Car hire in Larnaca – Enjoy wonderful Cyprus

The Cypriot port city of Larnaca is perfect for a holiday destination. With its tree lined roads and tantalising promenade, Larnaca is known for Finikoudes beach and its abundance of diving spots. When opting for a car hire in Larnaca it’s easier to enjoy everything the city and the rest of the island has to offer. Mackensie beach is a lively location packed with entertainment and party hot spots, or if culture and history is your main interest – then pay a visit to the 9th Century Saint Lazarus Church.

Auto Europe has over 60 years of global car hire industry experience. As a broker it has partnered with various local, national and international car rental suppliers to provide its customers with exceptional quotations. With a large fleet of vehicles to choose from, at numerous global locations, you’re sure to find the right car rental for your holiday. Along with car hire, we also hire out luxury vehicles, motorhomes and provide a transfer service. Contact one of our customer reservation agents on +44 123 3225 114 to find out more. To see some of the opnions of our other customers booking with us in Cyprus, take a look at the Larnaca car hire reviews page on the Auto Europe website.

How is the traffic in Larnaca?

When you opt to rent a car in Larnaca, you should be aware that the driving side in Cyprus is the same as in the UK – you drive on the left-hand side of the road. Driving in Larnaca isn’t too stressful or problematic, but the centre of the city does see some congestion especially around rush hour. Street signs are in English and many of the road rules and regulations are similar to that of the UK. Congestion hot spots to keep in mind are; the interchange between B2 and Giannou Kranidioti, and at Zinonos Kitieos and Grigori Afxentiou.

We would advise taking the following road rules and regulation into consideration when driving around Larnaca:

• Keep your vehicle on the left-hand side and only overtake on the right-hand side
• The wearing of seatbelts is mandatory for everyone in the vehicle
• The use of a mobile is not allowed unless using a hands-free kit
• Taking drugs and drinking whilst driving is against the law
• An appropriate child car seat is required if carrying kids
• The minimum driving age in Cyprus is 18, although individual car hire suppliers may impose their own age restrictions.

Where can I park my car hire in Larnaca?

Free on-street parking is available throughout the city, although you’re more likely to find metered on-street parking due to availability. Metered bays are normally operating week days, with weekends and public holidays being free. We do advise that you consult the active meter time on the signage before parking. Car park garages often provide a secure, safer and often greater cost-effective way to park – with many being located near popular tourist attractions. In addition, numerous restaurants, attractions and hotels also provide free parking to guests and visitors.

Larnaca Airport

Larnaca Airport is less than 3.5 miles from central Larnaca city – making it the main international airport for the city and region. It is the largest airport in Cyprus and although it was opened in the 70s, it was redeveloped in 2009. It currently has one terminal with all the aviation facilities you’d expect set over two floors. With foot traffic of 7.5 million annual passengers, expect the airport to be extremely busy during the summer periods and in high season.

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

What to do in Larnaca

Offering an abundance of entertainment, culture, history and tourist activities – the port city of Larnaca is located on the Mediterranean coastline. The island of Cyprus is one of the most visited places in Europe, with its sandy beaches and warm crystal clear waters – weddings are the most popular events, with many deciding to simplify their holiday with a rental car in Larnaca. Mackensire Beach, Finikoudes Beach, Salt Lake and Faros Beach are some of the more popular locations in Cyprus. We would recommend visiting some of the following places during your stay:

• Larnaca Archaeological Museum: Providing an interesting glimpse into Larnaca’s past, its archaeological museum contains numerous artefacts and exhibitions. The building itself only consists of two large rooms, however, it is well kept and set out. The grounds contain some interesting historical pieces. The museum has since seen some renovations, so we do advise contacting them before your visit to confirm they’re open.


• Larnaca Marina: Located right in the heart of the city, Larnaca Marina is packed with beautiful sailing boats and yachts. Near the marina you’ll also find plenty of excellent restaurants, coffee houses and stores to enjoy. Why not opt for a sailing excursion to Ayia Napa, Limassol or spend the night out on the water. After your excursion either enjoy the vibrant atmosphere in a local bar or some great cuisine in one of the restaurants – followed by a leisurely walk along the pier.


