Ayia Napa

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Ayia Napa is a popular tourist town in the far eastern part of Cyprus, on the southern coast near Cape Greco. It’s in the Famagusta District and sits about 12 kilometers from Protaras.

The name Ayia Napa comes from a monastery in the town center. “Ayia” means holy in Greek, and “Napa” is an old word that means a wooded valley. Legends tell of a Virgin Mary icon found in a cave, which led to the building of a monastery. Venetians later built a church there around 1500.

Ayia Napa became famous as a UK party holiday destination in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since 2014 the government has recognized it as a major city-urban center and the town has taken steps to improve management and services, including beaches and infrastructure.

Today Ayia Napa is the largest tourist resort in Cyprus, with about 27,000 bed spaces across more than 175 hotels and apartments. In 2017 the town hosted over 700,000 visitors and had around 5 million overnight stays, about a third of all overnight stays in Cyprus. The city aims to be more cosmopolitan and high-quality by 2030.

Big projects include the Ayia Napa Marina, announced in 2016 and costing around €250 million, backed by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris. The city is also developing as a smart city with help from the University of Nicosia. A key goal is to manage all beaches directly through the local government.

Ayia Napa has many attractions. It has 27 beaches, 14 of which hold Blue Flag status for cleanliness and safety. The town has two water parks—Parko Paliatso and WaterWorld—and a marina. The underwater sculpture park near Pernera, created by Jason deCaires Taylor, opened in 2021 and is popular with snorkelers and divers. Other notable sites include the medieval monastery, the Makronissos Tombs, and two municipal marine museums: the Tornaritis-Pierides Museum of Marine Life and the Thalassa Museum.

The town also features the Ayia Napa Sculpture Park, which has grown to include hundreds of sculptures from around the world, and the Museum of Underwater Sculptures. Statues such as the Fisherman, the Mermaid, the Farmer, and the Kemitzides honor local history and culture.

Ayia Napa hosts several events each year. The Ayia Napa International Festival started in 1985, usually held in Seferis Square and the Monastery. The Ayia Napa Youth Festival began in 2010 and focuses on free admission, public voting for headliners, charity, and social messages. In 2007 the town organized the world’s longest chain of syrtaki dancers to set a Guinness World Record.

The town also promotes civic participation, with live-streamed council meetings since 2017 and citizen feedback programs. Ayia Napa remains a top destination in Cyprus for beach life, culture, and nightlife, offering a mix of historic sites, modern resorts, and creative attractions.