Hotels in Ayia Napa

From beach fun to discovering the rich local culture, Larnaca holidays have it all. Situated on the south-eastern edge of Cyprus, the coastline around the city boasts some of the country’s best beaches and diving sites, perfect if you’re a bit of a water baby! There are plenty of family-friendly attractions to keep little ones happy, too.

And there are lots of archaeological sites to explore if you love a bit of history. When it comes to food, you’ll find a cosmopolitan choice of restaurants, cafés and bars catering to every taste, from sampling the delicious local wines and Cypriot cuisine, to enjoying fish and chips or pizza.

Things to do

From exploring the antique shops of the old town to hitting the water on a banana boat, there’s something for everyone on your Larnaca holiday. The soft golden sands and shallow waters of Nissi Beach are a short bus ride away, putting you within easy reach of one of the best beaches in the Mediterranean.

The thrilling complex of slides and pools at Water World, Cyprus’ largest water park, are at nearby Ayia Napa, and are a must-visit for families.

Fancy something more laid back? Simply stay and enjoy a leisurely lunch along Larnaca’s bustling palm-lined seafront promenade. In the evening enjoy your meal like a local at a quiet taverna, or head to the bright lights of nearby party-capital Ayia Napa to dance the night away.

History and culture

Being the oldest city in Cyprus, it’s no surprise that Larnaca has so much history to explore. The historical centre offers visitors a whole host of museums and ancient sites to visit, such as the famous Saint Lazarus Church and Larnaca Fort. And what’s more, the size of the city means that you can easily make your way around the most popular hotspots by foot.

Night life and dining

Larnaca’s modern city was built on top of the ruins of the ancient city of Kition. In its place, you will now find a huge selection of bars, restaurants and cafés where you can indulge in all the local food and drink. You’ll find plenty of places along the seafront promenade where you can take a seat and watch the world go buy whilst enjoying a drink or two. Or, if you prefer things a little more fast paced, there is a good selection of clubs and discos too.

Choice of beaches

Larnaca has a wealth of sandy beaches stretching along its coastline. Two of the most famous beaches in the Larnaca area are McKenzie Beach and also Phinikoudes Beach, boasting blue flag status. Phinikoudes is situated just north of the city and is lined with countless palm trees. It’s the main tourist area of Larnaca and is surrounded by a huge choice of shops, bars and restaurants. Venture further afield and you’ll find no less than 14 blue flag beaches in the Ayia Napa area.

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We also have travel guides available for destinations, including Ayia Napa | Limassol | Nissi Bay | Paphos | Protaras

Mix up sun-drenched beaches with a cosmopolitan town bursting with restaurants, bars, and historic attractions to explore and you’ve got the perfect recipe for fun-filled Limassol holidays. Located on the south coast of Cyprus, it’s ideal if you want to do a bit of sightseeing alongside your classic beach holiday. It’s also a family-friendly place with lots on offer to keep the kids entertained. 

Things to do

Limassol is a great destination for shopping. Head to Agiou Andreou Street and you’ll find loads of local crafts on sale, as well as My Mall (the biggest in Cyprus), where you’ll find hundreds of shops under one roof including big-name brands like Adidas and Calvin Klein alongside highstreet favourites such as M&S. 

After a bit of retail therapy, make sure you delve deeper into the history of Limassol by wandering the maze of cobbled streets that run behind the Old Town. Start by admiring the Byzantine architecture around Agiou Andreou and make your way towards the Medieval castle, which sits near the Old Harbour. 

If everyone’s getting a bit hot and bothered, cool them down and take the kids to Fasouri Watermania Waterpark, with a range of slides and wave pools for a day of fun. Hit the beach and try one of the many water sports on offer. If you’re a more experienced diver, the MS Zenobia wreck, which is home to a rich and varied marine life, is close by.

There are plenty of restaurants in Limassol alongside cafés and bars, which is where most people head once the sun goes down. If you’re looking for a light bite, you’ll find a dozen places selling Cyprus’ answer to the doner kebab - gyros. Those craving something more substantial should hit Meze Taverna, whose chefs have 30 years’ experience. Do not leave here without trying the beef stifado, it’s delicious. 

Added to all that, there’s a reason that holidaymakers flock to Limassol year after year - it’s cheap! You can grab a pint of beer for around 3 euro, while a three-course set menu will cost as little as 20 euro, not to mention many of its top-rated attractions are free to enter.