• Hala Sultan Tekke: Located a short 10 minutes’ drive from Larnaca is the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque. A historical Islamic monument we would recommend visiting this serene and tranquil place during sunset. The mosque is located on the shores of a salt lake, and it is surrounded by a lush forest. If you’re looking to get away from the hype of city activity, then a visit here will surely relax your senses. Great for photos, the mosque is the burial site of the 6th Century Propher Umm Haram.


• Zenobia Shipwreck: Cyprus is extremely popular for underwater diving and snorkelling. None more popular, is the diving at the Zenobia Shipwreck just off the Cypriot coastline. The Zenobia went down in 1980, taking with it 104 fully loaded articulated lorry’s. Vastly considered one of the best diving locations in the world, either join a diving tour or take a glass bottomed boat cruise.


• Larnaca Castle: This medieval 12th Century castle was constructed to protect the port of Larnaca and southern Cyprus. Throughout its existence it has been used as a fort, artillery station, prison and museum. A small fee is charged to visitors, but then you are able to wander through its castle rooms and grounds. Occasionally open-air shows are played out within the castle grounds. From its walls you’ll also gain exceptional views over the port and city.

Best day trips with my car rental in Larnaca

The island has reasonable connections throughout, so driving your car hire from Larnaca to other parts of Cyprus shouldn’t be an issue. The nearby resort town of Protaras has a beautiful family-friendly atmosphere, but head to Voroklini if you’re into wildlife and bird watching. This area is not only famous for flamingos, but also for being the only place in Cyprus where Turkish and Greek Cypriots coexist together. Consider the following day trips whilst visiting this amazing island:

Ayia Napa: Long regarded as the central party area of Cyprus, Ayia Napa is a world renowned party town. Attracting a large influx of revellers between the months of May and September, Ayia Napa has an abundance of clubs, bars and entertainment establishments to enjoy. Every clubbers dream destination, the town itself also has pristine beaches and crystal clear warm waters to bath in.

Kornos: Kornos is a rural village located only 25 minutes’ drive from Larnaca. Its claim to fame is the sheer abundance of pottery and clay producing establishments dating back centuries. The village produces beautiful pieces of clay, pots, bowls and various ornaments for purchase. During your visit you can admire the art of clay making first-hand, attend workshops and even be given the opportunity to purchase a traditional clay oven.

Lefkara: This delightful town is famous for embroidery and lace production, which dates back to the 4th Century. Initially made popular by Leonardo Di Vinci – upon one of his visits, he purchased some lace to donate to the Duomo di Milano. This particular lace pattern has since been known as Da Vinci Pattern and has become extremely sought after. Due to its popularity, Lefkara was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status.

Stavrovouni: Regarded as the holiest place in Cyprus, the site of Stavrovouni hosts a church that is believed to contain a piece of Jesus’s cross, together with a piece of rope and a nail used in the crucifixion. These artefacts are believed to have been transported over by the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the Great. The site also contains a Greek Orthodox Monastery where a collection of religious objects originating from the holy land are stored.

How to get around Larnaca

Cyprus is a relatively small island and easily to get around. Due to this, Cyprus has no rail network and few public transport options. Larnaca city has no underground system, so visitors and locals alike rely heavily on the bus network and taxi service. With few transport options available, it is often the case that many tourists rely on hiring a car rental in Larnaca to get around during their holiday.

Bus

For those arriving by plane, a limited bus service operates between Larnaca city and Larnaca Airport. In Larnaca city itself you can board a coach to other parts of the island. Local buses provide citywide coverage, including some bus routes into its suburbs. Buses in general run on time on a daily basis. Timetables will vary between summer and winter – so make sure you check the timetable when planning your route.

Taxis

In general official taxis are black in colour with a taxi sign upon their roof top – although you can also find European style cream coloured taxis. Taxis can be pre-booked or picked up at one of the numerous taxi ranks across the city. Due to the lack of public transport infrastructure, taxis are a popular but an expensive way to get around the island. Although taxis are metered, we advise always discussing the estimated cost to your journey before setting off.

Useful links

Larnaca Tourism Website