CYPRUS is the most easterly and the third largest of the Mediterranean islands after Sicily and Sardinia.
Hot dry summers are followed by mild winters, with many near deserted beaches, it is little wonder Cyprus has become a popular destination.
The airport runs alongside an impressive large salt water lake that during the cooler months is home to flamingos and other migratory birds. Palm trees line the promenade giving it a stylish air, with colourful pavement cafes and a very pretty marina busy with all types of boats and yachts that gently stir at their moorings. A perfect place to just wander, enjoy drinks or a meal at one of the many restaurants and bars, and watch the world go by. For sunbathing and relaxing on the beach there are sun beds and umbrellas for hire, or if you feel more energetic you can choose from boat trips, jet-skiing, sailing diving or flying high over the sea paragliding, a short distance from town there is horse riding as an alternative.
Larnaca has for centuries been an important centre for trade in the Mediterranean, and has an extremely illustrious history and was once the location of a Mycenean City. Home also to Zeno founder of the Stoic school of philosophy. The first Archbishop of Larnaca was Agios Lazaros after being risen from the dead by Our Lord Jesus he chose to spend his new life here, a church was built to mark the spot where his remains were found.
HALA SULTAN TEKESI. Located 3 km west from Larnaca towards the airport. The site of the fourth most important mosque for Muslim pilgrimage after Mecca, Medina and Al Aqsha. Reputed to be built on top of the tomb of Umm Haram who died during the first Arab raid in 649 and is said claimed to be a relative of the Prophet Mohammed.
ANGELOKTISTI CHURCH. Kiti village 11 km west of Larnaca. An 11th century Byzantine church, built on the ruins of an earlier Christian basilica. The apse contains one of the worlds finest 6th century Byzantine mosaics. Depicting the Virgin Mary and Child with two Archangels. The mosaic has miraculously survived and rivale the Ravenna Mosaics in Italy.
AGIOS LAZAROS CHURCH. Saint Lazaros is the patron saint of Larnaca and lived here for 30 years after his resurrection from the dead. Lazaros was ordained as Bishop of Kition by Saint Mark and Saint Barnabas, the Saints remains are under the sanctuary.
KITION.An important ancient city kingdom with archaeology dating it to the 13th century. Around 1200 BC it was extensively rebuilt by the Mycenaean Greeks and the excavations carried out on the site have uncovered cyclopean walls constructed using huge blocks of stone and a series of temples.
STAVROVOUNI MONASTERY. Located 9 km off the Lefkosia-Lemesos road 40 km from Larnaca. Otherwise called the Mountain of the Cross monastery, believed to have been founded in the 4th century by Saint Helena the mother of Constantine the Great, who bequeathed a fragment of the Holy Cross to the monastery.
CHOIROKOITIA.Located 48 km from Lefkosia off the Lefkosia - Lemesos Road and 32 km from Larnaca Excavation of a Neolithic settlement dated 7000 BC. Uncovering one of the most significant Neolithic sites in the world with, a defence wall, circular houses, tombs and stone implements from the period.
Please
Note. Since 1974, the Cypriot government has designated Larnaca and Paphos international
airports, and the seaports of Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos, as the only legal
points of entry into and exit from Cyprus. These ports are all in the government-controlled
southern part of the island. Entry or exit via any other air or seaport is not
authorised by the Cypriot government. It is possible for visitors to arrive at
non-designated airports and seaports in the north, but they should not expect
to cross the United Nations-patrolled "green line" to the government-controlled
areas in the south. Such travel is not permitted by the government of Cyprus,
even for transit purposes. Visitors arriving through designated ports of entry
in the south are normally able to cross into the north for day trips. Policy and
procedures regarding such travel are subject to change. Information on this may
be obtained at the U.N. "Buffer Zone" Checkpoint.
