Ayia Napa is much larger than many other holiday resorts and is spread out over a wide area. Starting from the west as you approach Ayia Napa you first come to Ayia Thekla which is a huge development of villas, a mix of residential and holiday lettings, as well as the church of Ayia Thekla (Ayia means “Saint”). The area of Ayia Thekla has its own beach as well as many smaller, secluded spots of sand along the seafront. Next is Makronissos which is where you’ll find Waterworld Waterpark, Makronissos Beach club, and several excellent hotels and apartments. Recently this specific area is becoming more and more upmarket and in future years the new and modern Marina of Ayia Napa will be positioned between here and Ayia Thekla. Makronissos has three gorgeous gold-sand beaches, and just next door is the equally exquisite Landa Beach.… Ayia Napa is a large and world-renowned tourist resort and is a hybrid of activity with loads going on day and night throughout the summer and its crystal blue waters are a hallmark of its beaches Book your Ayia Napa summer holiday and enjoy the beauty of its beaches and unique summer ambience and relax in the perfect summer holiday. With great weather (Northern Europeans bring plenty of sunblock!) and amazing scenery, Ayia Napa is one of the best places on the planet for comparatively cheap summer holidays.

Perhaps the most famous of all beaches in Ayia Napa is Nissi Beach. Comprising twin bays it is where most people head to during the day. Hotels in this area are deluxe and it is also a top destination for honeymooners. As we head along Nissi Avenue we encounter Sandy Bay which is a beautiful sheltered cove. The whole area from Makronissos to Sandy Bay is often called Nissi Bay and is almost a mini resort in itself. It encompasses of a selection of family friendly bars and restaurants away from the bustle of the town for those who prefer less buzz and more quiet.

A couple of kilometers due east along Nissi Avenue, past the shops and restaurants, one arrives at the town centre. This is where the majority of the bars and all the clubs are located. It’s also where you’ll find most of the shops, the harbor, and a host of activities to take part in. Most of the accommodation in the town centre is fairly basic and self-accommodating, as it serves the needs of the clubbing masses.

Heading from the harbour towards the east, and within walking distance of the town centre, is Grecian Bay; a long sweep of sand with several gold-standard hotels, a selection of restaurants and it has an inherent exclusive feel to it. As we head out of town to the east we reach Cape Greco, which is a national park. It is a popular spot for diving and fishing and is an ideal place to watch the sunrise. Read our ‘About Ayia Napa’ page for more information on Cyprus and Ayia Napa where you will read about the gorgeous pine fringed beach of Konnos Bay. Note that Cape Greco is popular with hikers, walkers, cyclists and nature enthusiasts. You can also bungee jump, ride the slingshot, scuba dive, or ride a bucking bronco. You can go to a beach party, a pool party, on a boat trip or any of the many bars. There are hairdressers, tattooists, gyms, beauticians, as well as dance classes and fitness instructors.

Ayia Napa has some of the best night life in Europe, with a wide choice of clubs and over seventy bars – there is something for everyone in Ayia Napa. Whether you’re looking for a beach holiday, a fun family break or going solo, it is a getaway for all tastes and types. It is packed with bars, clubs and entertainment to suit every taste and budget; from the latest EDM, Hip Hop, House and RnB, right through to rock music, acoustic performances – and of course, karaoke.

Ayia Napa has a 14th century monastery, a museum and several churches. There are sea caves, a national forest park area, and many bicycle paths.

As with any town you will also find your usual banks, florists, mechanics, bakeries, computer shops, camera shops, dentists, doctors, estate agents, travel agents, insurance companies and many other amenities.

Things to do in Ayia Napa

– There are shops with everything from souvenirs and beach-wear to jewellery and designer clothing.

– You can enjoy every kind of beach sport or activity.

– Go to a pool party, a foam party, on a boat trip (including glass-bottomed boats) or hit the bars.

– There are hairdressers, tattooists’, beauticians and gyms, as well as dance classes and fitness instructors.

– Ayia Napa has a 14th century monastery, an ancient aqueduct, a museum, and several churches.

– There are sea caves, coves, a national forest park area and many bicycle paths.

