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Ayia Napa

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Music, partying and nightlife are what people see when they think of Ayia Napa; a south-eastern holiday resort on the Green island of Cyprus. They certainly aren't wrong, but they are also missing out the other aspects of Ayia Napa. These are the aspects which fully cater for family life and cultural exploits which make Ayia Napa a rich area for all kinds of tourism.

While there are places to relax, if you are expecting no interruption or any noise at night then Ayia Napa may not be the best location for you. It has earned its reputation as one of the best nightlife destinations in the world for a reason and at night the streets do truly come alive. If you are looking to let your hair down and party all night however, then Ayia Napa is most likely the perfect place. Top DJs such as those from Radio One, UK make regular appearances at the bars, clubs and beaches playing UK garage, house and dance amongst others.

The weather is hot, the beaches sunny and the drinks flowing in Ayia Napa and while these are the main attributes of a holiday here, there are hidden treasures at this resort such as the ancient monastery, the towns surrounding this resort and the Water park for youngsters. While it might seem that Ayia Napa is only for the young looking to party all week long, there are in fact many ways a family or couple looking to relax can also enjoy this part of Cyprus.

Areas

The Square

This is the center for Ayia Napa's nightlife and music, where visitors will find clubs such as Castle Club and Bedrock. The area isn't huge but this is where the excitement is concentrated and you will often find the best deals on drinks and ticket prices. If you are a fan of UK garage or dance then head to the square.

The Beaches

Although there is a certain degree of nightlife here too, some of Ayia Napa's beaches (e.g. Grecian Bay) provide a respite from the madness and are more concentrated on family holidaying. The waters are warm and the sand is white at Ayia Napa's beaches and it'd be a shame if you didn't spend a day or two there.

Weather

The July and August heat in Ayia Napa can be astounding, reaching maximum temperatures of 32ºC. September and October tend to offer a more suitable heat for a holiday at around 22ºC to 29ºC. This is also slightly outside of the peak season so the crowds are likely to be smaller.

Average Temperatures

F/C	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
F	53	53	56	62	69	75	80	80	77	71	63	56
C	12	12	13	17	21	24	27	27	25	22	17	13

Getting There

By Plane

Because Cyprus is an island, one of the easiest ways to travel to Ayia Napa is by plane. The largest airport nearby is Larnaca International Airport (LIA) and while the journey from here to Ayia Napa itself may take three quarters of an hour by taxi, bus or hire care, it's definitely worth it!

By Bus

As with most major tourist resorts there are regular bus services acting as transport links to the larger surrounding towns, and cities so getting to Ayia Napa by bus from an airport is efficient.

Getting Around

By Car

There are plenty of places to rent a car in and around Ayia Napa and this could be the best way to see explore the destination. Car rental usually works out cheaper than taxis which are also available here.

By Moped/Bicycle

There are many companies in Ayia Napa offering bicycles and mopes for hire, and often for a very reasonable price. The streets of Ayia Napa are bicycle and moped friendly with bike lanes and strict driving laws.

On Foot

This is always the best way to explore a new place as you never miss a trick. Ayia Napa's streets are a pleasure to walk through and most sights or activities are within walking distance of the center of town.

Food & Dining

Located right along the Mediterranean Sea, it's not surprising to find out that much of this city's cuisine comes from the water that neighbors it. Salt cod is the most popular fish on the island however calamari, octopus in red wine, red mullet, and sea bass are also very popular. The vegetables that you are most likely to encounter are potatoes dressed in olive oil and parsley, pickled beets and cauliflower, zucchini, taro, and asparagus. Salad is served at every meal as the locals love having fresh greens at their table. Artichokes are grown here and they are often made into a meal themselves with onions, garlic, and meat being added to them.

Beaches

Nissi Beach (Sand beach) Location: 4 kilometers from the center of the city This beach is known for its parties and its wild nightlife! This beach seems to attract the most attractive ladies in the world who wish to lounge on their towels all day sunbathing and men who flex their muscles and work on their abs while under the sun. Although it's not a workout beach, this is definitely a place for young people and it is those same people who have made this Cyprus' most famous beach!

Makronisos Beach (Sand beach) Location: Approximately 15 kilometers from the center of the city Families prefer to come to this beach while staying in Ayia Napa because it is much quieter as Nissi Beach and some even think it's a little cleaner and nicer as well. Here you will still be able to enjoy the beautiful temperatures and the clean, crisp water but you will be able to do it all without having to fight your way through throngs of people. Just check the schedule before coming to this 'quieter' beach as it's been the location for MTV dance parties in the past.

Sights & Activities

The Monastery

The Ayia Napa Monastery which dates back to the 16th century makes for a fantastic cultural day out. While its marble fountain and picturesque courtyard sticks out a little in the middle of the bars and clubs, it can be a great place to visit when you fancy a break from all the hustle and bustle of Ayia Napa's nightlife.

Nissi Beach

By day Nissi beach is filled with the young and beautiful, lounging on the sand or dancing to live music and by night it's exactly the same! Nissi beach isn't far from central Ayia Napa and is certainly worth a visit if you're looking for a good night out. This is certainly where you might go to see and be seen.

Waterworld Water Park

Just past Nissi Beach is one of Ayia Napa's greatest attractions, offering visitors the chance to take friends down the 'Drop to Atlantis' twist slide, the 'Aeolos Whirlpool' drop slide and relax in the Pegasus Pool with Greek style columns and spraying fountains. Bear in mind that UV rays travel well through water and that this park is open to the air, so you will want to use a high factor sun cream and apply it very regularly, even in the earlier months of the year.

Caves

Ayia Napa's coast is lined with quirky water caves that are perfect for exploring with friends and/or family. While there is a pathway designed for walkers, the shore along the beach is rocky and you will need a decent pair of shoes if you're looking to get close to the caves.