AYIA NAPA BEACHES
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Golden sands and crystal clear waters........
The beaches of Ayia Napa are among the best in the Med!
Ayia Napa Boasts 14 Blue Flag beaches which from East to West are Konnos Bay, Kermia, Ammos tou Kambouri, Glyki Nero, Pantachou, Loukkos tou Manti, Katsarka, Pernera, Vathia Gonia (Sandy Bay), Nissi, Nissi Bay, Landa, Macronissos and
Agia Thekla. Most of the beaches in this area have lifeguards available during daylight hours from April until October. All have noticeboards at the beach advising of availability of lifeguards, warning flag systems and locations of other facilities such as toilets and showers. Many also have tourist facilities such as snack bars and watersports. View our Ayia Napa Beaches picture Gallery |
NISSI BEACH AND NISSI BAY
Nissi Beach is the most popular beach in the Ayia Napa area and probably the most well known on the island of Cyprus. It is made up of 2 connecting beaches, one long and lively, the other smaller and quieter. The beaches have golden sands and the waters are clean and clear. It is possible to walk out for up to a hundred metres without the water passing your waist and there are many sand bars in the shallows.
A variety of watersports can be enjoyed including pedalloes, parasailing and inflatables. Nissi means small island in Greek and there is indeed a small island which during the summer can be reached by walking through the shallow water. During the spring it is possible to walk over without getting wet feet at all. Nissi Beach can be reached via the coastal path which runs from the harbour or by road along Nissi avenue. Plenty of refreshment options can be found along the beach including snack bars and cafe's. The Eastern end of the beach is fairly quiet and relaxing, in contrast the other end is home to the Nissi Bay Beach Bar which draws crowds with it's daily programme of entertainment including top name DJ's, foam parties, beach parties and other events. Nissi is definitely the beach to visit to see and be seen with lots of posing and preening going on. During the peak months you can expect loud music, lots of bling, plenty of makeup and very little clothing in the area around the Nissi bay beach bar. |
SANDY BAY (VATHIA GONIA)
Sandy Bay is a sheltered beach nestled between two headlands. Nissi beach can be found over the western headland and the long coastal path to the harbour over the other. The rocky headlands also provide fantastic views over Ayia Napa and it's coastline. Sandy Bay has fine white sands and gently shelving waters. It is popular with families and is more low key and quieter than its busy neighbour.
There are watersports available including motorboats, jetskis and parasailing and the rocky headlands on either side of the bay attract snorkelling enthusiasts and divers. A handful of beachside restaurants offer a good choice of dining options as well as snacks and drinks. The beach is easily reached from Nissi Avenue by car and bicycle and also on foot along the sea front walkway. It is also on the bus route which runs from the waterpark along Nissi Avenue to the town centre before continuing on to Protaras and Paralimni. |
GRECIAN BAY BEACH / HARBOUR BEACH -
GLYKI NERO, PANTACHOU AND LOUKKAS TOU MANTI
The main beach in Ayia Napa and the one closest to the town centre is Grecian Bay. It is known by several names including harbour beach or it's official names Glyki Nero (which means sweet water), Pantachou and loukkas tou Manti. It is made up of a long stretch of fine white sands which spread from the harbour Eastwards towards the Ayia Napa sea caves.
The sand gently shelves into the sea making it safe and popular for families with children. The beach is lined with large hotels, many of them in the 4 or 5 star category. There are several restaurants, kiosks and snack bars at which to enjoy lunch or refreshments. Watersports are plentiful with various options including pedaloes with slides, jet skis and parasailing. This beach is the most accessible from the town centre and is within walking distance of many hotels and apartments. As well as families it attracts a mix of couples, young groups and older people. The atmosphere is relaxed and laid back making this beach popular with dedicated sun worshippers. Read more about Grecian Bay Beach....... |
KONNOS BAYKonnos Bay is at the most Eastern edge of Ayia Napa and is the jewel in the Cape Greco national park. Situated midway between Ayia Napa and Protaras, Konnos Bay attracts a mix of visitors from both resorts and is also very popular with local people, especially at weekends and during national holidays. The white sand beach melts into crystal clear waters which are a favourite spot for private yachts and motorboats to drop anchor for a few hours.
