Finikoudes Beach
Popularity over the year
O atrakcji
Finikoudes Beach is the central urban beach of Larnaca, running along Athinon Avenue immediately in front of the palm-fringed Foinikoudes promenade. It is a 500-metre strip of imported sand (the natural beach was nourished decades ago to soften the original pebble), with shallow gently-sloping water, lifeguards in season, and easy access to everything the seafront city offers — cafés, fish tavernas, the medieval castle, the Church of Saint Lazarus three minutes inland.
It is consistently a Blue Flag beach despite its urban setting, and the water is regularly tested clean. Sunbed-and-umbrella sets cost around 7-9 EUR per pair per day. There are no major watersports concessions on this stretch (those are at Mackenzie Beach 1.5 km south); Finikoudes is for swimming, lying down, and walking off lunch.
What to do. Swim, sunbathe, walk the promenade, eat at a beachfront café. The shallow gentle entry makes it one of the best central-city beaches in Cyprus for small children. Watch jets coming into Larnaca airport (the runway sits 1 km south, just past Mackenzie); they pass low overhead every 20 minutes in season. The medieval castle at the northern end of the beach is open as the District Medieval Museum.
Insider tips. The southern (castle-end) section is more atmospheric than the central café strip. For a meal with a real Cypriot crowd, walk one block inland to one of the side-street tavernas rather than eat on the beach. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are full; mid-week mornings are calm. Parking is paid along the seafront and limited.
Combinations. Combine with the Church of Saint Lazarus (3 minutes' walk), the medieval castle (at the beach's northern end), the Pierides Museum (5 minutes' walk inland), and an evening at one of the Mackenzie-area beach bars 1.5 km south.
Bring. Towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, sandals or flip-flops. The beach is fully equipped — you do not need to bring camping gear. When. May to October for a swim; year-round for a walk. The Foinikoudes evening volta in spring and autumn is one of Larnaca's quiet pleasures.
