Car rental in Larnaca at the Best Prices

Come and explore the magical port city of Larnaca in Cyprus. A beautiful place with palm tree lined streets and a splendid promenade. The city is best known for Finikoudes beach and exceptional underwater diving conditions – in particular the M.S. Zenobia shipwreck located just offshore. With a car rental in Larnaca you can move around the city easily. Enjoy the 9th Century Saint Lazarus Church or head to Mackensie beach for some lively entertainment in one of its many bars

Over 60 years of international car rental experience, together with excellent partner working relationships, has allowed Auto Europe to provide exceptional quotes at numerous global locations. Along with a large fleet to choose from, we also provide a luxury car hire service and modern motorhome rentals. If you’re planning to visit Larnaca, then contact one of our reservation agents to discuss your car rental requirements.

How is the traffic in Larnaca?

Driving in Larnaca isn’t too stressful or confusing. Like the UK, Larnaca drives on the left-hand side of the road, which for those that are not used to it, can be challenging at first. Road rules and regulations are similar to those throughout Europe and all the road signage is in English. Traffic in and around central Larnaca can become problematic at times, especially during rush hour and at major interchanges. The Giannou Kranidioti interchange with the B2 can sometimes see heavy traffic. A similar situation exists at the Grigori Afxentiou, Zinonos Kitieos and port area.

When driving around Larnaca and Cyprus as a whole, the following road rules and regulations should be taken into consideration:

• Drive on the left-hand side and overtake on the right
• Seatbelts are compulsory for all occupants
• Seatbelts must be worn by all on-board
• It is prohibited to use your mobile phone whilst driving without a hands-free kit
• Drink driving is prohibited, including under the influence of drugs
• If carrying children, an adequate car seat is necessary
• You must be at least 18 years of age to drive. However, car rental suppliers impose their own age limit.

Where can I park my car rental in Larnaca?

Parking in Larnaca is possible with numerous options available. Along with some free on-street parking, metered on-street parking is also available throughout the city. These are generally in operation throughout the week, excluding the weekends. Although, make sure you check times of operation on the signage. Car parks are exist throughout the city. These are secure and often well located to tourist attractions. It is good to note that free parking is sometimes available at hotels – for guests – and at restaurants and attractions, if visiting them.

Larnaca Airport

Situated just under 4 km from Larnaca city, Larnaca Airport is the main aviation gateway to the city and region. Taking only 10 minutes to reach, Larnaca Airport is the largest airport on the island of Cyprus. Due to this, expect a high level of passengers, especially during the summer and high season periods. First opened in 1975, the airport was reconstructed in 2009.It has one main passenger terminal, with the upper floor being dedicated to departures, whilst the ground floor being reserved for arrivals. The terminal has 48 boarding gates, 67 check-in desks and plenty of places to eat and drink. The new terminal can handle around 7.5 million passengers per year.

Larnaca Airport (LCA)
Address: Larnaca, Cyprus
Website: Larnaca Airport
Telephone: +357 77 778833

What to do in Larnaca

As a port city on one of the Mediterranean’s most stunning islands, Larnaca has much to offer in terms of entertainment, culture, history and outdoor activities. Cyprus with its sandy beaches and crystal clear warm waters has made it one of the most popular wedding destinations. Enjoy Finikoudes beach, Mackensie beach, the salt lake or Faros beach. Following are our recommendation for when visiting:

• Larnaca Medieval Castle: Originally built to defend southern Cyprus and the harbour of Larnaca, this small but yet interesting 12th Century castle, has been used throughout the years, not only as a fortress, but also an artillery station, prison and museum. Entrance is around 2.50€ and then you can explore the castle at will. An open air theatre is located within the castle walls, and provides performances on a regular basis. The view from the castle is also exceptional, with views across the city and harbour.


• Zenobia Shipwreck: For underwater dive enthusiasts the Zenobia shipwreck is located just offshore. The vessel sank on the 7th June 1980 with all 104 fully loaded articulated trucks and is currently considered one of the best dive sites in the world. You can either join a dive tour or for those who do not dive, take a cruise on a glass bottomed boat - both options can be found at Larnaca harbour.


• Hala Sultan Tekke: Only 10 minutes’ drive from Larnaca you’ll come across a beautiful Islamic historical monument – Hala Sultan Tekke. Located on the banks of the salt lake and surrounded by a forest, this site is a serene, calm and extremely relaxing place. We highly recommend visiting the mosque during sunset as the light reflects perfectly off the salt lake making for amazing photo opportunities. The mosque itself marks the burial place of the aunt of the 6th Century prophet Umm Haram. In addition, outside you’ll find the remains of the church that once stood in the same place.


• Larnaca Marina: A beautiful marina right in the heart of the city, which is full of lovely sailing boats and luxury yachts to admire, consider taking an excursion, either to Ayia Napa, Limassol or a nocturnal one. Close by, there are loads of very good restaurants, bars and coffee shops to enjoy. After eating why not take a leisurely walk along the pier - although, the uneven boards might become problematic.


