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Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa, Cyprus: Best Places to Visit (7-Day Itinerary)

Enjoy 7 days on Cyprus, the beautiful island full of surprises: wonderful beaches, cliffs, caves, natural bridges, interesting monuments and wonderful cuisine.

Legend has it that the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea was where Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty, desire and fertility, was born.

In this post you will learn about the area around Ayia Napa, which is considered a place with the most beautiful beaches. Get ready for this unforgettable trip with this 7 days itinerary.

Good to know

Cyprus is an island with two completely different faces. The southern part called „Republic of Cyprus“ which is a member of the European Union and the official Greek language. The northern part called  „Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus“ is recognized only by Turkey, with Turkish as official language.

But don’t worry, you will easily be able to communicate in English in both parts.

Cats of Cyrus

Did you know that there are more cats living on Cyprus than people? About 1.5 million cats in Cyprus are street cats, which are fed by residents as well as tourists.

Cypriot cats are very friendly and often love to be stroked, so feel free to include feeding cats to your daily routine.

Taking an evening walk and feeding the cats is one of the most fun memories from Cyprus.

Personal thoughts

For our trip to Cyprus, we decided to travel during the off-season. In our case the decision turned out to be a jackpot. Even Ayia Napa is considered a party town in Cyprus, you definitely can’t feel it in October/November (well, except for a few closed bars).

Thanks to the fact that we chose this time of year for our trip it was more affordable. After the high season hotel prices are much cheeper, although the choice of accommodation is not as big.

This, however, did not matter to us, because what we wanted most were, the unbelievable beaches and crystal clear water. On top of it, the temperatures were high enough to enjoy them.

Speaking of beaches, did you know that on Cyprus you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe? As many as 60 beaches on the island are marked with the „Blue Flag“, which means they are incredibly clean and well-maintained.

In this post, we’ll show you an overview of best sightseeings and beautiful beaches to enjoy your stay on the beautiful Ayia Napa.

Things to do in Ayia Napa

Day 1:

#1 Nissi Beach

Start your day with a visit to a local bakery (e.g. Zorbas Bakery) where you’ll not only eat fresh baked goods, but also get great coffee. It’s worth trying the local caffee fredo – cold coffee with a lot of foam.

After breakfast head to the most popular beach in the area – Nissi Beach. This place has gained its popularity for a reason, the beach is wide and specious. You can easily rent beach beds on the spot, as well as have lunch in one of the restaurants. The beach also offers a variety of water sports.

Tip: In low season it’s best to show up on the beaches, just before 10 AM. This will allow you to pick a perfectly placed beach bed without any problems. In high season, however, it’s a good idea to get to the beaches early, as they fill up quite quickly.

At the end of Nissi beach there is a small chapel, painted in white, dedicated to Apostle Andreas. Both from outside and inside the church is beautifully maintained and modestly decorated. It is worth a look here at least for a while, but remember to dress appropriately.

#2 Saint Epifanios Monastery

In the afternoon, take a 40-minute drive to Saint Epifanios Monastery. The yellow stone building looks especially beautiful during sunset. The place is incredibly peaceful, and the only thing you’ll hear in the area are the chirping birds.

Day 2:

#3 Makronissos Beach

On the second day, head to the slightly calmer Makronissos Beach. The water here is calm and like all beaches in Cyprus with an amazing turquoise color. Heading to this beach, don’t forget to stock up on food for the cats. There is quite a group of them here, especially around the restaurant.

#4 Ayia Thekla Chapel

After the beach, it’s time for some sightseeing. Visit the beautifully located Ayia Thekla Chapel. The white building with a blue dome on the roof looks beautiful against the backdrop of the setting sun.

Day 3:

#5 Glyki Nero Beach

Start your naxt day at the wonderfully located Glyki Nero Beach. There are interesting cliffs on the left side of the beach, and the beach itself is calm and quiet. For those who want even more relaxation there is a massage studio on site.

#6 Ayioi Anargiroi Church

After the beach, head to Ayioi Anargiroi Church. It is a beautiful, small Orthodox church beautifully located by the cliffs. On the site except the lovely church, you will find numerous of cats living in the area.

A small path leading from the church will take you to the cliffs. Take a few steps down to the caves in the cliffs. Be careful, the waves here can be quite strong, so it’s possible you won’t come out of this place dry.

#7 Crows Arch

On the way back stop at the Crows Arch, which is a beautiful natural bridge. The nicest time to visit this place is definitely during the sunset.

Day 4:

#8 Fig Tree Bay

Located just 15 minutes away from Ayia Napa – Fig Tree Bay in Protaras is a beautiful bay that offers calm, crystal clear waters during the summer season, and a bit more rough sea during the winter months.

After sunbathing, take a walk along the coastline. The promenade is wonderfully laid out for walking. And the setting, full of palm trees and tall coniferous trees, is definitely one of the prettiest in the area.

Day 5:

#9 Konnos Beach

Another beach worth visiting in Protaras is Konnos Beach. This beautifully situated beach is a great place to start the day perfectly. This beach is quite small and fills up quickly, so it’s worth getting here early. Don’t forget to bring drinks and snacks, as there is only one small restaurant at this beach (slightly higher).

