Top 10 Things To Do In Ayia Napa

Cyprus is often chosen as a holiday destination by British tourists and the village of Ayia Napa is one of its most popular resorts. This one-time fishing village with its sixteenth century monastery has exploded in a few short years into a vibrant holiday centre. Its harbour is alive with bobbing fishing boats supplying the nearby restaurants with the freshest of ingredients. The turquoise clear waters and golden sands of its beaches attract visitors to an unforgettable holiday.

Ayia Napa Car Hire

History of Ayia Napa
Years and years ago there was a hunter, a king of his own domain, who used to visit the forest of Ayia Napa with his hunting party. He came across a cave and on entering found an icon of Saint Panaya (Mary mother of Christ). On making this discovery, he made the cave into a church and built a small church on top of the caves.
20 years ago Ayia Napa was a small fishing village with a population of 200. The name of Ayia Napa comes from Saint Panaya (Mary mother of Christ). A small church in the centre of the village was named after our Mother Mary. The cave is still there and it makes an essential visit.

Cyprus Car Rental

1) Ayia Napa Nightlife
Ayia Napa nightlife is renowned for its vibrancy. The central square is packed with pubs, bars, discos and clubs providing an eclectic mix of music that surely provides for most tastes. The drinking and dancing continues until dawn. If this is not your scene, stroll along the roads away from the centre and you will find peaceful locations where you can enjoy a quiet drink or a meal.

2) Ayia Napa Shopping
Cyprus excels in handcrafted goods and the government have recognised the value of this by creating the Cyprus Handicraft Service. The official shops compete with the unofficial shops but all of them sell quality goods at reasonable prices. Popular gifts and holiday mementoes are the embroidered linens, the Lefkara lace and ceramic pots.

3) Ayia Napa Eating
There are numerous bars and restaurants serving all manner of food. There are English and Irish pubs serving familiar fare for the less adventurous palate. Fish features prominently on Cypriot menus with calamari, red mullet and sea bass being particularly popular. Halloumi, a cheese made from goat and sheep’s milk is an island speciality. It is often served grilled and served as an appetiser. The Cypriot equivalent of the Spanish tapas is mezze and it is a good way to sample the variety of local food.
The nearby small white-washed town of Paralimni is well known for its tavernas selling delicious grilled fish.
Local wines are tasty and inexpensive.

4) Beaches
Ayia Napa is one town with the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean Sea. The turquoise clear waters and golden sands of its beaches attract visitors to an unforgettable holiday.
Some of these beaches are Nissi Beach, Nissi Bay and Sandy Bay. There are all necessary facilities and many water sports at most of these beaches.

Ayia Napa Main Beach
This beach stretches from the fishing harbour of Ayia Napa for more than a kilometre and follows an easterly direction. Thousands of people visit it every year .Facilities for all sea sports are provided for. Cafeterias, snack bars and restaurants are abound in the area. The fishing harbour of Ayia Napa with its small colorful boats adds colour to the view and it is a happy reminder of the past

Macronissos Beach
A cluster of bays forms Macronissos beach.The three bays stretch out in different directions one to the west, second to the southwest, whereas the third one stretches in a southeasterly direction with the result that is well sheltered from winds

Ayia Thekla
It is situated six kilometres west of Ayia Napa. It is not one of the big ones. It has a small island within its grasp and it is within walking distance from the main road taking you to Ayia Napa. It has taken its name from a small old church in that area bearing the same name

Nissi Bay
Nissi Beach is Only three kilometres west of Ayia Napa. These closely connected twin beaches attract thousands of tourists every year. Nissi, which in Greek means a small island, gives a new dimension to the beauty of the landscape. It is well sheltered from the winds which facilitate all sea sports. There are also cafeterias, pubs, and restaurants in the area.

Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay Beach is found 400 yards or so east of Nissi Bay. The beach is also fully protected from winds. Facilities for sea sports are provided for and as in the case with most beaches, catering facilities are also offered.

Limnara Beach
About four kilometres east of Ayia Napa, visitors come to Limnara Beach. Though small it is one of the loveliest beaches, it is well- protected from the winds and here stands the Kermia Beach Hotel Apartments with facilities for all water sports.

