The Rebirth of Larnaka Municipal Market
The new Larnaka Municipal Market has opened on its original, historic site with an indoor market throughout the week as well as an open-air farmer’s market on Saturdays.
With the market’s long history as an integral part of Larnaka city’s fabric, the new design honours its heritage by fusing traditional elements with a contemporary structure and is set to be a landmark in the commercial centre.
The ground floor houses 20 vendors offering a variety of traditional, local produce from across the region and is a lovely place to pick up something authentic from Larnaka. At present, there are stalls selling wine, dairy, cured meats, baked goods and sweets, herbal products, souvenirs and fresh fruit and vegetables, with several more set to open soon. Opening hours are Monday – Saturday, from 7am – 7pm (March – October) and 7am – 6pm (November – February).
On Saturdays, the yard is used for an open-air farmer’s market (from 6am – 1.30pm) with fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh flowers and other produce and is a seamless continuation of the former farmer’s market that was held at the site of the car park on Saturdays.
The market first opened in 1928 and operated in its original form until 1963. It remained unused for some 30 years until it was demolished at the end of the 1990s to create municipal parking. Alongside the open-air farmer’s market that operated at the site, a smaller indoor market was opened in a building across the street.
The new structure was co-funded by European funds and is a reimagined design reminiscent of the circular dwellings of the Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement. It has the feel of an open-air market thanks to its street access from all sides, but is covered with a roof that features circular skylights that flood the space with sunshine. In the future the mezzanine level will host restaurants, cafes and a snack bar, as well as cultural spaces, whilst the upper level will feature a terrace with seating area, roof garden and bars.
A multistorey car park adjacent to the market provides free parking on Saturdays (until further notice and subject to change) to facilitate customers, and the market offers full disabled access.
Combined with the new Zouchouri square located just a few metres away, and the continuing works to make the city centre more accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, the commercial centre is a great place to spend some time shopping and relaxing.
The market has a Facebook page that will be updated with news and events.