The 12 best things to do around Ayia Napa – when you’ve had enough of the beaches and bars!
Last updated on May 19th, 2026 at 12:45 am
These are the best things to do around Ayia Napa if you want more than just beaches, bars, and theme parks! Yeah, Ayia Napa is known as a party town for the stag dos and hen dos etc etc – but its a great base during the winter and shoulder seasons, and there is a lot more on offer than bars and party time during the season too!
This is a great list for the outdoor and nature lover, but most of it is not too hard, so its really good to go for anyone! And for those that want more than just outdoor things to do – its also good for the architecture / history of the area!
First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
Plan for your trip
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. My top picks for you are:
- A Blue Lagoon and Turtle Cove Cruise with lunch
- A sunset cruise with the Blue Lagoon
- Famagusta ghost town and the blue lagoon by jeep
- A day trip to mountain villages with food and wine
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
So let’s get on with all the best things to do around Ayia Napa and Protaras!
1. Take a walk in Cape Greco National Park – its a must do!
This park is stunning – the rock formations, moonscapes, seascapes and the wildflowers, especially in winter and spring, make it a magical place to visit. You can walk from Ayia Napa – continue on the from the Love Bridge along the coast, or you can start in the park itself. Its easy to get a bus from Ayia Napa (the 101) or Protaras (the 102) as it stops at the visitor center in the park – and the bus driver tends to shout “Cape Greco” so there’s no missing it.
Highlights are the Sea Caves, the Blue Lagoon, the Ayioi Anargiroi Church, Konnos Beach, and the walk around the Peace Monuments. You can walk from Ayia Napa to Protaras along the coastal path or just do the bits you want to. You can also drive to each of these spots. Whatever you decide, its a must do! Doenload the AllTrails app and check out the trails in the park here!
If you are here in winter or spring, there is a massive bonus – the wildflowers! They are stunning. There is an amazing patch near the visitors center – behind the bus stop heading to Ayia Napa. But wherever you walk in Cape Greco you will see some wildflowers!
2. Swim at Nissi beach and explore Nissi island
Its famous for its fine white sand and crystal clear waters and is rated as the prettiest beach in Cyprus. (I tend to agree!) The island, and sand spit out to it, create two beaches and gives the any position on the beach a beautiful backdrop – at any time of year. You definitely want to swim here at least once!
3. Pose on the love bridge
A fun thing to do – why not? Down below the Sculpture Park is the Love Bridge. Its a bit irresistible to go pose on it! In the summer look out for the monk seals below.
From here you can walk on around the coast to the sea caves. A great walk to another fantastic sculpture of mother nature!
4. Kayak, dive or snorkel somewhere – really get ‘into’ the water around you
Kayaking around Cape Greco is a great way to add to the walk around the land part of the park. It is also a marine reserve so you never know what you might see. This 6-hour guided trip or this guided 2-3 hour highlights trip are perfect ways to do it!
Top pick for snorkeling is at the Musan Underwater Sculpture Park near Ayia Napa and Nissi Beach. You need to be an okay swimmer and the 93 sculptures are at about 10 meters but the water is so clear so….
Even better is to dive the Underwater Sculpture Park and get in amongst the sculptures!
Another option is to get to know Cape Greco under the water with this Tunnels and Caves dive.
And if you haven’t learnt to dive yet, then this “3-4 day Become a PADI Open Water Diver” is just what you need! Or if you just want to try once before committing, then a 3 hour introductory dive will get you going.
If you are a diver, you should consider diving the Zenobia Wreck – its not far away near Larnaca and is rated as one of the best dives in Europe. You can also snorkel the wreck if you are not a diver.
5. Walk along the ancient Roman Agia Napa aqueduct
This is one of the few remaining aqueducts in Cyprus from Roman times and I don’t know why the local council doesn’t make more of a thing of it! there is an information sign but its a pretty walk along the aqueduct – with lots of wildflowers in winter and spring. And it takes you most of the way to the Sculpture Park – the last bit you just walk on the footpath alongside the road.
The aqueduct is an extremely sophisticated construction that was built in roman times to transport water from the Napa Municipality Hills to the Monastery and stored in an underground reservoir. Its amazing when you think just how old it is!
