Discover Larnaka in 2025—where accessibility meets heritage! Explore Braille menus, tactile museums, and the Ablebook app. Wander honey villages, virtual tours, and festive Christmas markets. Dive into history, culture, and inclusive travel in Cyprus’ hidden gem.
Boosting accessibility for visitors to Larnaka in 2025
Several pioneering initiatives to boost accessibility in the region were launched last year, including a first for Cyprus with the tourism board collaborating with the charity ‘ena emeis’ and St. Barnabas School for the Blind to introduce Braille menus with QR codes for blind and visually impaired individuals.
The menus were rolled out in November at the Golden Bay Beach Hotel, Sandy Beach Hotel & Spa, Lordos Beach Hotel and Spa, Radisson Blu Hotel, Larnaca, Robinson Cyprus, Sun Hall Hotel and E-Hotel Spa & Resort.
Additionally, the Pierides Museum now features a tactile station, allowing sensory exploration of Larnaka’s history. This follows the museum’s award-winning ‘Guided Sensory Tour for the Blind’. Videos at ‘The Craft of Caning Museum, Livadia’ that showcase the basketry tradition have also been adapted to include large caption subtitles and sign language for people with visual and auditory disabilities, as well as a museum booklet in Braille.
Visitors can take advantage of the ground breaking Ablebook app, which can be downloaded to find out which establishments and attractions are suitable for people with disabilities, along with useful information and special offers. The app can be found on the App Store and Google Play.
See authentic attractions in Larnaka’s Rural Villages
Larnaka Tourism Board continues to enhance the unique charms of its rural villages, building on 2024’s successes such as the second honeybee-themed nature trail in Vavla, artistic Athienou bus stops inspired by UNESCO-listed lace, and an illuminated swing chair in Choirokoitia. Mosaic planters in Kato Lefkara, Agios Theodoros, and Choirokoitia celebrate local heritage, while a traditional village farm in Agios Theodoros will open in early 2025. Visitors can also discover local Myths and Legends via QR codes at landmarks across the region. Click here for more info.
Explore ‘Virtual Larnaka’ to inspire a visit in 2025
The latest virtual and 3D projects take people on a journey through mountainous honey villages… and back in time to discover the region’s rich, religious history. Highlights include:
Larnaka Honey Villages – The cluster of beekeeping and honey producing villages collectively branded as ‘Rural Larnaka Honey Villages’ can be toured virtually, from themed nature trails and parks, to beekeeping experiences, crafts and exhibits. People can immerse themselves in the villages at home, or use the platform as a virtual tour guide when exploring them first-hand.
Agia Eleni and the Holy Cross in Cyprus – The history of Agia Eleni (Saint Helena); mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, and her arrival on the island is now captured with a virtual tour of the areas in Larnaka that the Royal Mother visited, and the churches that were founded with the piece of the Holy Cross that she left at each site. As well as interesting facts about her journey, people can virtually explore the churches of the area, including their interiors and artefacts.
Virtual Reconstruction of Agios Athanasios Church – The church of Agios (Saint) Athanasios Pentaschoinitis in Agios Theodoros has been brought to life. Agios Athanasios was a 7th century saint whose burial place became a sacred place. A church was built on the site in the 8th century, and the video shows the evolution of the basilica ruins, the Saint’s crypt, and the renovated upper structure that was completed this year. It is the fourth virtual reconstruction following the Ancient Port of Kition, Kalavasos-Tenta Archaeological Site and the Church of the Holy Cross, Tochni.
Larnaka’s Christmas Villages 2025
Now in their third year, the Christmas markets took place in eight villages across the region until 6 January 2025 and were hugely successful, drawing in locals and tourists alike. Although there’s another 11 months until the festive season 2025, for those who love a Christmas market its worth pencilling in now. See what to expect here. The online event calendar is continually updated; so check the dates here for all events taking place this year including the Xmas markets.
For more information, read the winter newsletter in full, click here.
For tourist information from the Larnaka Tourism Board, visit www.larnakaregion.com
On the road 