LARNACA OR LIMASSOL: WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
You’ve decided that your next vacation will be in the stunning island of Cyprus. Great choice! However due to Cyprus large size of the island it is important to choose the right city to base yourself in as they have different strengths and weaknesses. In this article we compare two very different cities and ask Larnaca or Limsassol, which is better?
Where is Larnaca?
Larnaca is located on the south eastern end of Cyprus. There is a major international airport here so if you are looking for a easy fly in and flop then this is an easy option. The airport is a short distance from center around 15 minute taxi journey.
We’ve written a more detailed guide on Larnaca here.
Where is Limassol
Limassol city is located in the middle of the island of Cyprus along the south coast in between Larnaca and Paphos. It doesn’t have an international airport (as of writing in 2024) so you’ll will have to fly to either Pathos or Larnaca and then bus or taxi it.
Larnaca vs. Limassol – Dining Out
Larnaca has a more easy going atmosphere compared to Limassol. The restaurants and bars didn’t get particularly busy, and while there were more fancy bars and restaurants dotted around, you have to search quite hard to find them.
There are also an abundance of quite tacky restaurants, with some chains, such as Starbucks, Cafe Nero and even Pizza Hut!
However, we did find one or two places that we liked, in particular the more traditional tavernas the city had to offer. Our favourite Militizis, incredible meat dishes and a cracking sea view to boot.
Militizis Taverna
In contrast Limassol seemed like it was bursting with high end trendy bars and restaurants. We would even compare parts of Limassol with trendy Tel Aviv. We loved Tria Poulakia Bar as it had a tonne of delicious Cypriot wines a great outdoor space that flowed out on the small street. Can be found on Google Maps below.
Tria Poulakia Bar
However we think found an absolute gem for an authentic alfresco dining experience. Pepe’s Corner (Η Γωνιά του Πεπέ) located around 15 minutes walk from the Limassol Marina was a delight with authentic grilled meats and wonderful service.
The restaurant was located on a large pedestrianized square away from traffic so incredibly peaceful.
It was so good we went back multiple times. The sign of the restaurant is in Greek so it can be hard to find but we’ve listed it below. Price is very reasonable, expect to pay around 40-50 euros for dinner with drinks for two.
Pepe’s Corner (Η Γωνιά του Πεπέ)
You can find more detailed recommendations for eating out in Limassol in our blog post here.
Larnaca vs Limassol: which is better for dining out?
Verdict: In summary the dining experiences in Larnaca are perfectly adequate but if you are a foodie or are looking for an upmarket night scene then Limassol is your best bet.
Larnaca vs. Limassol which has better beaches?
Larnaca city beach was disappointing in all honesty. We had hoped that it would be better. The sand was a muddy colour and while the water was clean there was nothing to write home about here.
Limassol city beach, a narrow but long beach, has a number of cute cafes serving cold drinks and sandwiches. There is also reasonably priced sunbeds and umbrellas. They only cost 7.5 euros for the set, a steal in 2024 we think. The water in Limassol was beautiful, it was great to have a city beach so clean and conveniently located.
If you are looking for a larger beach with crystal clear waters then consider Kourion beach around 40 minutes drive from Limossal. We wrote an article all about it here.
Larnaca vs Limassol: which has better beaches?
Verdict: Limassol’s city beach is far superior to Larnaca and there are plenty of smaller coves nearby to Limassol. Limassol wins!
Activities and Day Trips – Limassol vs Larnaca
One of the star attractions in Cyprus are the Troodos mountains towards the centre of the island. We booked a tour that included sightseeing on the villages, waterfall visit and finishing off with wine tour at an authentic Cypriot winery.
We’ve been to so many wineries on our travels but this place felt special due to the location in the mountains and the kindness and knowledge of the staff. Check for availability here.
From Limassol, it is easy to visit the Troodos Mountains and the various wineries in the Limassol villages, like Platres village. You can also reach Aphrodite’s Birth Place, Paphos and Kourion Archeological Park easily from Limassol.
From Larnaca, there are less tours available. With the location of Larnaca, it is easy to visit Ayia Napa, the Capo Greco National Park and some wineries too.
Larnaca vs Limassol: which is better for day trips?
Verdict: If you want to visit historical sights, mountain villages and to get out and explore – Limassol is ideal. The bus network is well connected and there are plenty of tours. Limassol has a much better location for day trips.
Larnanca is better suited to visiting the beaches of Ayia Napa and the Capa Greco Peninsula, but not the rest of the island. Limassol wins in our opinion.
Larnaca or Limassol – which is better for families?
Larnaca is a small town, easy to get around with children or buggies. As there are not that many restaurants, it’s not overwhelming to pick where to eat in the evening. Accommodation is less expensive in Larnaca than elsewhere on the island (in our experience), and the town is quite quiet.
That said, there isn’t that much to do in Larnaca. There are quite limited activities for families. But, if you want a very relaxed beach holiday – Larnaca may suit you. Another option nearby would be Protaras, which is around 45 minutes from Larnaca airport and a very popular/ push chair friendly family resort.
Families who want to take lots of day trips, may prefer Limassol to Larnaca. The beaches are more pleasant too. That said, Limassol is a city and it can be noisy. So pick your accommodation carefully to avoid the noisy traffic and nightlife.
As a couple, we very much favoured Limassol over Larnaca, but I can imagine that the busy old town may be a bit more challenging to navigate with a pushchair or a child. Another option is Paphos, which is very family friendly and offers accommodation that may suit a family better – apartments with pools and gardens.
In summary
In summary which is better Larnaca or Limassol, consider what you are looking for. If a super laid back holiday within easy reach of the main airport then consider Larnaca.
Limassol has more going on in terms of bars, restaurants and activities but this does come with noise. We had an apartment near the center and it could be quote noisy some nights.
For couples, we would recommend Limassol rather than Larnaca. But families may prefer the quiet of Larnaca.
You can find our full guide to Larnaca here. And our guide to Limassol here.
If you’re not convinced about either destination – why not consider Paphos or Ayia Napa?
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