Set on the sunny south-east coast of Cyprus, Ayia Napa has earned itself a reputation as a place to party, spawning a host of headlines and compilation CDs based on its drinking and dance scene.
Around 250,000 clubbers head to Ayia Napa every summer, but it's also a sun-kissed place for relaxation and lays claim to some of the best beaches in Cyprus. As well as having a beautiful monastery at its heart, you can stroll along Ayia Napa's jazzed up harbourfront, or feast on a Cypriot meze meal in one of many restaurants.
Around 250,000 clubbers head to Ayia Napa every summer, but it's also a sun-kissed place for relaxation and lays claim to some of the best beaches in Cyprus. As well as having a beautiful monastery at its heart, you can stroll along Ayia Napa's jazzed up harbourfront, or feast on a Cypriot meze meal in one of many restaurants.
Ayia Napa beaches
Its three miles of sandy beaches are without doubt one of Ayia Napa's best attractions. Most have been awarded the EU's 'blue flag', for cleanliness and facilities.
The main stretch is Grecian Bay, Nissi Beach has beach bars and DJs playing all day, while Protaras is much more suited to families. Just five minutes from Ayia Napa it boasts wonderful Fig Tree Bay. Beyond that, quieter Makronissos Beach is worth a look, too.
Its three miles of sandy beaches are without doubt one of Ayia Napa's best attractions. Most have been awarded the EU's 'blue flag', for cleanliness and facilities.
The main stretch is Grecian Bay, Nissi Beach has beach bars and DJs playing all day, while Protaras is much more suited to families. Just five minutes from Ayia Napa it boasts wonderful Fig Tree Bay. Beyond that, quieter Makronissos Beach is worth a look, too.
Ayia Napa sightseeing
Ayia Napa is not the most interesting place in Cyprus for sights and history, but it does have a really pretty 16th-century Venetian monastery - a popular spot for British wedding couples.
Continuing on the more sophisticated tip, the 23rd Ayia Napa International Festival takes place in September 2007 with a celebration of the arts, music and local culture. The Museum of Marine Life is quite impressive and is the first museum of its kind in Cyprus.
Ayia Napa is not the most interesting place in Cyprus for sights and history, but it does have a really pretty 16th-century Venetian monastery - a popular spot for British wedding couples.
Continuing on the more sophisticated tip, the 23rd Ayia Napa International Festival takes place in September 2007 with a celebration of the arts, music and local culture. The Museum of Marine Life is quite impressive and is the first museum of its kind in Cyprus.
Ayia Napa family attractions
Ayia Napa is popular with families too and the Cypriots adore children. There are many great quality hotels in Ayia Napa with excellent kids' clubs, big swimming pools and safe beaches, as well as self-catering apartments.
WaterWorld in Ayia Napa is immense with around 21 slides, rides and drops. It's Europe's largest themed water park and Greece is the word here. Along Nissi Avenue, families can muck around at crazy golf courses and play areas.Ayia day trips
Step back in time to the Makronissos Tombs, an ancient burial site west of Ayia Napa village.
The city of Larnaca, 25 miles along the coast, is also worth some time, while jeep safaris are a great way to get out and see more of the island for the day.
Ayia Napa is popular with families too and the Cypriots adore children. There are many great quality hotels in Ayia Napa with excellent kids' clubs, big swimming pools and safe beaches, as well as self-catering apartments.
WaterWorld in Ayia Napa is immense with around 21 slides, rides and drops. It's Europe's largest themed water park and Greece is the word here. Along Nissi Avenue, families can muck around at crazy golf courses and play areas.Ayia day trips
Step back in time to the Makronissos Tombs, an ancient burial site west of Ayia Napa village.
The city of Larnaca, 25 miles along the coast, is also worth some time, while jeep safaris are a great way to get out and see more of the island for the day.
Ayia Napa eating
A tasty Cypriot meal is likely to kick off with a meze - the table fills with plentiful little dishes with anything from hummus, Cypriot sausage, or vine leaves with rice and herbs. Fish or meat-themed meze is also likely to be on the menu.
Fear not if Cypriot meatballs or moussaka don't appeal, as there are endless familiar options in Ayia Napa from Japanese to Italian, and plenty of places where chips are served with everything. The restaurants of the harbour offer a great alternative to the busy central square.
A tasty Cypriot meal is likely to kick off with a meze - the table fills with plentiful little dishes with anything from hummus, Cypriot sausage, or vine leaves with rice and herbs. Fish or meat-themed meze is also likely to be on the menu.
Fear not if Cypriot meatballs or moussaka don't appeal, as there are endless familiar options in Ayia Napa from Japanese to Italian, and plenty of places where chips are served with everything. The restaurants of the harbour offer a great alternative to the busy central square.
Ayia Napa nightlife
From cocktails and karaoke in Bedrock, or 70s retro at Starsky's, to four rooms of house music at Castle, or chill out parties until sunrise at River Reggae, Ayia Napa deserves an Oscar for nightlife.
Ayia Napa has around 250 bars and clubs and a good place for party people to start is the main square, where bars fill up from 11pm . If you panic at the thought of missing a match, head to Linekars, one of a chain of Brit-friendly pubs across the Med, where the wearing of red and white seems positively essential.
From cocktails and karaoke in Bedrock, or 70s retro at Starsky's, to four rooms of house music at Castle, or chill out parties until sunrise at River Reggae, Ayia Napa deserves an Oscar for nightlife.
Ayia Napa has around 250 bars and clubs and a good place for party people to start is the main square, where bars fill up from 11pm . If you panic at the thought of missing a match, head to Linekars, one of a chain of Brit-friendly pubs across the Med, where the wearing of red and white seems positively essential.
Ayia Napa shopping
Shops are everywhere and likely to open until 11pm to catch after-dinner meanderers - designer goods, sunglasses, watches, can all be as much as 30% cheaper than at home.
For a local souvenir, it has to be a bit of embroidered Lefkara lace, pottery, silver jewellery, or a high-quality leather bag or belt.
Shops are everywhere and likely to open until 11pm to catch after-dinner meanderers - designer goods, sunglasses, watches, can all be as much as 30% cheaper than at home.
For a local souvenir, it has to be a bit of embroidered Lefkara lace, pottery, silver jewellery, or a high-quality leather bag or belt.
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