This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Larnaca is the third-biggest city of Cyprus and is located in the in the Greek-speaking southeast corner of the country. It is a highly popular destination of holiday makers, primarily because of its lively seafront, the wide range of entertainment facilities, the vivid nightlife and the warm temperature that never drops below zero degrees throughout the year.
Larnaca's popularity is enhanced by the fact that the city hosts the biggest airport of the island that connects the country with most of the major European cities. Besides, the city also boasts an important seaport and marina. Although most tourists opt for Larnaca because of visions of a relaxing seaside holiday under the warm Mediterranean sun (especially because Ayia Napa, the number one beach of Cyprus is in easy reach from the city), it is good to know that the place has a lot more to offer than just beaches.
In fact, Larnaca abounds with historic buildings and ruins from the past. First of all, the Church of Saint Lazarus is a ninth-century Greek Orthodox church that survives in excellent condition. However, proving that Cyprus has been home to many different cultures and religions, another one of the most important sights of Larnaca is the Muslim Hala Sultan Tekke, a complex which is composed of a mosque, mausoleum, minaret, cemetery, and living quarters. Moreover, Larnaca castle, constructed during the fourteenth century with the purpose of defending the city, will show you yet another face of the city's past.
A visit to the city cannot be complete without a walk on the seafront promenade with its vivid cafes and enormous palm trees that provide some shade to hide under in the midday sun. Although tourism has transformed the city a great deal and the skyline is now dominated by hotels and hostels in Larnaca towering on top of each other, when visiting a traditional cafe or sitting in one of the local pasty shops, you can still feel the authentic atmosphere of this unique Mediterranean gem of an island.
Written by local expertz for Larnaca
JudyM
