Sand, sea caves and a 15th-century monastery
The busiest resort on the island, and better than its reputation. Ayia Napa has the best sand in Cyprus at Nissi and Makronissos, a walled monastery courtyard in the middle of the town it grew around, and the sea caves of Cape Greco fifteen minutes down the coast. The nightlife everyone has heard about is four streets of it; the rest is a fishing harbour and a great deal of beach.
Nissi Beach has a sandbar you can wade to
See
See · Monastery
A walled 15th-century monastery in the middle of the square, built around a cave church and a sycamore said to be six hundred years old. The town grew up around it, and the courtyard is still the coolest, quietest place in Ayia Napa at midday.
Beach
Recommendations coming soon.
Nature
Recommendations coming soon.
Village
Recommendations coming soon.
Do
Do · Coastal walk
The headland between Ayia Napa and Protaras, and a national forest park: white cliffs, a natural rock arch and caves cut into the sea at the waterline. Walk the coastal path from Ayia Napa, or take a boat and go in through the caves.
Eat
Eat · Fish taverna
The working end of the town. The fishing boats still come in here, the tavernas are on the quay above them, and a fish meze eaten at the harbour is a different evening entirely from one eaten on the strip.
Stay
Stay · Beach hotel
Stay at the Nissi end for the sand and a walk home from the water, or at Makronissos for the same beach with far fewer people on it. The town centre is cheaper and louder, and in July that matters more than the ten minutes it saves.