Cyprus: Ayia Napa

ayia-napa-beach-party1It is an understatement to say that Ayia Napa attracts a large number of tourists. A large proportion are from Britain but with many visitors from other European countries, Ayia Napa has become increasingly multi-cultural in character.

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Partying both day and night is what Ayia Napa’s is all about but there’s much more to this lively resort on Cyprus’s south-eastern coast. Between the clubs and karaoke bars, there are cobbled streets, harbourside tavernas and a peaceful Medieval monastery. And there are 14 fantastic beaches to choose from.

Beaches & facilities

Blue Flags flutter everywhere in Ayia Napa.  There are a number of really good bathing beaches where water sports such as water-skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, scuba diving and speed boating are popular. These are all supervised by the Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO) to protect the interests of all tourists.

The most popular beaches include:

Nissi Beach, popular with younger people, it gets quite crowded and offers great water sports facilities and a beach bar which plays music throughout the day.

Harbour Beach (also known as Limanaki or Pantahou Beach), is one of Cyprus’ longest beaches and caters more for families.

Golden Bay Beach (or Lanta / Landa Beach) is less crowded, but there are still a number of activities available.

All 14 beaches in Ayia Napa have been awarded the EU blue flag for their level of cleanliness and facilities. Cyprus, with 53 Blue Flag beaches, is a country with one of the best records for quality beaches.

Beach parties are another popular form of entertainment in Ayia Napa, often featuring headlining acts from the UK.

Ayia Napa is well served with hotels and apartments in addition to a large number of cafes/restaurants and bars offering differing cuisine types.  The Square, in the centre of the town, is filled with restaurants, night clubs and shops.

Ayia Napa has changed its image somewhat over the years, from a fishing village to a typical Mediterranean holiday resort and has now found its place as a multicultural town, catering for all tastes.

Cape Greco national park is a ten-minute drive from the centre of Ayia Napa and is considered one of the most beautiful places on the island offering sightseeing, cliff jumping, bike riding and a variety of other activities. It is one of the most famous spots in Cyprus for the lovers of photography due to its picturesque nature, caves, cliffs, clear waters and trees.

Nightlife

If it’s 2-for-1 drinks, buzzing clubs, music and parties you want, you’ll find it here. But there are also plenty of quality and quieter beach bars and restaurants by the sea that are surprisingly well-suited to families with a good line-up of live entertainment.

Wreck Diving in Ayia Napa

The creation of the Ayia Napa Artificial Reef program started in May 2015 by purposely sinking the fast Patrol Military Vessel Kerynia as a pilot project. The Kerynia FPV, is a spectacular wreck dive due to the marine life gathered around the ship and is expected in few years that marine life will multiply.

The wreck offers some of the best underwater images fancied by underwater photographers due to the clarity of the water and the great visibility.

Diving in Ayia Napa

There is an enormous quantity of marine sea-life in this area. The parrot fish of the Red Sea have clearly established themselves around Cyprus and most recently trigger fish and lion fish. There are large and small Mediterranean groupers, and an abundance of sea bream and damselfish. Cyprus waters has seen a steady increase in the numbers and variety of fish which is in contrast to many other Mediterranean areas.

Hard and soft corals are now rare in the Mediterranean. Cyprus, however, has a growing panorama of brightly colored coral varieties.

Waterworld Themed Waterpark

WaterWorld Themed Waterpark (Ayia Napa) is the biggest themed waterpark in Europe and has received international recognition and prestigious awards.  There is plenty of in-house entertainment, including children’s games, dance aerobics and the fabulous Greek-themed acrobatic show!

There are upgraded attractions, extensive relaxation areas for parents and playground areas for children. It also has several catering outlets and a gift shop. Waterworld is open 7 days a week during the Summer season and offers something for every age group and this variety of world class attractions.

Shopping

Cyprus is known for its handicrafts and boutiques. There are numerous shops selling this type of merchandise pluys outlets selling designer sunglasses and watches. A large number of clothing shops have also recently opened.

Monastery

Ayia Napa Monastery is the best known landmark of the Ayia Napa area. It has a charm that represents a time when Ayia Napa was a sleepy fishing village.

Museums, ruins, arts and culture

The town contains a number of museums:

The Tornaritis – Pierides Museum of Marine Life, founded in June 1992.

Thalassa, the Municipal Museum of the Sea is dedicated to the enhancement, promotion and preservation of the marine heritage of Cyprus.

The Makronissos Tombs are an ancient burial site found west of Ayia Napa village.

The Ayia Napa Sculpture Park is located in the east side of Ayia Napa.

Festival

The Ayia Napa Festival was first held in September 1985 and has been established as an annual event since, usually over the last weekend of September.

Ayia Napa Youth Festival

There is also a youth festival that provides for all styles of music by acts that are chosen by the public plus free entrance.  There is also a  social responsibility message attached to the festival.

Daytrips to Nicosia

The capital of Cyprus is just an hour away by car. You can explore the pretty old town within its sandstone Venetian walls, wander around the museums and churches, and browse the fabric shops and jewellers. There are also lots of little cafés where you can stop for a reviving Cypriot coffee. As for shopping, the pedestrianised Laiki Geitonia area is top souvenir territory.


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