Larnaca Cyprus – more than just the beach!

Last updated on July 29th, 2026 at 03:02 am

In Cyprus, you are never far from a beach, a mountain, or some ancient archaeology – and yes, Larnaca has them all. Most people come for a sunny break by the beach, but when you want something more than sea, sand and surf, these are the best things to do in and around Larnaca!

First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!

Plan for your trip

Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!

Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!

Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.

Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.

Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains

Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site

Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!

Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith . My top picks for you from Larnaca are:

A Sunset Cruise with a Glass of Champagne
See the Zenobia wreck – either dive the Wreck or snorkel the wreck
See the Troodos Mountains thru Wine

Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!

So let’s get on with all the best things to do in Larnaca and its surrounds! Of course I will start in true wild side style – with a walk!!

1. Walk around the Larnaca Salt Lake and see the flamingos and Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque

In the summer it’s a salt flat – white and stunning, and when it rains it becomes a lake. In the winter there are hundreds of flamingos on the lake. Either way its beautiful. This is a 9-10km walk if you go right around but you can do any part of it – or even walk from the city. I recommend starting part way round off the road to the airport. As you walk you will see the Hala Sultan Tekkesi mosque which makes great reflections on the lake! You can visit it one the way.

Unfortunately the lake is near the airport and its traffic, and the city encroaches around some of it – but its still a good walk! Although AllTrails hasn’t marked the route yet, you can see the track on the app anyway.

Note: This is also a good cycling route

To get there, take the airport bus 425 from the city and get off at the stop before the airport. Jump over to the lake and start walking around the edge. If you go right around allow 2-3 hours depending on how often you stop etc

larnaca-salt-lake-and-hala-sultan-tekke-mosque-in-the-distance — Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque in the distance

2. Walk on the walls of the Larnaca Medieval Fort

Sitting right on the edge of the water, in front of the town, is the medieval Larnaca Fort or Castle.

This small castle is believed to have been originally built during the Middle Ages, and modified to its present form during the Ottoman rule. It is open every day and costs €2.50 at the time of writing. The key things to see and do here don’t take long.

Walk up onto the walls and see the castle grounds and promenades from above. There is also a very small museum display upstairs of items from the Byzantine to Ottoman periods.

You can also walk into the old gallows – by the entrance. During British rule, the Castle was repurposed as a prison specifically for the execution of criminals. The gallows gave me the absolute creeps even though there is not much to see other than the ‘drop.’ See the feature picture taken from the top of the castle!

3. Walk the Finikoudes and the Piale Pasha Street Promenades

This makes a nice morning or evening walk, with plenty of cafes and ice-cream stands to tempt you along the way! Start at the marina and walk down the well-known Finikoudes (palm trees) promenade far as the castle. Then skirt around the castle and keep walking down Piale Pasha Street Promenade. From the castle, there are two walkways – one on the street level and the other on a lower right along the water.

Walk past the fish taverns, restaurants and cafes, until you come to the old Turkish-Cypriot neighbourhood. It’s interesting to explore this neighbourhood and its bars, snack shops, traditional workshops of local artists, and traditional architecture.

If you continue along the promenade, you will come to a small picturesque fishing harbour – ‘Psarolimano.’ This then leads to the McKenzie beach area.

the-double-promenades-of piale-pasha-street-in-larnaca — Piale Pasha Street – the double Promenades!

4. Visit the Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement

Chirokitia is an archaeological site from the Neolithic age. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1998. It is known as one of the most important and best preserved prehistoric sites of the eastern Mediterranean! there are nearby reconstructions which show demonstrate how the dwellings would have looked.

To get there, take the larnaca – Limassol bus and get off at Choirokitia. Then it is only a 5 minute walk to the site. There is a nice little walk that includes the settlement with details here on AllTrails.

5. Go to a strange museum or two – weird and wacky!

You don’t have to go far for bizarre. In the old town of Larnaca are two very odd museums. The Salt and Pepper museum is really a collection of over 22,000 salt and pepper shakers – strange but true! Finding opening hours is tricky – its a case of try your luck and hope you get it right!

But the Kyriazis Medical Museum is more solid. Open any time by appointment, but also advertises Wed and Sat from 9.30-12.00. I turned up on a Thursday though and it was open! Its a donation entrance and you get a little tour. Actually its quite fascinating – and gory! You’ll have to go to find out about the picture below!

the-salt-and-pepper-museum-and-the-medical-museum-in-larnaca-cyprus — The Salt and Pepper Museum and the Medical Museum – bizarrely intriguing!

6. Dive the Zenobia Wreck or see it from a glass bottomed boat

Diving is a great option in Cyprus too with one of the top ten wreck dives in Europe – or the world – the Zenobia Wreck. Whatever it is – it is up there in the diving world!

Zenobia sank on 7th June 1980 with over 100 vehicles and lorries onboard. She is at a depth of between 19m and 42m and you can dive the Wreck or snorkel the wreck going out on the yellow submarine!

7. See the golden interior of the Holy Church of Saint Lazarus and visit the Ecclesiastical Museum

Cyprus is full of stunning churches – I mean really stunning. The interior of this church is no exception! It is is one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus and lies over the tomb of Saint Lazarus!

