Larnaca

Probably the oldest city in Cyprus, Larnaca is a seaside town of great historical and economic significance. Located on the southern cape of the country, it was built on the ruins of the city-kingdom Kition that dated back to the 13th century. It was an important port town that exported copper and hosted many travellers entering Europe from Asia and Africa. Today, Larnaca has rapidly developed into a beautiful seaside getaway, providing picturesque views of Larnaca Bay and a brief glimpse into life during the Greek and Turkish era.

Larnaca is said to have been created by Greek immigrants who stumbled upon the city-kingdom of Kition. It received the name ‘larnaca’ for the stone sarcophaguses found in the ruins and the stone walls that closed it off from outsiders. It was the birthplace of Zeno, an important Stoic philosopher. It saw many great powers conquer the region – the Assyrian Empire, Egypt, and then the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Larnaca was an important port town that provided easy access to Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. It hosted many foreign merchants who acted as ambassadors for countries like Russsia, Austria, England and France. After independence in 1960, the region rapidly developed, now hosting an international airport and most of Cyprus’ main oil storages. It has beautiful blue oceans, white sand beaches, and spectacular diving sites. One of the most prolific diving locations in Larnaca is the Wreck of Zenobia, a ferry that sunk in 1980 fully laden with trunks and cargo. Diving enthusiasts rave about this 140-foot dive. In addition, Larnaca-Dhakelia Road is the main road of Larnaca’s nightlife, hosting many nightclubs and bars. On the Foinikoudes Promenade, a bust of Kimon the Athenian remains with an inscription: ‘even in death, he was victorious’. Despite its rapid development, the town still maintains a community feel. The downtown district has quaint, low-rise buildings, with dilapidated shutter windows and bright white houses.