Over the last few years, Ayia Napa has become one of the most attractive tourist centers in the Cyprus and in the Mediterranean and is often referred to as the "other Ibiza" because it is truly a heavenly place for those who like the sea, water sports and active nightlife. Numerous restaurants, bars, discos, trendy clubs work almost uninterruptedly.

Tourists are mostly attracted by wide beaches with fine golden and white sand, water sports (diving, sailing, rowing, surfing, water skiing, sea fishing), as well as biking, walking, horseback riding, tennis, golf, football courts. .. You can visit the capital of Cyprus - Nicosia, then travel along the coast and by the fishing villages... And, you can enjoy the unusual experience in safari on asses, along with wine tasting, barbecue and sirtaki.

The Ayia Napa tourist destination is recommended especially to younger people, but also to all those who like active holidays. However, you can always find a place for a romantic dinner or a relaxing corner for relaxation. Families with children will enjoy the water park and spacious sandy beaches.

Although Ayia Napa, Cyprus, is famous for its exhilarating nightlife and gorgeous golden sand beaches, there are also plenty of other sightseeing opportunities while you are visiting. You don't have to spend all your time at the beach or the clubs because there are some interesting attractions worth checking out in and around the famous resort town.

If you plan to drive around the Ayia Napa, there are several rent-a-car companies offering their services at the airport, so it’s best to get one from there. The bus remains to be the cheapest alternative but if you don’t mind paying for convenience and comfort, just get a taxi and get there effortlessly. The city itself is just perfect for walking around but if you want to get to your destination in half the time, go ahead and rent a bicycle because cars are a bad idea if you don’t want to deal with congested thoroughfares, especially in the town centre.

Nissi Beach

the most popular vacation spot for young people. The beach is well equipped. From morning to evening, music is heard here, foam parties are held, various competitions and competitions in beach volleyball. Nissi is not very suitable for a relaxing holiday with children, but young and active tourists will love this beach. In the middle of summer, the water becomes cloudy due to algae blooms. Special nets clean the bay, but man can not completely overcome this phenomenon of nature. Cheerful young tourists usually do not mind algae blooms.

Makronissos Beach

much quieter than the noisy Nissi. In terms of water purity, sand quality and convenience, it is not inferior to Nissi beach. This is a good place for families with children: the entrance to the sea is gentle and safe. Seasonal algae do not bloom in the bay, the water is crystal clear all year round. Near the beach there is a small paid parking lot. You can also get here by private car and public transport. The price of a bus ticket from the center is 1.5 euros. There is a free shower on the beach and deck chairs and parasols will cost 5 euros for the whole day.

Konnos Beach

This is the best beach around Ayia Napa for those who want to escape from crowded resorts and return to nature. Konnos is a narrow white sandy beach with clear sea. The bay is protected from the winds by long rocky spurs, which makes the waters quite calm. Shallow waters are ideal for diving and swimming. Jet skis can be rented on the beach, and snacks are available at local snack bars.

The red double deck bus

The red bus is the perfect way to get an overview of what Ayia Napa has to offer. Take a tour on-board the vibrant red double deck bus and enjoy splendid views of the coast, the charming villages nearby and the chic resort village of Protaras. It is not only good value for money but also really pretty much entertaining especially if you simply want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the montage of scenic vistas along the way. The cool Mediterranean breeze blowing on your face is definitely icing on cake.

Water World Waterpark

If you have kids in tow take them to the Water World Waterpark where they can spend hours on end playing on the water slides, cool off at the pool or simply have fun at the children's playground. While the kids play, adults can take in their share of blissful sunshine at the pool lounge. Moreover, at the end of the day, you will not have to force your kids to go to sleep because they will be too exhausted to put up a fight. The water park opens at 10:00 am and it is best to get there first thing in the morning to avoid the crowd and the ensuing long line ups.

The park is one of the biggest themed water parks in Europe, with over 25 rides and attractions and is a member of the World Water Park Association and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

LunaPark

LunaPark starts operating in the evening. For those who want to view the environment from a height, there is the Ferris wheel, for those who like extreme sports - Catapult, which shoots a person a few tens of meters above the ground.

Sculpture park

Located next to the sculpture park (This park by January 2018 included more than 200 sculptures from 140 sculptors from all over the world) the Cactus Park includes over 10,000 cactus and dessert plants. It was created with voluntary work.

Marine Park

Going to the Dolphinarium you will see the incendiary performances of trained dolphins. The performances are every day except Monday.

Monastery built in honor of the Virgin Mary

The ancient monastery was built in 1530 by Venetian builders near the church, which was built in the rock itself in the 8th century.

