Ancient Kition
Kition was an ancient city-state on the southern
coast of Cyprus in today's Larnaca. Some of the ruins can still be
seen, featuring the remains of five temples dating back to the 13th
century BC. Of particular interest is the Phoenician Temple of
Astarte, which was built on the ruins of an earlier Bronze Age
temple. The lower part of the northern city walls are also still
visible, built of huge stones resembling Mycenaean cyclops.
Residents in Larnaca are still finding artefacts all over the city,
and a number of building projects have been abandoned due to fresh
discoveries.
Opening time:
Monday to Friday 9am-2:30pm; Thursdays 3pm-5pm
(except July and August).
Ancient Kition
Sarah Murray
Church of Ayios Lazaros
The 9th-century Church of Saint Lazarus stands in
Larnaca as an important religious institution on Cyprus. Lazarus is
believed to have lived at ancient Kition for 30 years after his
resurrection by Jesus Christ, and was ordained the Bishop of Kition
by Saints Barnabas and Mark. The church was built by the Byzantine
Emperor Leo VI above what was believed to be the empty grave of
Saint Lazarus. Subsequently, there are those who believe his final
resting place to be in Marseilles, France. Eight days before the
annual Greek Orthodox Easter, the Baroque wood-carved icon of the
saint is carried in a procession through the streets of the
town.
Address:
Plateia Agiou Lazarou
Church of Ayios Lazaros
Hannes Grobe
Larnaca Medieval Museum
This fascinating and well-stocked museum is housed in
the upper level of the Larnaca Castle on the city's seafront. The
castle itself is the main attraction, built in 1625 by the Turks to
defend the city from invasion. There is still a Turkish inscription
above the doorway. Later it was used as a prison during the early
years of British rule. One of the most popular attractions in
Larnaca, the castle also operates as the Larnaca Municipal Cultural
Centre during the summer and hosts local cultural events. The
museum contains displays from the early Christian, Byzantine,
Lusignan, and Ottoman periods.
Address:
Larnaca Castle
Opening time:
Monday to Sunday. 8am to 5pm, September 16 to April
15. April 16 to September 15, 8am to 7.30pm. Closed on public
holidays.
Fort Larnaca
Cyprus Tourism Organisation
Choirokoitia
About 20 miles (32km) from Larnaca on the
Lefkosia-Lemesos Road, archaeological excavations at Choirokoitia
have revealed one of the oldest Neolithic sites on Cyprus, dating
back to around 7000 BC. Also known as Khirokitia, it was home to
primitive farmers who cultivated wheat and barley. Visitors can
explore the settlement's defensive wall, circular houses, and
tombs. The site was first excavated in 1934 and work continues to
this day. Four of the beehive-shaped houses made of mud and stone
have been reconstructed to show how these early farmers lived. Most
of the finds from Choirokoitia are displayed in the Cyprus Museum
in Nicosia.
Address:
32km from Larnaka, off the Larnaka – Lemesos
highway
Choirokoitia
Ophelia2
Stavrovouni Monastery
Perched atop a solitary mountain is the oldest
monastery in Cyprus, Stavrovouni Monastery was founded in the 4th
century by Saint Helena. Its most treasured relic is a supposed
fragment of the holy cross, encased in a silver cross which is not
visible to the public. Another artefact left by Helena at the
monastery is the Cross of the Good Thief, which includes the nail
and part of the rope said to have tied Jesus to the cross. The
monastery is perched upon the eponymous mountain that used to be
called Olympus. Reached by a winding steep road, the monastery is
considered the spiritual centre of Cyprus and now houses an order
of monks.
Address:
40km from Larnaka, 9km off the Lefkosia-Lemesos
road
Stavrovouni Monastery
Dick Elbers
Troodos Mountains
Within the interior of Cyprus and north of Limassol,
the Troodos Mountains offer beautiful scenery, ski trails, and
walks for nature lovers. The Troodos Mountains are the largest
mountain range in Cyprus, so it is no wonder that they are also a
popular winter destination. They are one of only a handful of
places in the world where visitors can ski in the morning, and swim
and sun tan in the afternoon. The main ski slopes are on the 6,401
foot (1,951m) Mount Olympus, roughly an hour's drive from Nicosia
or Limassol, and the ski season extends from the beginning of
January to the end of March.