Saint Lazarus came to Cyprus after being resurrected by Jesus. He was ordained as Bishop of Kition by the Apostles Barnabas and Paul and lived in the town for 30 years. His tomb can be seen under the sanctuary.

If you love the history – you can learn a lot more on Private Walking Tour of the City with a local guide.

the-holy-church-of-saint-lazarus-is-a-main-landmark-of-larnaca — Holy Church of Saint Lazarus – inside and out!

8. Take a day trip to the Troodos to discover cheese and wine

The Troodos mountains have trees, rivers, medieval bridges, monasteries, pretty little villages, and, cheese and wine!! Its definitely worth spending a day exploring the area. You will have to hire a car or take a tour.

I have picked out the best rated and most popular tours for you!

For a wine based tour – try Explore With A Local – Troodos Mountains thru Wine or this Troodos Mountains Villages and Wineries Tour

For a food based tour try the Troodos Mountains Food & Wine Small Group Day Tour or if you love halloumi the Halloumi Heaven: Cheese-Making Class & Troodos Mountain Villages

Or you can try a jeep safari through the mountains!

an-old-narow-street-in-kakopetria-which-is-one-of-the-prettiest-of-the-ancient-villages-in-the-troodos-mountains-and-is-one-of-the-top-things-to-see-in-cyprus — Beautiful Kakopetria old town in the Troodos Mountains

9. Take a sunset cruise and snorkel – with a bar!

This is always a great way to end the day! Try this very popular Sunset Cruise with a Glass of Champagne! You can see all the marine under the boat from the underwater cabin – and go snorkeling as well. You also get great views of the airplanes taking off as you go past the airport.

If you prefer a daytime cruise try this Glass Bottom Boat Bay Cruise with Snorkeling.

10. Head out to Cape Greco and the Sea Caves

You can take an intercity bus to Ayia Napa (from the bus stop by the marina). In Ayia Napa you can then either walk or take the 101 bus to Cape Greco and the sea caves. These are probably the best sea caves in Cyprus – I certainly haven’t seen any better after 3 months here! It is great to walk at least from the sea caves to the top of the hill you can see behind the caves. You can then head back to the road and take the 102 bus back to Ayia Napa and an intercity back to Larnaca.

The sea caves are a great place to swim if you can manage either jumping or climbing down to the water. The walking in the area is also great. Check my post The 16 best hikes in Cyprus –aka your Cyprus hiking bucket list! for more details on walking around here.

You can also do it the easy way and take a tour which saves a lot of time! These tours, that usually include some time in Ayia Napa, are really popular. There are three good options I have selected for you:

one-of-the-absolute-best-things-to-do-in-ayia-napa-and-protaras-is-to-swim-or-kayak-or-take-a-boat-to-the-sea-caves — Swim, dive,kayak or float in a boat – the Cape Greco sea caves are a must do!

Frequently asked questions about Larnaca and Cyprus:

Q: Is Larnaca Worth Visiting or Just an Airport City?
A: Many people are now staying in Larnaca as their base because it is more authentic, relaxed, and walkable with lower prices and fewer crowds than other Cyprus hotspots. It is also easy to get to the Ayia Napa area, Nicosia, and Pathos on the intercity buses.

Q: Is Cyprus safe for tourists?
A: Yes, it is generally very safe for tourists. Tourist crime rates are low, violent crime is uncommon.

Q: Do I need a visa for Cyprus – and is it part of the Schengen?
A: Many nationalities do not e.g. NZ, Australia, UK, Canada, USA, Singapore, Malaysia – you get a visa on arrival at the border. You can check for your nationality here. Cyprus is part of the EU but not part of the Schengen Area as of 2026. They do follow the Schengen 90 days in 180 tourist visa rule though.

Q: Is Cyprus expensive compared to Greece or Spain?
A: Cyprus is slightly cheaper than many Greek islands and cheaper than Ibiza/Mykonos, but it is more expensive than Turkey.

Q: What side of the road do they drive on in Cyprus?
A: British style – the left!

Travel Tips for Larnaca and Cyprus:

Placenames and signage is often written in Greek, English and Turkish – Nicosia is Lefkosa. There are sometimes various spellings of the same placename just to add to the confusion – Larnaka / Larnaca!
Don’t just go to the beach area in Larnaca – explore the old city too. Its also a great base to explore the rest of Cyprus.
Wherever you stay in Cyprus it is great to rent a car for a few days to explore more of the country. You can easily take buses between the main cities, but to get into the mountains and to some of the lovely beaches, a car is the way to go. Note: taking a car to Northern Cyprus is a little more difficult – you need a special insurance and most rental agencies will not help you if you break down or need assistance across the border. If you want to do this, check with your rental agency first.
Watch what you say! The people are great all over the country. But passions can get high re the war and the division of the land. In the south do not refer to the north as “Turkish” Cyprus. As far as most there are concerned, it is “illegally occupied Cyprus.” Just stick to saying Northern Cyprus.