Discover the Fun of Larnaka Region!

Larnaka region is a warm and welcoming destination for families and offers a balanced variety of activities and entertainment for all ages - both within the city centre and at the array of charming villages of the region. Our suggested itinerary is jam-packed with ideas for enjoying the best that Larnaka offers for families with children of all ages, and in the shortest space of time!  

Note: If you are visiting on a Wednesday you can catch the free guided walking tour. Details here.

A Day in Larnaka City 

The heart of the city is centered around the main promenade Foinikoudes (Palm Tree) Beach and its parallel commercial streets. The beauty of this area is that it is compact and filled with things to see and do, making it very easy to explore on foot, without the need for car hire or public transport. Getting around is made even easier thanks to the Larnaka 360 Cultural Walk map that allows visitors to preview what interests them even before their trip, saving time and hassle when traveling with young children. 

Starting at the promenade you will find the Blue Flag Foinikoudes (Palm Tree) Beach; ideal for families as it offers all the facilities of an organised beach combined with an entertainment strip. The sand and seawaters of the popular beach are clean and safe, absent of rocks and dangerous marine life. Lifeguards man the beach, and also supervise free use of a floating wheelchair for disabled visitors. 

Along the beach strip side you will find open-air gym equipment, colourful sand playgrounds and sand sport courts (all free-of-charge to use) alongside the sunbeds and parasols for hire and public conveniences. Or why not try a new water sport? The water sport providers have a range of fun inflatables and pedalo boats that are perfect for families to enjoy together, whilst the marina is lined with boats ready to embark on fishing trips, mini cruises and glass bottom adventures! 

Kiosks line the beachside for quick drinks, snacks and beach essentials, whilst across the road there is a multitude of drinking and dining options to suit all budgets. From the fast-food franchises with children’s indoor play facilities, to the elegant or fun-themed cafes and restaurants, every taste is catered for. There is even an arcade and small funfair that come to life in the late afternoons and evenings and teens will be happy to know that WiFi is also free along the promenade! 

For inquisitive minds and older children, the strip is home to several cultural attractions. The Municipal Art Gallery shows different themed art exhibitions with free entrance, and the adjoining  Larnaka Historic Archives Museum showcases life in Larnaka through the ages. A series of Larnaka Storytelling Statues can be found along the strip and in the surrounding areas, with each monument telling an interesting, narrated story that can be heard on a mobile device simply by scanning the barcode. A fun trail map makes hunting the statues a great family activity, simply download or print the map and tick off as many as you can find! 

Once you reach the end of the promenade, the Larnaka Medieval Castle will evoke the exciting legends of knights, kings and queens within its stone walls and at the incorporated Medieval Museum. 

Within the parallel town centre you will find many retail options and cobbled squares to wander around for a spot of shopping and coffee breaks, including Ermou Square with its fountains and buzzing cafes.  

Additional museums and cultural landmarks found withn the town centre include the Kyriazis Medical Museum, which charts the history of medicine on the island. Little – curious - hands are permitted to touch and feel the exhibits and delight (or recoil) at the sight of some of the gorier ones! The Pierides Museum – Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation exhibits archaeological finds that tell tales of civilisations past. The renovated Archaeological Museum of Larnaka District is a time capsule of priceless artefacts with the sarcophagi of particular interest for children who enjoy history. Not far from the town centre is the park grounds of the Larnaka Municipal Gardens where a small Natural History Museum, Municipal Theatre and Municipal Library are all housed in playful surroundings. Located by the gardens is the Salina Park; a 14,000m2 green oasis with playground, pedestrian and cycling paths, an artificial lake, a refreshment centre and an amphitheatre for cultural events.

