But what dominates the city is the blue of the sea. From Finikoudes to Pyla and from Pervolia with the characteristic lighthouse to the cosmopolitan Kastella. The beaches of the city are ready to offer you unique moments in the cleanest sea waters of Europe.
Mckenzie Beach – Blue Flag
Located near to the site of Larnaka’s old airport, the highly popular Mckenzie Beach is a 1 km long strip with fine sands of varying shades of brown and beige, calm, clear and shallow seawaters, and abundant greenery. Facilities on the beach include toilets, showers, changing rooms, sunbeds, umbrellas, dustbins and a host of cafes, bars, restaurants and clubs that line the strip, including some of the island’s top nightspots. Due to the beach’s location, it is ideal for plane spotting, whilst there is also a wide array of water sports on offer along the strip, children’s playgrounds, and outdoor exercise equipment. Concerts are held on the seafront stage throughout the year, whilst arts fairs and stalls are also held along the strip. The main visitor attractions of Larnaka Salt Lake and the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque are nearby. The beach attracts both families and younger crowds during the day, whilst at night it is a premium destination for clubbing. Access to the beach is easy and safe by foot, bike, bus or car, with a large municipal car park servicing the beach, and many entries points with paths and paving leading to the beach and the establishments lining it. The beach also offers disabled access.
Foinikoudes Beach – Blue Flag
Larnaka’s most famous promenade of Foinikoudes (which is the Greek word for ‘palm trees’) is a 600-metre long stretch that combines coast, entertainment and culture along its palm-tree-lined length. The sands are fine and varying shades of brown and beige, and the seawaters are calm and shallow, flanked by the marina with its pier and fishing harbour on the one end, and a second pier and the Medieval Fort at the other. Facilities on the beach include toilets, showers, changing rooms, sunbeds, umbrellas, dustbins, recycling bins and beach bar, whilst the strip is also lined with cafes, bars, restaurants, kiosks, hotels and entertainment establishments, as well as benches and abundant greenery. The town’s main shopping centre runs parallel. Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from June – October. The beach also offers disabled access, including a special wheelchair at the lifeguard tower to help disabled persons enter the sea with assistance from the lifeguards. The beach is home to various water sports, and also hosts major sporting tournaments on its sands, as well as concerts on its Seafront Stage and two main squares – one with fountain and benches. As such, it attracts all crowds and is particularly popular with families both in the day and evening. Larnaka sea explorations, including fishing trips, mini cruises, and diving, are all available from the pier of Larnaka Marina, found at the start of Foinikoudes promenade. Access is easy by foot, bike, bus, or car, with several municipal and private car parks, servicing the general area, and there are many entry points with paths and paving leading to the beach and the establishments lining it.
Kastella Beach, Larnaka – Blue Flag
Located by Larnaka’s Psarolimano Fishing Shelter, Kastella Beach is a 600-metre long strip with fine sands of varying shades of brown and beige, calm, clear and shallow seawaters, and touches of greenery. There are several services and facilities at the beach, including toilets, showers, changing rooms, sunbeds, luxury double loungers, umbrellas, beach bar and dustbins, whilst the furnishing and style of the facilities give the sense of a tropical island. Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from June – October. The area of the beach is also surrounded by many traditional fish taverns famous for their fresh fish, caught by the local fishermen found at the nearby fishing shelter. Moreover, there are restaurants, bars, ice-cream parlours and kiosks in the vicinity. As such, Kastella beach attracts both families and younger crowds. Access to the beach is easy and safe by foot, bike, bus or car, with a bus stop a few metres along the road and a cycle path running parallel. There are car-parking facilities opposite the beach at the municipal car park, and at the neighbouring fishing shelter. The beach also offers disabled access.
Faros Beach, Pervolia, Larnaka – Blue Flag
The famous Faros (Lighthouse) Beach of the Larnaka village of Pervolia is a 500-metre strip of fine sands of varying shades of beige, calm, shallow seawaters and ample trees and greenery. It is located just south of Pervolia at Cape Kiti. Facilities on the beach include toilets, showers, changing rooms, sunbeds, umbrellas, dustbins, recycling bins and a children’s playground. There are also various water sports available along the coast and a small volleyball court, as well as food and drink options, making it a good choice for both families and younger crowds. The lighthouse itself is picturesque, and a famous monument of the area. Access is easy by foot, bike, bus or car, with car parking facilities, cycling trails and walking trails. The beach offers disabled access.
Pyla Beach
Located in the Larnaka (Larnaca) district of Pyla, along Dhekelia Road, the beach of Pyla offers a complete day out for all the family, thanks to a host of facilities and the amenities of the surrounding area. Set amidst an expanse of greenery, the sands are fine grey, and the clean waters are calm and shallow, making the beach popular with all, including families with small children. Facilities include toilets, showers, changing rooms, sunbeds, umbrellas, a children’s playground, beach volleyball and beach tennis courts, beach bars and water sports. Beach tennis tournaments are held on the sands, and beachgoers can watch the regular summer events – and sometimes participate in them. There are also a variety of restaurants, bars, cafes, kiosks, convenience stores and accommodation along Dhekelia Road. Access is easy by foot, bike, bus, or car, with car-parking facilities. The beach also offers disabled access.
Michalis Christodoulou
