The new airport in Larnaca isn’t double or even triple the size of the old one – it’s four times as big. The facility, which opened in November last year, can handle up to 7.5 million passengers annually, an increase of 4.3 million people.
If airlines step up to fill the capacity, yet more clients will be asking your advice on where to stay and what to do in this corner of Cyprus.
Olympic Holidays commercial director Photis Lambrianides says: “The airport is a facility of which the island can be proud. It is convenient for south coast resorts such as Protaras and Limassol, but I also hope Larnaca will benefit as it is an under-appreciated place – a resort that deserves to be better known.”
So, how do you convince your clients to linger and not to race through the city’s airport en route to Cyprus’s more well-established resorts?
Well, start with the short transfer time from the arrivals hall to their hotel – that will get the attention of those with smaller children likely to be fractious after a four-and-a-half-hour flight.
Then there’s the wide selection of accommodation, with more than 80 hotels and apartment buildings in Larnaca itself, and the two resort areas outside the main town on Mackenzie Beach and Dhekelia Road. The new boutique Hotel-e opened in nearby Pervolia last year.
Planet Holidays commercial and aviation director Harry Kyrillou says: “Larnaca is a really lovely resort but still not established on the tourist trail in the same way as the other resorts on the island. It’s the place locals go for their weekend breaks, the perfect escape for those that work in the capital Nicosia.”
Kyrillou also points to the superb beaches and the wave breakers that hotels have invested in to create shallow areas for small children, while the attractive, mile-long palm tree-lined seafront promenade is “reminiscent of Monte Carlo with a dash of eastern promise”.
Larnaca’s town centre offers an enjoyable mix of old and new. Its period houses, galleries, museums and squares have long been an open secret among islanders looking for a getaway spot where modern life hasn’t eroded the island’s Mediterranean charm. Yet you can still pick up emails in an internet cafe, book a cruise around the bay and find high street brands such as Zara.
There are free municipality-run walking tours (each Wednesday at 10am), and Larnaca Walks leaflets describe a selection of self-guided walks. This is a great way to explore the rich history of the town, which is built on the remains of the ancient city of Kition and boasts an impressive 17th-century fort, as well as some interesting museums and archaeological sites.
After exploring the town’s historic charms, how better to kick back and watch the world go by than in a traditional taverna with some mezze and a glass of local wine.
Larnaca also lends itself to more active pursuits. Its flat terrain and the surrounding pretty villages make it easy to negotiate by bike or on foot. Keen divers can join the groupers, sea bass and parrotfish that make their home on the wreck of Zenobia, a Swedish ferry that sunk in 1980 and is now a protected artificial reef, sited just off the Larnaca coast.
For those who like to spread their wings a bit further, Larnaca makes a great base from which to explore the rest of the island. The east of the island, and the popular resorts of Ayia Napa and Protaras, are just a half-hour drive away, as is Nicosia, while in 40 minutes you can be in Limassol or the stunning Troodos mountains. Even Paphos is a mere hour and a half away.
Still not sure who to sell it to? Well, according to Travel Weekly’s sister website Gazetteers.com, Larnaca is well suited to all markets, particularly young singles and families in high season, and more mature clientele in low season.
Sandy Beach Mediterranean Senses Hotel
The eight-storey, 195-room Sandy Beach Mediterranean Senses (pictured above) is located at the far end of Larnaca Bay. TWgroup’s Gazetteers.com describes it as “an unforgettable, stunning property that exceeds its four-star classification”.
Styled in the manner of a designer boutique hotel, it boasts lavish, calming and comforting white decor in all areas. Balconies offer sea views and all internal areas are stylish, sophisticated and opulent creating a relaxing ambience.
Facilities include a tennis court, gym and pool set in spacious, landscaped grounds, as well as two pool bars and a traditional Cypriot taverna for al fresco dining.
Local amenities and entertainment can be found on the tourist strip, while buses that leave from outside the hotel take about 15 minutes to reach the centre of Larnaca Town.
Local excursions
Half day: Byzantine Angeloktisti Church in nearby village of Kiti; peaceful Hala Sultan mosque; Kornos village for pottery; Lefkara village for local lace and silverware; Stavrovouni Monastery for fine views (women aren’t allowed inside); bird-watching – particularly for flamingos – on the nearby salt lake (during the winter only). The tourist office offers a two-hour walking tour of Larnaca centre.
Full day: A variety of boat trips (including fishing); island coach tours.
Two days-plus: Mini cruises to Egypt and Lebanon.
Sample product
Planet Holidays has seven nights at the Palm Beach Hotel and Bungalows on a bed and breakfast basis including flights departing on May 19 for £549 per person. planet-holidays.net, 0871 871 2234
Olympic Holidays offers seven nights at the five-star Golden Bay Beach Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis for £615 per person, based on twin-share with an inland view. The price includes Gatwick flights and transfers, departing from June 1-18. olympicholidays.com, 0844 499 4449
