Larnaca has an enviable coastline, and Mackenzie is the piece of it most people end up on. It sits close to the Salt Lake, with ample parking, lively beach bars, good restaurants and a view of aircraft coming in to land at Larnaca International. It works as a family day out and as somewhere to do very little.
Beside the Salt Lake
The beach lies along the southern coast a short distance from the Salt Lake, so coastal and wetland habitats sit side by side — which means a good deal of birdlife within walking distance, particularly during the migration season.
Eating and sitting
The beachfront is a genuine hub rather than a kiosk: drinks, snacks and full meals, with a strong showing of fresh Mediterranean seafood and grilled meat, from seafood pasta and platters to traditional Cypriot dishes. Sunbeds and umbrellas rent from around €2.50 each, which makes a full day here inexpensive.
Parking is the other quiet advantage: the area is large enough that you are unlikely to circle for a space, which is not true of every beach on this coast.
More around Larnaca
Foinikoudes Promenade
Town beach with palms down its spine — cafés on one side, the Mediterranean on the other.
Piale Pasha Promenade
Larnaca's first seafront street, running on from Foinikoudes past the fish tavernas — quieter than the palm promenade, and better at sunset.
Larnaca Salt Lake
Four connected lakes covering 2.2 km² beside the airport road — dry and white in summer, and full of flamingos from November.
Larnaca Castle
The fort at the far end of Foinikoudes — climb it for the length of the promenade.