One of the biggest questions when considering a trip to Cyprus is, which is better: Larnaca or Paphos? While I was originally planning on heading to Paphos, a cheap flight deal from Italy led me to Larnaca instead. I unfortunately didn’t spend any proper time in Paphos, outside of being stuck in rush hour traffic (10/10 do not recommend), so though I can’t speak for Paphos, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Larnaca.
The real Cypriot charm lays outside of the cities, like in discovering abandoned shipwrecks and Roman ampitheatres, which is why it’s constantly recommended to road trip Cyprus. However, you’ll likely end up in Larnaca at some point since that’s where a good hunk of international flights fly into. The small seaside city is easy for walking around and exploring in just one day, so if you need a 24-hour itinerary for Larnaca like I did, use this guide as a place to start.
Start your morning at a Cypriot Bakery
Bakeries are a cultural ritual in Cyprus, so your best bet to starting off like the locals do is by heading to one. Start your morning with a traditional pastry, like loukoumades (fried balls of dough soaked in honey), tahinopita (a sesame paste bread that’s filled with cinnamon and sugar), or bourekia for a savory option (similar to a borek, filled with a salty cheese).
Head to the Holy Church of Saint Lazarus
The most notable sight in Larnaca goes to the Holy Church of Saint Lazarus, or Agios Lazarus, which has no admission charge and is free to enter. It’s a 9th century Greek Orthodox Church, which shows with its proud hanging Greek flag. This further leans into the internal dispute in Cyprus about being Greek and Turkish separated. For context, the southern side of the island is Greek, and the northern is considered Turkish. There’s even a UN Border Crossing required to head into the Turkish territory (only a few of those exist in the world, like the DMZ of Korea which is a two-mile strip of land that separates the north from the south!).
Enjoy the views of Larnaka Medieval Fort
Just a five-minute walk from the Holy Church of Saint Lazarus is Larnaka Medieval Fort. There is an entry fee of 2 euros 50 cents per person (euros is the official currency of Cyprus), and though it’s a fairly small space, the castle (because, yes, this is a castle) includes ancient artifacts from early Christian, Byzantine, and post-Byzantine Cyprus, including weapons, paintings, and pottery.
Sunbathe at Finikoudes Beach
Did you really go to Cyprus if you didn’t hit one of the island’s stunning beaches? While Ayia Napa, which is not too far from Larnaca, is one of the most popular beaches in the country, if you don’t want to venture too far out of the city, Finikoudes Beach is a great choice. The sand is black here, creating a dramatic effect, and you’ll see people out in swimsuits even in the cooler months. I was there in February and was surprised to see people still taking advantage of the Cypriot sun, despite only being about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It was quite busy in February which is considered one of the coldest months on the island, so I can’t imagine the crowds in the summer.
- Alternative: Ayia Napa is absolutely worth it if you have the time. It’s only located about 40 minutes driving south of Larnaca, so if seeing pristine beaches is a priority, I would try to make it work.
Eat a traditional Cypriot meal
I was pleasantly surprised by the food in Cyprus. So much so that I would put Cyprus in one of my top foodie countries out of the nearly 100 I have been to. Cypriot cuisine is clean, as much as I hate using that word to describe food (90s diet culture will be the death of me, just like any other millennial woman). With that being said, “mezze” is the most common thing served in Cyprus, which is just a mix of dips, salads, breads, meat, fish, and cheese, however, most restaurants require a minimum of two people to partake, which makes it difficult as a solo traveler.
Instead, I would just order mainly from appetizer/starter menus and make my own mezze, which luckily, was financially feasible since food here, even in touristic parts of town, is generally affordable. Think thick slabs of grilled halloumi, simple salads with crunchy veg like cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and herbs, plates of marinated olives, and some of the best olive oil I’ve ever had. There’s also a lot of different types of sausages in Cypriot cuisine, like Sheftalia and Loukaniko. I tried Loukaniko and it’s the only bite I had in Cyprus that I could’ve done without. Also, in Larnaca specifically, you’ll find plenty of seafood. Beware, however, that there is a “shrimp cocktail” on many menus, that comes with a heap of a ketchup-mayo mixture, usually places right on top or mixed in, so it’s not the typical cocktail sauce and shrimp cocktail you might be used to.
Regardless, it’s hard to find a bad meal in Cyprus, and whether you’re a carnivore, a pescatarian, a vegetarian, or even gluten-free, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding something incredible to eat. My top recommendations for dining in Larnaca are Kellari Taverna (run by the nicest woman with insane portion sizes — get the moussaka and thank me later) or ELIYA Souvlaki, located right next to the Holy Church of Saint Lazarus.
Walk along the Marina
One of my favorite things to do in any seaside town is to simply take it all in. The Larnaca Marina has a paved pedestrian area, making it easy to walk along, and is totally lined with restaurants, shops, gelaterias, bars, and cafes. My most peaceful moment in Larnaca was sitting by the Marina after a long walk, and watching local fishermen catch their day’s worth. It gave me a quick glimpse into local life.
Watch the sunset with a class of Cypriot wine
Cyprus makes some incredible wine, so you have two options here. You can book a sunset cruise which includes a glass of wine or a sunset cruise that includes unlimited wine and beer.
Alternatively, you can head to a bar or cafe that serves Xynisteri, a typical white wine of the island, or Maratheftiko, a popular red wine in Cyprus. Alternatively, you can grab some gelato or something sweet since ice cream and sweet treats seem to be a common theme around Larnaca. Either way, just don’t miss that stunning sunset, and if you’re lucky, you might be joined by a cat or two.
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