Once renowned as the “new Ibiza,” Ayia Napa is shaking off its reputation as a destination only for late-night clubs and dance parties. Nowadays familes are just as likely to book flights to Ayia Napa as 18-30s, ready to enjoy the town’s natural beauty: long golden sand beaches, the warm aquamarine Mediterranean and rows of palm trees, all located in what was once a small fishing village amid panoramic scenery.
One of the most popular beach resorts in Europe, Ayia Napa is located on the southeastern coast of Cyprus. Ayia Napa flights arrive at the international airport at Larnaca – just a 30-minute drive away. During the summer months a steady stream of tourists arrive: though the population of the town is just under 3,000, more than 250,000 holidaymakers arrive each year.
The town's popularity extends beyond its myriad beaches and excellent nightlife. Its roots as a small fishing village are still to be seen in daily life and ancient buildings remain among the new hotels and apartment blocks. One of the most impressive is the Venetian-style monastery that stands in the middle of the main town square, and from which the resort itself takes it name.
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Peak season:
The weather is good in Ayia Napa for most of the year so the peak season runs for many months. It will be hardest to find a cheap flight to Ayia Napa during popular travel times such as UK school holidays.
Off season:
The real winter lasts only for December and January. The resorts in Cyprus, unlike much of the Mediterranean, tend to stay open in the winter so the cost of flights to Ayia Napa and hotels won't plummet. Spring starts in Mid-February when the almond trees blossom and the countryside becomes green. This can be the perfect time to visit with milder climate, before the rush of tourists hit the island.
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- Seferis Square is a good place to sit in the day, and stalls selling jewellery and copper appear in the evenings. At the end of the summer it gets extra busy during the local Ayia Napa festival when the place is filled with music, dancing and drinking.
- There are a number of beaches at Ayia Napa and the surrounding areas so you should be able to find one that suits. The place to see and be seen, Nissi Beach is about two miles from the centre of town and is always fun. There is an array of watersports (rings, bananas, jet skis and so on) as well as bars and restaurants all the way along the stretch of sand. Grecian Bay is right in front of the town and oust be one of the best "town beaches" in Europe. Perhaps the most famous beach, though, is Fig Tree Bay, closer to Protoras than Ayia Napa, but well worth a day trip to visit.
- Local life still matters in Ayia Napa, despite the tourist boom, and you can see the fishermen bringing home their catch to the harbour.
- Visit Waterworld, Europe’s largest themed water park. With rides galore, everyone, including the kids, is happy and you get the chance to cool down. If that's not enough exhilaration, right next door there is a go-kart centre.
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Content Manager at Cheapflights whose travel life can be best summed up as BC (before children) and PC (post children). We only travel during the school holidays so short-haul trips and staycations are our specialities!