Larnaca's beaches, one by one

Larnaca’s beaches aren’t about coves and cliffs, and it’s worth knowing that beforehand. What they offer is something else, fine sand, calm shallow water and facilities to hand, right in town or a few kilometres away. For families, in my view, they’re among the most convenient in Cyprus.

In town

The three town beaches form an almost continuous line. The Finikoudes promenade, in the centre, has 600 m of beach with palms and restaurants behind. Heading south along Piale Pasha you reach Kastella, another 600 m by the fishing harbour, with a row of ice-cream parlours, free wifi and a Seatrac to help wheelchairs into the water. At the end is Mackenzie beach, 1 km with the liveliest nightlife in town and planes passing close by.

The tourist board marks all three as Blue Flag beaches, without giving the year. All three have fine light-brown sand, calm shallow water, lifeguards in season, paid sunbeds and showers.

East, along the Dhekelia road

Heading east out of town, the Dhekelia road has its own tourist strip. At Voroklini is Yiannades, a 300 m beach with exceptionally shallow water. It was Larnaca’s first plastic-free beach, with a free filtered water station for refilling bottles and ashtrays so cigarette ends don’t end up in the sand, and it’s inside the Larnaca marine protected area, which includes an artificial reef. Further on, Pyla beach is popular with families and, unlike the others, has fine grey sand.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Larnaca for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.

West, along the village coast

West of the city, the board lists a string of beach villages, from Pervolia to Maroni and Zygi, by way of Mazotos, Alaminos and Agios Theodoros. Faros beach, 500 m long, is south of Pervolia at Cape Kiti, next to the lighthouse, with an area of protected seagrass. Zygi Limanaki is a small organised beach by the village’s fishing harbour, where fresh fish is on the menu.

Underwater

A few kilometres offshore lies the Zenobia wreck, which the board ranks among the world’s best wreck dives, and dives leave from the fishing harbour, home to about 140 boats. If you dive, it’s the highlight of Larnaca’s coast.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Larnaca on GetYourGuide.

How to choose

My summary is simple. With small children, Kastella or Yiannades. For a full day with atmosphere and dinner, Mackenzie. If you’re staying in the centre and want a beach without the car, Finikoudes. And for fish with a sea view, Zygi. For the rest of the city, see Larnaca, and for comparison, the Limassol beaches. If you want to head out of town, Larnaca district has more coast to the west, with quiet village beaches and fishing harbours where the catch goes straight to the taverna. To see how they measure up against the rest of the island, look at Cyprus beaches.

If you would rather go at your own pace, see the car hire deals in Larnaca: the earlier you book, the more cars are left to choose from.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Larnaca for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.