Larnaca

Arriving at Larnaca Airport (LCA)

Larnaca International Airport – Glafcos Clerides is an international airport located 4 km south of Larnaca, Cyprus.

If you are travelling to Larnaca city centre via bus, taxi or car rental. There are several bus lines that transfer you from the airport to downtown Larnaca, with an average journey time of around 30 minutes. Buses run from 6:00 to 22:45, every 30 minutes. You will find the bus stop outside of the Departures Hall.

There are also Express buses to the nearby cities of Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos.

If you’d like a quicker journey or are arriving late at night, a taxi is a good option. The journey only takes 10 minutes and taxis operate 24 hours a day. You will find the taxi rank outside the Arrivals Hall.

Finally, you could hire a car for your time in Cyprus. Pre-book before you travel or rock up and organise it when you land.

What to expect in Larnaca

Life in Larnaca revolves around the beach. The coastal promenade – known universally as the Finikoudes – is where locals and visitors alike come for a morning coffee or an evening beer. It’s the perfect place to chill out on the beach during the day and to stroll at sunset. It’s the cultural hub, with restaurants, cafés and bars galore, and, during summer, it fully revs up for the annual flood of holidaymakers. Take a few steps inland, though, and a less tourism-centred side of Larnaka unfolds.

The main language spoken in Larnaca is Greek, but English is widely spoken.

Larnaca enjoys a hot, Mediterranean climate that tends to remain pleasant and sunny for most of the year. Summers in Cyprus can get very hot, so if you don’t like the heat to be too overbearing, you might prefer to travel before May or after August. The weather in Larnaca cools to 22°C in October before dropping to 17°C in November.

Culture in Larnaca

The stunning city of Larnaca provides the perfect balance of being a modern metropolitan city while maintaining the scenic island life.

The Cypriot town is steeped in rich history and culture, with ancient tales paving the story of the sleepy seaside town. The town boasts several museums which give visitors an insight into its past. History buffs will enjoy the District Archaeological Museum, while nature lovers might prefer the Larnaca Natural History Museum.

If you fancy taking in a slice of history with a really long walk, the Piale Pasha seafront strip is the perfect way to take in all the old architecture of the area, with the waves lapping against the shore on the one side, and traditional buildings dazzling the senses on the other.

The Larnaca Fort is also worth a visit, this castle served as a prison during the early years of British rule before being converted into a museum. From its walkway along the beach, you can enjoy the view of impressive Buyuk Kebir Cami mosque. The castle is now home to an archaeological museum that focuses on the life of ancient Kition. During the summer, the castle doubles as Larnaca's Municipal Cultural Centre.

Being so close to the Middle East has definitely had an impact on the island’s cuisine, with many Middle Eastern favourites on the menu. You will also find that many dishes share flavours from Cyprus, Turkey and Greece. Halloumi is probably Cyprus’ most famous product and is usually grilled to perfection and used diversely. Also check out koupepia (stuffed vine leaves), Souvlakia (a spin-off from the famous Greek dish, souvlaki) and kolokouthkia me ta afka (courgettes with eggs).