Ayia Napa resort in Cyprus: what to expect from the island's youth resort

Why go to Ayia Napa? For bright parties, youth parties and the most beautiful beaches not only in Cyprus, but also in the Mediterranean. Ayia Napa is the most popular resort on the island. This is Cypriot Ibiza with a huge selection of bars, clubs and discos.

It is here that the largest water park and the most popular beach in all of Cyprus, Nissi Beach, is located not only on the island, but also in Europe. This is where lovers go to take pictures on the Bridge of Love.

Ayia Napa means "sacred forest" in translation. The resort is located on the southeast coast of Cyprus, just 50 km from Larnaca Airport. It is famous for its white sandy beaches and emerald waters. The sea is of amazing color, and the sky plays with ultraviolet colors. The beaches of Ayia Napa have been awarded the Blue Flag. The entrance to the sea is ideal: wide, with white sand, unlike the rest of Cyprus. At what there are beaches both for parties and for family holidays.

The resort is distinguished by cozy quiet harbors, where the wind does not raise such waves as, for example, in Paphos. This is a great place to stay with kids.

A couple of decades ago, before beats and rhythms filled the resort with music, there was a quiet fishing village here. The whole area was covered with dense uninhabited forest. Ayia Napa became a tourist city only in the 80s of the last century. It was then that tourists learned about the amazing beaches of Cyprus. And guests from different parts of the world came to Ayia Napa to relax. Europeans were the pioneers.

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When to go to Ayia Napa

The climate in the resort is subtropical: winters are mild and rather warm, and summers are hot. From June to September, heat reigns in Ayia Napa. The air temperature during the day reaches +32°, and at night +27°. The sea warms up to +25°-27°.

Swimming is comfortable from April to October - there are many tourists at the resort. And in winter in Ayia Napa up to + 17° during the day, at night the temperature drops to + 10°.

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Ayia Napa beaches

Ayia Napa tourists go to the beach. Among them there are many who have been awarded the Blue Flag.

Nissi Beach

This is the most beautiful beach with fine white sand and a picturesque island, which is located near the coast. It connects to the beach with a thin strip of sand. Needless to say, this is a place of pilgrimage for local tourists who go to the island for colorful photographs. Nissi beach is located almost 3 km from the center of Ayia Napa. You can get there on foot or by public transport if you don't have a rented car.

How to get there: the beach is a little away from the noisy center with discos. It is very easy to get to the street of bars: the distance is about 4 km, you can walk or take buses No. 101 or 102, plying around the city.

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Bridge of Love

The bridge of love is the main Instagram attraction not only in Ayia Napa, but also in Cyprus. You could say it's the name of the island. Just look at these emerald shades of the sea! It is here that newlyweds and couples in love come for photo shoots. And tourists just want to decorate their social networks with photos with an amazing natural arch. And the most brave daredevils manage to go down and swim, swim under the arch of love.

How to get there: The bridge of love is located near the bay of Ayia Napa. It can be reached by bus number 101 and 102, stop "Marina".

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Makronisos Beach

Located 5 km from the city center. This is a beautiful beach with golden sand and emerald waves, with a gentle entrance, where you can enjoy relaxing with your children. It does not have such a rich infrastructure: there are not many bars and cafes, but there is a rental of beach equipment.

How to get there: bus number 101 or number 102.

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Ayia Thekla Beach

A picturesque place a few kilometers from the city center. Due to its location, the beach cannot be called crowded.

Creamy, uniform sand awaits vacationers on the beach. The entrance to the sea is gentle, so the beach is perfect for families with small children. The depth increases gradually. But sometimes there are algae. On the beach you can rent an umbrella and a deck chair, there are amenities, water activities. Nearby are cafes and shops, as well as the old church of St. Thekla .

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Glyki Nero Beach

A fairly long and well-suited beach for families with children in the “heart” of the city. The gentle slope and fine sand make the beach suitable for swimming with children. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag for the cleanliness of the water, coastline and safety. But sometimes there are algae. It boasts good infrastructure. Sun loungers, an umbrella, locker rooms, cafes are installed, there are water rides.

How to get there: located near the main promenade of the resort.

