Larnaca, third largest city in Cyprus and home to Larnaca salt lake, Finikoudes Beach and Promenade. When planning the journey to Cyprus we definitely had certain expectations especially the beach. Google is full of pictures showing the best of Larnaca and Cyprus in general so we were pumped. I had shared an itinerary for Larnaca earlier prior to embarking on a 4-day girls getaway. So we pretty much had an idea of what should be ticked off our list before relaxing like queens.
So how did Larnaca fair up: expectations vs reality? I decided to include all the places we wanted to see as per our Larnaca itinerary. Find out which were a totally surprise and which were appallingly shocking. Plus I will include some unexpected but equally surprising places.
Larnaca: Expectations vs Reality #Cyprus
Larnaca Salt Lake is a popular attraction during winter months when the four interconnected lakes fill up with water. It’s during the winter months that pink flamingos flock to feed on the pink shrimps that swim in the lake. During the summer time the water evaporates and leaves only salt residues hence salt lake. {Expectations}
Reality: We visited during the winter and the lake was surprisingly dry, no pink flamingos either. Disappointing to say the least, as one local even said “it’s winter what do you expect“. I appreciate winter isn’t exactly the tourist season for Larnaca but I was expecting to see some flemming Pink Flamingos.
Church of Saint Lazarus, rumours has it that after Lazarus was brought back from the dead by Jesus he emigrated to Cyprus. Whilst in Cyprus it is believed he continued with his faith to spread the gospel of Jesus. The church is built on the tomb of Lazarus and recent excavations found a body under the church believed to be of Lazarus. {Expectations}.
Reality: Much of the neighbouring buildings were under construction so it was difficult to appreciate the beauty of the church. Whilst I didn’t get a chance to go inside, the friends that did praised it for its authentic church feel.
Wreck of Zenobia thought to have sunk over 30 years ago and now a highlight for tourists who enjoy scuba diving. The wreck of Zenobia is a must visit place with the reefs and caves being nearby. {Expectations}
Reality: most of the marina was closed to visitors only members. Nothing was really open, with the same excuse of “it’s not tourist season”. It was disappointing not to see the wreck of Zenobia as I honestly thought it would be the highlight of the trip.
The unexpected but equally wonderful
Normally when I visit a place or country for the first time, I always look into guided tours. With guided tours the beauty is someone has already planned them and you meet fellow tourists. The bad side is they can be quite restrictive and also expensive. I will start off by saying we had the worst bus for a tour ever, nothing seemed to work on the bus. We didn’t care that it was windy and the bus open top b cause we have option to sit below deck. I honestly felt like I had wasted my €9 to sit on a bus that had no audio to listen to the history. Whilst we missed out on all the history, it wasn’t all bad as we found some awesome sites.
Kamares (meaning arches in Greek) is an old roman aqueduct built by the Turkish governor to supply water to larnaca. If you’ve never been to Cyprus it would see like the must see place but honestly there isn’t much. Not sure what we were expecting but it truly is just old remains of the arches left to admire. I am told it illuminates different colours at night but we wouldn’t know as we went during the day.
Churches and a Mosque
Kiti is a small village in Larnaca that I had no heard of until the tour bus mentioned it. It sure is tiny and looked like it had nothing to offer but Trip Advisor has other ideas. I was able to see the Anglestoski church and the planetarium & observatory. We had all of 10 minutes to check it out.
Panagia Faneromeni is a church serving the ever expanding parish and nests on the busy avenue of faneromeni. It is believed to have replaced a medieval church which used to be on the same site. The church has much superstition attached to it from healing to granting wishes. It is believed if you walked three times around the church and left a piece of your hair you would be healed.
Hala Sultan Tekke was one of the most unexpected but equally wonderful sites that we visited in Larnaca. It is an ancient monument which sits on the West Bank of the larnaca salt lake. A Muslim mosque sometimes know as Umm Haram and is open to the public. It is such an incredible site to visit, I believe it gives much more desireable view to the salt lake.
Whilst most of the major attractions we saw or wanted to see where not upto scratch it was still worth it. I know for many visiting any part of Cyprus should be during its hottest months. But I feel to see the true city you need to visit off season too. Have you ever been to Larnaca or any part of Cyprus?
Mommy Levy says
my aunt worked at Cyprus before and I had the chance to see the place through her pictures. I hope we will be able to visit that country next time.
Beautyqueenuk says
Ive only ever been to Paphos and loved it, such a beautiful part of Cyprus.
ckrusch says
I have never been there. This looks absolutely beautiful. I wish we can go there with my family. one day
Tiara Wilson says
Oh no, I’m so sorry that a lot of the places weren’t as exciting as you’d hope! I’m glad that didn’t bother you though and you were still able to have fun and make the most out of your trip!
Michelle Twin Mum says
I’ve not been before, what a shame that so many of the places were a disappointment but glad you had a good holiday overall. Mich x
Ana De Jesus says
My best friend is from Larnaca Cyprus and I really want to go out there. I think that any country is different to pictures but sometimes it is things that you find off the tourist beaten track that is best x
Jeanine says
What a great way to share. I’m always expecting big, and this looks amazing. Would love to visit someday!
Melissa Wachman says
I really enjoyed reading the expectations vs reality. I’ve had similar experiences visiting destinations that failed to measure up to my expectations, but sounds like you had a lovely trip regardless.
Angela Ricardo Bethea says
I have never been to this place. This looks absolutely marvelous. I wish someday we can go here with my family.
