Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The area was a favoured destination for wealthy settlers and travellers, and it was
poised to become a fully fledged city. Although it didn't quite make it, the village is still
in a beautiful setting, surrounded by a steep valley of pines and wild carob trees. Its nar-
row cobbled streets and traditional houses charmingly show an obvious Venetian influen-
ce.
In 1481 Leonardo da Vinci is said to have visited Lefkara and obtained a fine piece of
lace for the altar of Milan's cathedral. Lace and silver lovers the world over still come just
for these crafts and are not disappointed. Shop owners sit outside in the streets, weaving
lace and calling you to come and watch their work or look inside their stores with 'no ob-
ligation'. They can be overzealous but are genuinely pleasant about it. The lace is of ex-
ceptional quality, but it can be very pricy, so it's best to pick your favourite from the hun-
dreds on offer and bargain about the cost. You will find the best quality and variety in the
village itself. Keep in mind that the finest pieces are always found inside the stores and
not displayed outside.
After souvenir shopping, it's fun to buy a bag of local, in-season fruit, walk around and
check out the wonderful array of traditional doors, doorways and hidden courtyards.
Follow the signs through the backstreets to find the
Lefkara Folk Art Museum
(admis-
sion €2;
h
9.30am-4pm Mon-Thu, 10am-4pm Fri & Sat)
. Formerly the home of one of Lefkara's wealth-
iest families, this restored building is set around a large courtyard complete with outdoor
oven and pomegranate and citrus trees. The ground floor has information boards on Le-
fkara's history and a typical 19th-century dining area. Upstairs there are examples of ori-
ginal lace and silverwork as well as traditionally styled bedrooms, complete with antique
dressers, mirrors and beds.
In nearby Skarinou is the weird and wonderful
Fatsa Wax Museum
(Georgiou Papandreou;
adult/child €5/3.50;
h
9am-5.30pm Oct-Mar, to 6.30pm Apr-Sep)
, inspired by Madame Tussauds. It
houses over 120 waxworks that show Cypriot historical ages, events and culture, and
prominent citizens such as presidents, war heroes and religious leaders. There's a cafe-res-
taurant for snacks.
The best lunch in town is at the
Lefkara Hotel & Restaurant
(
www.lefkarahotels.com
;
42
Timiou Stavrou Pano, Lefkara; mains €12;
h
11.30am-3pm & 6.30pm-11pm)
, whose ancient walls encircle
the diminutive church of
St Mamas
(c 974). Sit at a low-lit table and enjoy fresh organic
vegetables grown on-site, blended with delights like soft smoked pork fillet stuffed with
haloumi and served with sun-dried tomatoes and warm
bourgouri
.
You can get to Lefkara from the Nicosia-Lemesos motorway (A1) or by the scenic road
from Choirokoitia via Vavla. A daily bus (one way €1, Monday to Saturday) runs between
Lefkara and Larnaka, leaving Lefkara at 7am and returning at 1pm from Larnaka (Zinonas
bus station opposite Larnaka marina).