• Larnaca District Archaeological Museum: Containing numerous archaeological artefacts, Larnaca Museum provides a great insight into the districts long past. The museum itself only contains two large rooms, however, it is well laid out and very interesting - with the courtyard containing some superb historical pieces. The museum is under renovation but is due to open soon, we therefore advise on contacting them beforehand to ascertain if it is opened when you plan to visit.

Best day trips with my car hire in Larnaca

As an island, Cyprus is perfect for exploring with your car rental from Larnaca. With reasonable connections to other parts of the island, after having done everything in the city of Larnaca, head towards the resort town of Protaras and enjoy a more family-friendly atmosphere. If you adore wildlife and bird watching, then consider spending some time in Voroklini. These wetlands are popular for its flamingos and other bird wildlife. It is also known for being the only place in Cyprus where Greek and Turkish Cypriots coexist. We recommend the following day trips when visiting:

Ayia Napa: Visit one of the main party zones of Cyprus. From May until September, Ayia Napa sees an influx of party goers from across the globe. With an abundance of bars, clubs and an extremely lively nightlife, this is by far every clubbers dream destination. This picturesque resort town has so much to offer, including striking beaches and clear blue water.

Lefkara: With a lace tradition dating back to the 4th Century, a visit to Lefkara is a must if looking to buy some awesome lace and embroidery work. Lefkara lace is said to have been made popular by Leonardo Di Vinci who visited the village and bought some lace to take back to Milan, donating it to the Duomo di Milano. This particular lace is now known as the Da Vinci Pattern and is much sought after. So much so, that Lefkara was awarded an UNESCO World Heritage status.

Kornos: Only a 25 minute drive from Larnaca you’ll reach the rural village of Kornos. If you are interested in the art of pottery, then this place is by far one of the best places to visit. For centuries, the village has produced wonderful pots from local clay. So if you’re in the market for some lovely pots, bowls and clay ovens, visit Kornos. You will also be given the opportunity to see how the locals craft these wonderful pieces of art.

Stavrovouni: Known as one of the holiest places on the island, Stavrovouni is famous for its Greek Orthodox Monastery. The church, located on the site is believed to house a piece of Jesus’s cross. Along with the cross, a piece of rope and nail from the crucifixion was brought over by the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the Great. She was appointed by her son to collect religious artifacts from the holy land and store them in this monastery.

Geographic Information & History

Larnaca is a port city located on the southern coast of Cyprus – a Mediterranean island. The city is the third largest city on the island and forms part of one of the island’s six districts. There are just over 144,000 inhabitants in Larnaca’s metropolitan area. The landscape is arid, with pockets of fertile land and hills. The Troodos mountain range stretches along the islands southern part. With a Mediterranean climate, summers can reach up to 40ºC during July and August, whilst during winter time it is mild and rarely falling below 17ºC.

Larnaca is believed to have been founded around 6000 years ago by Noah’s grandson Khittim. Once a Phoenician colony, the settlement grew in importance and in the 13th Century formed part of the Kition Kingdom – created by the Mycenaean Greeks. During this time Larnaca become a major trading port in copper and grew in riches. Throughout the years Cyprus, including Larnaca, has been governed by various rulers, including, the Romans, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Byzantines, Ottomans, Franks, Venetians, Turks and British.

Nowadays, Larnaca belongs to the Greek side of Cyprus. It is part of the Eurozone and European Union. It is the islands main sea port and a major tourist destination for the island. With clean sandy beaches, lots of history, culture and culinary delights, Larnaca has much to offer. At night, the city comes alive, with many of its bars, restaurants and downtown area full of locals and tourists.

How to get around Larnaca

Being only 9,241 km sq. it is no wonder that Cyprus has no train network or mass transport facilities, other than a bus service. The port city of Larnaca has no underground metro system and solely relies upon a bus and taxi service. Due to this lack of transport, many travellers opt for renting a car in Larnaca. A rental vehicle is able to reach parts of the island that the bus system – although improving – does not.

Bus

You can catch a coach to other parts of the island from Larnaca. For local journeys a scheduled bus service will take you around the city and into its suburbs. Although, the service in general runs on time, it doesn’t have the coverage one would expect. Buses run throughout the week, including weekends, with timetables varying between summer and winter. A limited bus service runs between Larnaca Airport and the city.

Taxis

The majority of taxis in Larnaca are black in colour with a taxi sign upon their roof. Some European cream coloured taxis also operate here. Taxis are metered but we would always recommend talking to the driver about the fee before setting off. As a popular form of transport on the island, partially due to the lack of alternatives, taxis are the most expensive form of getting around. You can either pick one up at a taxi rank or pre-book.

Useful links

Tourism Information