Larnaca Travelers Recommend

With three days in Larnaca, you have time to get a feel for the city—from its historic sites to its sandy beaches—and take a day trip into the surrounding regions for a look at more traditional Cyprus. Here’s how.

Day 1: Highlights of the Historic Old Town

Devote your first day in Larnaca to getting to know the old part of the city and taking in its many attractions. Highlights include the Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca Castle, Kition Archeological Site, Larnaca Salt Lake, and Hala Sultan Tekke mosque. Join a walking tour with a local guide to learn about area offerings and history. If you like wine, sign up for a wine tasting session at the family-run Oak Tree Wine Cellar, where all sorts of Cypriot wines are available to sample. For dinner, try a food walking tour, an easy way for first-timers to learn more about local cuisine.

Day 2: Seaside Fun

On your second day, take advantage of the city’s coastal position. Start with Finikoudes Beach, the most popular beach in town, located right along the coast of the old city. Hop between the cafes and beach and try your hand at watersports such as kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding. If you’re on your honeymoon or simply want memorable vacation photos, hire a local photographer for a mini photo shoot, at the beach or in historic old town. If you’d rather spend the day at sea, prebook a full-day trip out to sea for snorkeling or fishing; these trips often come with plenty of included extras, such as barbecue lunches. If you want to get out on the water for just a few hours, charter a sunset cruise for you and your party.

Day 3: A Day in Rural Cyprus

On your last day, head inland to immerse yourself in local Cypriot culture. The most economical way to do this is by joining a tour—especially if you plan to imbibe as Cyprus’s winding mountain roads and wine do not mix. Pick a tour that matches your interests; choices range from wine tours that take you straight to mountain vineyards to cultural and scenic tours that focus on inland monasteries and natural sites. To take your love of Cypriot cuisine to the next level, book a food tour that might involve a stop in a local village to sample specialty dishes, a trip to a traditional market to shop for ingredients, and the opportunity to cook (and eat) a meal yourself.

If you’ve only got one day in Larnaca, don’t fret. The city is compact, and you have enough time to walk around the Old Town, taste local Cypriot food and wine, and take a sunset cruise. Here’s how to make the most of one day in Larnaca.

Morning: Explore the Old Town

Spend your morning familiarizing yourself with the lay of the land in the historic old city of Larnaca. Top sights include the Church of Saint Lazarus and the Larnaca Castle, while the mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke is just a short drive away, on Larnaca Salt Lake. Also worth a visit is Finikoudes Beach, a sandy stretch lined with cafes. The area is compact and best explored on foot. If it’s your first time in Larnaca, consider taking a guided walking tour—that way you get insight into area history and culture from your guide and avoid getting lost.

Afternoon: Taste Cypriot Wine

In the afternoon, choose to continue exploring the area on your own or to do a little shopping. While travelers with a bit more time can take full-day wine tours to the surrounding regions, those with less time can try out a selection of the region's finest at Oak Tree Wine Cellar. Just make sure to book your tasting well in advance to secure a spot. Some tours also offer packages that include transfers from your hotel.

Night: Sunset at Sea (or at the Beach)

Larnaca's seaside position has aided its development over the years, and there's no shortage of opportunities to get out on the water. For something special, wrap your day up with a sunset cruise out into the Mediterranean Sea; you can even charter an entire boat for you and your friends. If you’d rather stay on solid ground, head back to Finikoudes Beach for dinner and drinks at a coastal cafe or restaurant.

With two days in the historic port city of Larnaca, it's possible to see the city’s cultural highlights, spend time on the water, and try out all sorts of local food and wine. Here’s one way to plan your time.

Day 1: Old Town History, Food, and Wine

**Morning:**Spend your first day exploring the historic old town of Larnaca, stopping at highlights such as the Church of Saint Lazarus and Larnaca Castle. The area is easy to navigate on foot, but traveling with a guide allows you to quickly learn area history and avoid getting lost.

**Afternoon:**Next, grab lunch and devote some time to learning about (and tasting) Cypriot wine with a visit to the Oak Tree Wine Cellar & Tasting Room. As part of the experience, you try 10 different types of local wine. Just make sure to book in advance to secure your spot.

**Night:**Finish your day exploring the old town's culinary scene. While there are many great restaurants to try out Cyrpiot flavors (order a mezza to try lots of little bites), a walking food tour allows you to try all sorts of dishes and learn about local culture in an immersive way.

Day 2: Scenic Larnaca

**Morning:**On your second morning in Cyprus, take advantage of watersports activities on offer while the waters are still calm. Take a lesson in stand-up paddleboarding or kitesurfing for a solid beginner-friendly experience.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, choose between staying at the beach or heading back into the Old Town for lunch and shopping. For something unusual and memorable, book a vacation photo shoot session, in which a private photographer takes professional photos of you and your crew against the city's prettiest backgrounds.

**Night:**Wrap up your trip to Cyprus with a sunset cruise out into the Mediterranean. It's possible to charter a yacht for you and your friends if you book in advance. If you’d rather stay on land, head to the cafes and restaurants at Finikoudes Beach for great views over the water.