3 Family-Friendly Beaches in Larnaca Town
Larnaca is strewn with sandy beaches that are easily accessible, three of which have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag rating for following strict regulations for water quality, safety, and access for all.
With Larnaca being the first point of contact for most of Cyprus’s visitors, you would be pleased to know that one of these Blue Flag beaches is literally a stone’s throw from the airport runway.
1. Mackenzie Beach
Mackenzie Beach is a plane spotter’s paradise.
This popular sandy beach stretches for one kilometre starting from the edge of the Larnaca airport runway, making it a great place for plane spotters. The calm, clear and shallow waters, make it an ideal destination for families.
Facilities on the beach include toilets, showers, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas, dustbins and a host of cafes, bars, restaurants and clubs that line the strip, including some of the island’s top nightspots. Other facilities include water sports on offer along the strip, children’s playgrounds, and outdoor exercise equipment.
Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from June – October, 10:30 – 18:00.
Concerts are held on the seafront stage throughout the year, while arts fairs and stalls are also lined along the strip. The main visitor attractions of Larnaca Salt Lake and the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque are nearby.
Access to the beach is easy and safe by foot, bike, bus or car, with a large municipal car park servicing the beach, and many entry points with paths and paving leading to the beach and the establishments lining it. The beach also offers disabled access.
2. Finikoudes
Finikoudes Beach
Named after the palm trees that line the most famous area of Larnaca, the Finikoudes promenade is a popular spot for both locals and visitors alike. This 600-metre long stretch of sandy beach has calm, warm and shallow waters, and proximity to the many cafés, bars, restaurants and hotels, make it an ideal family destination.
Finikoudes promenade is flanked by the marina with its pier and fishing harbour on the one end, and a second pier and the Medieval Fort at the other.
Facilities on the beach include water sport activities, toilets, showers, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas as well as benches and abundant greenery. The town’s main shopping centre runs parallel.
Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from June – October, 10:30 – 18:00. The beach also offers disabled access, including a special wheelchair at the lifeguard tower to help disabled persons enter the sea with assistance from the lifeguards.
Larnaka sea explorations, including fishing trips, mini cruises and diving, are available from the Larnaka Marina pier, found at the start of Foinikoudes promenade. Access is easy by foot, bike, bus or car, with several municipal and private car parks servicing the general area, and there are many entry points with paths and paving leading to the beach and the establishments lining it.
3. Kastella Beach
Kastella Beach
Located next to the fishing shelter of Psarolimano this 600-metre sandy strip has been awarded the coveted Blue Beach Flag for its high environmental and quality standards.
Its calm, clear and shallow waters, surrounding greenery and proximity to the many restaurants make it ideal for a family day out.
There are several services and facilities at the beach, including toilets, showers, changing rooms, sun beds, luxury double loungers, umbrellas, beach bar and dustbins, whilst the furnishing and style of the facilities give the sense of a tropical island.
Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from June – October, 10:30 – 18:00. The area of the beach is also surrounded by many traditional fish taverns famous for their fresh fish, caught by the local fishermen found at the nearby fishing shelter.
Access to the beach is easy and safe by foot, bike, bus or car, with a bus stop a few metres along the road and a cycle path running parallel. There are car-parking facilities opposite the beach at the municipal car park, and also at the neighbouring fishing shelter. The beach also offers disabled access.
