Best attractions in Ayia Napa
Visiting Cyprus attractions, one cannot pass by the city of Ayia Napa. Don’t know what to see in Ayia Napa? Especially for you we have compiled a list of popular places of this town, where we have included the most interesting sights of Ayia Napa. This resort is the most famous and lively town of Cyprus, it boasts an interesting historical past. The translation sounds like “Sacred Woods”. This name comes from a shrine discovered here in the 7th and 8th centuries. The face of the Blessed Virgin Mary was hidden by the Byzantines from those who struggled with the faith. After 100 years the icon was found by a random traveler, later believers from all over the world began to come to this cave.
After a while, a temple with a chapel was erected over the cave. Today it is Ayia Napa, the monastery, which looks almost unchanged.
The city became a center for tourism in the 1980s. It developed very quickly, began to attract attention with beach areas of amazing beauty and all kinds of entertainment on the water. Ayia Napa is a chic place for an active pastime, there is a boiling nightlife because of the many working bars and nightclubs.
Main attractions in Ayia Napa, Cyprus
The city is rich in interesting places. You can go here not only for recreation. On the map of Ayia Napa in Cyprus, there is a variety of attractions. Therefore, experienced guides in Ayia Napa recommend to tourists the places mandatory to visit:
- The monastery. In the courtyard is the “Fountain House”, in the manufacture of which precious marble was used. The founder of the monastery is buried here. Tourists are also attracted by the local chapel, the veil that St. Veronica gave to Jesus Christ on the march to Golgotha;
- Thalassa Sea Museum. Excursions in Ayia Napa always include this attraction in their itinerary. The expositions of the museum are on the maritime theme, their purpose is to give local and visitors the necessary knowledge about the importance of the sea in the life of the island state from antiquity to the present. You can see unique objects from the Cypriot coasts. Guests can learn the history of shipbuilding and seafaring from before Christ;
Official website: http://www.thalassamuseum.org.cy/en/
- Cape Greco. It’s the perfect place for lovers of romance. An ideal place to admire the sunsets and meet the sunrises. The nature here is amazing. Honeymooners make beautiful photos on the “bridge of lovers”. The place is ideal for bike rides or just on foot. Here extreme lovers can go diving in the cave.
- Park of medicinal herbs. Every tourist will find here something to look at and something to occupy himself.
- The city of Famagusta. Tourists are attracted by the closed quarter Varosha. It is practically a set for a disaster movie.
- A water park representing an entire mini-country, all done in mythological style and according to ancient Greek legends. Here you will see the Trojan horse, Atlantis and other manifestations of human imagination.
Official website: http://waterworldwaterpark.com/ru/
- Luna park. There is an interesting statement: “In the evenings in the sky of Ayia Napa you can hear people shrieking - they are being shot from a ‘slingshot’.
Official site: http://parkopaliatsocy.com/
- An open-air sculpture park. It offers amazing views of the sea. The sculptures are in great variety. The only disadvantage - you will not find any shade here, so it is better to choose not very hot times to visit.
Feel the atmosphere of Ayia Napa in this beautiful video!
What to see in Ayia Napa on your own
Tourists call this city a solid big dance floor. It is a fishing village quickly enough turned into a real Cypriot Riviera for young people and even retirees. There’s fun for everyone: young people, families and old couples.
Everything is woven together in the city in an amazing way. You can watch the girls topless. Try the great tasting fish delicacies in the local restaurants. Test your mettle at the local amusement park. Hang out at a nightclub and enjoy upbeat music and three free cocktails.
So, in Cyprus in Ayia Napa, the photo shows the main attractions. Among them are the monastery of Ayia Napa and the rock tombs of Makronisos, which are located near the beach area of the same name. In Greco-Roman complex there are ancient tombs, sanctuaries and quarries. Tourists are allowed to enter the tombs, although excavations are still underway.
Enjoying the nightlife and attractions of Ayia Napa in Cyprus
The city remains a youth resort. That’s why the evening attractions of Ayia Napa in Cyprus are so attractive to young people from all over the world.
A full-fledged club quarter is open here with all sorts of entertainment venues, which are lined up literally in rows. Music can be heard from all sides until dawn.
Often the nighttime fun starts with the Nightmare Maze of Fear, which practically opens the “club” street. The scenery is truly frightening and colorful.
For a more relaxing experience, you can visit the local taverns and cafes. The cost of a visit will depend on the rank of the institution. In some nightclubs you have to pay for admission. You will also have to pay for foam parties.
Nine must-do things in Ayia Napa:
- Go to the Baths of Aphrodite to wash yourself with “rejuvenating” water.
- Organize a great photo shoot against the background of amazing scenery.
- Try your hand at bungee jumping.
- Make a wish by tying a ribbon on a 600-year-old mulberry tree.
- Party all night long on the Black Pearl and watch the sunrise at sea.
- Riding on the very fast “Skimmer”.
- Scuba dive and test yourself in search of treasure.
- Visit a donkey farm in Scarina and ride one of the local inhabitants, a donkey.
- Try new water sports and swim until your next vacation.
You can also appreciate other attractions of Cyprus near Ayia Napa. You can inquire beforehand about the possible sightseeing tours and their duration in order to plan a possible trip for a new experience.
Attractions of Ayia Napa in Cyprus for children
The tourist city is perfect for a full holiday for the whole family. In photos and descriptions the sights of Ayia Napa in Cyprus look interesting and bright. But this does not compare with the real experience during his visit. Kids will love it, and the rest will have only positive impressions.
Local beaches are characterized by a gentle descent into the water, they are sandy and seem to be specially created for children. At first glance, the local holiday seems too noisy. But it is possible to organize a relaxing vacation if you take the choice of accommodation responsibly. Optimal time for a family vacation - from April to May, when the coast is still no fans of noisy festivities.
Little guests will enjoy the local water park. Here it is quite possible to spend a whole day, since in addition to slides you can eat in the cafeteria and relax in the gazebo. The park administration regularly holds children’s festivals with a seasonally updated program. The park has received more than one award for carefully designed leisure time and ensuring the safety of young visitors.
In the Luna Park you can take your child for a ride on one of the many attractions. The area of 30 thousand square meters is equipped with carousels, trampolines, slot machines, even a swimming pool.
Few facts about Ayia Napa
How to get to the city and the sights of Ayia Napa in Cyprus? There is an airport in Larnaca, located literally 35 kilometers from the resort town. The main air hub of Cyprus every day serves several dozen flights.
There are buses from the airport to the city. The stop is located directly at the exit of the terminal. You can take a cab. The trip takes from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours. You can get to Ayia Napa from all major cities of Cyprus by bus or minibus.
There are shuttles and cabs running around the city. They are more used for visiting neighboring towns or for short trips. Since the town itself is small, you can walk or bike through it.
The bus is a great way to quickly see the local landmarks. It starts in the central square, stops at the main attractions and goes to the nearby settlements. The price of the trip depends on the distance.
