Car Hire in Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Ayia Napa

This small town, once a sleepy fishing village, has grown rapidly in recent years to become a buzzing tourist hotspot. Often described as a clubber’s paradise, Ayia Napa (also written as Agia Napa) has a vibrant nightlife, with enough clubs to satisfy even the most tireless partygoer. But there’s more to Ayia Napa than late night bars and discos. With some of the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus, crystal clear, bright blue sea and opportunities for myriad water sports Ayia Napa has something for everyone.

Attractions

In the centre of town, surrounded by a high wall, is a 16th century Venetian monastery, guarded by an ancient sycamore tree. Built around the cave where a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary was discovered, the monastery also houses a revered well. According to legend this was where the Virgin Mary saved some Christians sheltering from attack, by revealing a spring and thus saving them from thirst. Much of the monastery is underground or carved into the rock of the town. Open daily 9am -10pm.

One of the main attractions of Ayia Napa is the miles of sandy beaches. Makronissos is one of the largest beaches on this stretch of coast, but at 6km from the centre of town it is more popular with the locals than the tourists. Activities available here range from parascending to pedalos.

Only 3km west of the town centre Nissi beach is probably the most popular in Ayia Napa. Actually a pair of beaches, Nissi and Nissi Bay, these are sheltered from the wind and well equipped for water sports. There are also plenty of sunbeds, cafés and restaurants and for real thrill seekers the Original Bungee Downunder, a 150ft bungee drop.

Out to the east of Ayia Napa, between Limnara beach and Cape Greco lie some spectacular rock formations known as the Palaces. Created as a result of constant erosion by the wind and waves, these arches look as though they were elaborately sculpted by an architect. Only accessible by sea the Palaces make for a great boat trip.

With such clear waters and visibility of up to 130ft, scuba diving and snorkelling are popular activities in Ayia Napa. Many dive centres can take you to see underwater ruins and submerged archaeological remains. The Scuba Base has an especially large selection of dive sites including shipwrecks and underwater canyons. In addition there are plenty of opportunities for pedal and motor boating, as well as waterskiing, windsurfing and canoeing.

If nightlife is the main reason for your visit though, the clubbing season is from June to late September, coinciding with the hottest temperatures in the region. Though some clubs are open year round, like the soul and R&B favourite Black and White club, most are only lively between these months.

Shopping

Ayia Napa houses many small boutiques, open everyday except Sundays, which sell local handicrafts such as Lefkara lace, ceramics and baskets, as well as a multitude of leather goods. Silver jewellery is also a regional forte, and there are many shops such as Geoleni Silver which specialise in this. In addition watches, clothing and electronics such as cameras are all sold inexpensively in Ayia Napa.

Nightlife/Dining

Being such a favourite tourist spot Ayia Napa sports cuisine from all around the world, from French to Indian, and even some Mexican food. However there is no shortage of local Mediterranean specialities, especially around the harbour area, where restaurants like Vassos Fish Restaurant serve up the catch of the day with local Mediterranean vegetables.

In the many tavernas and small cafes by the harbour and in the winding backstreets you can also get a traditional meze. Similar to tapas this is a selection of 15 to 25 separate dishes, from fresh vegetables to meat and fish dishes with dips and sauces to accompany it. For the best mezes ask for the waiter’s recommendation, to ensure that you get the freshest fish or the special of the day. Other traditional dishes to sample include lountza (pork marinaded in red wine) and dolmades (stuffed vine leaves).

The harbour is also a good place to start a night out, with many cafes and bars overlooking the sea. Revitalised in recent years the harbour now has a wooden alleyway spanning its length and is illuminated at night. Later on head up to The Square in the centre of town, seen by many as the focal point of nightlife in Ayia Napa. Surrounded by clubs and bars there’s no shortage of choice, and with clubs such as Pzazz Club (house and garage, capacity 2,000) and Insomnia, (open 4am - 7am) you’ll be partying well into the morning.

Tourist Information

Leoforos Kryou Nerou 12
CY5330 Ayia Napa
Telephone: +357 23 72 17 96
Website: href="mailto:visitcyprus@cto.org.cy">visitcyprus@cto.org.cy visitcyprus@cto.org.cy

Airport

The main airport on Cyprus is Larnaca airport, located 46km to the South West of Ayia Napa and easily accessible by bus or taxi. Most major airlines serve Larnaca, and there are direct flights to all major European and Middle Eastern gateways, taking 4 ½ hours non stop to London, and 1 ¾ hours to Athens. In addition there are a number of charter flights a day which operate in the summer months.