Larnaca for the independent traveler. Arriving in Larnaca and need help figuring out where to start? What is there to do in the city? Where to sleep? What are the best restaurants and breakfasts? That’s exactly why I prepared this. It will answer all your questions and assist you in order to arrive ready for your holiday in Larnaca Cyprus.
Larnaca for the Traveller - All information about the city of Larnaca
Larnaca is one of the most visited cities in Cyprus, and rightly so. With only a 45-minute flight from Israel, a long stretch of beach, excellent restaurants, stylish cafes, charming hotels and a bustling nightlife, there is no reason not to board a flight to Larnaca and enjoy one of the closest and most worthwhile vacations.
Larnaca is one of the oldest cities in Cyprus – it has ancient artifacts from the 13th century BC. The combination of the old and the new, along with the picturesque alleys and amazing taverns, the natural salt lakes and the palm-lined seaside promenade, make the city one of the most recommended destinations in Cyprus.
Flight to Larnaca - Where do you find the cheapest flights?
A flight to Larnaca can usually be found at very affordable prices. If you are flexible on dates you can enjoy prices of EUR 100 per person round trip, even in the high season of July – August. Flights are direct and in merely 45 minutes you land at your destination.
We always book our flights through the Skyscanner website, which allows us to compare prices between different airlines. The site is very user-friendly.
Larnaca Recommended hotels - where do you sleep in the city?
Larnaca has a large selection of accommodations. Boutique hotels, 5-star hotels, fully equipped apartments, simple rooms, it all depends on the style of your vacation and which accommodation is suitable for it.
Top 5 hotels in Larnaca
A charming boutique hotel in the heart of Larnaca city, at a cost of less than 250 NIS per night for a couple. The rooms at the hotel are clean and decorated with warmth that feels like home. The lobby features a stand for free hot drinks and beers. Accommodation at the hotel does not include breakfast. It is very suitable for those who want to be in the center of Larnaca, a 4-minute walk from the beach, close to the best cafes and entertainment places and not spend a lot of money on accommodation.
Hotel Indigo is located in the center of the city, next to the famous church in Larnaca. This adults-only hotel offers a seasonal rooftop pool with a poolside cocktail bar. Accommodation is suitable for couples who want to enjoy a romantic and peaceful atmosphere, without children. Breakfast is included in the hotel’s restaurant. All rooms at the hotel are spacious and have a balcony with city views.
This charming 4-star hotel inside the city center features a restaurant, café and a rooftop bar. The rooms are large and very spacious. Some have a patio with city views. A buffet breakfast is served at the hotel, you will also find a fitness center and a even sauna.
Liv Urban is a charming new apartment hotel in Larnaca whose manager is an Israeli guy named Yogev. The hotel offers fully equipped apartments from A to Z and is suitable for those who come to Larnaca and want to feel at home. Cook for yourself, wash and stay in spacious apartments with balconies and a fun and young atmosphere. These are also suitable for families as they can accommodate 4 people in a room.
Qbic City Hotel is a 3-minute walk from the beach and 200 meters from Larnaca’s famous promenade. At the entrance, there is a cute café that offers breakfasts that are considered very good in Larnaca (you can visit those even if you are not a guest of the hotel). At the hotel’s rooftop, you can enjoy a bar and hydromassage pool with lovely views of the sea and Larnaca Old Town.
Top 5 hotels in Larnaca
Militzis Restaurant – An excellent restaurant with a good atmosphere on the promenade of Larnaca in a quiet and pleasant area of the city. You can taste the Cypriot ravioli served with halloumi cheese and min – A Super special dish. If you are a potato person like me, you should know we ate the most delicious potato we have ever eaten in this restaurant. It is made in a long cooking (a bit reminiscent of cholent) and comes out brown and soft, just so simple and delicious.
Ithaki Restaurant – An authentic tavern with a cute courtyard in the heart of the city. The menu includes Cypriot dishes, fish and seafood. Don’t miss the pepper filled with Cypriot cheese – It’s a wonderful appetizer!
Elia Backyard Restaurant –a restaurant with excellent food in a charming courtyard. They have an amazing dish reminiscent of risotto but it’s actually flakes, with a sauce of beets and goat cheese. One of the best I’ve ever eaten. Their cooked vegetables are also wonderful and, of course, the Greek salad you just can’t live without…
Takis Kebab House – a restaurant with georgian owners. If you ask them in advance they will prepare you khinkali (a Georgian dish) that some come especially to eat in here! Either way you’ll also find pretty good Cypriot dishes there. It is recommended to visit and they offer a great service.
