Ayia Napa beaches Travel Guide

About Ayia Napa beaches

One of Europe's most famous party resorts, Ayia Napa, is one of the stars of the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. With its year-round warm weather and sandy beach it is easy to see why the resort is so popular. In summer the bars and clubs boom with international DJs and holidaymakers from all over Europe, while families are also welcome in this fully fledged resort that has grown rapidly from the simple fishing village it was only a few decades ago. The rest of this holiday island is also blessed with beaches, resorts and tourist attractions that are easily accessible from Ayia Napa.

Beach:

Ayia Napa's Nissi Beach is one of the most attractive in Cyprus, boasting a sweep of clean golden sand, as well as sun loungers and sun umbrellas for hire. Bars, music, banana boat rides and a host of other watersports make this lively stretch of sand popular with the clubbing crowd and has earned it favourable comparisons to Bondi. For quieter stretches of beach head out to Cape Greco, to the east of Ayia Napa.

Beyond the beach:

Head away from the resort's beach and enjoy the calm and peace of the Monastery of Ayia Napa. Visit here in the morning before most holidaymakers have woken and admire the 600-year-old fig tree and marble fountain. The monastery dates from as far back as the Venetian days in the 16th century. There are also regular boat trips out to Cape Greco and the resort of Protaras.

Family fun:

Ayia Napa is a popular resort with families and its beach is the main attraction. Other distractions include WaterWorld (www.waterworldwaterpark.com), a fun water park on the resort's outskirts, and the Marine Life Museum, which has a modest collection of shells and preserved sea life including sharks. Children's pools, family friendly restaurants and sports facilities like tennis courts are also on hand to ease you through your stay at some of the resort hotels.

Exploring further:

The popular resort of Protaras is located just east of Ayia Napa. There are buses and boat tours to Protaras with the main attraction the sprinkling of beaches that are dotted in and around the resort. Choose from Agia Triada, Louma, Mouzoura, Pernera and Protaras beach. To really get away from it all head to Green Bay Beach, where holidaymakers can often escape the crowds.