Ayia Napa (spelt locally as Agia Napa) used to be a small fishing village up until the 1980's when it started to ballon into a holiday destination and eventually became party central of Cyprus.
Nissi beach
The most popular beach of Cyprus between foreigners and tourists. The fine, white sandy beach with palm trees and clear, turquoise water is beautiful. The water is warm and lovely and it's shallow. It is very overcrowded in the height of summer. To get a sunbed you have to be there before 10-11 am in July and August. This sandy beach is enormous & you can either relax on the sand or else do something more adventurous. Beach parties are going on, music is blaring from the bars on the beach but you can do snorkeling, windsurfing, jet biking, bungee jumping, paragliding etc. If u want to have a nap after a night out chose another beach.
For Party animals
Allover the Agia Napa area you will be approached by different people hired to do promotion and sell tickets for arranged parties around the island. Boat-trips, foam party, bbq-party, beach party etc. They can be quite pushy. Sometimes you even have to pay a deposit or half of the ticket price in advance. They promise you different things, don't fall. Chose a party spontaneously those turn out to be the best ones anyway! There are plenty of clubs in the area such as
The Castle Club http://www.thecastleclub.com
The Castle Club has 3 rooms with different types of music, a total of 14 bars and 9 resident DJs with guest DJs mainly from the UK. Music events are varied randing from Hip-Hop, House, Funky House etc. Check out their website for a night-by-night guide to whats on.
Guru Bar http://www.gurubar.com/
The Guru Bar is a chill-out place and features outside bars and lounges in the form of bedouin tents filled with comfy chairs. Ambient music permeates all night long. There is a definite North African feel about the place and the new chef offers some excellent international cuisine and snacks.
It is located slightly off the main strip of clubs close to BedRock. Although this is a chill-out bar don't get the impression that this is where you come to after you've been to the other clubs because it closes at 2am. A better idea is to start your evening here while you wait for your friends, have something to eat and build up to dancing the night away.
Boat Trips
Just as like for parties you will be invited to boat trips as well wherever you go. Same concept goes, never book anything in advance and before you actually saw the boat. Go to the harbor, look around and chose carefully. Some guys have nice boats but they take so many tourists that half of them stay out of shadow. Some of them have loud and awful music and some of them are actually give value for you money. There are different kinds of boat trips: glass bottom boat trip, whole day trip, half day trip, fishing trip, sunset cruise and party cruise.
Some of such tours include passing by a fish farm and you also have a chance to see wild dolphins. Some of them take you around the coast, you can see the Ghost Town of Famagusta, you can do cliff jumping, you can see all the beaches and bays between Ayia Napa and Protaras, swim, snorkel with fish, feed the fish or just relax in the sun with a drink. The drink and snorkel equipment should also be provided free of charge and sometimes they even offer free transfers from your accommodation! Prices vary between 20 and 80 euro so chose carefully and bargain! Especially if you are with a bigger company, you can get a "special price just for you".
Taxi drivers
Forget it. Only in emergency cases. Taxi drivers unfortunately don't follow laws, don't even use taximeters. You will be charged depending on their mood. If you really need to use one, tell them where you need to go, ask the price and then offer less or tell him to use the taximeter. The best way to travel in Ayia Napa is to hire a bicycle or a motor bike. You can also use buses.
Sea Caves
Cavo Grecko sea caves are well worth a visit. The secnery is pretty spectacular people diving off the cliffs into a crystal blue sea. Be careful though, there are some dangerous currents around this area.
The sea caves lie off the Ayia Napa - Protaras coast road. Follow the road to Protaras and take the first road to Cavo Grecko. About 150m along the road there is a small dirt road with a sign post to the caves. A paved walking path goes along the shore. The shore is very rocky and sharp, take comfortable shoes with thick sole.
Guided Tours
Before you book any tours around the island, go to a local office of the Cyprus Tourism Organization. They offer free tours once or twice per week, depending on the season. Pick their brochure on the airport or check their website.
Address: Leoforos Kryou Nerou 12, (in Agia Napa ), Tel: 357 23 72 17 96
http://www.visitcyprus.org.cy
Waterpark
Agia Napa has an excellent water park. Entry is expensive (if you count the transport, entrance fee, locker box rental and food and drinks) but you get a whole day fun for a price of a half an hour jet ski rental. They offer water chutes, plus log rolling in the activity pool, river trips, spray columns and geysers, and much more. Well designed, lot of shadow.
Take some high factor waterproof cream and although you are not supposed to take food in with you, I would try and take some because the food inside is typical fast food. www.waterworldwaterpark.com
Bungee Downunder
You can see it from Nissi beach. They are professionally organized, you even get excellent large photos proving that you are insane. Don't try it when you have a hangover or you are (still) drunk.
A calm spot in the madness
Right in the heart of the club area is the tranquil oasis of the Monastery of Ayia Napa, which really is worth a visit.
Built in the 15th century, when Cyprus was Venetian controlled. Couple of legends exists about the place. One has it that a local hunter's dog discovered an icon of the Virgin Mary in the cave which now constitutes the Church. Later a noble woman endowed the monastery and planted the remarkable old sycamore tree that still stands outside. Today it is a place of pilgrimage, especially for childless couples who believe that the Virgin will grant them children.
One day trip to Agia Napa
If you did not chose the Napa area for you stay in Cyprus, you have to visit the place. Have a look at our suggestion for a one day trip.
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