Ayia Napa: much more than Nissi Beach.
Ayia Napa's reputation goes before it: beaches, summer and partying. All of that is here. But venture just a little beyond the busiest tourist streets and you will find coves, archaeology, sea caves, art and some of the most recognisable coastal landscapes in eastern Cyprus.
Type
Beaches · Sea · Leisure · Culture · Art
Recommended time
1–2 days
Best time for the beach
Late spring · Summer · Early autumn
Summer atmosphere
Very popular with tourists and lively. Much of the nightlife is concentrated in the centre.
Car needed?
Not essential for the centre. Useful for exploring the coast.
Ideal for
Beach · friends · nightlife · sea · something different
Ayia Napa changes a great deal with the time of day.And with the street you are on.
First
Let's talk about partying.
Ayia Napa is one of Cyprus's main nightlife destinations. In summer, especially during peak season, the centre has numerous bars and clubs and can be very lively well into the night.
That does not mean all of Ayia Napa is a party area.
I want a lively atmosphere
If going out is part of your trip, the central area puts much of the nightlife close by.
I want peace and quiet
If you want to rest, pay attention to your accommodation's exact location and its distance from the main nightlife area.
Do not book simply because the accommodation is “in Ayia Napa”. The experience can vary considerably from one area to another.
Beaches
Which beach shall we choose?
Ayia Napa has some of the best-known beaches in eastern Cyprus, but they do not all offer the same experience. You do not need to visit them all. You need to choose the one that suits you.
The coast, from east to west
- 01Ayia Napa town centre
- 02Vathia Gonia
- 03Nissi
- 04Landa
- 05Makronissos
- 06Agia Thekla
The iconic one
Nissi Beach
If you have seen a photograph of a beach in Ayia Napa, there is a good chance it was this one.
Pale sand, shallow water and a small islet just offshore that you can walk to when conditions allow. Nissi is also one of Ayia Napa's liveliest beaches, especially in summer. In the height of summer it can be very crowded.
recommends
Makronissos
Spend the day here and discover something completely unexpected just a few metres from the sand.
Makronissos brings together several small bays with sand and clear water. What sets it apart lies just behind the beach: a necropolis from the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Between Nissi and Makronissos
Landa Beach
An easy option to overlook when everyone talks about its two neighbours.
Landa lies between Nissi and Makronissos and is a good choice if you want pale sand without straying too far from the main area.
Sheltered bay
Vathia Gonia
A small bay between the centre of Ayia Napa and the Nissi area.
Its more enclosed shape sets it apart from other beaches in the area, and it works well if you want to combine a few hours on the beach with other plans without travelling too far.
Further west
Agia Thekla
For when you want to follow the coast a little beyond the best-known beaches.
Agia Thekla lies west of Ayia Napa, beside a small white church overlooking the Mediterranean. The area feels more open than the immediate surroundings of Nissi and works well as part of a route along the western coast.
Choose to suit your plans.
Beach + archaeology
19 tombs beside the beach.
Makronissos Tombs
A few minutes' walk from the sand is a small necropolis with 19 rock-cut tombs, a sanctuary and an ancient quarry. The tombs were used during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Check current opening times with the official source.
You come for the beach. And end up walking among tombs more than two thousand years old.
Keep exploring
Beyond the beach
Culture, nightlife, a route for the day and practical information about Ayia Napa.
Keep exploring
Beyond the beach
Culture, nightlife, a route for the day and practical information about Ayia Napa.
Beyond the beach
The Ayia Napa you do not see in the first photo.
Sea
Sea Caves
The coastline begins to break into caves, arches and rock faces.
Between Ayia Napa and Cape Greco lie some of the most recognisable coastal formations in this part of Cyprus. Marine erosion has created a coastline completely different from the sandy beaches further west.
Art
Ayia Napa Sculpture Park
A completely different stop between all those hours on the beach.
The park covers a large open area overlooking the sea and brings together sculptures by international artists. Beside it is an area devoted to Mediterranean plants, cacti and succulents.
Art · Sea
MUSAN
A museum beneath the water.
Around 200 metres from Pernera Beach, a forest of sculptures stands beneath the Mediterranean. MUSAN brings together 93 works by Jason deCaires Taylor, designed to coexist and evolve with the marine environment. It can be explored by snorkelling, freediving or scuba diving, depending on the activity and conditions. Scuba diving requires the relevant certification. Do not touch the sculptures or disturb the marine environment.