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Sights of Ayia Napa

Interesting places in Ayia Napa are as visited as the beaches.

Sculpture Park in Ayia Napa

One of the main attractions of the resort. A huge green area with original sculptures created by artists from different parts of the world. Every year, this is where the festival takes place, where sculptors and freelance artists are invited to create beauty on a given topic. The sculptures are surrounded by a green park with huge cacti. And during the walk offers a magnificent view of the sea. The Museum of Contemporary Sculpture in the open air was opened in 2014 and its collection is constantly updated. All sculptures are made of limestone and marble.

How to get there: bus number 101 or 102 to the Marina Hotel.

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WaterWorld Park

The largest water park not only in Cyprus, but also in Europe. Feel free to go for crazy turns and tall slides. The water park is dedicated to Greek mythology: it boasts a minotaur labyrinth, a Trojan horse, its own Olympos. On 18 slides you can ride all day long!

How to get there: by bus number 101 or 102.

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Lunapark

This is an entertainment center with several dozen attractions, from simple carousels to extreme slides that circle at speed or throw up. And the local Ferris wheel is simply gigantic: 45 meters! From here you have a magnificent panorama of the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. There are attractions for thrill -seekers and children.

How to get there: by bus number 101 or 102, located near the water park.

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Museum of the sea "Talassa"

Thalassa Museum of the Sea right in the center of Ayia Napa . Ancient finds that were discovered at different times near the coast of the island are exhibits of the Maritime Museum of Cyprus itself. Treasures of merchant ships from different eras, engravings, paintings - all this can be seen in the amazing museum, which has existed since 2005.

Tombs of Makronisos

The cave complex was created in the rock by cutting cells in the rock. But many relics have not survived to our times: black archaeologists visited the tomb. For a long time, excavations have been carried out on the territory. This burial of the Greco-Roman period, which includes 19 tombs. Stone steps lead down to the tombs.

How to get there: bus number 101 or number 102.

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Pirate ship "Black Pearl" in the port of Ayia Napa

A copy of the ship from the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean". One of the most favorite places for photo shoots for both young and adult guests. A boat trip on it takes place in the presence of Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbarossa.

How to get there: Walk along the main promenade of the city and you will see the ship.

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Blue Lagoon

This is an incredibly beautiful bay with clear azure water. Located next to Cape Kato Greka. You can sunbathe, snorkel, make friends with scuba gear and observe the life of underwater inhabitants.

How to get there: bus number 101 or 102 and get off near Cape Greco.

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Konnos Bay Beach

It is located just 4 km from Ayia Napa, next to the Cavo Greco park. The picturesque coast is overgrown with rocks. They are so impregnable that the only way to get there is on a sloping slope. This is a place for water activities: the beaches here are small, no more than 200 m in length.

How to get there: buses number 101 or 102 to Konnos beach road.

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Ayia Napa Monastery

It was built in the 15th century on the very spot where, according to legend, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God was found. According to one version, the Byzantines hid the face of the Most Holy Theotokos from the iconoclasts among the dense greenery. Many years later, a random traveler found the icon in the forest. Since those years, it has been called the sacred icon of Our Lady of Ayia Napa. Believers began to come to the cave. Over time, a chapel was erected at the site of the find, and then Ayia Napa Monastery appeared there.

From the 18th to the 20th century, the monastery practically did not function. It does not operate even now, but still it is the main attraction of the city. In the church, which is located near the monastery, services are held.

How to get there: on foot from the embankment - surprisingly, the building of the monastery is located in the city center, close to bars and restaurants. You can drive up by buses number 101 and 102.

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Grotto Caves

One of the most interesting places for swimming lovers. Just imagine how on a hot summer day, languishing from the scorching sun, you suddenly swim into a dark cool grotto and examine it from the inside. It is these mysterious places that inspired ancient legends. Who knows what mythical creatures live in ancient grottoes? Sea caves have become an integral part of excursions. Caves are found along the entire coast, from Cape Greca to Ayia Napa . Perhaps you will be lucky to find sunken treasures?

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Cape Cavo Greco

A picturesque place with many rocks, grottoes, trails for hiking and cycling. Landscapes of incredible beauty open up! And the Aphrodite trail stretches for 2 km along the northeast coast of the cape.

