LARNACA


Larnaca, also known as Larnaka is endowed with numerous attractions, waterfronts and scenic beauties. It is the third largest city on the southernmost coast of Cyprus and home to the second largest commercial port. The Larnaca International Airport is located on the fringe of the city.​
Top 10 Landmarks in Larnaca


Ancient Kition
Kition is an ancient city - state located on the southern coast of Cyprus. At present, it is a part of Larnaca, also known as Citium in earlier days. In the 13th centaury, Kition was established by Greeks, but it was re-established in 800BC by Phoenicians. In 1929, the state was excavated by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition as well followed by the Cyprus department of Antiquities in 1959. It was also excavated by French team in 1976.​
Larnaca Fort:​
Larnaca Fort is located on the shore at the south end of 'Phoinikoudes' Chronicle, built between 1382 and 1398 during the region of James-I in order to protect town's harbour. It is imagined to be a shape of square tower rebuilt in 1625 during the Ottoman period. The fort was used as a prison in the first year of British rule. Because of its historic importance, many rooms have been transformed into museum. The courtyard is used for cultural events in summer season.
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Grand Mosque

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Grand Mosque is a popular spiritual landmark in Larnaca. It is set on the outskirts of the earlier Turkish and Greek quarters of Larnaca. Since 1974, the mosque is underused, but in 16th century it was once used by small Muslim community. The top of minaret offers a wonderful glimpse of city and its stunning landscape.


Church of Saint Lazarus


The Church of Saint Lazarus is named after Lazarus of Bethany, who was raised by Jesus from the dead. It was built in 9th century to house the tomb of Lazarus. It has an open porch with preserved traces of Greek, Latin and French inscriptions. The church was reconstructed in 17th century with an addition of the Bell Tower. Its design features a central nave, two aisles and three domes.
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Europe Square


Europe Square is located at the beginning of Athens Avenue. It consists of the first colonial buildings built by the British Administration in 1881. The place consists of memories of past as in forms of the Governor's building,the chief Port Master house and office, the Chief Customs Officer residence and office, and the colonial port warehouses. These buildings are occupied by the Palaeontology museum, the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, the City-Museum and Archives and the District Administration of Larnaca.


Larnaca Salt Lake


Being the second largest salt lake in Cyprus, it is a distinctive landmark located on to the west of the town of Larnaca. It is formed by the complex network of four lakes of different sizes such as Lake Aliki, the largest amongst them followed by Lake Orphani, Lake Soros and Lake Spiro. The total surface area of the Larnaca Salt Lake is 2.2 Km² as well termed as one of the most important wetlands of Cyprus.
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Stavrovouni Monastery

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It is set on the peak of the mountain of Stavrovouni in Larnaca. The name Stavrovouni is derived from two words 'stavros' for cross and 'vouno' for mountain, which means "the mountain of the Cross." Since the regional tradition, the monastery was founded by St. Helena, the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine I, the Great. The monastery has gone through much renovation.​
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Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement


Choirokoitia is one of the famous historic attractions in the city situated 30 km to the south-west of Larnaca. It's a World Heritage Site comprising well-preserved ruins and reconstructed houses built around 6800 BC. The Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement is one ofthe main places located a walking distance.
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Pierides Laiki Bank Museum


It is one of the most important museums in Cyprus home to preserved collection depicting Cypriot culture right through the centuries. Its archaeological collection includes the Pierides Family House dating back to 1825. The museum displays main periods of Cypriot history.​
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Saint George Makris


Put up on a hill along the Phaneromeni Avenue, the Saint George Makris, a miniature piece of late Byzantine architecture, belongs to the 12th and 13th centuries. After invading Larnaca in 1426, the church of the medieval village, Agrinou was destroyed by the Egyptian Mameluks. It was further renovated in the 15th century. A wall painting of Saint George still survives these days.
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NICOSIA


Nicosia, (Lefcosia), the capital of Cyprus, one of the oldest cities in our part of the world, today is a sophisticated and cosmopolitan place in the Eastern Mediterranean, rich in history and culture and combines its historic past with the amenities of a modern city.​
The heart of the city, within the 16 th century Venetian walls has a number of interesting Museums and art galleries , Byzantine churches and a number of medieval and neo-classical buildings and the narrow streets retain the romantic atmosphere of the past. Much of the charm and beauty of Nicosia is to be found in the old city with its labyrinthine alleyways and elegant courtyard houses. Outside the walls the new city with its modern facilities is a cosmopolitan centre of a modern European capital.​
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LIMASSOL

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Limassol’s skyline has left behind very little historical evidence to give way to a cosmopolitan appearance. However, the protected ancient monuments hand over a rich trail of artifacts and mythical stories. Limassol Castle, Amathus Ruins and Mosque of Djami Kebir are a few of the beautiful sights worth capturing on the lens.​
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PAPHOS

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Paphos, a city rich in history, is a gem of Western Cyprus. The city’s existence traces back to the Neolithic period, claim archaeologists. Believed to be the birthplace of Greek Goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, Paphos proudly boasts the remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs that belong to Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Such exceptional architectural and historic value is an ornament to the city that is included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage as a natural and cultural treasure. Paphos, roughly divided into Old Paphos and New Paphos, is also famous for its sun-kissed beaches. Paphos was valued as a major port and the capital of Cyprus during Roman times. Later when the British colonized the island, the city started losing its value especially after Nicosia gained importance. Today, this small harbour is slowly and steadily emerging as an attractive tourist destination.​
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FAMAGUSTA


Famagusta (Gazimagusa) is a large walled city and is quite different to any other place on Cyprus. Formerly a buzzing tourist resort attracting huge crowds, the fortunes of Famagusta changed dramatically in the 14th-century, following a serious attack by the Ottomans when it was under Genoese control.​
History began to repeat itself in 1974, when the Turkish Invasion took place and the city's exceedingly popular Varosia (Maras) beach and hotel strip was sealed off behind barbed wire. However, Famagusta is still a fairly sizeable city and although its distant crumbling buildings create a ghostly atmosphere, there really is something quite appealing about this place, such as its ancient ramparts and sites of archaeological interest, large harbourfront and understated, relaxed tourism scene, which is considerably quieter than that of nearby Ayia Napa.