Larnaca Part 2 (Go to the Beach!)

CTO Beach, Larnaca, Cyprus

As I said in my previous post, Larnaca, Cyprus is a great home base for exploring the whole island, but don’t just sleep there and leave town every day. There is plenty to do in Larnaca and it’s definitely worth staying put for a couple of days to really enjoy the city and its immediate surroundings. The typical day for me and my wife is getting up and going to her Dad’s for breakfast.   I realize not everyone has Dad at his or her beck and call for a nice breakfast, but there are many options in Larnaca. Most neighborhoods have bakery or shop where local bread as well as halloumi cheese can be bought to make a nice breakfast sandwich with a coffee. Also add some watermelon or cantaloupe to that mix and you have the makings of an excellent Cyprus breakfast. If going out for meals is your thing there are many cafes throughout the city, and we haven’t found a bad one yet.

After breakfast, there are options. Beach, siesta, go to the mountains…..etc. I like the beach. Why else go to an island if you’re not going to the beach?? In Larnaca there are some excellent beach choices, all very different in character but all within about 15 minutes or closer by car from the city center. The beach at Finikoudes is in the middle of everything. Right downtown, next to the Larnaca Marina and backed by the Finikoudes promenade with its restaurants, shops and clubs, the beach has all of the amenities the tourist could want. The beach has free entry with a small rental fee for sunbeds and umbrellas. There is a mix of locals and tourists which makes for a very lively atmosphere, even if it is a bit crowded during peak season. A great choice and super-easy to find. To the west, but still in the city, is McKenzie Beach. Very close to the airport and backed by a strip of hotels, bars, and restaurants, McKenzie Beach is most popular with the tourist crowd. There is plenty of parking and easy access, but if you are looking for a quiet beach day, this isn’t the place. Third, and our favorite, The Cyprus Tourism Office (CTO) Beach is about 15 minutes east of downtown and is a great place to spend a beach day. CTO Beach is located on the Dekhelia Road, has plenty of free parking, free beach access, and a couple of small cafes to get snacks, a drink or a sandwich. Sunbeds and umbrella can be rented for 2.50 euros per day.   The water is shallow for a quite a ways out from the beach (great for kids) and is very warm even in September when we are there. The sand is usually well groomed and clean as well. The beach also stretches quite a long way, perfect for joggers or walkers who want to go for a fair distance. Like I said earlier, it’s our favorite place in Larnaca to catch some sun, mix with the locals, and have a relaxing beach day.   Once you’re home from the beach, take a small siesta, and then get ready for dinner and fun. Next time, a Larnaca night spot with great local flavor, and that’s not just the food……….