Scuba in Larnaca, Cyprus

A Popular Cyprus Holiday Resort

Cyprus’s largest international airport is on the outskirts of Larnaca, making the city a first port of call for many people beginning their holidays in Cyprus. With shuttles travelling from Larnaca to Ayia Napa, Limassol and Paphos, it’s a great meeting place for holidaymakers, but it’s also a lively port and entertaining city in its own right.

With plenty to offer in terms of historical sites, traditional food, beaches and breathtaking views, Larnaca is a great place to enjoy a holiday on one of the most popular Greek islands. For example, visitors can play a round of golf at the local Vikla Golf and Country Club, learn to dance with the locals to traditional bouzouki music, enjoy delicious Cypriot meze meals and visit the Mosque of Hala Saltan Tekke, which is a prominent Muslim shrine just south of the city.

An appeal of staying in resorts in Larnaca is that they’re more relaxed and family oriented than the nearby party capital of Ayia Napa. The city provides easy access to resorts and hotels, and to nearby sites of interest like Kolossi Castle and Amathus at Limassol or the spiritual Ayia Napa Monastery, which is a great venue for weddings and honeymoons and takes visitors back to a time when the bustling resort was a charming fishing village.

Holiday Hypermarket provide holidays to Larnaca at affordable prices. Fill in your flight dates and click the “Find my Holiday” button to compare prices. Adjust the board and star ratings to customise your holiday and ensure you get the right deals at the prices you prefer. Browse the listings and select the Cyprus holiday that suits you.

Visit Larnaca for the Scuba Diving

Larnaca is one of the best places to scuba dive in Cyprus, particularly because of the wreck Zenobia. Sunk off the coast on her maiden voyage more than 30 years ago, this Swedish ferry lies under 138 feet of water and is one of the most popular wrecks in the world to dive.

It’s possible to embark on a fairly simple dive (around 50 feet) along the starboard side of the Zenobia, while more advanced divers may venture down within the lower deck to the engine room (there are two decks). Divers can see cargo that was not salvaged, as well as fittings in the accommodation section, drinks machines in the restaurant area and a tartan carpet that still decorates the floor.

In addition to Zenobia ferry, there are a variety of walk-in and shallow dive sites that provide excellent starting points for beginner divers, such as Octopus Reef (great for spotting octopuses), Sheep Dip, which is filled with colourful soft coral formations, and Green Bay, which is littered with the remains of amphoras from ancient shipwrecks. Advanced dive sites are also plentiful and include Mushroom Rocks, Cyclops Cave and Chapel.

Historical Sites to See in Larnaca

Larnaca also has a fascinating history that dates back as far as the 14th century BC. The ruins of the town of Ancient Kitium, which was probably destroyed by earthquakes, feature Cyclopean Walls and the ancient temple complex is still visible. After Ancient Kitium became uninhabitable the population moved farther south to build the city that exists today. The nickname “Skala” or landing stage, referring to the city’s status as a significant port, has as much relevance today as it did in ancient times.

An island full of myths and legends, Cyprus is as romantic as it is historic, packing stories of heroism and beauty into its compact shores. Larnaca is no exception as it is home to the Church of St. Lazarus (Agios Lazaros), said to be the burial ground of Lazarus, a biblical figure and ‘follower of Jesus’.