Larnaka Municipal Market often holds free workshops for children on a Saturday, including cooking and crafts. Located a little further down, Zouchouri complex  has plenty of space for families. Heading back the way of the promenade, a further walk past the fort unfolds along the Piale Pasha sea walkway; a lovely place for a stroll, skate or to use children’s ride-on's, complete with unlimited sea views. This leads to the Larnaka Art Workshops Neighbourhood for a self-guided tour to watch the artists at work and some creative, messy fun trying your hand at the pottery wheel! There is also an arts-inspired square 'Mediterranean Park' here with benches and water features. For an icy treat, continue past the quaint Psarolimano fishing harbour to the vibrant row of ice-cream parlours that offer every ice-cream flavour and other sweet treats, located parallel to another family favourite, the Blue Flag Kastella organised beach. Here you will also find the Municipal Skate Park - Roller Skate for the ‘cool’ skateboarders in the family. 

Larnaka city’s coastline continues towards the trendy Mackenzie Beach with open-air gym equipment, children’s playgrounds and plenty of options for coffee or a meal by day, or hip island-inspired venues with live music by night. For children who like aeroplanes, this is the best spot to plane watch!  

Just a short distance from the beach is Larnaka Salt Lake, which fills with flocks of Greater Flamingos between November and March which are an impressive sight (and sound) in their honking groups of flamboyant pink. The nature trail here is lovely to walk along in the cooler months and children can bird watch from the bird hide tower or see how many different trees, plants and flowers they can spot along the path. 

And as day leads into evening, the same family-friendly, popular areas – Foinikoudes, Piale Pasha and Mckenzie – all take on a different, social atmosphere, filled with the hustle and bustle of families dining and relaxing; playing in the squares, playgrounds and arcades, and enjoying the ease in which the compact city transforms from sunlight to starry night. 

A Day in Larnaka Region 

When it comes to themed experiences, Larnaka region’s rural and mountainous villages offer a myriad of experiences. A visit to multiple communities is easily combined to create a varied day excursion that takes you from coastline to mountain forests, by car or via the public transport network. 

It is very easy to follow the coastline of the region as it unfolds along the fringes of the rural villages and discover a different experience at each! Of particular note are the beaches of Pervolia (Blue Flag - Faros), the Larnaka Kitesurfing Beach in the Softades area of Kiti where the ever-popular sport takes place, and the Blue Flag Limanaki Beach in quaint fishing village, Zygi. 

For animal adventures, start at Mazotos, where the island’s only Camel Park is located – home to camels and other animal friends that you can ride and feed. The expansive grounds also feature playground toys, arcade, hall of mirrors, coin-operated rides, swimming pool and restaurant. To continue visiting furry friends, head to Skarinou village next, to the Golden Donkey’s Farm where you can feed and ride the donkeys and learn all about the products made with their milk. Also in the village is the Environmental Information Centre of Larnaka Mountainous Area - a fascinating, alternative way to learn about the flora, fauna and geology of mountainous Larnaka. 

Heading higher up, the world-renown and awarded village Lefkara is ideal for immersing yourself in the traditional Cyprus of a bygone era. Stroll the narrow, cobbled lanes which overlook stunning mountain views; buy fresh pastries from the quaint bakeries, and watch the villagers as they deftly create Lefkara’s two famous handicrafts: handmade embroidered lace (‘Lefkaritiko’ lace) and silversmithing. A visit to the Smithy will educate on the tradition of blacksmithing, complete with all the tools used to shoe horses, and set to sound effects to recreate the pastime of old!   

The cluster of nine Rural Larnaka Honey Villages share a collective identity for their beekeeping and honey production practises. You can follow a self-guided tour of Kato Drys, Kato Lefkara, Layia, Melini, Odou, Ora, Vavla, Vavatsinia and Agioi Vavatsinias where you will find bee and honey-themed attractions, including apiaries, crafts workshops, nature trails, honey production facilities and the Bee & Embroidery Museum. Children can experience being a beekeeper for the day or create their own bee hotel out of recycled materials.  

For more active families, you can also opt to cycle your way through Larnaka region by taking the day to try the Larnaka Thematic Cycling Routes. 

Whichever village you choose to visit, there is always a warm family welcome and the opportunity to watch and taste the traditions – all in the most tranquil natural settings that are sure to be a tonic for even the most energetic young ones!