Finikoudes Beach in Cyprus

This is the most famous beach in Larnaca, which competes in popularity even with the famous party Mackenzie!

• Main beach of Larnaca
• Beach name
• Beach season
• Infrastructure
• Finikoudes for children
• Interesting places nearby
• Tourist reviews
• How to get to the beach
• Frequently asked questions

Main Beach of Larnaca

Finikoudes is the main beach of Larnaca. It is located in the center of the resort, between the Old and New Harbors. It is a fairly compact beach: the length of the recreational area is 500 meters, and the width of the sandy strip varies from 30 to 100 meters.

At first glance, the beach may not seem very picturesque. The sand has a clay-like texture and a grayish color due to its volcanic origin, and it is coarse-grained. However, the water is very clean, and the entry into the sea is gradual, with a sandy bottom and no stones. The beach is ideal for family vacations with children, although some adults may find the shallow waters a bit boring (sometimes you need to walk 25-30 meters to reach a good depth).

Beach Name

The name of the beach comes from the boulevard of the same name. In 1922, a row of date palms was planted along the Larnaca promenade. This promenade was named "Finikoudes," which means "little palms." Although the palms quickly grew into tall trees, the name remained both for the promenade and for the beach.

Finikoudes Beach Season

The beach season at Finikoudes starts earlier than at other beaches in Larnaca. Due to the large expanse of shallow water, the sea here warms up much faster. The first swimmers dare to enter the water as early as mid-March, although the water becomes truly pleasant for swimming at the beginning of May. The season lasts until October.

Finikoudes Beach Infrastructure

Finikoudes and its surroundings are the most developed area of the Larnaca resort. For the cleanliness of the water and the beach, it is awarded the Blue Flag every year. Access to the beach is free.

The beach is well-equipped: toilets, showers with fresh water (50 euro-cents per minute of use), and foot rinsing stations (free of charge).

There are lifeguard towers, and from June to October, lifeguards with rescue equipment and first aid services are on duty at the beach from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

The beach offers convenient access for disabled individuals, ramps, and a special wheelchair at the lifeguard tower so that people with limited mobility can enter the sea with the help of lifeguards.

The set of a sunbed and umbrella costs 5 euros. Rentals are available from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The beach also offers equipment rental and water activities such as banana boat rides, donut rides, jet skis, and pedal boats. There are also several children's play areas and opportunities to play volleyball or football.

Along the beach, there are numerous cafes, tavernas serving traditional Cypriot and Greek cuisine, restaurants, and kiosks with snacks and ice cream. For a quick and inexpensive snack, there are international fast food chains like McDonald's and KFC across the road from the promenade.

In the summer evenings, foam parties and pirate-themed events are organized. Bars and clubs along the promenade are open 7 days a week.

Finikoudes Beach for Children

Finikoudes is one of the best places for family vacations in Larnaca. Swimming at this beach is safe for children, as the water remains shallow for a great distance. There is also a small amusement park with arcade games, ensuring that children will never get bored.

In addition, there are several small play areas, and popular fast food places loved by children (McDonald's and KFC) nearby, which will help refuel for more fun activities.

Interesting Places Near Finikoudes Beach

The eponymous promenade starts from Europe Square, separating the beach from the busy traffic and lined with incredibly photogenic date palms, reminiscent of the most luxurious European resorts. Looking at photos of Finikoudes, some tourists compare it to the French Riviera.

Along the promenade, there are several attractions: Larnaca Castle, St. Lazarus Church, the municipal gallery, sculptures of prominent Greek figures, and the statue of the Venetian lion, symbolizing the twinning with Venice. Moreover, Finikoudes promenade is the center of the city's nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs, and pubs that operate until dawn.

Tourist Opinions

In their reviews, tourists positively evaluate the beach's infrastructure and its surroundings. They agree that it is one of the best places in Larnaca for a family vacation. However, some visitors find the showers too expensive—one minute is not enough. The sand does not leave much of an impression: many believe that Finikoudes is far from the beauty of the white sandy beaches of Ayia Napa. Some adults are also concerned about the slow entry into the sea: in some places, you need to walk almost 100 meters to reach the depth.

How to Get to Finikoudes Beach in Larnaca

For tourists arriving by car, there are several large parking lots nearby. On the northern part of the beach, there is the Larnaca Marina, which can be reached from other coastal cities in Cyprus.

Most hotels in central Larnaca are within walking distance. From more distant areas and other tourist towns, you can reach the beach by bus: the bus stop is right next to the promenade. The Larnaca tourist bus also stops in the center of Finikoudes as part of its circular tour of the resort.

A taxi ride in Larnaca to the beach costs around 10 euros. Taxi mobile apps do not always work at the resort, but finding a taxi in the tourist area is quick and easy.

You can rent a car, with the option to do so directly at Larnaca Airport. In this article, we explain how exactly. Or you can visit the websites Localrent or Discover Cars to rent a car there, with options from 10-12 euros per day and delivery to the airport.

• The location of the beach on the map can be found below the text.

Frequently Asked Questions about Finikoudes Beach

Is there a shop near the beach?

Parallel to the beach is the city's main shopping center. Also, several small shops are within walking distance of the beach.

Are there toilets on the beach?

Yes, Finikoudes beach has toilets, as well as showers, changing rooms, sunbeds, umbrellas, and benches. Additional services are available for an extra fee.

Where do boat trips depart from near Finikoudes?

Boat trips in Larnaca, including fishing, mini-cruises, and diving, are available from the Larnaca Marina pier, located at the beginning of the Finikoudes promenade.

How much is the entrance fee to the beach?

Entrance to the beach is free, as this area is considered municipal. However, additional services like sunbeds or umbrellas are available for a fee.

Where is the vibrant nightlife on the beach?

There are parties in the season here, of course, at the bars and around. But if you need to crank up the volume, it's better to head to another beach in Larnaca—Mackenzie. Here is our guide to the beach.

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