Ayia Napa has entertainment for all tastes, ages and budgets: a lunapark, a street of bars and the most famous beach in Cyprus, Nissi beach.
Ayia Napa has a total of 12 beaches. All of them are within walking distance from the city center or can be reached by taking 1—2 bus stops. You will find this list in any review and blog: Kastarka, Limnara Beach, Grecian Bay, Limanaki, Pernera, Latchi, Landa, Vathia Gonia, Nissi Beach, Makronisos, Konnos Bay and Sandy Bay.
I’ve been to all the beaches in the resort and will detail the top four.
Nissi beach
Nissi is the most famous beach in Cyprus. The famous foam parties are held here, so it is always crowded. Nissi Beach — almost in the city center, not far from all the entertainment, and at the same time there is white sand and dozens of hotels around the beach. True, the prices of these hotels are significantly higher than in other places.
- Entrance to the beach is free of charge. Sun lounger and umbrella — 7 € per day.
- Infrastructure: lifeguards, free toilets, showers. Many bars and restaurants.
- You can reach Nissi Beach from the center of Ayia Napa by city buses 101 and 102 (terminus).
- There is a parking lot for cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
- You can take a cab for 2 € per person or walk along the promenade.
Makronissos
This beach is located on the outskirts of Ayia Napa, you can’t get here on foot from the city center. The beach itself is small, but it is much less crowded than Nissi Beach. There are picturesque ruins nearby, where anyone can take beautiful photos on the rocks for Instagram.
The only disadvantage of this beach is the almost complete lack of infrastructure. The maximum you can find here is a few non-posh taverns nearby.
- Admission is free.
- Infrastructure: shower, free toilet.
- How to get there from the city center: by cab, rented car or bike, by city bus 101 and 102. Don’t forget to tell the driver in advance that you want to go to Makronisos beach — this is an on-demand stop.
Konnos bay (Konnos bay)
Konnos Bay is located between Protaras and Ayia Napa. The descent to the beach is very steep and long, there are a lot of steps down (and on the way back up), so do not come here with small children or strollers.
Those who make it there get a picturesque panorama of the bay, which is surrounded by cliffs on both sides. There are plenty of bridges for breathtaking photos. There are several taverns and cafes on the beach where you can grab a bite to eat and enjoy the view of the bay.
- Admission is free.
- You can get there from the city center by bus 101 and 102, only going in the opposite direction from Nissi Beach. The trip will take about 30 minutes.
- Infrastructure: free toilet and shower, water scooter and catamaran rentals, restaurants and taverns.
Sandy bay.
Sandy beach is located in Ayia Napa, practically in the center of the city. On google maps it has a different name — Vathia Gonia, and a similar name is written on the sign near the main street of Ayia Napa, which is used by buses. Not far from this place there is a bus stop and the Bank of Cyprus. The road from the center is only one or two stops away, so you can walk there.
The beach is located on the shore of a very beautiful bay with blue water. It is always quite free, free wi-fi, many municipal umbrellas and sun loungers for rent at prices from 2,5 €.
- Admission is free
- Infrastructure: toilets, changing rooms, lifeguard tower, showers, bars and restaurants, water entertainment.
- You can get there from the center by walking along the waterfront.
What you need to know about Ayia Napa
- The season in Cyprus lasts from May to October. The most comfortable temperature for a vacation in Ayia Napa is in June and September: about +30 during the day, +24 at night. The water warms up to +26 and there is no strong heat. In the second half of September in Cyprus winds begin and it may not be very comfortable for rest.
- The cost of a sunbed and umbrella on the beach is about 7 € per person. There are municipal rentals from 2,5 €. But it is much easier to buy an umbrella for 2 € and bring your own towel.
- All beaches in Cyprus are municipal. Some hotels have their own stretches of beach. There are few such hotels and they are not budget hotels.
- The street of bars is open every day from 22:00 until morning. Most of the clubs have free admission, and after the night’s party they operate in auteparty mode.
- There are many grocery stores in the city center where you can buy alcohol at half the price than in Russia and duty free.
Where to stay in Ayia Napa: hotel or apartment?
If you go to Ayia Napa for the first time, I recommend staying in the Nissi beach area — this way you will have in walking distance both the beautiful beach and the city center with its entertainment.
I recommend renting an apartment in Cyprus if you want to stay mobile, see the whole island, visit different beaches and eat local food in tavernas. In a hotel, the vacation is more relaxed and measured: at least you are tied to the hotel for breakfast (and possibly full board).
I can recommend Tsokkos Holiday Apartments 3*, which is where I stayed. They are simple apartments with full board and everything you need. They are in close proximity to the town center and the bar street, and I recommend them for an active vacation. The complex consists of several two-story bungalows, some of which have windows directly facing the street of bars. Once a week there are DJ parties in the complex — you can attend them even if you are staying in another hotel.
The hotel has good food, but you should only take full or half board if you don’t want to go far from the hotel. We traveled all over the island, we like to try the local cuisine in cafes and taverns of the city, so we used only breakfasts.
