Larnaca, Coastal Mediterranean city in Cyprus
Larnaca sits on the southeastern Mediterranean coast of Cyprus with a long beachfront lined by palms and shallow sand. The built environment ranges from the old quarter with low stone structures to modern residential areas spreading inland.
The site was established in the 13th century BC as the city-state of Kition and later passed into Phoenician hands around 1000 BC. During medieval times, the settlement grew under Frankish and Ottoman rule into a modest harbor.
The name derives from the Greek word for sarcophagus, referencing the ancient tombs discovered throughout the area. Along the waterfront, locals gather in evening hours at small cafés where conversation flows and daily rhythms blend with the comings and goings of visitors.
The city works well as a starting point for exploring the southeastern part of the island, with many destinations reachable within a short drive. The flat beach is accessible for families, and most facilities cluster along the coast within walking distance.
The salt lake shifts appearance with the seasons, drying into a white basin in summer and filling with shallow water in winter. Thousands of flamingos arrive during the cooler months, turning the surface pink with their numbers.
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