Larnaca Beaches and Water Sports

(Larnaca, Cyprus)

The beaches of Larnaca are always exceedingly popular during the summer holiday season and can be generally characterised by their somewhat darker sands.

Fronting the Larnaca beaches, the Mediterranean Sea tends to be reliably calm in the south-easterly part of Cyprus and so people are usually able to swim and enjoy a variety of water sports here. The best beaches tend to be found just to the east of Larnaca Airport, where they have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for cleanliness and general facilities.

General Information

On the westerly outskirts of Larnaca, the beaches are inclined to be less commercialised and considerably more natural in their appearance, being rather unkempt at times and much quieter. The most popular Cyprus beaches in and around Larnaca are as follows:

Castella Beach (Blue Flag)
Castella Beach has earned its named due to its relative proximity to Larnaca's castle, which is just under 1.5 km / 1 mile to the east. This stretch of fine sand is roughly 400 metres / 1,310 feet in length and can be slightly breezy at times.

CTO Beach / Cyprus Tourism Organisation (Blue Flag)
Also going by the name of Pylo Beach, the CTO Beach is close to the action of central Larnaca and stands along the Dhekelia Road, where it is very much favoured by families. There are plenty of restaurants close by should you wish to enjoy a spot of Cypriot cuisine, out of the hot midday sunshine. CTO Beach is known for its multitude of activities, which include volleyball, handball, a playground area for young children and various water sports.

Dhekelia Beach
The longest stretch of sand in Larnaca, Dhekelia Beach appears to be almost endless and provides a stunning backdrop for many of the most popular resort hotel complexes. Since Dhekelia Beach is so long, the facilities on offer do tend to vary greatly and a number of hotels permit access to their onsite amenities for just a nominal charge. Dhekelia Road runs alongside the sand and is lined with restaurants and Cypriot-style tavernas.

Faros Beach (Cape Kiti)
A small, quiet and appealing beachfront complete with bar and jet skis, Faros Beach is more than suitable for families holidaying in Larnaca, particularly those with younger children, since the sea is reliably shallow and calm. Faros Beach is easy to reach and relatively close by, and is located within the village of Pervolia, where it is really a very short drive away from Larnaca Airport.

Finikoudes (Phinikoudes) Beach
Enjoying a tropical setting and lined with mature palm trees, Finikoudes Beach is perhaps the premier beachfront in Larnaca and in the summer months, is usually heaving with tourists. An array of activities, water sports and entertainment is available here. Sun loungers and parasols are offered for hire, while an enormous selection of eateries line the front and include some familiar fast-food chains. Finikoudes Beach is also well-placed for access to various popular entertainment venues on the main promenade, as well as being conveniently close to the marina and its regular pleasure boat trips.

McKenzie Beach (Blue Flag)
Lying on the outskirts of central Larnaca and close to both the top hotels and the airport, McKenzie Beach is a stunning expanse of white sand and features a convenient car park. This is a good spot to enjoy an afternoon of scuba diving and is renowned for its plentiful seafood restaurants.

Potamos Bay Beach
Potamos Bay stands directly to the east of Larnaca and towards Ayia Napa. This is really little more than a very peaceful and charming fishing harbour and as such, it is a lively place to come and soak up some traditional Cypriot atmosphere, provided by the local fishermen. Potamos Bay features a couple of excellent tavernas, which understandably specialise in seafood, serving the catch of the day.

Yanathes Beach (Blue Flag)
There is much more to Yanathes Beach than just its beautiful scenery and sand. This is the place to come if scuba diving and snorkelling interests you, since there are many awesome Mediterranean reefs in the surrounding waters, just waiting to be explored. Close to central Larnaca, Yanathes also boasts excellent windsurfing conditions, jet-ski rental, seasonal lifeguards and a water sports centre, where parascending is on offer.