
Welcome to Larnaka!
Beautifully compact, easily accessible and truly authentic, Larnaka is Cyprus’ oldest soul with a history that dates back 10,000 years, making it the longest continually inhabited region of the island. And with its status as the most centrally positioned city, Larnaka also offers easy access to the island’s other regions, making it the ideal destination for a Cyprus holiday or a business visit.
Whilst the region is rich in the ancient culture of hundreds of years of contrasting civilisations and architecture, Larnaka is also a thriving and modern European city that offers the best of all worlds. A characteristic feature is that tourists will find that there is no distinction between resort and town; locals and visitors alike can enjoy the same daily experience of a charming and diverse Mediterranean city. From stretches of varied coastline, a mix of traditional and cosmopolitan establishments and fascinating monuments, Larnaka seamlessly blends its two ‘faces’.
The coastal city of Larnaka
The distinctive feature of Larnaka city is its bustling Foinikoudes promenade, which is lined with mature palm trees and flanked by beach, eateries and entertainment. The parallel shopping centre with its traditional architecture puts everything at your fingertips – including cultural treasures and interesting museums that are nestled among the commercial shopping streets.
The promenade seamlessly joins the popular Piale Pasha sea walkway as it passes by quaint old neighbourhoods where traditional artists work, taking in a small fishing harbour and its fresh fish taverns as it stretches towards the hip Mckenzie area. In the same area, the famous Salt Lake fills with flocks of vibrant pink flamingos in the winter months and attracts visitors for its natural beauty and ecological value, offering a nature trail in the heart of the city.
Larnaka town is also significant for both Christians and Moslems. The most revered monuments of the two are included in the main attractions of the city: the Church of Agios Lazaros (Saint Lazarus), the patron saint of the town who Jesus resurrected and held dear as a friend; and the mosque of Hala Sultan – an important place of pilgrimage for Moslems that is embraced by the Salt Lake.
Thriving rural villages
Larnaka city stretches out to thriving rural villages and communities of varying sizes. Each has its own unique character, charm and scenery. The communities are active in the cultural fabric of the region with annual festivals, museums, monuments and tourist attractions, as well as defining gastronomy and handicrafts that are cherished and maintained.
Mountainous Larnaka (Orini)
Further still, the mountainous areas of Larnaka (Orini) trail up the Troodos range, which is dotted with quaint and picturesque villages with narrow lanes and rustic architecture. Each village is known for its traditional handicrafts or pastimes with generations of the skilled artisans proudly continuing the local customs. The area is stunning in its natural beauty and is perfect for walking the designated nature trails, cycling, or for tranquil Agrotourism breaks in traditional houses.
Once you fall in love with Larnaka, you will discover for yourself why both flamingos and visitors always return to their favourite Mediterranean region!
Click here to visit the: Cyprus Survivial Guide
Interships hosting organizations:
Index:
Phivos Stavrides Foundation – Larnaka Archives
Pierides Museum – Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation
Larnaka 2030 – European Capital of Culture Candidate City
Phivos Stavrides Foundation – Larnaka Archives
The Phivos Stavrides Foundation – Larnaka Archives is a research centre that encapsulates the history and culture of Cyprus through over 50,000 documents, old and rare books, and unique publications that are from – or pertaining to – Cyprus. Its focus is on literature, archaeology and intangible cultural heritage.
Founded in 2015, the research centre is located in the town centre (on a corner of Zenon Kitieos shopping street) in the beautiful, historic building of the former Ottoman Bank. It is active in organising seminars, exhibitions and events, including practical seminars that promote the learning of traditional crafts such as Lefkara lace.
The research centre also publishes books on history, art and crafts in collaboration with its partners, as well as designing and curating specialised museum exhibits relating to traditional Cypriot crafts, and their application to contemporary life.
The building itself is an important landmark that is included in walking tours of the city. The Imperial Ottoman Bank was the first bank to open in Cyprus, with the Larnaka branch thought to date back to 1864.
Visits to the research centre are permitted with a prior appointment.
https://larnakaregion.com/directory/product/phivos-stavrides-foundation-larnaka-archives
https://www.facebook.com/psflarnaka/
Pierides Museum – Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation
The Pierides Museum is the oldest private museum in Cyprus and is housed in the ancestral Pierides family home – a colonial-style building built in 1815.
The museum’s comprehensive collection was assembled by the Pierides family and includes some of the most representative items of the island’s civilisation. It charts its economic, social and cultural development over thousands of years.
The objects on display date from 4000 BC to the 15th century AD and are an important testimony to a centuries-old civilisation that flourished in Cyprus. Prized items in the collection are the red polished ware from the Early Bronze Age, Roman glassware, and medieval ceramic dishes. A display case of Modern Greek and Cypriot sculptures can be seen in the courtyard.
The museum is linked with the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
https://larnakaregion.com/directory/product/pierides-museum-bank-cyprus-cultural-foundation
https://virtuallarnakaregion.com/PieridesMuseum/
Larnaka 2030 – European Capital of Culture Candidate City
The “Organization for the European Capital of Culture Larnaka 2030” was established in October 2022 by the Municipality of Larnaka, with the main aim to organize and manage Larnaka’s candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2030. Larnaka 2030’s mission is to develop the vision for a long – term sustainable cultural development for the city of Larnaka, which will be the basis for the city’s bid for the ECoC title.
Its main goals are:
- The empowerment of local artists, cultural workers and cultural democracy in general
- The development of a better understanding of Europe, our common European cultural heritage,
- the common challenges the Europe and Europeans face today
- The promotion of equality and equal access to culture for all the diverse communities and groups at local, national, European and international level
- The promotion of environmental sustainability, the enhancement of environmental consciousness and green practices at local, national, European and international level
Larnaka 2030 pursues its goals through a number of different activities, such as capacity building programmes, the creation, commission and invitation of a multitude of art works and art projects, as well as a number of audience development and community engagement activities.
Video Link:
https://youtu.be/YVZRb9Clwp4