Anja’s guidebook
The local area
Exploring Larnaca on foot
The main shopping streets are just around the corner from the apartment, running parallel to the seafront promenade, with familiar high street stores such as Mango, Zara, Bershka, and many local Greek businesses and gift shops.
The seafront promenade itself is lined with cafes, restaurants and plenty of palm trees.
When you exit the apartment building turn right and follow the road for three minutes to reach the promenade and seafront.
You will reach the promenade at the point where the Larnaca Marina is located.
At the Marina you can book boat trips and excursion. Turn right and you will have the Larnaca beach and promenade in front of you. Walk along the beach for about 600 meters and you will reach the Larnaca Medieval Fort which houses a small museum and offers an elevated view of the surroundings (opening hours Mon – Sun 8:30 – 17:00 subject to change)
Every Friday morning at 10:00 starts a free guided tour outside the Larnaca Medieval Fort
The walk explores the local area with a focus on handicraft workshops and ceramic artists.
It is a free tour and you do not need to book, just turn up and enjoy the walk around town.
Also on the road running parallel to the seafront promenade you will find the Post Office and next to it the Tourist Board for further detailed information.
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Larnaca
The main shopping streets are just around the corner from the apartment, running parallel to the seafront promenade, with familiar high street stores such as Mango, Zara, Bershka, and many local Greek businesses and gift shops.
The seafront promenade itself is lined with cafes, restaurants and plenty of palm trees.
When you exit the apartment building turn right and follow the road for three minutes to reach the promenade and seafront.
You will reach the promenade at the point where the Larnaca Marina is located.
At the Marina you can book boat trips and excursion. Turn right and you will have the Larnaca beach and promenade in front of you. Walk along the beach for about 600 meters and you will reach the Larnaca Medieval Fort which houses a small museum and offers an elevated view of the surroundings (opening hours Mon – Sun 8:30 – 17:00 subject to change)
Every Friday morning at 10:00 starts a free guided tour outside the Larnaca Medieval Fort
The walk explores the local area with a focus on handicraft workshops and ceramic artists.
It is a free tour and you do not need to book, just turn up and enjoy the walk around town.
Also on the road running parallel to the seafront promenade you will find the Post Office and next to it the Tourist Board for further detailed information.
Sightseeing
Theo Michael's painting, Reverie, features the Kamares Aqueduct with a couple bathing in the sunlight on a beautiful spring day. This Roman style aqueduct was built in 1746 by Bekir Pasha, the Turkish governor of the town at that time. It carried water from 10 kilometres away to Larnaca and was in use until the late 1930's.
As the story goes Theo's father maintained that he used to walk on top of the arches, cooling his feet on his way to town. We never quite took his story at face value until recently, when a customer in our art studio relaid the same anecdote of his own father to us.
More than 20 arches are still intact which are beautifully illuminated at night. A path joins the site to a footpath on the East bank of the Salt Lake, creating a semi circular cycle route all the way to the mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke.
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Kamares akvedukt
Van Ntaik LarisisTheo Michael's painting, Reverie, features the Kamares Aqueduct with a couple bathing in the sunlight on a beautiful spring day. This Roman style aqueduct was built in 1746 by Bekir Pasha, the Turkish governor of the town at that time. It carried water from 10 kilometres away to Larnaca and was in use until the late 1930's.
As the story goes Theo's father maintained that he used to walk on top of the arches, cooling his feet on his way to town. We never quite took his story at face value until recently, when a customer in our art studio relaid the same anecdote of his own father to us.
More than 20 arches are still intact which are beautifully illuminated at night. A path joins the site to a footpath on the East bank of the Salt Lake, creating a semi circular cycle route all the way to the mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke.
This painting of the Salt Lake depicts the Salt Lake of Larnaca with a glistening mirror image of the town in the water.
Heading out of Larnaca by car towards the airport, avoiding the motorway route, you will end up on the Airport Road. This road stretches along the south end of the Salt Lake and offers magnificent views right across the lake with Larnaca town in the background. If you could peek around the tree in Theo's painting, you would also gain a splendid view of a mosque. Hala Sultan Tekke or the Mosque of Umm Haram is considered to be the third holiest place for Muslims in the world and well worth a visit.
The mosque is located on the west bank of the Salt Lake and clearly sign posted from the Airport Road.
The most captivating aspect of the Salt Lake has to be the presence of many migrating birds during the winter months; especially the flamingos offer a colourful and majestic sight. But the Salt Lake offers interest all year round. For most of the year it is dried out and you can cross it by foot to taste the salty crystals as they form and shimmer on the surface.
