Larnaca is a laid-back coastal city in southeast Cyprus, with a palm-lined waterfront, a 9th-century church and an airport only 5 km away. We flew in from Athens and spent three nights here. This guide covers what we did, the two spots we rated 10 out of 10, where we stayed, what it cost and why you should bring cash.
Is Larnaca worth visiting?
Yes. Larnaca is easy: you land, and about 15 minutes later you're in a walkable city on the Mediterranean. The waterfront is lined with palm trees, cafes and restaurants, the old Church of Saint Lazarus sits a few streets back, and the pace is slow in the best way.
What made it for us was the food and the people behind it. Two places, Happy Avogato and Paul's Coffee Roasters, were a 10 out of 10. It's also a great city for working remotely, with plenty of cafes with outdoor seating.
How should you spend one day in Larnaca?
Here's how we'd spend one day in Larnaca, built from our own days there:
- Morning: a pancake stack and a fresh smoothie at Happy Avogato in the center of town, about $11 to $12 each.
- Late morning: a latte at Paul's Coffee Roasters for just over $2, and get some work done in the shaded courtyard if you need to.
- Afternoon: pick up pomegranates from a street fruit stand while they're in season.
- Late afternoon: visit the Church of Saint Lazarus, dressed for it (no flip-flops or shorts).
- Sunset: walk along the waterfront as the sky turns pink over the sea.
- Dinner: the beef baguette with mashed potatoes and salad at Rise Urban Art Hotel, about $10 a plate.
What are the best things to do in Larnaca?
These are the things we did ourselves.
1. Walk or run along the waterfront
We highly recommend walking along the water or going for a run here. The water is beautiful, and the Mediterranean weather here is great. The heart of the waterfront is the Finikoudes promenade, a 600-meter stretch named after its palm trees (foinikoudes means palm trees in Greek), lined with cafes, restaurants and hotels. There are lots of coffee and food spots along the way, and it's at its best at sunset.
2. Visit the Church of Saint Lazarus
The Church of Saint Lazarus was incredibly beautiful and a must-see. Emperor Leo VI built it in the late 9th century over a tomb inscribed "Lazarus, four days dead, friend of Christ." The stone bell tower was rebuilt in 1857, and the gilded Baroque iconostasis inside dates to the 1770s. In 1972, remains found in a marble sarcophagus under the altar were identified as part of the saint's relics.
What to wear: don't wear flip-flops or shorts if you want to go inside.
3. Find a pomegranate stand
When pomegranates are ripe, you'll find them piled high in street fruit stands all over Larnaca. Look for a manaviko, the local word for a greengrocer, selling them from a stall on the street. Pomegranates in Cyprus are in season from about October through February.
What else is worth adding to a Larnaca trip?
We didn't get to these on this trip, but they're among the most popular things to do around Larnaca.
Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke
Just west of the city, off the road to the airport, the Salt Lake fills with water in winter, when thousands of flamingos spend the season there. On its bank sits Hala Sultan Tekke, one of the holiest shrines in Ottoman Islam, which houses the tomb of Umm Haram.
The Zenobia wreck
The ferry Zenobia sank in Larnaca Bay in June 1980, about 1.5 km offshore. The wreck lies at about 42 meters and is consistently ranked among the top 10 recreational dive sites in the world. New divers can explore the upper side at around 16 meters.
Larnaca Medieval Castle
On the Larnaca seafront, this small castle was first built to protect the harbor in the Middle Ages and took its present form under Ottoman rule. The British later used it as a prison. Today it houses the small Larnaca Medieval Museum.
Mackenzie Beach
A 1 km stretch of fine sand south of the center, near the site of Larnaca's old airport, with calm, shallow water and a strip of cafes, bars and restaurants. It's a Blue Flag beach and, being so close to the airport, a popular spot for plane spotting.
Kamares Aqueduct
Just outside the city near the old road to Limassol, this Ottoman aqueduct was built between 1747 and 1750 by Ebubekir Pasha, who paid for it himself. About 75 of its stone arches still stand.
Lefkara village
A hill village in the Larnaca district famous for Lefkara lace, a handmade lace tradition added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009. It's a popular half-day trip from the city.