Culture
Agia Napa Monastery
Right in the centre, before the clubs.
The site around which old Ayia Napa grew still stands in the middle of its liveliest area. Built around 1500, the medieval monastery has the appearance of a fortress and is partly cut into the rock. Check current opening times with the official source.
Culture
Thalassa Municipal Museum
The story of Cyprus through the sea.
The museum explores Cyprus's relationship with the sea from prehistoric times to the present day and includes a full-size replica of a Greek merchant ship from the 4th century BC. Check current admission prices and opening times with the official source.
Stroll · Food and drink
Ayia Napa Marina
A more contemporary side of Ayia Napa.
- Ideal for
- Stroll · lunch or dinner · afternoon/evening · events
- Type of outing
- Food and drink + a stroll + leisure
TIP
We think it is a particularly good way to round off an afternoon on the beach with dinner or a drink by the sea.
Alongside its berths and seafront promenade, the marina has restaurants, cafés and places where you will want to linger, especially in the late afternoon. It also hosts events and activities throughout the year, so it is worth checking its calendar if you will be in the area.
When the sun goes down
Ayia Napa changes when the sun goes down.
During the summer season, especially in the centre, bars, pubs and clubs are a big part of the nightlife.
Before dinner
Harbour · stroll · terraces
Afterwards
Centre · bars · clubs
If you are not here to party
Being in Ayia Napa does not mean you have to join in. Check where your accommodation is and plan your evenings to suit your trip.
The same Ayia Napa, four moments
07:30
Beach
Before the day gets into full swing.
11:00
Sea
Nissi, Makronissos or a morning of snorkelling.
18:00
A different Ayia Napa
Sculpture Park, a stroll or the town centre.
23:00
Night
The atmosphere in the central area changes completely.
A day in Ayia Napa, the
way
Sea, history and a different coastline.
Step 01
Morning
Makronissos
Start by the sea before the day gets going.
Step 02
Mid-morning
Makronissos Tombs
Swap five minutes on the beach for two thousand years of history.
Step 03
Midday
Harbour
Head back towards the centre and stop for lunch.
Step 04
Afternoon
Sculpture Park
Art and the Mediterranean.
Step 05
End of the day
Sea Caves
Finish overlooking a completely different coastline.
Step 06
Night
Choose
Enjoy a quiet dinner or discover Ayia Napa after dark.
Alternative plan
If you want something truly different.
MUSAN → Pernera → centre → monastery
An Ayia Napa with rather less sand than you expected.
Plan your trip
How much time do you have?
Just one day
Makronissos → centre → Sculpture Park → Sea Caves
Two days
Day 1: beaches + centre. Day 2: MUSAN + culture + coast.
I just want the beach
It is perfectly fine to come to Ayia Napa simply for the sea.
Seasons
When should I visit?
Spring
recommendsHighly recommended.
A good time to combine the coast, walks and culture before the busiest season.
Summer
Peak season.
The liveliest atmosphere, busy beaches and plenty of nightlife. If you want peace and quiet, pay particular attention to where you stay.
Autumn
recommendsHighly recommended.
The sea is still a highlight, and the pace can be different from the height of summer.
Winter
A different Ayia Napa.
A rewarding time for the coast, walks and culture. Some businesses and tourist services operate seasonally.
Practical information
Before you go.
No. It also has beaches, art, archaeology, museums and natural coastline. The experience varies greatly depending on where you are and the time of day.
We cannot guarantee that any area will be completely quiet in peak season. Check the distance from the centre, bars and clubs before booking.
Nissi for the most iconic scenery and a lively atmosphere. Makronissos for the beach and archaeology. Landa between the two; Vathia Gonia near the centre; Agia Thekla to continue west.
You can manage without a car for the centre and nearby beaches. A vehicle gives you more flexibility to explore the coast.
Ayia Napa generally feels more touristy, urban and focused on nightlife. Protaras offers an experience more centred on the coast, beaches and Cape Greco.
We try to keep this information up to date, but opening times, prices, access and conditions can change. Before travelling, always check the latest information using the linked official source.
Related areas
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Where do I start?
A quick guide to Cyprus to help you make your first decisions. Request it for free and receive it by email.