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Cyprus. Ayia Napa
Imagine waking up to crystal-clear waters and spending your days soaking up the sun on Ayia Napa's stunning beaches. By night, the party's in full swing - you'll find some of the best nightlife in Cyprus. And the best part? You won't break the bank. Ayia Napa offers incredible value for money, making it the perfect destination for your next getaway. With its affordable prices, you can indulge in water sports, visit ancient ruins, or simply relax in a beachside bar. It's the ultimate spot for a budget-friendly vacation.
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Why Ayia Napa Fell Short for My Cyprus Getaway
summarizeEditor's Summary
I recently visited Cyprus and had mixed impressions of Ayia Napa, a popular resort town on the island. While it's not the most expensive option, I opted to stay in nearby Protaras, which I'm glad I did. My time in Ayia Napa was spent exploring its beaches, attractions, and attending a medieval festival, but I was underwhelmed by its most famous beach, Nissi Beach. I was expecting something more mysterious, given the name, but it turns out 'Nissi' just means 'island' in Greek. I prefer my own theory - that it's named after the Loch Ness Monster, given the island's resemblance to it. Despite this, I still found Ayia Napa to be a charming town with a lot to offer. However, I wouldn't recommend it as a base for your Cyprus getaway, and I'd suggest considering nearby Protaras instead.
settingsSpecifications
Koyu4/10
Giris6/10
KararKötü
Kalite6/10
Turizm8/10
EskiKale8/10
CapeGreco9/10
DenizOtuzu5/10
Manzaralar9/10
NissiPlaji2/10
KoyuTemizlik3/10
AşkKöprüsü8/10
MorokkoMağaralari8/10
Why Ayia Napa Fell Short for My Cyprus Getaway
I'll never forget my trip to Cyprus - it was the last European country I visited before my priorities shifted to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Russian resorts due to the current situation. But thinking back to my time on Cyprus, I'm filled with warmth and nostalgia as I scroll through my photos, wishing I'd chosen Ayia Napa as my base instead of just visiting for a few days. My impressions of the town were mixed, to say the least.
Ayia Napa's a popular resort town in Cyprus, and while it's not the most expensive option, I opted to pay a bit more and stay in nearby Protaras instead. It's just 11 km away, and I'm so glad I did. We stayed in a quiet family-run hotel and spent our days exploring Ayia Napa's beaches, attractions, and even attending a medieval festival.
I have to admit, I was a bit underwhelmed by Ayia Napa's most famous beach - Nissi Beach. I was expecting something a bit more... mysterious, given the name, but it turns out 'Nissi' just means 'island' in Greek. Either way, I prefer my own theory - that it's named after the Loch Ness Monster, given the island's resemblance to it. But, in all honesty, I found the beach itself to be a letdown. I much prefer the more scenic and green beaches of nearby Protaras.
The infrastructure at Nissi Beach is pretty standard. The beach itself is equipped with all the usual amenities - showers, toilets, lifeguards, and sunbeds. The only thing that's a bit of a letdown is the cleanliness. The area around the beach is super busy with watercraft, yachts, and the smell of petrol is always lingering.
Another thing that's a bit of a bummer is the entrance to the beach. It's super shallow and takes about 10 minutes to reach waist-deep water. I'm only 170 cm tall, so I guess it's not too bad for me, but I can imagine it might be a bit of a challenge for families with young kids.
But the worst part is the seaweed in the water. Despite the crystal-clear water, the entire seabed at Nissi Beach is covered in these annoying little seaweed strands that you have to constantly avoid. Apparently, they started growing in late October. I've never seen anything like it on any other beach in Cyprus, not even in Protaras.
Overall, in my opinion, Nissi Beach is one of the worst beaches in Cyprus.
While I wouldn't recommend visiting Ayia Napa just for the beach, I do think it's worth visiting for its natural attractions. The views and scenery are just stunning.
One of the top attractions in Ayia Napa is Cape Greco, also known as Kavo Greco - the easternmost point of the island. It's just breathtaking, with its Mediterranean charm. Looking out from this thing, the views of the water are just insane. And the color of the water? It's like a dream come true for any beach lover.
Another must-visit attraction is the Moroccan caves, also known as the grottos. These caves are located along Cavo Greco, and the legends say that pirates used to stash their treasure here. Nowadays, it's super popular to take a boat ride, pretending to be a pirate.
And then there's the lovers' bridge - a natural rock arch that sticks out into the water on one side and connects to the mainland on the other. To be honest, I think there's something special about Kavos Greece. Both places are perfect for a photoshoot - not too many people and a stunning backdrop.
