Discovering Larnaca - the Gateway to Cyprus

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. October 14, 2008

AUGUST 29, 2008. Host to the main international airport in Cyprus, Larnaca is often breezed through by tourists on their way to better known destinations in the popular country. However, though Larnaca serves as a great gateway to the colourful country of Cyprus, there is much more to this port town that makes it worthy of a visit in itself.

With cheap flights to Larnaca available from most good companies like Fly Monarch and Thomas Cook, why not take a trip to Larnaca and explore - you could easily make it a base for discovering other areas of Cyprus as well.

For those who enjoy relaxing holidays by the beach, Larnaca has a lot to offer. The beaches in and around Larnaca extend for approx 25 km, and Phinikoudes and McKenzie beaches have both been awarded Blue Flags for environmental cleanliness. As with many seaside resorts, Larnaca offers a wide range of water sports from jet skiing to boat trips, and has much to satisfy the active holiday-goer, with plenty of opportunities for horse riding, diving and tennis. However, if you're more interested in taking in the history and culture of the town there is also much to be discovered on wandering Larnaca's streets. The town has a theatre, an art gallery, and a celebrated Pieridis Museum of Antiquities which houses a wide collection of ancient artifacts from the region. You can also explore the Ayia Phaneromeni Church and the 9th Century Byzantine Church of St Lazarus, where the remains of the saint are said to be buried. All in all, the town is brimming with history just waiting to be discovered.

If you make your trip at the right time in the summer, you may be able to experience Larnaca's famous 'Kataklysmos' festival, or 'Festival of the Flood'. This festival lasts about 3 weeks, and takes over the promenade along the seafront as tourists and locals alike gather to celebrate with fairs, boat races, music, dance, poetry and theatre. In the evenings, the town really comes alive with stalls and restaurants selling delicious local food such as 'soutsoukko' and 'loukoumades', served with the traditional Cyprus wine, 'Commandaria'.

And if, after enjoying Larnaca's beaches, history and culture you still feel the need to explore, why not let Larnaca be your gateway to the rest of Cyprus? The Larnaka region surrounding the town is full of picturesque, ancient villages, with many areas worth investigating. The listed village of Lefkara has beautiful narrow streets and stone houses with red-tiled roofs and central courtyards, and produces handicrafts such as filigree silverware and a traditional lace known as 'lefkaritika'. Once you've experienced the Larnaka region, there are also the regions of Lefkosia, Lemesos, Pafos, Troodos and Ammochostos to be discovered - Cyprus is a country rich in tradition and has many wonderful regions worthy of a visit, so don't hold back and miss out!

Prices and products are correct at the time of writing (25.08.08) and may be changed at the discretion of the provider.