Larnaca Salt Lake
Larnaca Salt Lake is one of the most recognisable landscapes in Cyprus: a shallow, 2.2 square kilometre lake just west of Larnaca airport that turns into a shimmering salt flat in summer and a wetland full of birds in winter. It is a protected Natura 2000 site and one of the island’s most important stopovers for migratory birds.
Flamingos at Larnaca Salt Lake
The flamingos are the main draw. Greater flamingos arrive from late November, once the autumn rain has filled the lake, and stay until around March. In a good year several thousand gather here, feeding on the brine shrimp that give the water its pinkish tint. The best time to see them is early morning or late afternoon, when the light is low and the birds come closer to the shore. Bring binoculars; the lake is wide and the flocks often sit in the middle. Flamingo numbers vary from year to year with rainfall, so check the latest reports below before you go.
Hala Sultan Tekke
On the western shore stands Hala Sultan Tekke, one of the most important Islamic sites in Cyprus. The site consists of a mosque and shrine built around the tomb of Umm Haram, a relative of the Prophet Muhammad. Set among palms and cypress trees at the water’s edge, it is one of the most important Islamic sites in Cyprus and open to visitors of all faiths. Entry is free, modest dress is expected, and the view across the lake towards the aqueduct and the town is worth the stop on its own.
The Larnaca Salt Lake trail
A flat, well-marked nature trail of about 4 kilometres follows the shore from the Kamares aqueduct to Hala Sultan Tekke, with information boards and bird hides along the way. It takes around an hour at an easy pace and is suitable for children and prams. Avoid midday in summer: there is almost no shade.
How to get there
The lake is five minutes by car from Larnaca airport and ten from the town centre. Free parking is available at Hala Sultan Tekke and near the aqueduct. Bus 425 from Larnaca stops close to the mosque.
