Ayia Napa Holidays

Party nights are Ayia Napa’s calling card, but there’s more to this lively resort on Cyprus’s southeastern tip than foam parties and fishbowls. Between the clubs and karaoke bars, there are cobbled streets, harbourside tavernas and a peaceful Medieval monastery. You’ve also got 14 fantastic beaches to choose from.

Blue Flags flutter everywhere in Ayia Napa – all 14 beaches that spool the eight-kilometre coastline have got one. And each of them comes with its own personality. Makronissos Beach leads the way with watersports, while family-friendly Sandy Beach has gently shelving sand. And although not strictly a beach, the rocks by the harbour are perfect for a bit of peace and quiet.

Of course, Ayia Napa goes all out at night. If it’s 2-for-1 drinks, buzzing clubs and foam parties you want, you’ll find it here. But there are also plenty of trendy – and quieter – beach bars for chilled-out cocktails by the sea. And it’s surprisingly well-suited to families, too, with a good line-up of live entertainment and hypnotists.

The capital of Cyprus is just an hour away by car. You can explore the pretty old town within its sandstone Venetian walls, wander around the museums and churches and browse the fabric shops and jewellers. There are also lots of little cafés where you can stop for a reviving Cypriot coffee. As for shopping, the pedestrianised Laiki Geitonia area is top souvenir territory.