Excellent beaches

A wide range of beaches cover the sun-drenched coast, so finding the right one for you is easy enough to do. You’ll be able to relax on soft, golden sand in Governor’s Beach, or for water sports, the Akti Olympion Blue Flag beach is perfect. Its clear, calm waters are great for activities such as learning to windsurfing or diving. But no matter which one you choose, all of the beautiful shores that line Limassol offer a relaxing setting with excellent views of the glistening, turquoise sea.

Fabulous shopping

As well as the beautiful beaches, Limassol is popular for its fantastic shopping opportunities. Only a short distance from the city centre is My Mall, the largest shopping mall in Cyprus. Browse in hundreds of boutiques, both designer and high street brands. If shopping isn’t for you, there’s lots of other entertainment to get involved with, including bowling and ice skating, plus plenty of restaurants to grab a bite to eat in.

History and culture

Limassol is an important city for Cyprus, as it’s the country’s main industrial port along the large Mediterranean trade route. This is what first made it such a popular holiday destination, well, that and the beautiful climate. There are lots of archaeological sites to see around the city including the ruined city of Kourion. Sticking to traditions of Cypriot life, the city hosts religious festivals throughout the year too.

Vibrant nightlife

The variety of bars and clubs that line the streets in the bustling city of Limassol will not disappoint. Head down to Limassol marina where you’ll find well-known places to enjoy a bite to eat at the start of your evening, such as Wagamama and TGI Fridays. There’s also a choice of traditional wine bars and restaurants here such as The Yacht Club, Crystal and Derlicious.

Dance under the stars along the beach in Guaba Beach Bar, where partygoers can dance all day and night to the latest summer music that’s playing from the sound system. For something fruity, make your way to one of the many cocktail bars to watch the bar staff flaunt their skills and enjoy a Mojito or two. Be entertained at a cabaret show, or take to the mic for karaoke; the nightlife is notoriously vibrant with something to suit all tastes. With the large amount of places open until the early hours, your hardest decision will be where to go first.

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We also have travel guides available for destinations, including Ayia Napa | Larnarca | Nissi Bay | Paphos | Protaras

The family-friendly, fun-packed Nissi Bay has the best white sand beach in the area leading down into a beautifully clear turquoise sea. Unsurprisingly, this makes it very popular with beach lovers and families, but this resort on the edge of Ayia Napa on the south coast of Cyprus still has a laid-back, relaxed vibe, rather than the usual crowded chaos!

The party town of Ayia Napa is within walking distance, perfect if you want to dip into and out of its vibrant nightlife on your Nissi Bay holiday. There are also plenty of activities for the kids nearby, from go-karting and mini-golf to the multitude of slides and pools at Water World, Cyprus’ biggest waterpark.

Things to do

The soft white sand of Nissi beach is the perfect place to play games or hire a sun lounger to relax. The vibrant blue sea beyond will tempt you in for a refreshing dip or to try out one of the many water sports on offer, from jet skiing to banana boat rides. This is also a great place to explore under the water, scuba diving on the famous MS Zenobia wreck.

Away from the water’s edge there’s also lots to keep everyone entertained on holidays in Nissi Bay. From sampling delicious local or international cuisine in the cafés and restaurants of Nissi Avenue or in neighbouring Ayia Napa, to the exhilarating thrills of the waterpark, there’s plenty to see and do on a holiday to Nissi.

Diving and snorkelling

The beaches of Nissi bay are some of the best in the Mediterranean and like all good beaches, there are a number of great spots for diving and snorkelling along the coastline. One in particular, the Zenobia Shipwreck in Larnaca is a popular diving spot and has been ever since the large cruise vessel first sank in 1980. As it rests in shallow waters it’s easily accessible to divers and is rated as one of the best shipwrecks to explore in the world.

Fantastic boat trips

The long beaches of Nissi Bay have a number of excursions to suit all groups of people whether you’re into diving, water sports, fishing, or even just relaxing on a catamaran cruise. Perhaps the most exciting boat trip you can take is to hop on board the yellow submarine in Ayia Napa for an underwater adventure in the Mediterranean Sea. The day begins with a dive down to the ocean floor and finishes with a visit to the crystal blue waters of a stunning sea cave. The glass bottom of the submarine offers the opportunity for some amazing views of the marine life.

Festivals and nightlife

Nissi Bay is near to the legendary nightlife of Ayia Napa town but the resort itself features a great combination of bars, restaurants and souvenir shops along its main street. Why not join in the celebrations at the Ayia Napa Festival in September and Children’s Festival in June? While July plays host to both the Paralimni and Larnaca Summer Festivals.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including Ayia Napa | Larnarca | Limassol | Paphos | Protaras