Address:
Located roughly in the center of the island
Troodos Mountains
Leonid Mamchenkov
Rock of Aphrodite
Perhaps one of the most famous attractions on the
island of Cyprus, the Rock of Aphrodite is an ocean outcrop
surrounded by myth and legend. Said to be the birthplace of the
Greek goddess of love, it was also supposedly put there by the
Byzantine hero Basil to keep out invading Saracens. Seeming to
bubble with divine energy, the waves are quite forceful and so
tourists are encouraged to neither swim nor climb the rock
formations. The area is also known as Petra tou Romiou, meaning
'Rock of the Roman'.
Rock of Aphrodite
Michael Homan
Cape Greco
The natural beauty of Cape Greco makes it one of the
first locations in tourists' itineraries. The unique headland
stretches out into the gorgeous blue ocean, with fascinating shapes
peeling off from the cliffs into the shore waters. There are also
trails which will appeal to hikers, exploring the surrounding
national park filled with a wide variety of flora and fauna. For
those more inclined to adventure, there are also opportunities for
cliff jumping, diving, and swimming in sea caves.
Cape Greco
A. Savin
The Mediterranean climate in Larnaca is characterised by hot,
relatively dry summers and winters with moderate rainfall and
thunderstorms. The hottest part of the year lasts from the middle
of June until the beginning of October, with average high
temperatures between 84°F (29°C) and 91°F (33°C). Minimum
temperatures rarely fall below 66°F (19°C), while humidity levels
during this period can be as high as 90 percent. The summer heat
is, however, offset by fresh sea breezes. The coolest part of the
year starts in the beginning of December and lasts until the end of
March, with temperatures that generally range between 44°F (7°C)
and 66°F (19°C). Light to moderate rains and thunderstorms can
occur throughout most of the year; rain is most common from
December to March and least likely between the middle of July and
the end of August.
Larnaca International Airport
Location: The airport is three miles (5km) outside of
Larnaca.
Time: GMT +2 (GMT+3 between the last Sunday in March and
the last Sunday in October).
Getting to the city:
Buses and a few express shuttles provide regular service from
the airport to Faros, Tekkes, Limassol, Nicosia and Larnaca.
Various shuttle companies offer service from the airport by advance
arrangement, and some local hotels offer transfer services for
guests.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies represented at the airport include
Europcar, Budget and Sixt.
Airport Taxis:
Taxi services are available 24 hours a day. Meters are
government-regulated.
Facilities:
Airport facilities include banks, currency exchange, a café,
smoking lounge, charging ports, a business lounge, post office,
duty-free shopping, and a gift shop. Snacks and light refreshments
are available 24 hours. There are disabled facilities available,
including wheelchairs. Tour operators are located in Arrivals.
Parking
There is a drop-off and pick-up zone and short and long-term
parking at Larnaca International Airport. One hour's parking in the
short-term lot costs €6, with a daily maximum of €10.
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The most popular way to get around in Larnaca is by bus. The
local public bus service is run by Zinonas Larnaca Buses, which has
routes that run throughout the city and surrounding areas. Buses
are blue in colour and usually have their destination displayed on
the front window. Roadside bus stations generally don't display
departure information, although buses should arrive approximately
every 30 minutes. The city's largest bus terminal is the Dimitras
Bus Station to the east of the city, which can provide travellers
with route information. Buses are also a popular option for
intercity travel and are run by a variety of private operators,
with some extending routes to resorts such as Ayia Napa and
Protaras. Taxis are another option for getting around Larnaca as
well as for intercity travel but they are more expensive than
buses. For longer distances, shared taxis are a popular, more
cost-effective option than taking a regular taxi cab.
There's plenty to see and do in Larnaca, with visitors able to
relax in a gorgeous Mediterranean setting before exploring the
impressive archaeological sites. The most famous of these is the
ruins of the ancient city of Kition, and the remains of
Choirokoitia, a Neolithic settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site
which dates back to around 7000 BC.
Numerous museums preserve the country's historical artefacts,
while there are many sites of religious significance such as the
remote yet beautiful Stavrovouni Monastery, the striking Hala
Sultan Tekke, and the Church of Avios Lazaros.
For those more interested in the sand and the sea, the main town
beach of Finikoudes is very popular. Larnaca is a dream destination
for divers, with numerous technical and recreational dives. One of
the most worthwhile dives is the viewing of the Wreck of the
Zenobia.
Ancient Kition
Sarah Murray
Church of Ayios Lazaros
Hannes Grobe
Fort Larnaca
Cyprus Tourism Organisation
Choirokoitia
Ophelia2
Stavrovouni Monastery
Dick Elbers
Troodos Mountains
Leonid Mamchenkov
Rock of Aphrodite
Michael Homan
Cape Greco
A. Savin
