CY
Ayia Napa
Sandy beaches, sea caves and nightlife on the island’s south-eastern tip
Sandy beaches, sea caves and nightlife on the island’s south-eastern tip
A sandy beach with shallow turquoise water and a small island you can wade to. It is busy in summer.
Photo: Dmitry Panov, CC BY 3.0
A protected headland with walking and cycling trails, sea caves and a natural rock arch. Cliff-jumping is popular, but the rocks and depth can be dangerous.
Bring water and shade; the trails are exposed.
Photo: Vsatinet, CC BY-SA 4.0
Limestone caves and arches line the coast west of Cape Greko; they are best seen from a boat or on foot at sunset.
Photo: Dmitry Panov, CC BY 3.0
A Venetian-era monastery in the town centre, with a cave church and a quiet courtyard.
Photo: Bayreuth2009, CC BY 3.0
A sheltered sandy bay with clear water in neighbouring Protaras, about 15 minutes away.
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Tavernas serve meze, fresh fish and grilled meats. The harbour area has seafood restaurants.
In summer, the town centre’s bars and clubs stay open late.
Cyprus has two international airports, Larnaca and Paphos. There are no trains; intercity buses link Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa, and car hire is common. Larnaca Airport is about 40–50 minutes by road, with buses and shuttles to Ayia Napa.
Local buses link Ayia Napa with Protaras and the beaches; quad bikes and scooters are widely rented. Cyprus is in the EU but, as of late 2026, not yet a full member of the Schengen area, so expect passport or ID checks on arrival.
Cyprus uses the euro (€); the Turkish lira is the main currency in the north, but euros are widely accepted there. Traffic drives on the left, and sockets are the UK three-pin type.
Prices are approximate and much higher in July and August.
Beaches and coast.
Visit the monastery, then spend the afternoon at Nissi Beach.
Walk the trails at Cape Greko and see the sea caves at sunset.
Swim at Fig Tree Bay, or take a boat trip along the coast.
🛂 Entry rules: Cyprus and the EU’s new systems
Cyprus is in the EU but not yet in the Schengen area, so the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) isn’t used at its borders and passports are still stamped.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
ETIAS will cover Cyprus when it starts.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Nightlife is busiest in July and August; spring and autumn are quieter.
Check depth and conditions; accidents happen at Cape Greko.
Wear a helmet and check insurance.
Shade is limited on the coastal trails.
Quick answers for planning time in Ayia Napa.
About 40–50 minutes by road.
No, outside peak summer it is quiet, with beaches and coastal walks.
Nissi Beach is the best known; Makronissos and Fig Tree Bay are also popular.
Yes in calm conditions, but take care around rocks.
May to June and September to October.
English is widely spoken, but translation helps with Greek and Turkish signs.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Cyprus travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.