Larnaca’s Hotels stretches along Cyprus’s southern shoreline with palm trees, long walks by the sea, and beaches that stay welcoming for most of the year. Cafés sit right on the sand, planes glide low near the water, and the sea is calm enough that families, casual swimmers, and confident lap swimmers all feel at home.
Each beach has its own personality: some urban and social, some resort-style, others quieter and more local. This guide focuses on what matters most once you actually step on the sand—water conditions, facilities, and the best times to swim.
Finikoudes Beach
Finikoudes is Larnaca’s signature beach: a palm-lined promenade, soft grey-gold sand, and shallow water that lets you walk out a long way before needing to swim.
Swimming Conditions
The seabed is sandy with a gentle slope, ideal for children and anyone who prefers standing waist-deep for most of their swim. Waves are usually small, with calm conditions on typical summer days. Water clarity is good enough for relaxed swimming and basic snorkelling close to the buoys.
Facilities and Best Time To Visit
Finikoudes is built for convenience: organised sunbeds and umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, lifeguards in season, and cafés and restaurants running the length of the promenade.
- Best times:
- Morning (7:00–9:30): Cool, quiet, mostly locals.
- Late afternoon (after 17:00): Softer light, warm sea, livelier promenade.
Midday in summer can be busy and hot, but everything you need is within a short walk.
Mackenzie Beach
A little south of the centre and close to the airport runway, Mackenzie is a long strip of sand with very shallow water and a livelier atmosphere in parts.
Why Swimmers Love Mackenzie
The entry is sandy and gentle, with a wide, shallow shelf that stays ankle- to knee-deep for many metres. It’s perfect for children, cautious swimmers, and anyone who likes to wade or swim parallel to the shore. Watching planes land low over the sea adds a unique backdrop to your swim.
Morning often brings the calmest water, with people walking, jogging, and taking quick dips before the day gets hotter.
Facilities
Mackenzie offers:
- Sunbeds and umbrellas along most of the beach
- Showers and basic changing facilities
- Beachfront tavernas, cafés, and cocktail bars
- Occasional events and beach sports in high season
Some sections stay quiet, while areas near popular venues take on a beach-club feel with music and a younger crowd.
Golden Bay Area (Larnaca Bay / Dhekelia Road)
Further east along Larnaca Bay, the coast opens into a long run of sandy beach lined with hotels and gardens. Here you’ll find the Golden Bay Beach Hotel – a five-star seafront resort with lawns, pools, and direct access to a wide, organised beach. Learn more at: https://goldenbay.com.cy
Landscape and Water
The beach in front of Golden Bay is wide and sandy, with a gradual slope into calm, warm water. The sea is usually gentle, with plenty of space for relaxed swimming and short snorkelling sessions near the edges of the swimming zones.
Swimming Tips and Facilities
- Mornings bring the clearest water and the quietest sand.
- Swimming parallel to the shore gives you easy, scenic laps with simple exit points.
- Light afternoon breezes may add small waves but the shallows remain comfortable.
Around Golden Bay you’ll typically find:
- Resort-level sunbeds and umbrellas
- Beach bars and hotel restaurants
- Showers and toilets at organised areas
- Water sports operators in high season
Public access paths along Dhekelia Road make this beach usable whether or not you’re staying at a hotel.
Other Great Swimming Spots Around Larnaca
CTO Beach (Pyla / Dhekelia)
North of Golden Bay, CTO Beach (often called Pyla Beach) is a family favourite with soft sand, organised facilities, and usually calm water. It feels less urban than Finikoudes and more relaxed than the liveliest parts of Mackenzie, especially on weekdays.
Faros Beach (Pervolia)
Faros Beach sits south of Larnaca near the Cape Kiti lighthouse. It’s a quieter, scenic stretch with fine sand, shallow water, and fewer big buildings. Sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and a small playground make it a comfortable spot for relaxed family days and long, gentle swims.
Meneou / Spyros Area
Near the airport, Meneou and the Spyros area offer a more local, low-key shoreline with mixed but mostly sandy seabed and shallow water. Facilities are limited, but the beaches are peaceful, and dedicated dog-friendly sections mean you’ll often see people swimming with their pets. Bring your own water and shade if you plan to stay long.
Comparing The Major Beaches
| Beach | Sand Quality | Water Clarity | Crowd Level | Facilities | Swimming Style |
| Finikoudes | Fine, grey-gold | Very good | High (city centre) | Extensive | Relaxed, family swims |
| Mackenzie | Soft, sandy | Very good | Moderate–high | Extensive | Long shallow wades, casual laps |
| Golden Bay Area | Soft, groomed sand | Very good | Moderate | Resort-level | Long, relaxed sea swims |
| CTO Beach | Soft, organised | Very good | Moderate | Good | Easy, family-friendly swimming |
| Faros Beach | Fine beige sand | Very good | Low–moderate | Moderate | Peaceful, scenic swims |
| Meneou / Spyros | Mixed, mostly sandy | Good | Low | Limited | Quiet, simple shore swims |
When To Swim In Larnaca
Sea temperatures around Larnaca make it swimmable for much of the year:
| Month | Sea Temperature | Comfort Level |
| April | 18–20°C | Cool but refreshing |
| May | 20–22°C | Comfortable |
| June | 22–24°C | Very comfortable |
| July | 24–26°C | Warm |
| August | 26–27°C | Bath-like |
| September | ~25°C | Ideal |
| October | ~23°C | Excellent |
| November | ~20°C | Pleasant for many |
For the best combination of light and clarity, aim for morning swims between 7:00 and 10:00. Afternoon breezes can add some surface movement, especially on more open stretches.
Accommodation And Beach Access
Staying near Finikoudes or Mackenzie keeps you close to cafés, shops, and the marina, making quick swims before breakfast or dinner easy. City hotels and apartments also give you nightlife, restaurants, and bus connections within walking distance.
If you prefer a resort setup with pools, gardens, and immediate beach access, the Golden Bay Beach Hotel along Larnaca Bay is a strong option. From there you can step straight onto the sand, enjoy on-site facilities, and still reach Larnaca’s centre in a short drive or taxi ride.
Basing yourself along the Dhekelia Road strip places you between the city and quieter beaches like CTO, while staying near Pervolia or Faros Beach offers calmer evenings and a village feel.
Final Thoughts
Larnaca blends easygoing city life with accessible, low-stress beaches. You can stroll out of a café onto Finikoudes, swim in the shallow waters of Mackenzie under the flight path, or spend slow days on the resort sands around Golden Bay.
For swimmers, the appeal is simple: calm seas, a long warm season, and beaches close enough together that you can try a different stretch of shoreline every day, without ever being far from your hotel or apartment.