6. Wander around the Ayia Napa Sculpture Park
The sculpture and cactus park is an open-air sculpture ‘museum’ that is growing every year. It has great views of the sculptures with the ocean as a backdrop. The cactus and native Cyprus plants are an added bonus – its really well done. The park is bigger than it looks from the road so allow at least an hour to get around and have a look at it all. And its free!
7. Take a boat trip and swim at the Blue Lagoon
The water is blue blue blue – and who doesn’t want to swim in that? You could get yourself to a nearby spot on shore and swim into the lagoon, but its great fun to take a coastal day trip and explore the coast from the sea as well as the blue lagoon. Either way, its a great swim spot – although you want the sea to be calm on the day! There are a good choice of trips:
- A 3-hour coastal cruise with the Blue Lagoon from Paralimni marina
- A Blue Lagoon and Turtle Cove trip from Protaras pier (also 3 hours)
- A 4.5 hour Blue Lagoon and Turtle Cove Cruise with lunch from the Ayia Napa town harbor
- A 4 hour sunset cruise with the Blue Lagoon on a wooden sailing ship – from Ayia Napa, Protaras, or Pernera
- A Sunset trip on Glass bottom boat with water slides and swimming at the Blue Lagoon – from Protaras
8. See the flamingos and wildflowers – in winter and spring!
There is an invasion of Cyprus every year – not by the Turks but by thousands and thousands of flamingos! They are usually around from December to February and you can see them close by in Paralimni Lake. At the same time – but right through spring you can see the amazing wildflowers around the town and especially in Cape Greco National Park! Two fantastic reasons for wintering over here like I did!!
9. Cross the border and visit the divided city, the northern mountains, or the ghost town in Northern Cyprus
You will know about, or hear about, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and the division of the country ever since then into Greek Cyprus and Turkish Cyprus. Its a great area to explore. Jump on a tour to Nicosia – the only divided capital city in Europe and explore both sides of the city. Or visit the Kyrenia mountains in the north on a jeep safari – and imho these mountains are stunning!
Famagusta is another day trip to the north option and is fascinating – its really a huge waste and horrible for the people that lived there who were forced to leave during the invasion, thinking they would be back in a few days, and were never allowed back. This was once “the” resort capital of the country and it all just sits there rusting away. Its bizarre to see. This was a fascinating tour! You can go to Famagusta on a combo tour also visiting the famous Salamis archeological site, or, combine it with a trip to the Blue Lagoon on a jeep safari!
Note: Unless you are from Syria, Nigeria or Armenia, you can cross the border with a valid passport or with an EU, Schengen or Turkish ID. Don’t forget your passport.
10. See the key sights in town – including the Monastery of Agia Napa and the Thalassa Municipal Museum of the Sea
If you are in the area, its worth taking a bit of time to walk around the town and take in its history. Start in the center near the fountain and “I love Ayia Napa” sign. Behind the fountain is the beautifully decorated (as always) Ayia Napa church – worth taking a look at.
Next to the side, is the Ayia Napa Monastery built around 1500, with its museum and garden. (It has been closed for renovations at the time of writing but hopefully will be open again soon.) The ancient fig tree outside is quite majestic too! You will also see memorials to local fallen heroes in the 1974 invasion by Turkey near the fountain and monastery.
From here you can head to the Thalassa Municipal Museum of the Sea – ocean themed of course with items dating back to 2000 BC. It has a replica of the “Kerynia” – a life size exact replica of the ancient ship of Kyrenia, a 4th-century BC ancient Greek merchant ship that sank around 294 BC. You find out about the excavations of the original Kyrenia, and the preservation of it – which is now in the castle of Kyrenia in “occupied” Northern Cyprus.
11. See the Ayia Napa Marina, and visit the Ayia Thekla Chapel, and the Makronisos tombs
Take a bus out to the marina – soak up the ambience there for a bit, then in either direction is a little historical treat. Head 5 minutes walk to the right (looking out to sea) and you will see the blue and white Ayia Thekla chapel. Go down the steps in front and you find a small candlelit chapel / shrine in a cave. This is a venerated place in Cyprus. It is believed to have been created in the 4th century as the church’s former burial ground.
If you head back to the marina and keep going along the coastline toward Ayia Napa, past the next small beach, you come to the headland with the Makronisos archaeological site and its many tombs. These tombs are 2000 year old Hellenistic and Roman tombs – and you can walk around freely and down into them. there is nothing left in the tombs but its interesting to see so many of them in one little headland.
