Larnaca Salt Lake, Larnaca

Larnaca Salt Lake is not a single body of water, but a network of four interconnected salt pans-Aliki, Orphani, Soros, and Spiro-covering approximately 2.2 square kilometers and ranking as Cyprus’s second-largest salt lake after Limassol. A protected wetland since 1997, it’s part of the Ramsar and Natura 2000 frameworks, marking it as one of Europe’s most ecologically significant waterfowl habitats.

In winter, the lake fills with water and becomes a magnet for migratory birds. Between November and March, flocks of flamingos-sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands-arrive to feed on halophilic shrimp, painting the landscape in mesmerizing hues of pink. Altogether, around 85 species of water and shorebirds have been recorded here, including cranes, herons, terns, and various ducks.

On foot, a 4-kilometer nature trail arcs around the lake and leads to the historic Kamares aqueduct, offering benches, interpretive panels, and sweeping views set against olive scrub and distant hills. Nearby rises the Hala Sultan Tekke, an Ottoman-era mosque and mausoleum revered in Islam, which sits at the water’s edge and weaves natural beauty with cultural resonance.

In summer, the lake dries out to reveal brilliant white salt flats, which were once harvested until 1986, when extraction ceased due to cost. The result is a striking, minimal landscape under a vast Mediterranean sky, ideal for photographers and those drawn to contemplative, elemental scenery.

Visitors today find the Larnaca Salt Lake a layered experience offering seasonal shifts-flamingo spectacles, serene walks, cultural heritage, and stark summer beauty-an intimate reflection of the island’s wild yet storied character.