Khirokitia Archaeological Site

Address: Khirokitia, Larnaca District, Cyprus

Website: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/848

Hours: Site typically open during daylight hours; the archaeological site is often accessible daily (confirm locally)

Admission: Admission: €3-€5 (typical museum/site fee, subject to local rates)

Khirokitia (Choirokoitia) is a Neolithic settlement site in Larnaca District of Cyprus notable for its circular houses and well-preserved settlement plan dating to the 7th millennium BCE. Archaeological remains include house foundations and defensive works that illustrate early sedentary community organization.

Excavations revealed compact clusters of circular stone-built dwellings and associated material culture that represent one of the best-preserved prehistoric village plans in the eastern Mediterranean. The site provides direct evidence of Neolithic village life and construction techniques.

The site was occupied in the Neolithic period and is valued for its contribution to understanding early farming communities on the island; excavations during the 20th century documented the settlement layout and artifacts now conserved and displayed in local museums.

Khirokitia lies inland in Larnaca District near the modern village of Choirokoitia, positioned on a gently sloping ridge in a rural agricultural landscape.

• UNESCO listing: Site inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 for its well-preserved early Neolithic settlement remains.

Khirokitia is located in the Larnaca District and is roughly 25-30 minutes by car from Larnaca city. Visitors typically arrive by private car or tour; local buses may reach nearby towns but private transport gives more reliable access.

• Visit early in the day to avoid tour buses and to see the site in softer light.
• Bring a guidebook or hire a licensed guide to appreciate the Neolithic settlement layout and defensive structures.
• Combine the visit with nearby sites in Larnaca District for a fuller prehistoric itinerary.