– Lay on the gorgeous beaches, soak up some nature, take in the culture or dance till dawn.

June – August

Weather: These are the hottest months of the year, ideal for swimming and all kinds of beach activities and water sports. Average temperatures range from 18 °C to 40 °C (64 °F to 104 °F).

What to pack: Very light-weight cotton summer clothing is recommended, sandals, as well as, sunglasses, plenty of sun cream and a hat (especially around midday). If you are planning to spend time exploring the mountainous areas, bear in mind that the temperature can drop considerably – especially in the evenings. In this case, it is recommended to pack items of clothing which will provide you with warmth.

What to do: Sunbathe, swim, water sports, or go hiking in the mountains where it is fresher. Visit places off the beaten path and enjoy the warm and friendly hospitality of the Cypriots.

Renowned wine villages are at the forefront of an effortless journey whilst traversing beautiful scenery. The Limassol region is a stronghold of traditional wine making with an excellent choice of local wines. Nowhere else in Cyprus is there such a great presence of wineries as in these wine-growing villages of Lemesos (Limassol) district, known locally as Krasochoria (the Wine Villages). A dry climate combined with a unique geology is responsible for some excellent wines, made mostly from the local grape varieties Xynisteri and Mavro and also from some imported ones, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro, Grenache and Syrah. In Omodos and Koilani alone there are ten such wineries.…
Make sure you have enough time at your disposal to travel this route and, of course, taste its special wines on offer. Visit picturesque traditional villages such as Omodos, Vasa, Koilani, Lofou and Vouni with their traditional architecture, cobblestoned narrow passages, joyful surroundings, many of which host some of the best taverns in Cyprus.

The grape harvest in Cyprus

September is the traditional month of the grape harvest from the vineyards covering the rolling slopes of Cyprus. The vineyards are a hive of activity from March when the vines are pruned. Under the hot sun the vines have by now grown rapidly to the point where the grapes are now ready for harvesting. Families get together to harvest the year’s grapes before taking them to the local wineries to have them turned into Cypriot wine. During grape harvest season the growers are busy checking up on their crop and preparing for lots of hard work. In Cyprus, harvest season runs from August to mid-November. Grapes are traditionally harvested by hand, which is the preferred method for high-quality wine production. Manual harvesting may be tiring but the mechanical harvesters cannot harvest the steep slopes. In the weeks leading up to harvest, winemakers inspect the grapes with pH and Brix tests in the lab, and make frequent visitations to the crops to taste and examine the grapes. The higher the sugar content in the grapes, the higher the potential level of alcohol. Growers closely follow weather patterns to stay ahead of any sudden changes and fluctuations in weather fronts. Crops can be ruined by heat waves and excessive rain, so they are sometimes harvested early to avoid the risk of losing an entire year’s worth of toil and sweat. Despite being an arduous task, human hands remain the best way to sort the good grapes from the bad.

Harvests can take anywhere from a five or six days to over a month. But in the end, all that hard work and dedication pays off as most of our wineries host a grand harvest meal and party for the partakers with lots of wine (of course!), music, and traditional Cypriot dishes. Why not come and enjoy the experience for yourself?

Although not many people around the world know this, Cyprus is historically one of the birthplaces of wine as we know it. If you want to experience traditional viticulture, Limassol Villages are among the best places to see it.

September – October

Weather: During these months Cyprus has hot and mild days, with cool notably cooler evenings than in July and August. Average temperatures range from 18 °C to 33 °C (64 °F to 91 °F).

What to pack: Light-weight clothing is recommended for the day and medium-weight clothing (light jacket) for the evenings, especially in October.

What to do: Swimming and water sports are still available during these months and due to milder temperatures treks in the woods and forests are ideal.

November

Weather: During the day, the temperature in November is usually warm and sunny with median temperatures which vary from 10 °C to 22 °C (55 °F to 71 °F)

What to pack: Light-weight clothing for the day, but as temperatures drop at night, warmer clothes or jackets are needed.

What to do: This autumn month is ideal for picnics and outdoor sports during the day. Up in the mountains, the cold night temperatures mean that fireplaces have commenced use and provide cozy evenings conducive for reading and tranquility.

