Ayia Napa — a resort town on the south-eastern tip of Cyprus, 40km east of Larnaca — has built its reputation on two complementary attractions: some of the finest sandy beaches in the Eastern Mediterranean (12 Blue Flag beaches within a 10km stretch of coast, with the remarkable clarity of the Famagusta Bay water and the consistent summer sunshine of Cyprus's driest corner combining to produce beach conditions that rival anything in the Greek islands) and a nightlife scene that has made it one of Europe's most celebrated party destinations, particularly for the 18–30 British market. These two identities coexist more peacefully than in some Mediterranean resorts: the beach zones and the bar district are clearly separated, the daytime beach experience is genuinely excellent, and the range of coastal scenery — from the town beaches to the wild headland of Cape Greco 8km to the south-east — is varied enough to reward several days of exploration.
Fig Tree Bay — consistently ranked among Europe's finest beaches — is a sheltered cove of powdery white sand and turquoise water 2km north of Ayia Napa town, backed by fig trees that give it its name and protected from the south-west wind by a small island in the bay. The water clarity (visibility regularly exceeding 15 metres) and the shallow gradient of the seabed make it an exceptional swimming beach and a popular snorkelling site. Nissi Beach (1km from the town centre) is slightly more social — the beach bar culture is well established here — but the sand and water quality match Fig Tree Bay. Both beaches have sunbed hire (approximately €12–18 per pair), water sports operators and café facilities.
Cape Greco National Forest Park
Cape Greco — the rocky promontory forming the south-eastern tip of Cyprus, 8km from Ayia Napa town by coastal path or car — is one of the most dramatic stretches of natural coastline on the island: limestone cliffs drop 20–30 metres to the sea, sea caves accessible by kayak or snorkel boat can be explored in the crystal-clear water below, and the national forest park behind the cape has walking trails through juniper and pine scrub above the coast. The Blue Lagoon sea caves — a series of natural rock archways and underwater caverns at the base of the cliffs, best explored by kayak tour from the Ayia Napa marina (departing morning and afternoon, approximately €25 per person) — are one of the finest short excursions on the Cyprus coast. The lighthouse at the cape tip and the two small churches (one Greek Orthodox, one converted into a chapel) mark the furthest point of the headland.
Protaras & Fig Tree Bay
Protaras — the quieter resort 6km north of Ayia Napa along the coast — has Fig Tree Bay at its heart and a more family-oriented character than Ayia Napa town. The coast between Ayia Napa and Protaras can be walked in 2–3 hours along the coastal path (signed, partly through Cape Greco National Forest Park), passing a succession of small coves, rocky headlands and viewpoints that reveal the extraordinary colour variations of the Famagusta Bay water — from turquoise in the shallows to deep cobalt offshore. The Protaras waterfront has restaurants and cafés fronting directly onto the beach, making it one of the more pleasant dining settings on the eastern Cyprus coast. Evening meals at Protaras are generally better value and less oriented towards the package-holiday market than the Ayia Napa town centre.
Getting There from the UK
Larnaca Airport (LCA) — Cyprus's main international hub — is 40km west of Ayia Napa (45 minutes by taxi, approximately €35–45; or local bus service taking 75 minutes). Paphos Airport (PFO) is 120km from Ayia Napa (1.5 hours by taxi or rental car). Most UK package holidays to Ayia Napa include airport transfers. Independent travellers should hire a car: the coastal road between Larnaca and Protaras (the B3 and coastal E308) is one of Cyprus's finest drives, and the beach-hopping between Ayia Napa's 12 Blue Flag beaches is best done independently with a car. Car hire in Cyprus is right-hand drive (Cyprus drove on the left under British administration and retained it post-independence) and prices are reasonable (£20–35/day from Larnaca Airport).
