Larnaca Salt Lake

Larnaca Salt Lake is really three interconnected lakes with a fourth beside them. The largest is Aliki, interlocked with Orphani and Soros, with Spiro alongside; together they make the second largest salt lake on the island, with a total surface area of 2.2 km².

It lies along the main road to and from Larnaca international airport, visible on both sides, and is regarded as one of the most significant wetlands in Cyprus. It has been declared a Ramsar site, a Natura 2000 site, a Special Protected Area under the Barcelona Convention and an Important Bird Area.

The birds

The lake is ringed by trees and scrub with a hiking trail through it, a bird lookout point, and the mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke on its bank. Its importance is as a migratory stop: flamingos spend the winter here, feeding on the brine shrimp in the water. Kentish plover, black-winged stilt and black-headed gull are among the others that flock in, and bird watchers and photographers come through the season.

Where the salt comes from

It is commonly assumed the salt comes from the sea. It does not — it comes from a salt reservoir in the ground here. In winter the rain fills the lake; through the summer the water evaporates and leaves a crust of salt across the surface.

Harvesting that salt was once one of the island’s major exports. Donkeys carried it to the edge of the lake, where it was tipped into pyramid-shaped piles. The harvest ended in 1986, when importing salt became cheaper than exporting it.

Walk the trail, sit on the benches with a book, or watch the birds; people cycle, ride, hike and picnic here through the year. Whatever you come for, come late in the day.