Explore why spring is the best time to visit the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Contrary to the idea that Cyprus is an arid and dusty landscape, think again. Cyprus in springtime is lusciously GREEN!

Spring in Cyprus is, for most people, the best time to visit. Winter’s rains bring the countryside to life. February and March are the prime months of verdant colours to behold. The main months of rainfall are December, January and February and, after the countryside has been inundated with much needed water, the magic and the beauty begin to blossom. It is a wonder how plants can withstand such intense fluctuations in temperature yet still survive.…

The Best Time to Visit Larnaca!!!

If you’re thinking of visiting Cyprus, you would do well to come in spring. February is normally a rainy month. It is worth waiting a few weeks longer to come to Larnaca between mid-March and the end April to get the best of the climate, the best views and, of course, the opportunity to see some of the beautiful wild flowers, including magnificent orchids and intensely fragrant wild herbs. The pink and white almond blossoms appear early from the beginning of February onwards. The weather and temperatures fluctuate more than in the height of the summer, but the vibrant landscape makes the odd shower more than worthwhile. For a lot of folks, spring is, the best time to visit Larnaca as, once the middle of March arrives, every wild flower imaginable literally sprouts into life and the countryside is awash with an amazing display of flora. It is a veritable pleasure to go walking in the Larnaca countryside at this time. Another feature of the Cyprus countryside in spring is the masses of yellow flowers. For some reason, the yellow flowers arrive first. By March, the wild flowers spring forth in every colour imaginable.

Clear skies, bright, warm and sunny days are the norm and they are the best time to enjoy the great outdoors and get a tan without boiling like a lobster, unless of course, that’s what you like to do in July/August, when the majority of tourists visit the island!

Nature Trails

There are four nature trails strewn across Larnaca’s mountainous areas, with each one designed to highlight the very best of the island’s picturesque beauty.

1. Kionia – Prophet Elias:
At 7 km long and taking around three hours to complete on foot, the trail commences either at the Kionia camping site near Vavatsinia, or transversely, from the Machairas Monastery in the direction of Konia. The route of beautiful scenic views encompasses the Prophet Elias Monastery, and you can also stop for a drink of water at the natural spring.

2. Vavatsinia – Cave of Athashia:
This route is two kilometers long and takes around an hour to complete on foot, the trail begins at the terrain road of the Vavatsinia – Konia Forest. The route passes by the cave of ‘Athashia’, which is a test excavation site for mineral gold that is known to exist in the area.

3. Lefkara – Metamorphosis of the Savior Chapel:
Three kilometers long and taking around 1.5 hours to complete on foot, the trail starts at Lefkara on the road to Vavatsinia, then follows a steep slope up to the Church of the Metamorphosis (Transfiguration) of the Savior. It then follows a circular direction, ending up back in Lefkara village, offering panoramic views, which are particularly stunning from the standpoint of the church.

4. Lefkara – Kato Drys:
Spanning 2.5 km and taking around an hour to complete on foot, this trail follows the same path towards the Metamorphosis (Transfiguration) of the Savior Church as the Lefkara – Metamorphosis of the Savior Chapel route, but subsequently takes a detour towards the village of Kato Drys. The downward sloped walk leads to the Convent of Saint Minas, a delightful monastery which accepts visitors during weekdays.

Visit the Villages:
Pano Lefkara – Kato Lefkara – Vavla -Kato Drys – Vavatsinia – Scarinou – Tochni – Maroni – Psematismenos – Kalavasos.

March

Weather: Spring begins in March. The average temperatures range from 7 °C to 19 °C (44 °F to 66 °F).

What to pack: Light winter clothes with medium-weight wear is recommended.

What to do: March is an excellent month for long country walks and cycling and taking walks by the sea.

April – May

Weather: The temperature warms up during these months, ranging from 10 °C to 29 °C (50 °F to 84 °F). Median temperatures tend to drop slightly at night.

What to pack: Medium-weight and summer apparel is recommended.

What to do: The countryside is at its most luscious green and the flowers are in full bloom at this time, making April and May the best months for those who enjoy spending quality time outdoors. Many visitors start swimming, despite the mild temperatures.