Ayia Napa and Cape Greco
Further east, Cape Greco National Park sits between Ayia Napa and Protaras, with sea caves, clear water and about 16 km of hiking trails. Day trips from Larnaca often combine it with Ayia Napa.
Where should you eat in Larnaca?
These are the places we ate and drank at ourselves.
Happy Avogato: our favorite brunch in Larnaca
A 10 out of 10. Happy Avogato is a brunch spot in the heart of Larnaca, full of local people, and the owner is super nice. The food was amazing. We each had a pancake stack with eggs and a salad, about $8 to $9 a plate, and it was so good. We added a mango smoothie and a mixed berry smoothie for $3 each.
Find Happy Avogato on Google Maps
Paul's Coffee Roasters: the best cafe for working outside
Another 10 out of 10. Paul's Coffee Roasters, right in the heart of Larnaca, was our favorite cafe for outdoor seating, working on our laptops, price and taste. A latte was just over $2, which is very solid. The courtyard is shaded by trees, with wooden benches and plenty of room to spread out. It's on Armenian Church Street and opens Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, closed Sundays (European Coffee Trip).
Find Paul's Coffee Roasters on Google Maps
Rise Urban Art Hotel: a $10 dinner that was SO good
We had dinner at our hotel and it was so good. We got the baguette filled with beef, with mashed potatoes and a salad, for only about $10 a plate. A 10 out of 10.
How do you get to Larnaca?
Most visitors fly into Larnaca International Airport (LCA), the main airport in Cyprus. We flew in from Athens for about $70 per person. That totally depends on your dates, so compare them before you book. Aegean, Cyprus Airways, Sky Express and Wizz Air fly direct from Athens, and the fastest flights take about 1 hour 45 minutes.
We use Skyscanner for every trip because we only care about the best price, not the airline, and it compares every airline in one search.
Where should you stay in Larnaca?
We stayed at Rise Urban Art Hotel:
- Price: we paid $350 for three nights, with free breakfast.
- Location: about a 7-minute walk from the main shopping and food areas.
- Dinner: the restaurant was one of our best meals in Larnaca, about $10 a plate.
If you'd rather be right in the middle of the city, go for an Airbnb. There are many good ones in the center.
Check prices at Rise Urban Art HotelAffiliate link
How do you get from Larnaca Airport to the city?
Larnaca International Airport is only about 5 km south of the city center. Before you leave the airport, get some cash in euros (more on that below).
What we did: we landed at midnight and took a taxi. We confirmed the price with the driver before getting in: 25 euros, including the late-night fee. During the day it should be about 15 to 20 euros to downtown Larnaca, and the ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Taxis wait outside arrivals 24 hours a day.
- Agree on the price first: ask the driver for the fare before you get in, like we did.
- Bus: route 425 connects the airport with central Larnaca in about 15 to 20 minutes. A ticket bought on the bus costs 2.70 euros, or 4.70 euros between 9 pm and 4 am, in cash (Cyprus Mail, September 2026).
- Car: we didn't rent one and didn't need it. Larnaca is walkable.
Do you need cash in Larnaca, and is it expensive?
Bring cash. This was our biggest tip for Larnaca. A lot of places asked for cash, and it was easier for the locals. Some card machines weren't working, and we couldn't use American Express. Carry some euros and a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.
Cyprus uses the euro, about $1.12 per euro on October 30, 2026. These are real prices from our trip:
| Item | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Latte | just over $2 | Paul's Coffee Roasters |
| Smoothie (mango or mixed berry) | $3 | Happy Avogato |
| Brunch plate (pancake stack, eggs, salad) | $8 to $9 | Happy Avogato |
| Hotel, 3 nights with breakfast | $350 (about $117 a night) | Rise Urban Art Hotel |
| Dinner plate (beef baguette, mashed potatoes, salad) | about $10 | Rise Urban Art Hotel |
| Taxi, airport to hotel at midnight | 25 euros, with late-night fee | Larnaca Airport taxi rank |
| Flight from Athens | about $70 per person | Booked on Skyscanner |
Is Larnaca safe, and do you need a visa?