How to get there: buses number 101 and number 102 depart from Ayia Napa to Protaras to Cape Greco.

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Ayia Napa Bay

This is the port where ships dock. You can meet a pirate ship and elite expensive yachts. There are two lighthouses in the port, which can be seen up close. Ayia Napa harbor is the main promenade. Incredibly beautiful and atmospheric place, with many cafes and restaurants. Sit with a glass of wine overlooking the emerald sea, over which seagulls circle and leisurely sightseeing yachts moor. And next to the promenade there is an open theater, fountains, cafes in the old Cypriot style, fish taverns. Immediately behind the embankment begins a small beach with white sand Gliki Nero.

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Nightlife in Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa famous for its nightlife. This is the youth capital of Cyprus, where lovers of bright parties come from all over the island. Life boils until the morning. The best European DJs perform in local clubs, they introduce you to musical novelties. There are many themed bars, pubs and discos in Ayia Napa: everyone will find a place and music to their liking, from jazz to house.

The hottest place is the street of clubs, which lights up after sunset and rumbles until the first rays of the sun. It is enough to walk along it to get an idea of where to go this evening.

Promoters distribute the program of clubs on the streets, inviting guests to parties and foam parties. The main areas where all the cereal establishments are located - Louka Louka, Grigori Afxentiou, Ayais Mavris. Most popular establishments:

• club "Titanic", which is stylized as a movie,
• Castle Club, reminiscent of an old castle,
• Bar Havana Cuban Style,
• Senior Frog’s,
• Soho club,
• ZicZac Bar.

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Where to stay in Ayia Napa

The popular resort boasts a large number of excellent hotels. But the hotel may be on the first line, and the entrance to the sea will be quite rocky. Therefore, you will have to go into the water away from the hotel.

The beaches in Cyprus are state-owned, but hotels can expose their umbrellas and sunbeds. Sometimes they will be available for an additional fee. When choosing a hotel, pay attention to how far it is located from the place of bright party.

If you are on vacation with children, night music may interfere with you. Well, if you are a party lover, then on the contrary, it will add enthusiasm.

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Resort transport in Ayia Napa

Remember two numbers: #101 and #102. These are the buses that most often run around Ayia Napa, carrying tourists around a small village. However, the resort is quite easy to get around even on foot: it is quite small. And it is also interesting because all taxis here are exclusively Mercedes. A ride around the city is offered for 5 euros.

Buses depart from the central square and stop at the main attractions of Ayia Napa, then following to the nearest villages. The fare is 2-10 € depending on the distance.

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Rent a car

When renting a car, remember: driving in Cyprus is on the left side. This is due to the fact that Cyprus was a British colony. Rented cars have red license plates: this allows you to identify the tourist. After all, a driver who is unaccustomed to left-hand traffic can be confused. But the car rental service is popular in Cyprus. The cost in summer is from 40-45 € per day.

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Cafes, restaurants and shops in Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa is full of various cafes, traditional Greek-style taverns serving local cuisine. The variety of cuisine is amazing: everything from traditional Greek dishes to delights from distant countries such as Mexico or Thailand. There is everything for vegetarians, fans of classic Mediterranean cuisine, seafood lovers.

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How to get to Ayia Napa

It is convenient to get to the resort by bus. The best from Larnaca. Buses run every hour. You can get to the center of Larnaca from the airport by bus number 419 or number 418. Once in the city, transfer to the route that follows to Ayia Napa. Suitable bus number 711, which departs from the bus station. The cost of a taxi is about 50 € for a 30-minute trip.

Tips for visiting Ayia Napa

• Tourists often do shopping: they buy fur coats, leather goods. And one of the most popular souvenirs is Lefkara lace, ceramics and embroidery.
• There are no large shopping centers in Ayia Napa, but there are a lot of boutiques and souvenir shops with a large selection.
• The resort is suitable for outdoor activities. Rowing, fishing, scuba diving, windsurfing, water skiing and yachting are only a small list of things to do in the party Ayia Napa.
• Try to dive into the depths of the sea in the caves of Cape Greco, or arrange a sea excursion with a visit to the mysterious grottoes.
• Head to the resort if you want to be in the middle of the action.

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