The high rocky headlands on either side of the beach are fringed with pine trees with various viewing points on the winding road down to the beach from which spectacular photographs can be taken. To reach the beach, visitors can either take this road which leads to a small car park, or use the steps which lead down from the Grecian Park Hotel at the top of the cliff. One unique feature of this beach are the sun loungers which are available to rent daily from the attendant on the beach. The moulded plastic loungers can be picked up and taken in the sea where they become floating sunbeds. A small cafe bar nestles in the pine trees is available for refreshments and there are numerous watersports available including a wide range of inflatables such as ringo's, flying fish and bananas as well as motorised sports. |
MACRONISSOS BEACH
Macronissos Beach is actually 3 beaches in one. The main beach is long with golden sand and is flanked by two smaller bays also with golden sand and clear waters. These beaches are found at the western edge of Ayia Napa and always attract a mix of tourists and local people. The atmosphere is laid back making them ideal for relaxing in the sun with a good book.
The beaches are also popular with families with young children due to the gently shelving sands and calm atmosphere. Watersports are available as well as a snack bar for refreshments. The beaches are reachable from Nissi Avenue by car or bicycle and are also at the end of the bus route which terminates at the nearby Waterworld Waterpark. During the winter kite surfers can occasionally be seen here if the winds are right. At Macronissos Beach, nestled in a small cove you will also find the Makronissos Beach Club which is where big beach parties and concerts are held every summer including Kandi beach Party. Read more about Macronissos Beach..... |
LANDA BEACH
Landa Beach is a small sandy beach in between Nissi and Macronissos beaches. It is sometimes referred to as Golden beach or Lanta beach by locals. It is quieter than Nissi but still gets busy during the peak summer months and at weekends when local people head to the beaches. Landa has golden sands and clear waters and a range of watersports as well as a snack bar.
It can be reached from Nissi Avenue and is also on the bus route from the centre of Ayia Napa to the waterpark. Next to Landa beach is a picnic area with small playground which is popular for barbeques and family gatherings. Read more about Landa Beach... |
KERMIA BEACH AND
AMMOS TOU KAMBOURI BEACH (LIMNARA BEACH)
Kermia is a small bay, sometimes referred to as Limnara beach. It is a couple of kilometres from Ayia Napa at the edge of the Cape Greco national park. It can be reached from the road through the Kermia Beach Bungalows complex or on foot along the coastal path which leads from Ayia Napa harbour to Cape Greco. It is a sandy beach leading to rock pools at the edges. It has few other facilites and is generally a quiet and peaceful beach.
Ammos Tou Kambouri is off the beaten track and is reached via an unsurfaced pathway just past the Ayia Napa sea caves. It is a small quiet sandy beach with plenty of rock pools. |
PERNERA BEACH AND KATSARKA BEACH
Katsarka and Pernera beaches are small areas of sandy beach which can be found between swathes of rocky shoreline which front the coastal path leading from Ayia Napa harbour to Sandy Bay beach.
Katsarka beach is located closest to the harbour and offers deep water swimming very close to the shorline. It is not ideal for families for this reason. Pernera Beach is located at the opposite end from the harbour towards the edge of Sandy Bay (Vathia Gonia beach). It shelves gently into crystal clear seas making it very popular with families. Watersports are available at both areas and limited refreshments are available on the beach. |
AYIA THEKLA
Ayia Thekla is the most Westerly beach in Ayia Napa and consists of a small main beach and lots of small private patches of sand along the coastline. It is generally a quiet beach but gets busier during peak season and national holidays when many of the nearby holiday villas are occupied with visitors. This is a more off the beaten track beach for those looking to get away from the main tourist beaches.
Read more about Ayia Thekla. |