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Larnaka, the island's main airport town and secondary port, is known for its links with the past as well as with the modern world!
In the heart of modern Larnaka you will find the remains of the ancient city-kingdom of Kition, reminiscent of glorious days. The Mycenaean Greeks fortified the town with cyclopean walls in the 12th century, while the Phoenicians founded a powerful kingdom here in the 9th century. Kition is the birthplace of the philosopher Zenon, founder of the Stoic School. In the 18th century Kition became a commercial centre and the seat of the European consulates.
Today Larnaka's landmarks include the fort, the old quarters, and the city's trademark: the delightful palm trees promenade. Day or night, this is where families and couples, young and young at heart, enjoy a stroll along the sea, stopping for a drink or a snack along the way.
The salt lakes near the airport fill up in winter to create an environmental jewel, as they take on their role as a favourite stopover for thousands of migrant birds. In particular, the flocks of elegant pink flamingos are a sight to behold, as they prompt drivers to stop by the roadside simply to admire them…
Just outside the city, Hala Sultan Tekke is an important Muslim pilgrimage site ranking immediately after the shrines of Mecca, Medina and Al Aqsa in Jerusalem.
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Highlight
Larnaka-Dhekelia Road
The truth is that many visitors who are in the centre of Larnaka may not discover the peripheral coastal tourist zone known as the ' Larnaka-Dhekelia Road '. And sadly, others who have booked a hotel along that road might miss the opportunity to fully appreciate the historical wealth and cultural treasures of the city itself! However, there is no doubt that the Larnaka-Dhekelia Road is a by-product of the extensive sandy beach at this point, which seem to stretch as far as the eye can see. During the summer, this coastal stretch has a magnetic effect, drawing bathers not only from the numerous hotels that line the coast, but from further inland, all the way to Lefkosia. By sunset, the first signs of beach parties start to appear, with music, dance and barbecues in the moonlight… |
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