Larnaca

Larnaca is a coastal city in southeastern Cyprus, the capital of Larnaca District. Situated on the island’s south coast, it has a long history dating to antiquity and has traditionally been a major port and commercial center.

In antiquity the area was known as Kition, a prominent Phoenician-Greek city-kingdom that later came under Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Frankish rulers. The modern city preserves a number of historic sites, including the Church of Saint Lazarus, a 9th-century Orthodox church believed to house the relics of Lazarus, and the medieval Larnaca Fort at the harbor. Nearby, the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque stands by the Larnaca Salt Lake, which forms a shallow, seasonal wetland and is notable for migratory birds and winter flamingos.

The city’s palm-lined Finikoudes promenade along the seafront is a popular leisure area with cafés, shops and sandy beaches. The Larnaca Salt Lake itself and the nearby Hala Sultan Tekke are among the region’s key natural and cultural attractions.

Larnaca functions as an international transport hub, anchored by Larnaca International Airport, one of Cyprus’s two main gateways, and by the Port of Larnaca, which handles cargo and cruise traffic. The local economy is driven by tourism, services, and maritime activity, while the historic core and coastal scenery continue to attract visitors.