reliable or abundant.

The Cyprus government does not recognize entry through the northern, Turkish-held ports, so however you plan to arrive to Cyprus, if you want to make it to Larnaca you must enter through a southern port or through one of the major airports.

Larnaca Bay

After a few days of lounging in the sun, you may be ready for something more and the Larnaca area offers plenty. Mediterranean cruises up to the Protaras coast and back run regularly from May to October and offer a leisurely way to see the coastline. If museums are your thing, head to the Larnaca District Archaeological Museum, where you can learn about the area?s history, which stretches more than 10,000 years back. The St. Lazarus Church, in the center of town, is interesting not only for its beauty but also for the story behind it; after Jesus resurrected him, Lazarus came here. His remains were discovered on the site in 890 AD.

Also worth a stop is the salt lake outside of town, where locals go to gather salt when the water dries up in summer. In the winter, a host of exotic birds migrate here. On the western side of the lake is the Muslim shrine Tekke of Hala Sultan, which honors one of Mohammed?s female relatives. Muslims consider it one of their most holy sites.