Along the East side of the lake you will find a well tended path that connects the airport road in the south, to the Roman style aqueduct Kamares at the north end of the lake. This path is perfect for cycling and walking, stretching over several kilometres, and as mentioned above, creates a well maintained route from the aqueduct right around to the mosque Hala Sultan Tekke in the west. The complete hike may be too far to walk, but if you have access to a bicycle, it's a pleasant ride during the cooler months of the year.
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Salt Lake Larnaca
This painting of the Salt Lake depicts the Salt Lake of Larnaca with a glistening mirror image of the town in the water.
Heading out of Larnaca by car towards the airport, avoiding the motorway route, you will end up on the Airport Road. This road stretches along the south end of the Salt Lake and offers magnificent views right across the lake with Larnaca town in the background. If you could peek around the tree in Theo's painting, you would also gain a splendid view of a mosque. Hala Sultan Tekke or the Mosque of Umm Haram is considered to be the third holiest place for Muslims in the world and well worth a visit.
The mosque is located on the west bank of the Salt Lake and clearly sign posted from the Airport Road.
The most captivating aspect of the Salt Lake has to be the presence of many migrating birds during the winter months; especially the flamingos offer a colourful and majestic sight. But the Salt Lake offers interest all year round. For most of the year it is dried out and you can cross it by foot to taste the salty crystals as they form and shimmer on the surface.
Along the East side of the lake you will find a well tended path that connects the airport road in the south, to the Roman style aqueduct Kamares at the north end of the lake. This path is perfect for cycling and walking, stretching over several kilometres, and as mentioned above, creates a well maintained route from the aqueduct right around to the mosque Hala Sultan Tekke in the west. The complete hike may be too far to walk, but if you have access to a bicycle, it's a pleasant ride during the cooler months of the year.
Fields with haystacks are a familiar site in Cyprus in late spring. But the real star of this painting, followed closely by that round bale in the foreground, is the mountain of Stavrovouni in the far distance. Right at the pinnacle of the mountain you will find the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Stavrovouni. Founded by Saint Helena in around 327-329 AD it is regarded as one of the oldest monastery in the world. The views from this mountain top are spectacular and well worth an inland short trip of about 45 minutes by car.
Considering the monastery was founded by a woman, it is peculiar to note that only men are allowed to enter the actual monastery. There is an external gift shop, and dressed respectfully, the shop is accessible to either, men and women.
With the right weather the views from outside the monastery are breath taking, allowing an almost circular view over the North, East and South of Cyprus.
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Stavrovouni Monastery
Fields with haystacks are a familiar site in Cyprus in late spring. But the real star of this painting, followed closely by that round bale in the foreground, is the mountain of Stavrovouni in the far distance. Right at the pinnacle of the mountain you will find the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Stavrovouni. Founded by Saint Helena in around 327-329 AD it is regarded as one of the oldest monastery in the world. The views from this mountain top are spectacular and well worth an inland short trip of about 45 minutes by car.
Considering the monastery was founded by a woman, it is peculiar to note that only men are allowed to enter the actual monastery. There is an external gift shop, and dressed respectfully, the shop is accessible to either, men and women.
With the right weather the views from outside the monastery are breath taking, allowing an almost circular view over the North, East and South of Cyprus.
The Church of Saint Lazarus can be found in the town centre of Larnaca. Take a stroll along the promenade and turn right just before the Larnaca Fort. You will soon see the church in front of you. St. Lazarus church was built in the 9th century by the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI and then later restored in the 17th century.
It houses the tomb of Saint Lazarus. According to the Gospel of John, Lazarus of Bethany had been the subject of a miraculous resurrection by Jesus Christ. Some time after the miracle he was forced to flee Judea and came to Cyprus where it is believed that he was appointed to be the first Bishop of Kition (now Larnaca).
Services in this Greek Orthodox church are held regularly, and if weddings are your thing, you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony during your visit.
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Sankt Lazarus kyrka
Ayiou LazarouThe Church of Saint Lazarus can be found in the town centre of Larnaca. Take a stroll along the promenade and turn right just before the Larnaca Fort. You will soon see the church in front of you. St. Lazarus church was built in the 9th century by the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI and then later restored in the 17th century.
It houses the tomb of Saint Lazarus. According to the Gospel of John, Lazarus of Bethany had been the subject of a miraculous resurrection by Jesus Christ. Some time after the miracle he was forced to flee Judea and came to Cyprus where it is believed that he was appointed to be the first Bishop of Kition (now Larnaca).
Services in this Greek Orthodox church are held regularly, and if weddings are your thing, you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony during your visit.
Escape the Larnaca summer heat and head into the Cyprus mountains for a cooler breeze.