Larnaca felt safe and relaxed to us. The U.S. State Department rates Cyprus Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, its lowest level. The advisory was raised for a period earlier in 2026 and restored to Level 1 by early June 2026, so check it again before you go.
U.S. citizens don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Cyprus is in the EU but not in the Schengen Area, so days in Cyprus are counted separately from Schengen. Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after you leave.
When is the best time to visit Larnaca?
Larnaca is warm most of the year. July and August are the hottest months, with average highs around 33°C (91°F), while October still averages around 27°C (81°F) with the sea at about 25°C (77°F). Fall is also pomegranate season. Lifeguards are on duty at Finikoudes beach from June to October. Whenever you go, compare flight prices across dates, since they change a lot.
What should you pack for Larnaca?
- Church clothes: long pants or a long skirt and closed shoes for the Church of Saint Lazarus. No shorts or flip-flops.
- Running shoes: for the waterfront.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
- A type G adapter: Cyprus uses the UK-style three-pin plug at 240 volts, so a regular European adapter won't fit.
- Cash: some euros, plus a Visa or Mastercard.
The gear we travel with, including our adapters, is all on our Amazon list.
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Larnaca photos
Larnaca FAQ
Is Larnaca worth visiting?
Yes. Larnaca was a great base for us: a palm-lined waterfront made for walking or running, the beautiful Church of Saint Lazarus, friendly locals and two 10 out of 10 food spots, Happy Avogato for brunch and Paul's Coffee Roasters for coffee. The airport is only about 5 km from the city.
How many days do you need in Larnaca?
We stayed three nights, which was enough to walk the waterfront, see the Church of Saint Lazarus, work from cafes and eat well without rushing. Add a day or two if you want to dive the Zenobia wreck or visit the Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke.
Do you need cash in Larnaca?
We recommend bringing some euros in cash. A lot of places we went asked for cash, it was easier for the locals, some card machines weren't working and we couldn't use American Express. We'd get cash at the airport when you land.
Is American Express accepted in Cyprus?
Not everywhere. We couldn't use American Express at the places we went in Larnaca, so bring a Visa or Mastercard and some cash in euros.
What currency does Cyprus use?
The Republic of Cyprus uses the euro. On October 30, 2026, 1 euro was about $1.12.
How far is Larnaca Airport from the city?
Larnaca International Airport is about 5 km from the city center, around 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. We landed at midnight and paid 25 euros for a taxi, including the late-night fee, agreed with the driver before getting in. During the day it should be about 15 to 20 euros to downtown Larnaca. Bus 425 also connects the airport and the center.
What should you wear to the Church of Saint Lazarus?
Don't wear flip-flops or shorts if you want to go inside the church. Dress modestly, with covered legs and closed shoes.
Where should you stay in Larnaca?
We stayed at Rise Urban Art Hotel, about a 7-minute walk from the main shopping and food areas. We paid $350 for three nights with free breakfast. If you'd rather be right in the middle of the city, there are many good Airbnbs in the center.
How much is a flight from Athens to Larnaca?
We paid about $70 per person to fly from Athens to Larnaca. Prices depend on your dates, so compare them on Skyscanner. The fastest direct flights take about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Is Larnaca expensive?
Food was good value for us. A latte at Paul's Coffee Roasters was just over $2, smoothies at Happy Avogato were $3 each, brunch plates were $8 to $9 and our dinner at Rise Urban Art Hotel was about $10 a plate. Our hotel was $350 for three nights with breakfast.
Is Larnaca safe for tourists?
Larnaca felt safe and relaxed to us. The U.S. State Department rates Cyprus Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, its lowest advisory level. It was raised for a period earlier in 2026 and restored to Level 1 by early June 2026.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Cyprus?
No. U.S. citizens can visit Cyprus without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Cyprus is in the EU but not in the Schengen Area, so your days there are counted separately from Schengen.
What plug does Cyprus use?
Cyprus uses type G plugs, the same three-pin plug as the UK, at 240 volts. A standard European two-pin adapter won't fit, so bring a type G adapter.
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Alex and Megan Colhoun are the husband and wife team behind Colhoun Travels, based in Orlando, Florida. Every guide comes from our own trip. Read our story or watch us on YouTube.