#10 Tree of Lovers

In the afternoon go to the Tree of Lovers an isolated old tree with an amazingly wide tree crown. It’s an interesting place, especially considering that besides this tree there is nothing in the area.

#11 Bridge of Lovers

At the end of the day head to Bridge of Lovers, another natural bridge extending from the cliffs. This magnificent place looks even more beautiful during sunset.

Day 6:

#12 Vathia Gonie Beach

On the sixth day, visit Vathia Gonie Beach. A wonderful cove beach in the shape of a horseshoe. This beach is not one of the largest, but it is nicely located, and the water here is calm.

Right next to the beach there is a beautiful restaurant located called Periyiali. It impresses not only with its decor, but also with delicious appetizers and cocktails.

#13 Sculpture Park

During sunset be sure to go to Sculpture Park. Although during the day this place is not very visited due to the intense sun, in the evening it definitely comes alive. The park is full of interesting statues created by artists from all over the world. Most of them are a modern take on figures from Greek mythology.

Day 7:

#14 Boat Cruise Tour

On your last day, be sure to go on a boat cruise along the coast and visit some stunning places such as Ayia Napa Caves, Cape Greco, Sea Arch and Cliff Church. Take a swim in Blue Lagoon and enjoy some BBQ (or Halloumi) in Konnos Bay. The lucky ones may even get to see some turtles while snorkeling or observe dolphins during the trip.

If you are looking for a trusted provider, we can recommend Scubacat Boat Trips, which was also our choice. During the off season a ticket costs $42 (€40) per person

Best restaurants in Ayia Napa

During your stay, you can’t miss out on enjoying some delicious Greek and Cypriot specialities.

    • Opas Traditional Tavern | Delicious traditional food
    • Sesoula Kalamaki | Amazing wraps
    • Periyiali | Yummy food at beach
    • Raphael’s Restaurant | Authentic and delicious food
    • Café Central | Tasty international cuisine
    • Dolfin’s Café | Good breakfast place
    • limanakidavinciespresso | Nice coffee and desserts
    • The Backery Co. | Delicious ice cream
    • Berry Coffee | Yummy pastry and coffee

How to visit Cyprus

Airplane

Cyprus is an island, so the easiest way to get there is definitely by airplane. If you plan to visit the Ayia Napa area, choose airplane flights to Larnaca Airport, which is a 40-minute drive from Ayia Napa.

Ferry

There is also a second option by which you get to Cyprus and that is by ferry. To get to northern Cyprus take the ferry from Tasucu in Turkey to Kyrenia in Cyprus. Unfortunately, this is definitely a longer trip because there is an additional 1.5h route from Kyrenia to Ayia Napa.

Getting around Cyprus

Car

To remain as flexible as possible when visiting Cyprus, choose a car. This is admittedly the most expensive option, but thanks to this you won’t have to adjust your trip and sightseeing time to others.

Choose Sicily by Car for car rental for low prices and a trusted company.

Bus

Arriving in Ayia Napa by airplane, there are shuttle buses to get you tho the beach destinations.

Check bus connections from Larnaca to Ayia Napa.

The southern part of Cyprus is well connected by public transportation. Buses go to most tourist attractions, bus tickets are cheap and schedules are reliable.

Check bus connections around Ayia Napa.

Best time to visit Cyprus

The best months to visit Cyprus are the spring months of May-June, or the autumn months of September-October, and even the first week of November. Temperatures during these periods are definitely lower, and the beaches are less crowded. Unfortunately in the off season, less restaurants and hotels are open. Keep this in mind when planning your trip to Cyprus. During this period it is also more family friendly since less clubs are open.

High season during summer months July – August, on the other hand, are ideal months for partying and relaxing at the beach. Be aware, however, that hotel prices are highest during these months and temperatures can be extremely high.

Where to stay in Ayia Napa

Considering that this article includes a plan for 7 days exploring the Ayia Napa area, the best place to stay is the city centre of Ayia Napa itself.

This means you are surrounded by numerous restaurants and the best connections for exploring the whole area around Ayia Napa.

How long to stay in Ayia Napa

In order to visit all the places mentioned and have time to rest on the beach, reserve at least 7 days to visit Ayia Napa and its surroundings. If you want to see more of the island, book 10 to 14 days on Cyprus.

Tips and Tricks

Beach chair cost

We love the fact that in Ayia Napa, whether in high season or off-season, two beach chairs and a sun umbrella only cost a total of $8 (€7.50).

Currency

There are two currencies in Cyprus, the Euro in the southern part and the Turkish Lira in the northern part. However, in case you intend to visit only the Ayia Napa area, you will just need Euro.

Travel costs for Ayia Napa

The prices are per person, except for the accommodation and taxi, which we rent for 2 people.

Accommodation: $50 – $100 / night

Best Things to Do in Varenna & Lake Como, ItalyRestaurant: $25 – 33 / meal

Snack: $3 – $8 / meal

Pleasure: $8 – $17 / event

Cuba Travel Guide: Best Things to DoBeach chair (incl. umbrella): $8

Activity: $42 / event

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