Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Cyprus / Famagusta, south / Ayia Napa
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| | | | Review by cheryl armstrong from ruskington
it is very lively especially at night ,there is too many quads n scooters running around with young people on 24 hours a day local people very friendly and helpful loved the island as we had a car and got all round the island so pleased i have finally been to cyprus
Review by Sandra Dorrans from Kilmarnock
Ayia Napa, which is generally known for its party nightlife is not only suitable for the young but for all age groups and families. There are beautiful sandy beaches and various watersports to keep you busy during the day as well as boat trips, a waterpark and historic places to visit. There are fantastic places to eat which will suit all budgets from McDonald to Japaness, with lots of traditional resturants where the food is to die for. If you like the nightlife then the strip is for you with lots of pubs and clubs to choose from with many being open till 5am. There are also some quiter bars where you can sit and which life go by.
Review by Lyn Abbs from Looe Cornwall
We love Ayia napa we have been going for 12 years this time however we found it so expensive, its not entirely the fault of the business owners as i know the effect of the pound against the euro is out of their control but i think 5 euros for a kabab is way over the top also the price of alcohol. Cyprus used to be a value for money destination but unfortunately not any more,still saying that all 18 of us did enjoy it as my daughter was married in the town hall and everything was just perfect.
Review by carol screawn from telford
Ayia Napa in March april and October/November is great for oldies but summer is for the young. I love Ayia Napa in early and late season, the weather is great, so are the beaches and the people are very friendly.
Review by visitor
travelled to many destinatins over the years but for the lest thirteen always gone back to ayia napa sometime over the year . the people are so friendly and welcoming the beaches are beautiful and they have excellent resteraunts .
Review by matthew atherton from birkenhead, Wirral
it was winter when we went so it was quiet and full of older people, however in the summaer it is the complete opposite. it was still very hot and there were still a fair few younger people there. would definatly advise younger people after a week long party holiday to come in the holiday although we still had great fun ourselves.
Review by gary cater from colchester
YOU MUST VIST AYIA NAPA ,WHETHER YOUNG,OLD OR FAMILY HOLIDAY THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERY ONE ,NO PROBLEM WITH DRUNKEN CLUBBERS RUNNING AMUCK I FELT TOTALLY SAFE EVERY WHERE DAY OR NIGHT WHEN OUT WITH FAMILY . SURPERB RESTUARANTS , NIGHTCLUBS , BEACHES , HOTELS ETC
Review by Sheila Neat from Rustington West Sussex. UK.
Felt very safe and comfortable being two mature ladies.Cyprus is a beautiful friendly Island. Please no more buildings.
Review by Robert Melvin from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
Ayia Napa is a great place for a holiday with Nissi Beach being as good as any you will find anywhere. There is also a great selection of restaurants and the night life is there if required.
There are also plenty places to visit if you wish with Larnaca, Nicosia and the Troodos Mountains all being very close.
Review by ann sutcliffe from huddersfield
Ayia Napa has certainly altered in the 19 years we have been going to Cyprus. However we still we enjoy the wonderful beaches, the friendly people and the superb weather. August is possibly not the best time for families to go due to large numbers of young people but there are still plenty of bars and restaurants to frequent with the same Cypriot welcome.
Review by Halfdan Ihlen from Oslo
Our visit here was primarily caused by historical interest. Some places like the old monastery and the musieum Thalassia were fine. We used Ayia Napa as a starting point for journeys to places of historical interest. However, the city during winter time was calm and it was very easy to walk along the seaside without warnings about private properties dogs. We were very pleased by that!
Getting out on the roads
We stayed in Ayia Napa just before the season proper got under way, which meant it was quiet as a lot of bars and discos weren't yet open. Our favourite spot - and really the only thing we liked here - was the little monastery with its pretty garden and church.
We hired a car and drove west - it was dead easy as they drive on the left, the roads are great and signs are in English. Heading for Paphos, we stopped off on the way at Kourion, a fantastic archaeological site overlooking the sea - we just sat there on the steps of the stone amphitheatre for ages drinking in the view and all that history.
We had lunch in Paphos overlooking the harbour - it's quite commercial here, but very pleasant. On the way back to Ayia Napa we stopped off to look at Aphrodite's Rock which is a lovely spot, apparently even better at sunset - though we were keen to get back for pre-dinner drinks at our hotel and the promise of traditional folk dancing in the bar later.
While on the island we also took an organised tour to the Troodos mountains. Well worth it to enjoy the peace and quiet and some beautiful monasteries - the Kykkos was amazing.
We also went to Lefkosia, the old Nicosia. The Old City has some lovely buildings that were sadly casualties of the Turkish invasion. You can cross into the North for a few hours, but we had missed the appointed times you could go - maybe next time.