5) Macronissos Tombs
The Department of Antiquities has completed excavations at the locality of “Macronissos” west of Ayia Napa village. The excavations were sponsored by the Ayia Napa Improvement Board and were undertaken between the end of November 1989 and early January 1990.
The purpose of this campaign was the excavation of the rock-cut tombs, which have been the target of illegal digging since 1872. Nineteen tombs have been excavated so far and a small sanctuary was investigated to the east of the burial grounds while part of the ancient quarry adjacent to the cemetery had also been revealed. Some of the tombs suffered from the continuing use of the quarry.
The tombs in general consist of a stepped road, which leads down to a rectangular entrance. The entrances were originally closed with one large or two smaller calcarenite slabs. Most of the chambers are almost identical. They are all provided with a rectangular trench in the middle slightly lower than the floor of the road and three benches at the sides of the chamber. Some of the tombs have additionally one loculus carved on the longitudinal axis of the tomb opposite the entrance, while another is provided with four beaches at the sides and one opposite the entrance, thus providing room for five interments.
Although all tombs were looted and disturbed some preliminary conclusions may be drawn. The dead were placed in clay sarcophagi which were originally covered with three flat tiles. The tombs were used during the Hellenistic and Roman period. The pyres found on the surface by the roads give evidence of practising Greek burial customs.
The sanctuary is a simple rectangular enclosure constructed with large irregular blocks. The few offerings found during the 1974 archaeological survey as well as those found during the latest excavations date the sanctuary to the Cypriot-Classical and Hellenistic period

6) Palaces
In between Limnara Beach and Cape Greco stands the amazing spectacle of Palaces rock formation. They do not constitute any particular building but a name for the admirable formations which have been formed on the rocks there. The rocky beach has been sculptured in such a wonderful manner by the sea waves that it gives the impression of being a fine work of architecture. That is why it bears the name of Palace. The reflected light together with the crystal waters form a dreamy picture. This place can only be reached from the sea.

7) Marine Life Museum
Marine Life Museum is located in Ayia Napa’s Town Hall. It is the first natural museum of its kind in Cyprus and it exhibits past and present marine life and promotes the study and research of marine life while also emphasising the importance of preserving the marine environment.
The exhibits include a reconstruction of a dinosaur seabed, fish fossils, shells, sea urchins, sea turtles, sea plants and more.
Every specimen in the museum was removed from its natural habitat after death. The Marine Life Museum is visited every year by thousands of tourists

Monasteries and Ayia Napa harbour
Ayia Napa, once a small fishing village, is as lively a resort as any in the Mediterranean. But historic sites such as a 16th-century Venetian monastery blends character to a town that’s best known for its colourful shops, tavernas and discos.
Another focal point is the crescent harbour, crowded with bright fishing boats. The day’s catch is tonight’s dinner at the popular restaurants nearby. Life in this southeastern corner of Cyprus revolves around the sea, with water sports of all kinds readily available – from scuba diving to water-skiing to paragliding.

Explore the rugged coast toward Cape Greko, with its string of calm sandy coves, and stay for the indescribably beautiful sunset. Or head north, toward the basket-making community of Liopetri, stopping at Sotira to take in the pretty village churches that date to the 15th and 16th centuries. East to Protaras, more glorious beaches spread out under the sun, while just inland the white-washed town of Paralimni boasts open-air tavernas known for their succulent grilled fish.

9) Ayia Napa Water World
Ayia Napa is home to the largest themed water park in Europe. The park has a Greek theme to it and models of ancient Greek gods and ancient buildings are situated around the park. The water park covers a vast area and is packed with slides and water attractions to suit everyone. For small children, there is the Trojan Adventure, a play structure with water pistols, slides and a bucket that fills with water and soaks everyone in its path!

10) Other than the amazing beaches & historical attractions of Ayia Napa, there are many sporting activities you can do in your free time. You can play a game of golf, or maybe a bike ride in the wildness of nature, even a horse ride if you’re up to it.

About the Author

Bicycle Tours in Napa Valley- Sonoma, California with duvine

Comments are closed