Sometimes spelled as Agia Napa and called the Cypriot Riviera by others – not surprising at all since it has gorgeous sandy beaches with crystal clear water. A perfect beach travel or snorkeling destination.

Photo by Claire Taylor

As so many other travel destinations around the Mediterranean even this place was from the beginning a small fishing village – with a few monasteries and fishermen families. Later on it has developed to a big tourist destination.

When traveling to Ayia Napa, we will land at the Larnaca airport, so I would like to spend at least a couple of days exploring Larnaca too before heading to Ayia Napa, the part of the island which is suitable for the younger generation (uhum!).

Most often the tourist office’s has a kiosk in the baggage reclaim area at the airport, where we use to get free maps of the destination and other attraction information worth having. Often as good as the tourist guide books!

Nissi Beach (blue flag awarded) is perhaps the most popular beach in Ayia Napa and has restaurant & shop and offers a lively nightlife – when there in high season I presume. Beach parties are mostly there or at the Makronisos Beach.

Grecian Bay seem to be claimed to be closest beach to the city center, a quiet beach ideal for families with young kids, but Nissi beach seem to be equally close to me.

Another beach I want to visit is Agia Thekla Beach – another blue flag beach which is located about 3 kilometers west of Agia Napa. It is a small beach, only 300 meters long and about 25 meters wide, but it has fine golden sand and calm sea with crystal clear water.

We will probably even visit Fig Tree Bay (also blue flag awarded) in Protoras too, which is claimed to be more calm, perhaps for others than the youngest party-animals.

The main cultural attraction would be the monastery of Ayia Napa which dates back to the Venetian era – for us architecture admirers for sure. At least it will be a big contrast to all the clubs and bars…

We want to make excursions to the walled city of Famagusta, go hillwalking to the Kaledonia Falls in Troodos mountain range and to see The Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia – a World Heritage Site. There are also a lot of churches which is Unesco world heritage list monument’s.

Also check our other post about another World Heritage Site: In Aphrodites footsteps – Paphos Holidays.

May-October is the warmest weather periods to go there, so we will aim for May or September-October when going there I think, since we don’t want it to be too hot and crowded. Perhaps heading to one of the golf courses too.

Lifecruiser ♥ Beaches