Overview
Even before you leave the airport and drive towards Larnaca itself, you can’t help but notice the vast amount of development underway in this, the most up and coming region of the island. New golf courses are either approved or in the planning process and a new marina is being constructed which will be large enough to house large ocean liners, as well as the luxury yachts that will moor there. It’s goodbye to the oil containers and hello to a wider range of modern shops and even better dining facilities.
Some people have been quick to react to the opportunities this brings. Many have snapped up relatively low priced properties in the newer suburbs and surrounding villages on the premise that increased tourism will impact on their value in a positive manner. And we think they’ve made a very wise choice. If you can look beyond the cranes and think five years into the future, you will see a very different picture. One that’s very rosy indeed.
That said, reminders of Larnaca’s intriguing past are everywhere. The splendid church of St Lazarus with its elaborate bell tower is the focal point of the old town. Whereas close to the airport, on the palm-fringed shores of the huge salt lake, is the Hala Sultan Tekke, a mosque famous throughout the Muslim world because Umm Haram, an aunt of the Prophet Mohammed, is believed to have died there having fallen from a donkey.
Northwards, perched high on the peak of a mountain overlooking Larnaca and the surrounding area is the Stavrovouni Monastery, founded in 327AD by St Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great. Not far from that is the island’s oldest archaeological site, the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia.
In the region around Larnaca, you’ll also find a great many more traditional Cypriot towns and villages, perfect for lapping up the unique charm of this lovely island. Pyla, although subject to much development, is still a very picturesque Cypriot village set against the backdrop of rolling hills. Here, the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities live side by side, enabling you to enjoy two different but complementary cultures.
Oroklini is a quiet, peaceful village of winding streets, where old Cypriot ladies dressed in black calmly watch the world go by. It has a beach, a mountainous backdrop, plenty of tavernas, bars and restaurants, all with a relaxed atmosphere. Oroklini offers a good choice of properties scattered all around.
Similarly, Tersefanou offers enormous potential for anyone buying a home there now. It is an area with a bright rental future for a different type of client, as a brand new 18-hole golf course will be built there during the next five years. There will also be another new golf course up and running within the next two years, which is planned to have its own five star hotel, spa solarium, sauna and clubhouse.
Pervolia and Kiti are two small villages close to Tersefanou and increasing in popularity. They are both exceptionally clean and tidy and are marked by the pride the residents take in their environment. Indeed, Kiti has been voted ‘Best turned out village’ several times, and is very pretty too.
And then there’s Mazotos, a small village with a couple of tavernas and a small shop. It is perfect for anyone looking to live in a quiet residential area, in a rural setting. Remarkably, it also has a camel park!
Working with the very best developers in this area, we are able to secure some fantastic deals for you, either off-plan or as part of your viewing trip. Call us today for more information.
Getting There
Southern Cyprus has two main international airports, Larnaca and Paphos, served by approximately 30 major airlines with many flights from Europe and other destinations throughout the week. Both airports are undergoing major development work – the new Paphos terminal building will be complete around November 2008 and Larnaca ready in November 2009.
Budget airlines are now beginning to come in – Monarch, Excel and Easyjet, with Ryan Air still in discussion. The result being that the other scheduled carriers have had to reduce their prices to remain competitive. Low cost carriers are also coming in from Vienna bringing Austrians and Germans to the island, so Cyprus is no longer so dependent on the UK economy.
What’s more, the island is covered by a network of modern and newly built roads, so getting about is relatively quick and easy. And road signs are in English, so you shouldn’t get lost; at least not for long!
