car hire Larnaca

A port city on the southeast edge of Cyprus, a Eurasian island in the Mediterranean Sea, Larnaca was originally known as Kition. The city’s advantageous port position has defined its fortunes throughout the years, acting as a primary trading point for the island of Cyprus. Today it continues to be one of the island’s significant commercial ports. The city’s population was bolstered by the 1974 invasion of Cyprus by the Turkish Army, which sent 200,000 Greek-Cypriots escaping to Larnaca from the northern part of the island. This sudden influx of residents wound up tripling Larnaca’s population.

While Larnaca offers travellers all the holiday amenities they’ll need, it’s also not overrun by visitors, which is refreshing for a seaside destination. There are 25 kilometres of beachfront here, including Dasoudi Public Beach, which features a generous sandy expanse for sunbathers, as well as offering windsurfing, water skiing, and parasailing for the more daring. Also a big draw is McKenzie Beach, whose white sand beach is just a five-minute drive from the airport.

Larnaca International Airport hosts several car hire companies in its terminal, making your pick-up a snap. If you’re looking to take a short side trip, the quaint village of Lefkara is a 40-kilometre drive from Larnaca. It’s known for its handcrafted lace named “lefkaritika,” as well as for its silverware. Legend has it that Leonardo da Vinci once visited the town and bought a piece of lacework to donate to the Milan Cathedral. A short drive from Lefkara is Ayios Minas, the 15th-century convent whose nuns are known for their honey production and icon painting.

The ancient city of Kition is Larnaca’s most-frequented (and historically rewarding) attraction. Here you can view the ruins of earliest years of Larnaca, which date back to 1200 BC. The Fort of Larnaca is also a draw for those looking to get a sense of Larnaca’s history. Built by the Turks in 1625, the fort has been converted into a museum, and in the summer it serves as an open-air theatre.