Travel guide: Ayia Napa
Music and atmosphere
This is by far the best place I have ever been to.
It turned out to be the dream I had of a perfect holiday. The music and atmosphere were fab, the beaches and sights were fantastic, the weather was boiling - what more can you ask for.
Im going back again this year.
Travel guide: Ayia Napa
I'm going back
This is by far the best place I have ever been to. It turned out to be the dream I had of a perfect holiday. The music and atmosphere was fab, the beaches and sites were fantastic, the weather was boiling -what more can you ask for?
I'm going back again this year.
Travel guide: Ayia Napa
Clubs, culture and mountains
Had a great time there three years ago. The people are friendly, the beaches great, and even though everyone thinks of Ayia Napa as the clubbing capital (which it is) you can also find some nice local attractions.
There's Cape Greco, which is nice to watch the sun rise over. The Famagusta viewing point. You can get boat trips here from Ayia and you have a beautiful monastery in the middle of the town.
Try the local food, absolutely beautiful stews and lamb dishes and really cheap.
The clubs are great there's something for everyone. Black and White offers a good selection of rare-groove and the more up to date garage stuff. But my favourite was CARWASH, they play everything!
No one can not have a good time in Ayia. If you're not into clubs then go for the pub and restaurant scene. You don't have to want to get absolutely out of your skull to have a good time, although many do!
If you fancy travelling go off to Larnaca. Don't be put off by the beach area which is not that attractive, the town is a real look at Cypriot life.
If you are into history make a bee line for Kourion. This is an ancient roman city, with stadium (which we managed to miss) and various other places along the way. The view of the Mediterranean from the theatre is wonderful.
If you want to travel a bit further then make your way to Nicosia. The old town is absolutely wonderful, lovely shops and little tavernas.
The Troodos mountains are a nice natural feature and can still be reached in a few hours from Ayia Napa, but you need a few days to see all their natural beauty.
Paphos is the more up-market resort, this is also near the Tomb of the Kings, the burial place of the ancient kings of Cyprus.
No matter what, you'll have a great time!
Travel guide: Ayia Napa
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| | Destination Guide : Ayia Napa |
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| | | Club country |  | Why go on holiday to Ayia Napa?
Now infamous for its clubbing lifestyle, Ayia Napa is also a good place for family holidays with lots of stuff for children laid on. If you seek sun, sea and fun by the pedalo-load, this most commercial Cypriot resort is ideal.
How much does it cost?
A seven-night package holiday will start at around £350 for self catering and around £600 for a hotel with half board but the brave can hang on for last-minute bargains. Expect direct flights to cost from £160.
When should I go?
Summer runs from the beginning of May until the end of October, with an average of 12 hours sunshine daily and temperatures of 85F/30C-plus.
During the school summer holidays the beaches are mobbed - but this is not a bad thing if you're taking the children as there'll be lots of English-speaking little friends for them to play with.
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| | | Monastic past |  | What should I do when I'm there?
It's paradise for package holidays, with dazzling blue waters and lots of water sports from paragliding and riding on blow-up sausages to snorkelling and diving in the more secluded coves.
If you just want to lie on a beach it's right in front of you - lots of lovely golden sand. The old village that the resort is built around includes a monastery and does retain some of its original charm. The square is the heart of Ayia Napa's nightlife.
Where can I escape the relentless pace?
Away from the bustle, take a calming stroll around the 16th-century walled monastery or wander around the old town. Just outside Ayia Napa is Cape Greco, an area of unspoilt beauty, with secluded beaches and coves which is good for snorkelling.
Inland you can find many attractive villages such as Deryneia, Sotira and Liopetri, and the countryside is littered with windmills which are used to keep the land fertile and the tasty Cyprus potato growing.
What about further afield?
Take a trip down the coast to Limassol - especially for its huge shopping area in the picturesque old town centre. Or head for the pine-clad Troodos Mountains.
If you've got time on your hands take advantage of the fact that Cyprus is the stepping stone between the Middle East and southern Europe. From Ayia Napa you can take a two or three-day cruise to Egypt, Israel or Lebanon.
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| | | Big bops | | Where's good for nightlife?
Once a small fishing port, the resort of Ayia Napa has shot up the clubbers' popularity charts in the past couple of years and is now something of a Mecca, rivalling the other party paradise of Ibiza.
The resort has lots of clubs. It's best to check handouts and the local buzz when you get there as the scene and DJs keep evolving. Whatever your tastes, there's a huge variety so you should find something you like. Expect non-stop partying.
What's the food like?
Head for the harbour where you will find tempting seaside tavernas serving freshly-caught fish or souvlaki, which is skewered meat cooked over charcoal.
Try a meat or fish meze (a feast made up of about 20 different appetiser-sized dishes) with salad or halloumi, the local cheese that is typically served grilled. Cypriot wine is excellent.