When it comes to Ayia Napa's architectural attractions, the old town and the preserved fortress are the real showstoppers. Unfortunately, we arrived during a medieval festival, where international reenactors were showcasing their skills in authentic costumes.
I found out about the Medieval Festival in Ayia Napa while on a flight, thanks to some reconstructions from St. Petersburg who were flying in for the performances. We just missed the opening, but we still managed to catch a few shows. There were some absolutely mind-blowing Venetian numbers, and an electrifying music performance by the Czechs, and some impressive heraldic displays.
One of the coolest things about this festival is the way the performers interact with the crowd. Outside the main stage, the guys were taking photos with tourists and sharing their experiences. There were tons of Russian-speaking teams from all over the CIS.
Getting into the festival was completely free, but they still handed out tickets. We ended up going on October 12th and 13th. The festival usually runs for a week, but the most epic days are definitely the opening and closing nights. Those are the days when the whole old town is taken over by a massive procession.
For the rest of the days, the program is a bit more chill, but still really interesting with all the different performances, workshops, and live shows. You can check out the schedule in the annual festival guide, which they give out for free to all participants. Mine's still sitting on my shelf at home as a souvenir.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What are the best things to do in Ayia Napa?
Ayia Napa offers a range of activities and attractions, including water sports, snorkeling, scuba diving, and the medieval festival. Visitors can also explore the town's charming atmosphere, visit its beautiful beaches, and enjoy its good selection of restaurants and bars.
Is Ayia Napa a good base for exploring Cyprus?
While Ayia Napa is a great base for water sports and activities, it may not be the best choice for exploring the rest of Cyprus. Nearby Protaras is a better alternative, offering a more relaxed atmosphere and easier access to other parts of the island.
What are the pros and cons of staying in Ayia Napa?
The pros of staying in Ayia Napa include its charming atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and good selection of restaurants and bars. However, the cons include its underwhelming beach, limited shopping options, and crowded and noisy atmosphere during peak season.
Can I visit the medieval festival in Ayia Napa?
Yes, the medieval festival is a unique and fascinating event that showcases the town's history and culture. It's a great way to experience the town's heritage and learn more about its past.
What are the best beaches in Ayia Napa?
Ayia Napa has a range of beautiful beaches, including Nissi Beach, which is the town's most famous beach. However, it's worth noting that Nissi Beach was underwhelming and didn't live up to my expectations.
Can I get around Ayia Napa without a car?
Yes, Ayia Napa is a relatively small town and is easy to get around on foot or by bike. Visitors can also take taxis or public transportation to get to nearby towns and attractions.
What are the best restaurants in Ayia Napa?
Ayia Napa has a good selection of restaurants, serving a range of cuisines and drinks. Some popular options include The Beach House and The Waterfront, which offer stunning views of the surrounding area.
Can I visit other parts of Cyprus from Ayia Napa?
Yes, Ayia Napa is a great base for exploring the rest of Cyprus. Visitors can take buses or taxis to get to other towns and attractions, or rent a car to explore the island at their own pace.
check_circlePros
- •The town has a charming atmosphere and a lot to offer, including beautiful beaches and a medieval festival.
- •The people are friendly and welcoming, making it easy to explore the town and its surroundings.
- •Ayia Napa is a great base for water sports and activities, such as snorkeling and scuba diving.
- •The town has a good selection of restaurants and bars, serving a range of cuisines and drinks.
- •The nearby town of Protaras is a great alternative to Ayia Napa, offering a more relaxed atmosphere and beautiful beaches.
- •The medieval festival is a unique and fascinating event that showcases the town's history and culture.
- •Ayia Napa has a range of beautiful beaches, including Nissi Beach, which is the town's most famous beach.
- •The town has a good selection of shops, selling everything from souvenirs to clothing and accessories.
cancelCons
- •Nissi Beach, the town's most famous beach, was underwhelming and didn't live up to my expectations.
- •The town's infrastructure and amenities are not as developed as those in nearby Protaras.
- •The town can get crowded and noisy, especially during peak season.
- •The town's beaches are not as pristine as those in other parts of the island.
- •The town's history and culture are not as well-preserved as those in other parts of Cyprus.
- •The town's shopping options are limited and not as varied as those in other resort towns.
- •Ayia Napa can feel a bit touristy, with a lot of souvenir shops and restaurants catering to visitors.
- •The town's nightlife can get a bit rowdy, especially during peak season.
