Larnaca Port, Marina and Finikoudes Seafront
A recognized sea point of entry and the main Kataklysmos festival
The story
Finikoudes is the main seafront of Larnaca: a town beach and a palm-lined promenade along Athinon Avenue. At its northern end is the yacht marina, and beyond it the port. The new port was completed in 1973; it was meant to support the port of Famagusta. Since 1974 Famagusta has been in the part of the island not controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, and the Republic declared its port closed. Today Larnaca is the country’s second largest port, and it has been chosen to become the main port for cruise and passenger ships. During the days of Pentecost, or Whitsun, the seafront hosts the island’s biggest festival, Kataklysmos, which means “flood” in Greek. There are stalls, music, water contests and improvised poetry duels called chattista.
Larnaca is a recognized sea point of entry into the Republic of Cyprus, together with Limassol, Paphos and Latsi. The island’s biggest festival, Kataklysmos, at Pentecost, takes place in Larnaca, on the Finikoudes seafront.
Visiting
The seafront and beach are always open. The Kataklysmos festival lasts about a week around Pentecost, seven weeks after Orthodox Easter. The port is a working area, so it is best seen from the seafront and from the marina.
Photos
Sources
- Cyprus Ports Authority — Larnaka Port (history, role, marina)
- Cyprus Ports Authority — Famagusta Port (closed by Administrative Act 265/1974)
- Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com) — Entry Requirements: recognised ports of entry
- Larnaka Tourism Board — Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood)
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