Garf - Morningsidefit.com says
Looks like Cyprus is nice place to visit. I would love to visit that place someday.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
So much history in Cyprus. I would love to visit someday. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Rebecca Swenor says
I have never been to Larnaca or any part of Cyprus but would love to visit some day. It does seem that you would have to visit on the off seasons too. It almost seemed like there was more disappointment than expected but the history of these places would make it worth while to see. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Laura @ What's Hot? says
Such a shame about the flamingos! Hope you get to go back and see them in their glory 🙂
Anosa says
Thanks Laura, I hope so too one day
David Elliott says
I am in love with this place now. Thank you for sharing this wonderful area. I really need to go traveling and soon.
Anosa says
I am glad to hear that David
rika agustini says
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have never been to Cyprus, would love to visit.. So much history!
Anosa says
There is so much history indeed and hope you get a chance to visit one day
alicia nicole 💋 ✨ says
Such a beautiful destination this is. One day when I am able to travel, I’ll try to visit! Lovely photos as well 🙂
Anosa says
It definitely has some beautiful parts to it that made the visit that much more worth it
Echo (The Mad Mommy) says
So beautiful there and so much history I wasn’t aware of! I would love to visit there some day!
Anosa says
Hope you get s chance one day, thanks for stopping by
Lynsey @ Coffee For Mom says
I’ve been to Cyprus before and it’s such a historic type of place, this was years ago and we also cruised to Egypt!
Anosa says
Ooh how cool, I wanted to do that but there were no cruises due to the season and weather
Valerie CottageMakingMommy says
I would love to travel, much like you, one day. I really rely on bloggers and locals to really give the low down on any area. This trip, although parts sound disappointing, also seems great.
Anosa says
Thanks Valerie, all in all it was a good trip and hope to visit again in another season
Chrishelle Ebner says
I have never been to any part of Europe. Thank you for an honest and realistic review of the city. I know sometimes reality does not meet expectations.
Anosa says
Thanks Chrishelle, it can be disappointing when expectations and reality don’t match but glad larnaca had other views to offer
Colleen Wool says
Thanks for sharing this very informational post. I found your pictures amazing and make me want to visit.
Sushmita Thakare Jain says
Haven’t been or heard of the place yet! Thank you for introducing to the place looks like worth a visit 🙂
Thanks for sharing dear!
Anosa says
I honestly believe it was a worth it visit even with the disappointments in some areas
Danik Bates says
I live in Europe and traveled over 50+ countries and surprisingly, I have not been to Cyprus. So want to go here but its sad that the main sights didn’t live up to your expectations. Still, I want to check it out (and tick Cyprus off) 😀
Anosa says
50+ oh wow, I just reached 30 countries and eager to add more
Helen Clark says
I’ve never been to Cyprus, the architecture is beautiful though. It’s a shame the main sights didn’t live up to the expectations.
Anosa says
It was a shame but it had its highlights too
Stephanay Jnote says
I think I would get excited just for the pink flamingos. That would be such a nice sight to see. Oh my! This seems like a great vacation. I still would want to check it out for my own experience.
Anosa says
If they had the pink flamingos it would have been great but they were practically none
Deimarys Colon says
I am so sorry you couldn’t go scuba diving to see the sunk ship. 🙁 It does look like a really nice place to visit.
Anosa says
I was quite saddened by it as I had really wanted to see Zenobia
Amber says
I have never been in this area before. I hope to be able to get there. I love all this architecture.
Anosa says
The architecture was impressive in most areas that’s for sure
Stella Kashmoney says
No I haven’t but I want to now. This review is full of valuable information.
Anosa says
Glad to hear it Stella, thanks for stopping by
Madeeha says
This looks very incredible place to visit. I love off the beaten track sites. They always mesmerise me with secrets they hold in them.
Anosa says
Oh yes that’s true. I try and visit some non touristy places too
FreelanceGal says
I haven’t been here yet, but it looks pretty from your images. Sorry it wasn’t what you fully hoped for. I’d probably still stop in because I know everyone’s perceptions are different :).
Anosa says
Oh absolutely and I will be giving Cyprus another chance since I went in cold season
Lilinha Espindula says
Usually we just go to the beach when we are in Cyprus, but will certainly visit some attractions next time!
Anosa says
I didn’t enjoy most of the beach visits that we did though 90% was freezing
Jenni Grainger says
That’s a shame everytging didn’t luve up to your expectations but sounds like you managed to find some lovely places too x
Anosa says
I did and thank you. Such is life sometimes
TheDaisyPages says
I’ve never been to Cyprus, so it’s lovely to read about your experiences and look at your beautiful photos.
Anosa says
Aww thanks, Cyprus has some lovely places and others well it’s a personal taste
Hannah Latoya Bond says
I’ve never been to Cyprus. I love the photos you took
Anosa says
Thanks Hannah
Mummy's Monkey says
What a shame it didn’t live up to expectations. The pictures still look lovely though
Anosa says
Thank you, I am glad I was still able to find something else that was good
Dani / floraldanielle says
What a good idea to do an expectations vs reality whilst on holiday post!
Quite a few times I’ve been let down when the reality wasn’t quite the expectation, but it’s so lovely when it’s the opposite way around 🙂
Dani x
Anosa says
Thanks Dani, it can be deflating when the expectations and reality don’t match up
Candy Kage says
Haven’t been to any of these places and they weren’t really on my list of places to visit. Nice to hear an honest opinion. Photos are still beautiful.
Anosa says
Thanks Candy, I hadn’t heard of most of these places in Larnaca until my visit
Fi Ni Neachtain says
It’s a shame that some of the places you wanted to see didn’t live up to expectation. But it’s good that you did find some other, unexpected sites you liked and that you still found your trip to be worth it. I’ve never been to Cyrus, maybe one day!
Anosa says
It was a big shame for the major attractions for Larnaca but glad we ventured out and found something awesome