Skala is the old neighbourhood clustered around the castle and St. Lazarus Church, at the southern end of the seafront promenade. It is the most atmospheric part of Larnaca: lanes of two-storey houses with wooden balconies, small restaurants on the waterfront, the mosque's minaret visible above the roofline, and the castle wall running down to the sea. Much of the Ottoman-era street pattern survives, giving the district a texture that the newer parts of the city lack.
The promenade — Finikoudes, named for its palm trees — runs north from here along the seafront. It is the main evening walk in Larnaca, lined with cafes, and the palms and sea views are pleasant enough. Skala is where most of the older restaurants and cafes are concentrated, and it is the right base for exploring the city's sights on foot.