The monastery also has an underground part carved in stone, and according to local tradition, in the cave that is now part of the church, a hunter found a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which soon attracted a significant number of believers.

The increase in the number of inhabitants required the construction of a new church, which was built in the 90s in the southwest of the monastery and is also dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Couples who have fertility problems often come to the monastery, as well as women who have experienced difficulties during pregnancy, to pray to the Virgin for help and to gird the miraculous belt of Saint Ayia Napa.

Another landmark of the monastery is a huge maple tree, which is believed to be over 600 years old.

Farmhouse Museum

In Ayia Napa, on the monastery square, there is an interesting small museum - "Rural House". In the house can be found remains and traces of former life in Cyprus. The house is made of mud, brick, in a traditional Cypriot style, with stylish furniture and filled with home appliances.

Thalassa Museum

Visit the Unusual museum of the sea flora and fauna Thalassa which visits thousands of tourists each year. The Museum is located at the centre of Agia Napa and it is the first museum of its kind across the Mediterranean region with the main principle to present the impact and the significance of the sea upon the history of the island. The exhibits of the museum cover a chronological span, from paleontological to historic periods until present times. The museum is especially proud of one exhibit - the reconstruction of the ancient Greek ship "Kerinia -Eleftheria", which sank off the coast of Cyprus in the 4th century BC. Another hall also arouses the admiration of visitors - showing the shipwreck process.

Ancient burial site

Located west of Ayia Napa, is an ancient burial site with rock-cut tombs. Nineteen tombs have been excavated to date together with a small sanctuary to the east of the burial grounds and part of an ancient quarry adjacent to the cemetery.

Club Street

Ayia Napa has a lot of nightclubs and entertainment that open in the evenings, but they are all concentrated in one place - Club Street. This place is known and loved by all lovers of entertainment in the resort.

During the day it is an ordinary street, suitable for easy walks, but at night music can be heard from the many restaurants and clubs . But even if you are not a fan of nightlife, it is worth taking a walk at least during the day to appreciate the exterior of local facilities.

Cultural programs

In the season, visitors will complement their time with various cultural programs: concerts, theatre performances, folklore evenings, art and photography exhibitions, fairs, traditional crafts and arts. The main open stage becomes the main town square Seferis. Among the most interesting events in Aja Napa are Carnival February, Green Monday (the first day of the Great Post), Easter celebrations, May Day festivals, Kataklismos Festival or Festival of Water ...

City Walking Food Tour

Off The Eaten Track - City Walking Food Tour will take you to the very best for authentic cooking to try the traditional cuisine and learn about the culture.

Donkey farm

Families with children come here most often, because children adore these cute animals. You can ride your favorite donkey for 45 minutes, and finally feed him a treat as a token of gratitude.

Boat cruises

Boat cruises are also popular in Ayia Napa. All you have to do is to head to the harbor and take your pick from the many boat operators touting their services to interested tourists. Ply the waters around Cape Greco to admire the scenic coastline and the neighboring pretty harbor towns.

Another popular boat trip is The Black Pearl Pirate Ship which sails from Ayia Napa Harbour at approx. 11:30 am and returning at around 3:30 pm. The trip includes all the sights of Famagusta, 1-2 Swimming Stops, Treasure Hunt for the Children, a Full Pirate Show, Cannon Show and Dress Up for everybody.

This is not just a sea cruise, this is real pirate fun for kids. The atmosphere is simply perfect: the ship itself looks like the famous “Black Pearl” from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” the crew is great, and the program well chosen.

The visitor is invited to take part in the treasure hunt, can shoot from cannons, swim in the sea and dine with a team of gallant corsairs. This excursion will surely delight the children. Keep in mind that it is more expensive and noisier than a simple sea cruise.

Pirate caves

These caves can be seen during a boat trip, some of them (the largest) can even be viewed. Pirates used this caves not just to hide their treasures, but also to hide from the authorities.

Ayia Napa Lighthouse

Once the lighthouse rescued sailors and played an important role in the life of the island, but now this snow-white building has become a popular place for walks and photography.

Cape Greco

Late afternoon is the best time to head to Cape Greco, so that you are just in time to catch sight of the glorious sunset that the area is famous for. You can also take a dolphin boat safari for a chance to see these playful creatures put on a show for you. For those who are looking for dramatic excursions at idyllic and remote places, join the fast boat safari to check out the island's striking sea caves. Of course, boat trips to the stunning beaches of Pernera and Protaras also make for worthwhile jaunts during the day.