Theo's painting Troodos Trail represents the nature path leading to the Caledonia Waterfall near the village of Platres in the Troodos Mountains. The waterfall is impressive and beautiful, and for nature lovers, a must site to visit whilst in Cyprus.
Troodos Trail shows the nature trail in an eerie and fairy tale like atmosphere, not unlike Tolkien's world of Lord Of The Rings. Each time you look at the painting a new pair of eyes, faces or limbs appear to be reaching out for you. Rest assured you will not bump into any Orks or Hobbits on your hike.
The Caledonia Waterfall can be reached by foot following a downward trail from the B8 north of the fall, or from the south starting in the village of Platres. Head towards the Trout Farm Psilo Dendro and follow a 30 minute uphill trail to reach the Waterfall. The complete trail is about 3 km long and sturdy footwear is recommended.
The downward trail is breathtakingly beautiful, it follows the stream until it reaches the waterfall, you will cross it numerous times as the path winds down alongside the stream.
Caledonian Falls - Trail
Caledonian Falls - TrailEscape the Larnaca summer heat and head into the Cyprus mountains for a cooler breeze.
Theo's painting Troodos Trail represents the nature path leading to the Caledonia Waterfall near the village of Platres in the Troodos Mountains. The waterfall is impressive and beautiful, and for nature lovers, a must site to visit whilst in Cyprus.
Troodos Trail shows the nature trail in an eerie and fairy tale like atmosphere, not unlike Tolkien's world of Lord Of The Rings. Each time you look at the painting a new pair of eyes, faces or limbs appear to be reaching out for you. Rest assured you will not bump into any Orks or Hobbits on your hike.
The Caledonia Waterfall can be reached by foot following a downward trail from the B8 north of the fall, or from the south starting in the village of Platres. Head towards the Trout Farm Psilo Dendro and follow a 30 minute uphill trail to reach the Waterfall. The complete trail is about 3 km long and sturdy footwear is recommended.
The downward trail is breathtakingly beautiful, it follows the stream until it reaches the waterfall, you will cross it numerous times as the path winds down alongside the stream.
Food scene
Marzano is an Italian restaurant, offering a choice of grill, pizza, pasta and salad recipes. It is a personal favourite of ours, and you may guess why once you have paid them a visit.
Marzano also offers a good range of vegetarian dishes, which are sometimes hard to find as Cypriots are rather fond of their meet dishes.
The restaurant is only a few minutes away from the flat. Head for the promenade and turn left for the Police Station. Marzano is right opposite the Police Station.
For bookings call 24 657000.
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Marzano
6301 ΚαλογραιώνMarzano is an Italian restaurant, offering a choice of grill, pizza, pasta and salad recipes. It is a personal favourite of ours, and you may guess why once you have paid them a visit.
Marzano also offers a good range of vegetarian dishes, which are sometimes hard to find as Cypriots are rather fond of their meet dishes.
The restaurant is only a few minutes away from the flat. Head for the promenade and turn left for the Police Station. Marzano is right opposite the Police Station.
For bookings call 24 657000.
Even closer to the flat you will find the Art Cafe 1900, The restaurant is upstairs and offers Cypriot dishes with a home cooked feel. Downstairs you can enjoy a drink at the bar.
The bar is our personal favourite offering an eclectic choice of fabulous music, a huge choice of international beers and spirits.
The Art Cafe 1900 is located on the opposite side of the road on your right, in the same street as the apartment.
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Art Cafe 1900
6 StasinouEven closer to the flat you will find the Art Cafe 1900, The restaurant is upstairs and offers Cypriot dishes with a home cooked feel. Downstairs you can enjoy a drink at the bar.
The bar is our personal favourite offering an eclectic choice of fabulous music, a huge choice of international beers and spirits.
The Art Cafe 1900 is located on the opposite side of the road on your right, in the same street as the apartment.
For a traditional Cyprus meal, and a place which the locals favour, visit Melitzis.
This is the place to try out Kleftiko, a meat dish, either lamb or beef, which is cooked over many hours in traditional clay ovens. The restaurant is about a 10 – 15 minute walk away from the flat.
Head for the promenade, pass the Medieval castle and carry on walking along the seafront until you see the restaurant in front of you on the right.
Sunday lunch time is usually very busy and it is advised to reserve a table 24 655867
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Militzis Traditional Tavern
For a traditional Cyprus meal, and a place which the locals favour, visit Melitzis.
This is the place to try out Kleftiko, a meat dish, either lamb or beef, which is cooked over many hours in traditional clay ovens. The restaurant is about a 10 – 15 minute walk away from the flat.
Head for the promenade, pass the Medieval castle and carry on walking along the seafront until you see the restaurant in front of you on the right.
Sunday lunch time is usually very busy and it is advised to reserve a table 24 655867