Taverna Stefanos – If you are looking for fresh fish and seafood, this is the place for you. The tavern is located on Larnaca’s promenade in its quiet and less touristy area. It offers fresh fish from the sea every day. You can see the selection of the day at the entrance to the tavern.
Recommended breakfasts and cafes in the city
Breakfast is one of my favorite things about the trip – if it’s delicious and I feel like coming back to it day after day, then I’m happy as can be. Check out “Edem yard”, the most delicious breakfast in Larnaca. In the café, you will find insanely pampering breakfasts! The dishes are aesthetically pleasing and stimulating with a wide choice of salty and sweet options. The portions are really big and super tasty and fresh. In addition to the quality of the food, the atmosphere of the place is pleasant, as it is placed in a shaded courtyard with a lot of green around.
Another recommended place for breakfast and brunch is “Mercato Brunch and Charcuterie”. Its location is stunning, right in front of the beautiful Church of Saint Lazarus and the dishes in the café are delicious and varied. You can order a brunch for two, which comes with a selection of savory and sweet pastries.
The locals’ café – Lazaris BakeryBar – is located adjacent to the church with a beautiful view and authentic local atmosphere. The café is full of people throughout the day, and is turning into a bar at night. In the morning you will find fresh and delicious pastries baked. Taste the local Tahinopita, it’s a great dessert for lovers – Dough stuffed with tahini, carbs and sugar. Although it sounds a bit strange it is delicious and special.
A place for coffee and special drinks is “Coffee Corner”– A cute café on the promenade in Larnaca, with a pleasant atmosphere and good breeze from the sea. Their highlights are the special drinks, flavored coffee, special milkshakes, fruit smoothies and a lot of sweet drinks that you should try at least once on the trip.
Looking for a cake place in Larnaca? don’t miss the “To Kafe Tis”, a stunning café with excellent cakes! We took the carrot cake – a large piece costs 5 euros. The cake was extremely juicy and tasty. The café has a great atmosphere and is very pleasant to sit in.
What do you do in the city? Larnaca for Traveller - All Attractions in the City
- Larnaca’s promenade is one of the most popular locales in the city. A long palm promenade in which you will see many people walking, running and just strolling for fun. Alongside it, you will find a large selection of restaurants, cafes and taverns. Of course, along the promenade is also Larnaca’s beach where you can enjoy sunbathing and swimming in the sea.
- The castle in Larnaca. It was built in the 14th century to protect the city and was used during the British period as a prison. Today it is one of the most touristic places in the city with an archaeological museum and cannons from the Ottoman period that ruled the city. If you go up to the roof of the castle you will find a nice view of the city and the beach.
- St. Lazarus Church – one of the most beautiful sites in Larnaca. This is a church from the ninth century, which according to tradition houses the tomb of Saint Lazarus. Inside, you will find gold decorations and art items. The view from outside is very impressive and we recommend visiting its area during the day and towards sunset when the yellow lights come on and the view is even more impressive.
- The mosque at the salt lake – 3 km from the city center, near the salt lake of Larnaca, you will see the mosque Hala Sultan. Those who have a professional camera with a zoom lens will be able in the morning to take beautiful photos with the reflection of the mosque on the salt lake.
- The salt lake in Larnaca – If you visit Larnaca in winter you can see one of the most beautiful phenomena happening in the city – Whole flocks of flamingos coming to the salt lake.
- Anyone here likes diving? If so, you should know that in Larnaca you will find one of the most famous diving sites in Cyprus and the Mediterranean. In 1980, a ferry sank off the coast of Larnaca and its underwater remains became a magical diving site. As a diver, you can go through the different rooms on the ship and watch the beautiful fish living around it.
- Shoppers can enjoy the shopping avenue in Zinonos kitieos. There you will find several famous clothing chains as well as local boutique shops.
The most beautiful Beach Bars in Larnaca’s area
Larnaca in recent years has greatly upgraded in terms of its places of entertainment and today offers a large selection of really fun beach bars along the long stretch of beach of the city.
Mackenzie area is a prestigious accommodation in Larnaca. It is an 8-minute drive from the town center and offers a long stretch of sandy beach with lots of beach bars and cafes.
If you go there, I recommend visiting “rebuke” – The beach bar has a good atmosphere, tasty food, and great music in the background.
Another recommended beach bar in this area is “Ammos Bar”. During the day you can enjoy it as a beach bar and restaurant, and in the evening it turns into a party with live performances, a DJ and various events.
At the end of Larnaca’s promenade near the fishing port, you will find a beautiful beach bar called Nusa. It is decorated in a boho chic style, with swings, sun beds, beanbags and fun corners as well as a completely “Instagrammable”.
More recommendations from our trip to Cyprus can be found on our Instagram.