What should I buy?
Cyprus is renowned for its handicrafts and local goods such as woven curtains and tablecloths to ceramics, lace, and filigree silver. Cypriot wine and brandy are usually acceptable presents. Leather jackets and clothing are also good buys.
What is there for children to do?
Families are particularly well catered-for in this bustling resort. There is a go-kart centre, a dolphin marine park, a bowling alley, a mini golf club and the Waterworld Park.
Most of the big hotels have children's clubs where youngsters can have fun without you for around four hours a day. Check with your operator for details.
Tourist office
Cyprus Tourist Organisation, 17 Hanover Street, London W1R OAA. Tel: 020 7569 8800.
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| | Fact File : Ayia Napa |
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| | | Ayia Napa | | Did you know?
Shakespeare based the character of Othello on a former governor of Cyprus, Christophore Moro.
Language
Greek, although English is widely spoken.
Visas
No visas required for stays of up to three months.
Getting there
Fly direct to Larnaca from almost all UK airports. Transfer will be organised if you are on a package tour, otherwise get one of the bus services into Larnaca town, then transfer out to the resort.
Flying time from London
Four hours 30 minutes.
Getting around
Ayia Napa's main attractions are all accessible on foot. Bus services link most of Cyprus's towns.
Currency
Cypriot Pound
Costs
Glass of beer £1.50; can of soft drink from £1; a litre of petrol is around 45p; short taxi rides about £3; moderate meal £10. All prices will vary.
Weather
Cyprus is the sunniest island in the Mediterranean, with an average 300 days of sunshine a year. April-May and September-October are the most pleasant months to visit: dry with temperatures between 70F-85F (22C-30C). Summer temperatures can reach well above 90F (35C); they can drop to around 50F during December and January.
Time difference
GMT plus two hours.
International dialling code from the UK
00 357 3
Voltage
240V, 50 Hz
Opening hours
Shops are open from 8am - 7:30pm, taking a long lunch from 1-4pm and closing at 2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Religion is important to Cypriots, so few businesses are open on Sundays. In Ayia, bars, clubs and some restaurants are open late; some even manage to open up again early.
Health - Before you go
No jabs necessary, but you should consider vaccinations for hepatitis if you feel you might be at risk. Though tourists receive free medical attention and treatment for emergencies at the Ambulatory and Emergency Department of Government Hospitals and Institutions, adequate insurance should be purchased to cover in-patient care and any unexpected health costs.
Health - When you are there
No particular risks. The emergency number is 199.
Warnings
Hire cars cannot be taken across the border between the Republic and Northern Cyprus.
Emergency
Police: Tel: 091; British High Commission: 23 Mehmet Akif Sokak, North Lefkosia. Tel: 227 2443.
Customs
Family life and religion are central to Cypriot way of life - remember this when visiting churches or residential areas. Clubby behaviour will not be welcomed in inappropriate areas - be sensible. Although Cypriots on both sides of the border are friendly and easy-going, most are fiercely patriotic and passions can rise about the island's partition.
Pets
Cyprus is now included in the PETS Travel Scheme, but be aware that organising the necessary vaccinations and documentation takes some months to set up. See your vet for details.
Tipping
A small tip for taxi drivers and hotel porters is appreciated and a 10% service charge is normal in restaurants.
Tourist office
Cyprus Tourist Organisation, 17 Hanover Street, London W1R 0AA. Tel: 020 7569 8800.
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| | Available rental properties in Ayia Napa |
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| |  | | Villa Duffy Nissi Beach, Cyprus
Luxury 2 bedroom villa with private pool and air conditioning close to Nissi Beach. An ideal base for wedding parties and a popular choice with couples and families.
|  | | Alis Apartment Ayia Napa F1
Tastefully furnished, fully air conditioned, one bedroom ground floor apartment, set in a luxury complex with landscaped mature tropical gardens and magnificent communal pool.
|  | | Alis Apartment Ayia Napa G3
Tastefully furnished, fully air conditioned, one bedroom ground floor apartment, set in a luxury complex with landscaped mature tropical gardens and magnificent communal pool.
|  | | Villa Galloway @ Nissi Golden Sands
Fantastic brand new 2 bedroom villa complete with its own private pool accomodates 6 people, only a few meters away from the famous golden sands of Nissi Beach.
|  | | Nissi Golden Sands - Penthouse
Spacious one bedroom penthouse apartment just one minute from Nissi Beach. Experience stunning sunsets from the large veranda and living room.
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Holiday Rentals in Ayia Napa |
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 |  | Family and kids (19) | | | Lively nightlife (17) | | | Beautiful Scenery (11) | | | Good dining (8) | | | Exclusive (5) |
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