| <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: | | | | recommended as it is one of the longest beaches |
| 0.21cm } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> | | | | in Cyprus and is the longest in Ayia Napa, so |
| When everyone thinks about Ayia Napa they just | | | | there will be no fear of you not finding a quiet |
| think about the clubs, the night life, lad's holiday | | | | spot or a space to settle down. |
| etc. yes, it is a party capital - there is no denying | | | | |
| that - but it can be a great location for a family | | | | If you take a 10 minute trip out of Ayia Napa |
| holiday. | | | | you can go to a place that is considered one of |
| | | | | the most beautiful places the island has to offer. |
| Being that Ayia Napa is considered a party capital | | | | There you can go to the protected nature park, |
| it may be better to look for place that isn't | | | | see the remains of a Venetian lighthouse or go |
| situated in the city centre, it'd be better to be on | | | | cliff diving. If you believe urban myths and |
| the outskirts of the city to avoid all the | | | | legends, then maybe you can go hunting for the |
| excitement of the night scene - especially if you | | | | Ayia Napa sea monster! Known by local fishermen |
| are with your family or an light sleeper. There are | | | | as 'To Filiko Teras" which means the "The Friendly |
| plenty of villas in Cyprus that are in nearby | | | | Monster", it is rumoured that it looks like a |
| vicinities. | | | | crocodile or a serpent, so if you see either of |
| | | | | those get your camera out or better yet call the |
| But first let's go into a little history about Ayia | | | | authorities. |
| Napa. The name is emanated from a Venetian-era | | | | |
| monastery that has the same name. This is | | | | There are many more attractions that you can |
| located in the centre of the town right next to | | | | visit such as The Makronissos Tombs which are |
| the Clubbing square. It was built in 1500 and is | | | | west of Ayia Napa, near the Makronissos Island. |
| considered the best landmark in the area. The | | | | This is an ancient burial site that consists of a |
| location may not have changed but the sceneray | | | | stepped road leading down to a rectangular |
| around it has, back then it would have been | | | | entrance. Every September the Ayia Napa |
| covered with a thick forest which meant that the | | | | Festival is held; this is an annual festival that |
| only visitors it got were hunters. Now its people | | | | reflects on the historic, cultural and agricultural |
| from all sides of the earth. The word Ayia means | | | | features of Ayia Napa and also Cyprus. This |
| holy in Greek and the word Napa is archaic and | | | | includes performances such as opera, folk dancing |
| means wooded valley. | | | | and other festivities. There are a couple of |
| | | | | Museums to visit such as The Thalassa - Municipal |
| When you visit Ayia Napa you have to go to the | | | | Museum of the Sea in Agia Napa and The |
| beaches as each of them are of a high standard, | | | | Tornaritis - Pierides Museum of Marine Life |
| all beaches in Ayia Napa have been been awarded | | | | |
| with the EU Blue Flag for their level of cleanliness | | | | This shows that Ayia Napa has more going for |
| and facilities offered. You may want to avoid the | | | | than people think next time someone mentions |
| Nissi beach, though, as this is a beach that many | | | | Ayia Napa you can inform them about the things |
| of the clubbers and young people go to so it | | | | around the clubs and night life. Who knows, it may |
| tends to get busy. Harbour beach is | | | | soon lose its party capital of the world moniker. |