Mackenzie Beach

Mackenzie Beach runs along the coast just south of central Larnaca, near the airport and the site of the old airfield. It is a roughly one-kilometre strip of fine brown and beige sand with calm, clear, shallow water, and it holds Blue Flag status. Its best-known quirk is the aircraft: Larnaca International Airport is right beside it, so planes pass low overhead as they come in to land, which plane-spotters and photographers come specifically to see.

Mackenzie has a livelier, more social feel than the central seafront. The strip behind the sand is packed with beach bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs, some of which stay busy into the evening and count among the area's better-known nightspots. The beach itself has sunbeds, umbrellas and watersports in season, and the calm, shallow water still works for a daytime swim. Lifeguards are on duty through the main season. It is popular with a younger crowd, so it picks up in the afternoon and evening, while mornings stay quieter.

What to expect

• Blue Flag beach with calm, shallow water and fine sand.
• Bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs along the strip behind the sand.
• Sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and watersports in season.
• Planes pass low overhead on approach to Larnaca airport.

Mackenzie is an easy walk or short drive from the central Finikoudes Beach along the seafront. The rest of Larnaca's sights are close: the Church of Saint Lazarus in the old town and the Larnaca Salt Lake, which draws flamingos in winter, are both nearby.