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Itinerary: Two-Day Visit to the South-East Coast
Probably the most popular tourist destination of Cyprus, the South-East coast boasts some of the best beaches and nightlife in the Mediterranean, along with panoramic landscapes and unmissable cultural sights and attractions.
You will visit Larnaca, Ayia Napa, Cape Greco, and Protaras.
Larnaca
Hala Sultan Tekke – a major Muslim sanctuary located a few miles southwest of Larnaca, which includes a mosque built in 1816 and a mausoleum with the tomb of Umm Haram, the paternal aunt of the Prophet Mohammed, who fell off her mule and died in 649. Hala Sultan Tekke is one of the holiest sites for Muslims after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.
The Salt Lake – In winter and early spring thousands of flamingoes, swans, pelicans and other migrating water birds gather in the Salt Lake, which is next to Hala Sultan Tekke.
Phinikoudes – a great place to stroll along the beach and have lunch or a drink at one of the multiple restaurants and bars located here.
St. Lazarus Church (Agios Lazaros) – located in the southern part of Old Larnaca, it was built around 900AD on the site of St Lazarus’ grave. Inside the church, on the right side of the central nave, is a large gilded reliquary containing the skull of the St Lazarus himself. The crypt houses several stone sarcophagi, one of which supposedly housed the relics of the saint.
Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa is a popular holiday resort with many hotels, night clubs and cafes. It shuts down between November and March, but is very busy between May and September. It has beautiful sandy beaches like Nissi Beach, Makronissos Beach, and Ayia Thekla Beach. Water sports and boat cruises are plentiful.
Sites to visit:
Cape Greco
Not far from Ayia Napa is Cape Greco, a protected nature reserve on the coast with limestone cliffs that lead to clear water perfect for scuba divers and snorkelers. There are underwater shipwrecks surrounding the cape, including a Genoese treasure filled ship which sank in the 15th century.
Protaras
Protaras has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the island, with many hotels, tavernas, cafes, and water sports centers. The young crowd tends to go to Ayia Napa, while families usually prefer to stay in Protaras.