12. Head to the mountains and try the local wines or cheeses!
Okay this is not IN Ayia Napa / Protaras , but taking a day trip from here is a great way to see a bit more of the country. I loved the Troodos (mountain) area. And if you love wine or cheese there are plenty of tours that will be just right for you! Alternatively you can hire a car and go explore alone! But these are the tours to consider taking with a knowledgeable guide!
Mountains and wine tasting – visiting Omodos village, Millomeras waterfall, a medieval bridge
An artesian food and wine tour through the mountains and villages
Villages in the mountains and a boutique winery – or a similar one here
Cheese making and tasting through the villages in the mountains
Frequently asked questions about Ayia Napa and Cyprus:
Q: Is Cyprus safe for tourists?
A: Yes, it is generally very safe for tourists. Tourist crime rates are low, violent crime is uncommon.
Q: Do I need a visa for Cyprus – and is it part of the Schengen?
A: Many nationalities do not e.g. NZ, Australia, UK, Canada, USA, Singapore, Malaysia – you get a visa on arrival at the border. You can check for your nationality here. Cyprus is part of the EU but not part of the Schengen Area as of 2026. They do follow the Schengen 90 days in 180 tourist visa rule though.
Q: Is Is Ayia Napa Only for Young Party Tourists?
A: No. I am anything but a young party tourist and I really enjoyed the area for its beaches, hikes, wildlife and wildflowers, history and more. The party life is centered on the middle of Ayia Napa and many hotels are on beaches far from this.
Q: What are the best beaches around Ayia Napa?
A: Nissi Beach si probably the no1 but it gets busy. Makronissos Beach is lovely and quieter. Also look at Pantachou Beach, and Ammos Kambouri Beach.
Q: Do you need a car – and what side of the road do they drive on?
A: No, not if you are happy to stay in the general area and relax, or just visit nearby towns (buses to Nicosia and other cities are easy to get. But yes, if you want to explore the island and mountain areas more – even for a day or two. Driving is British style – the left!
Travel Tips for Ayia Napa and Cyprus:
- Placenames and signage in Cyprus are often written in Greek, English and Turkish, e.g. – Nicosia is Lefkosa. There are sometimes various spellings of the same placename just to add to the confusion! You may see Ayia Napa written as Agia Napa.
- Stay out of the main center if you want to avoid the party scene e.g. the Nissi Beach area. It is easy to get into the main center on the frequent buses.
- Watch the sun – it can be brutal in mid summer so sunblock, hats etc and plenty of water are essential.
- Don’t spend every day at the same beach and not visit places like Cape Greco! You’ll be missing out on some fun and lovely places.
- Watch what you say! The people are great all over the country. But passions can get high re the war and the division of the land. In the south do not refer to the north as “Turkish” Cyprus. As far as most there are concerned, it is “illegally occupied Cyprus.” Just stick to saying Northern Cyprus.
Where to Stay in Ayia Napa or nearby Protaras
There is a huge range of options in and near both Ayia Napa and Protaras. As always there is a lot of choice and your budget / what you want to do has a big part to play in what is right for you.
Book your hotel with booking.com or Tripadvisor, or, a hostel with Hostelworld.
These recommendations are a good place to start. They all have at least a 9/10 rating on reviews at the time of writing!
Higher End – NissiBlu Beach Resort or Amanti, MadeForTwo Hotels in Ayia Napa
or Sunrise Pearl Hotel & Spa or At Herbal Boutique Hotel & Spa in Protaras
Mid Range – Nissi Park Hotel or Mon Repos Hotel in Ayia Napa
or Crystal Springs Beach Hotel or Cavo Zoe Seaside Hotel in Protaras
Good Value – Joy Hotel Apts or Bellagio Napa Suites in Ayia Napa
or Flouressia Gardens or Maricosta Apartments in Protaras
Budget – House of Nissus
There are some great apartment and villa options to for groups or families – from higher end to good value these are some options with higher than 9/10 ratings:
Seafront Villa Layla or Ionion Beachfront Villa or Summer Breeze 2 bedroom villa
Related posts
The 16 best hikes in Cyprus aka your Cyprus hiking Bucket List!
10 must do’s when you’re in Nicosia / Lefkosa
15 irresistible reasons to go to Northern Cyprus
10 things everyone should do at least once on holiday in Cyprus
Larnaca – more than just the beach!
or for inspo further afield