The sea caves are located on the east coast of Cape Greco. This natural feature is a trademark of Ayia Napa. The rocks are intricately cut by sea waves and covered with sparkling salt crystals. The sea is bright blue, and the diverse underwater fauna attracts diving enthusiasts. Here you can come directly from the cape or from the sea by ordering a boat trip to Ayia Napa. There are hiking trails along the coast. Before the visit, it is worth getting comfortable shoes because the terrain is rocky.

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is named after the purest water that looks light blue. This is a popular place to dive. Here is a wide selection of marine fauna: from hedgehogs to ominous eels. According to local legend, the mythological monster Scylla once lived in the waters of the Blue Lagoon, killing sailors. Now it is a quiet, beautiful place that tourists love very much. For swimming in the Blue Lagoon, it is better to come here by boat in calm weather. It is safer to get into the water from a boat than to enter from the shore, because there are many sea urchins at the bottom.

Ayia Napa Harbor

Ayia Napa Harbor is located in the city center. It is a small bay with small berths. In the port you can rent a fishing boat or book a boat trip to the most picturesque places on the coast. The stylish Black Pearl boat is especially popular. His team not only leads excursions, but also organizes a real show with scenes from the life of sea pirates. There are many taverns with local cuisine near the port, and fishermen sell their morning catch in its area.

Church on Cavo Grec

The snow-white church on the ascent of Cape Cavo Greco is a popular destination for weddings

Lover's Bridge

In Cape Greco there is one of the most amazing natural bridges in Cyprus. The Bridge of Lovers is a natural arch in the rock, created without human participation. This is a very popular place to take photos and many couples take photos here especially at sunset. For fans of extreme jumping in water, this is an idyllic location.

Scuba diving

Scuba diving enthusiasts will also delight in the underwater offerings of Aiya Napa. With crystal clear, calm waters, the dive sites are just perfect for beginners but experienced divers will also discover something special in the area. The remarkable Zenobia shipwreck, less than an hour's boat ride away, is a definite must-see for diving enthusiasts.

Kavo Gkreko Forest Park

Not far from Ayia Napa is the beautiful Cavo Greco National Park, where you can perfectly diversify your vacation, get a dose of adrenaline or spend time alone with nature.
For lovers of outdoor activities in the park you can find a huge number of bike and hiking trails. All are divided into degrees of difficulty, however, every tourist can overcome the most popular, the path of Aphrodite. Moreover, along the path of Aphrodite there are many benches and lookouts. Walking through the park, you cannot ignore the local sights - the ruins of the ancient temple of Aphrodite and the somewhat more modern, but no less interesting church of Agia Anargyri.

Village of Sotira

Finally, for a bit of sightseeing inland, take a short drive to the picture-perfect village of Sotira to admire its 15th-century churches then go all the way to the village of Liopetri to experience its exquisite basket-weaving industry. The picturesque village of Paralimni and the ghost town of Famagusta should also be on your list of must-see places near Ayia Napa.

The village of Liopetri

The village of Liopetri is located 15 kilometers northwest of Ayia Napa. This village became famous for its skilled craftsmen who weave baskets. The secrets of their craft are passed down from generation to generation in the strictest confidence. There are also medieval churches in Liopetri. For example, the Church of Our Lady of Tenderness (16th century), the Chapel of St. Andronicus (15th century), decorated with an octagonal dome and, unfortunately, poorly preserved frescoes. Not far from the center of the village is the bastion of Liopetri, where in the middle of the 20th century, after a battle with British troops, four heroes of the national liberation movement of Cyprus were killed.

The village of Avgorou

In the village of Avgorou, located 20 kilometers northwest of Ayia Napa, you can see not only interesting medieval but also modern churches. To the west of the village is the cruciform church of St. George Teratsioti (16th century), decorated with a large dome. And a little further north, not far from the old road Nicosia - Famagusta, is the monastery of St. Kendey, which is listed in many guides to Cyprus as a sightseeing tour. The domed church of this monastery was built in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Famagusta

Not far from Ayia Napa is a city that has witnessed the history of Cyprus, its ups and downs, tragedies and joys. This is Famagusta, founded many centuries ago and the former residence of Richard the Lionheart in the distant Middle Ages. Until 1974, Famagusta was considered one of the most elite European resorts. Here rested Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and many other famous political and economic figures, representatives of the creative elite.

However, difficult relations with Turkey led to the fact that the central region of Varosha was completely destroyed overnight, turning into a ghost town. Locals claim there are still "traces of a past life" there, and clothes that were fashionable in the '70s hang in stores. But this is, of course, a myth. Immediately after the tragedy, everything was looted.

However, the city has preserved many ancient ruins worthy of attention. First of all, it is the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. It is said that the fig tree next to it was planted at the same time as the foundation was laid, in 1298. The old walled Venetian-style town fortress is considered as the best preserved in Europe.

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