Larnaca Museums

(Larnaca, Cyprus)

Based in Larnaca and featuring a secondary branch at Athens, the acknowledged Pierides Foundation is responsible for the management of many of the best museums on Cyprus. The Pierides Foundation operates on a purely non-profit basis and runs both the Archaeological Foundation and the Municipal Museum of Paleontology (Tornaritis) in Larnaca, whilst also being responsible for organising various exhibitions and similar events in Larnaca and across Cyprus.

Other very notable Cypriot museums within the city can be found at other places of interest, which really are attractions in the own right. These include museums at the Church of Agios Lazaros (Byzantine), at Larnaka Fort (medieval) and also at the Municipal Gardens (natural history).

Pierides Archaeological Foundation Museum

Address: Zinonos Kitieos 4, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel: +357 2465 2495
The privately owned Pierides Archaeological Foundation Museum is the crowning glory of the Pierides Foundation and epitomizes all the hard work of Dimitris Pierides, who began to salvage Cypriot art works from notorious tomb raiders in the late 1830s. Actually located at the former home of Dimitris Pierides himself, the Pierides Archaeological Foundation boasts a very extensive collection of artefacts, which has grown over the years and is being continually added to. The mansion itself is rather elegant and surrounded by beautiful gardens, with six spacious rooms being allocated to the archaeological objects, which are clearly displayed in an orderly, chronological manner. Highlights include rooms and displays devoted to the Neolithic and Roman periods, as well as Cypriot folk art, Iron Age relics and Mycenaean pottery.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 13:00
Admission: charge

Archaeological Museum (Eparkhiakó Mouseio)

Address: Odos Kalogreon, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel: +357 2463 0169
Regarded as one of the best attractions of its kind in the region, the state-operated Larnaca Archaeological Museum is housed within a purpose-built building and features detailed explanations of each single display. Attractions include a large collection of pottery originating from Ancient Kition and the neighbouring village of Livhadia, as well as some old terracotta figurines, Mycenaean vases, Roman glassware, folk art works and an authentic reconstruction of a Neolithic tomb from Choirokoitia. The exhibition is spread across five adjoining rooms and is a pleasant way to spend an hour.
Open hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday - 09:00 to 14:30, Thursday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Byzantine Museum at the Church of Agios Lazaros

Address: Church of Agios Lazaros, Agiou Lazarou, Larnaca, Cyprus
The architecture of the church is an attractive mixture of Orthodox and Latinate influences and offers a selection of enticing attractions, such as the actual Tomb of Lazarus and the Byzantine Museum, which stands in the courtyard and is brimming with ecclesiastical artefacts, priceless treasures and memorabilia. Of note, a number of the items on display have actually been donated by clerics in Russia.
Open hours: April to August, daily - 08:00 to 12:30, 15:30 to 18:30; September to March, 08:00 to 12:30, 14:30 to 17:30
Admission: free

Medieval Museum

Address: Leoforos Athinon, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel: +357 2463 0576
The Medieval Museum is situated within the Larnaka Fort and enjoys an appealing waterfront setting. Since there really is very little of interest in the fortress itself, the Medieval Museum is a real highlight and is to be found on the upper floor. Exhibits include artefacts discovered in the Hala Sultan Tekkesi area, as well as Ancient Kition. There are also some exceptional views of the city and coastline.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Municipal Museum of Natural History

Address: Leoforos Grigoriou Afxentiou, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel: +357 2465 2569
The city's small Natural History Museum is to be found at the Larnaca Municipal Gardens, on the Leoforos Grigoriou Afxentiou, and is always a firm favourite with families on holiday here. Inside there are interesting collections of stuffed animals, exotic birds, insects, fossils and minerals, all of which originate from Cyprus. Once you have finished exploring the natural history displays, make sure that you leave enough time for a stroll around these beautiful landscaped gardens and enjoy the seasonal flowers.
Open hours: June to September, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 13:00, 16:00 to 18:00; October to May, 10:00 to 13:00, 15:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Pierides Municipal Museum of Paleontology (Tornaritis)

Address: Old Customs House, Europe Square, Phinikoudes Promenade, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel: +357 2465 8848
The Pierides Municipal Museum of Paleontology is also known locally on Cyprus as simply the Tornaritis and is located within the Old Customs House, which is coincidentally the same building as the Larnaca Municipal Art Gallery. Founded in late 1996, the Museum of Paleontology was established to showcase a truly outstanding collection of fossils discovered all across Cyprus - the oldest of which are believed to be in excess of 500 million years old. The exhibitions are spread over five adjoining stone warehouses and forms part of the New Municipal Cultural Centre.
Open hours: October to April, Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 14:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to midday; May to September, Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 14:00, Saturday - 09:00 to midday
Admission: charge