Larnaka & the Southeast
An industrious resort town, Larnaka has Cyprus’ main international airport on its doorstep, a harbour with deep-water berths and a marina. The seafront promenade is fringed with palm trees and cafes and tavernas. Places of interest include the Agios Lazaros Church and its associated Byzantine Museum, Larnaka Fort, the District Archaeological Museum, the Pierides Museum (a private archaeological museum), the Natural History Museum, the Tornaritis-Pierides Palaeontology Museum and the scant ruins of ancient Kition. During the feast of Kataklysmos (the Greek Orthodox Whitsun), celebrated throughout Cyprus but with especial enthusiasm in Larnaka, crowds throng the shore for watersports, singing, dancing, eating and drinking.
Near the airport is the Hala Sultan Tekkesi, a historic mosque standing in beautiful gardens on the edge of Larnaka Salt Lake (dry in summer), a winter home of migratory flamingoes. Nearby, in Kiti, Panagia Angeloktisti Church contains a superb sixth-century Byzantine mosaic of the Virgin and Child.
In the hills to the west is the village of Lefkara, famous for its handmade lace, and the Convent of Agios Minas. Off the Limassol–Nicosia road are the hilltop Stavrovouni Monastery, and the Crusader-era Chapelle Royal near Pyrga. Further west, on a hillside at Choirokoitia, are the remains of a neolithic village from 5800 BC, one of the earliest settlements in Cyprus.
East of Larnaka, Larnaka Bay has a sand beach lined with hotels. Beyond the bay, and the Dekeleia British Sovereign Base Area, much of Famagusta (Ammochostos) District, including the town of the same name, lies across the Cypriot divide in the Turkish-occupied zone (the Turks call Famagusta ‘Gazimagusa’). The part still under Government control includes the fertile Kokkinochoria (Red Villages) belt, where potatoes and other vegetables are grown for export. On the coast south of Famagusta lie busy resorts, speckled with golden sand beaches, that are ideal for children, like those at Fig Tree Bay and Flamingo Bay. Agia Napa has a 16th-century monastery – and an increasingly boisterous reputation as a major clubbing resort. It also attracts families to its beaches, Waterworld leisure centre and Go-Karts track. Boat tours leave from the harbour. Family-oriented Protaras and Pernera resorts have good beaches, with cafes and beach bars. Other attractions in the area include watersports and rock climbing. Around Cape Gkreko, the coastline becomes indented with rocky coves and small sandy beaches, ideal for snorkelling and scuba-diving (both for experienced practitioners), explorations by boat and picnics. The Potamos Creek fishing harbour presents a scene of colourful fishing boats. Inland, the small town of Paralimni provides entertainment in its restaurants, dance clubs and cafes.
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