Larnaca Area holidays

The Larnaca region has plenty of beaches, and most of them fly the coveted Blue Flag thanks to their cleanliness and water quality. You’ve got a stretch of sand for every mood, whether it’s the lively sands of Nissi Beach or the peaceful shores of Protaras’ Fig Tree Bay. Although the atmosphere differs from sweep to sweep, white sands and turquoise waves tend to come as standard.

Nissi Beach is just up the road from Ayia Napa, so expect a mix of families and younger crowds sleeping off their hangovers. Five hundred metres of spotless sands and waters that are practically see-through have earned it a prestigious Blue Flag, and the promenade behind the beach is heaving with restaurants for when lunchtime comes around.

The national forest park, Cape Greco, is about halfway between Ayia Napa and Protaras. It covers 385 hectares, and is well-known for its birdlife – over 80 species of creatures can be spotted here. Crane your neck to see them on the park’s beach, Konnos Bay – a beautiful sweep of sand hidden from view by pine trees.

The open-air market in Ayia Napa’s Seferis Square is great for bargain-hunters. Every Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, stalls groan under the weight of halloumi cheese, woven baskets, fresh flowers and pottery. Performances from local zorba dancers and bouzouki guitar-strumming musicians add to the atmosphere.

Over in Nissi Beach, the stores supply clubbing gear for the Ayia Napa party crowd – think neon face paint, ‘I Love Napa’ crop-tops and glow-in-the-dark bangles. Nissi Avenue offers up the best choice.

If you’re looking to splash out, you’ll want to visit Protaras. Here, all the big names line up, such as Gucci, Versace and YSL. Alternatively, Cyprus’ capital, Nicosia, has a good selection of designer shops.

Thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, Protaras is a favourite with couples and families. In the evenings, you can take a stroll along Protaras Avenue, and call in at one of the restaurants or ouzo bars. Plus you can browse stalls offering henna tattoos, hair-braiding and caricaturist portraits. Elsewhere, the Kourion Amphitheatre in Limassol puts on classical plays and musical performances.

Ayia Napa is Cyprus’ party capital. In fact, with top DJs like David Guetta and famous club nights like TwiceasNice flocking into town every summer, it’s threatening to steal Ibiza’s nightlife crown. Napa Square is the epicentre of the action. Here, bars serving up fishbowl cocktails underneath disco balls and flashing lights.

Halloumi cheese is Cyprus’ pride and joy. Locals pair it with everything, from salad to burgers. During the production of halloumi, the curds are cooked for more than an hour, giving the cheese its unique rubbery texture. It’s especially delicious when grilled or fried.

This hearty casserole is the Cypriot twist on the popular North African tagine. Just like the tagine, the dish shares its name with the pot it’s served in. It’s made with tender chunks of lamb and herby vegetables and, thanks to a dusting of cumin that goes on top, it’s got a lovely spicy kick.

Lountza is pork tenderloin that’s marinated in a rich wine and then smoked. It’s a belly-warming dish, usually cooked over coals or fried with eggs. Sometimes it’s packed into pastry parcels and served as a meze appetiser.

Locals tuck in to these savoury pies at Easter celebrations. They’re made up of melt-in-your-mouth pastry, which is filled with creamy goat’s cheese, egg and spices. The pie is given an egg yolk glaze and dipped in sesame seeds.

This sweet dessert wine comes from the Commandaria region of Cyprus, at the foothills of the Troodos mountains. It’s made with the xynisteri and mavro grapes, and is thought to date back to the times of the crusades, making it the world’s oldest named wine still in production.