As a coastal region, Larnaca is not short on beaches, and offers a mix that will appeal to different personalities and preferences from lively strips where the party is ongoing, to quiet spots of natural beauty. Generally, the waters are all safe, as well as being clean, and the sands are yellow and course with some stone beaches too. So, just pick a beach and soak up the sun!
1) Mackenzie
Best for young, trendy partygoers
If you are looking for a club on the sand, then the strip of Mackenzie is the place to head. The area has seen a revival in the last few years thanks to a crop of new, trendy cafes and clubs opening on the once traditional and quiet beach that was previously favoured by families. Its transformation has been quite remarkable, and the area is now considered by many to be the hippest spot on the entire island!
The coast is dotted with watersports facilities, lifeguards, public conveniences, modern umbrellas and sunloungers, and unlike Finikoudes – which is separated by a road – has all its establishments right on the beach. There are still a few traditional tavernas, but they are dwarfed by a large percentage of very modern cafes, restaurants and day/night clubs mostly decked out in white and blue – ‘miami’ style – with canopy beds and ‘reservation only’ facilities. The majority of the places turn into clubs in the evenings, whilst also serving a full menu around the clock. A word of warning; the various venues compete in terms of noise, so if you do not like to lie on the beach with multiple sound systems or live DJs pumping out the latest hits, then this is not the coast for you!
2) Finikoudes
Best all-round
Despite Mackenzie stealing the crowds from the palm-tree lined promenade – Finikoudes – this is still the best all-round spot in the town, thanks to its beach, cafes, restaurants and bars, and its close proximity to the town centre.
The crowd at Finikoudes is mixed: locals, tourists, young, old. The establishments are also mixed: fast food franchises, trendy cafes, steak houses and coffee houses. Even the sunbeds in their different sections vary in their styles. As such, whoever you are, you will fit in.
Finikoudes offers all the usual amenities and services (such as lifeguard, changing facilities, shower, toilets, sunloungers, umbrellas and watersports), but also has an added experience of Larnaca beyond the sand and sea, thanks to its old fort at the very end of the promenade, and the old workshops and the town centre that run parallel to the strip. At the very beginning you will find the pier and marina where you can take a boat trip or just enjoy a stroll to feed the resident cats.
Finikoudes also has two squares and a seafront stage where various events and shows are held throughout the year, with more of them during the summer.
3) CTO Beach – Dhekelia Road
Best for families
Going to the beach with young children can be a real work-up with a thousand and one bags to drag along, and the perpetual fear that emergency toilet trips will be required! So when it comes to choosing a beach that is right for the family, it needs to be safe, convenient and offer access to other services. And if you are very lucky, also throw in some entertainment for the kids for good measure!
When it comes to organised beaches with facilities, the CTO beach along Dhekelia Road –also known as Pyla beach- ticks all the boxes, as well as some more. The coast has shallow waters and lifeguards, convenient facilities such as showers, changing rooms and toilets, easy parking, sunloungers and umbrellas. It also offers easy access to the strip’s varied restaurants that range from fresh fish taverns to ethnic choices, with some fast food franchises thrown in the mix.
But its shining features are the added elements of children’s playground, watersports and excellent facilities for beach tennis and volleyball. There are often tournaments held on its sands, which children will enjoy watching, or entering, and a great family atmosphere all-round.
4) Yannathes – Oroklini
Best for eco-warriors
Nature lovers and eco-warriors will be thrilled to know that Larnaca has one of only three beaches on the island to so far be selected for an eco-initiative entitled ‘Greening Cyprus Beaches’.
The Yannathes beach in Oroklini successfully completed the required criteria this June and can proudly call itself an environmentally friendly coast thanks to its endemic plants, locally-produced clay ashtrays, environmentally friendly signage, general waste and recycling bins, and parking for bicycles. This is added to its Blue Flag status, excellent water quality and scenic natural beauty, which includes reefs in the wider area that can be explored through dives.
But the beach also offers comforts and conveniences, proving that nature and development can co-exist quite happily to give the best of both worlds! Included are sunloungers, umbrellas, lifeguard, toilets, changing rooms, showers and parking. There are also various watersports available along the coast, as well as food and drink options, making it a good choice for families too… as long as they are not going to litter the beach…
