What to see in Larnaca and Ayia Napa

1. Konnos Beach

Konnos Beach is located south of Protaras. Apart from the beautiful sea colour and fine sand, the beach also offers a natural scenery. Instead of hotels, the view is of the rocks. Right next door is Turtle Bay, where you can walk for 5 minutes and swim with the turtles.

Konnos Beach and turtles

2. Nisia Loumbardi Beach and Παραλία Βυζακιά

Nisia Loumbardi Beach and the neighboring beach with only a Greek name are the most beautiful beaches we found on the island. They are a short walk from Protaras and surrounded by a lot of greenery.

Its fine sand, beautiful colours of the sea and rich underwater life made it fun for children and adults alike. Between the beaches there is a bar with parking, but there are not many hotels. Because of this, the beaches were emptier and we were able to enjoy the beauty of the place to the fullest.

Nisia Loumbardi Beach

3. Makronissos Beach

Makronissos Beach is located a short walk from the famous Nissi Beach near Ayia Napa. Offering fine white sand, turquoise sea, warm water and everything you need for a day of beach bumming. Although the beach is less crowded in the morning, it fills up around lunchtime and by the afternoon it's crowded and there won't be any umbrellas available. Kids will appreciate the fine sand, or the opportunities to play with a ball in the shallow water. As with Nissi, we headed away from this beach around noon due to the mass of people.

Makronissos Beach

4. Landa Beach

Landa Beach lies between Nissi and Makronissos beaches in Ayia Napa. This beach is perfect and offers a complete idyll. You'll find plenty of umbrellas and sun loungers, but they are never all occupied and unlike the neighbouring beaches, it also has fewer visitors. Maybe due to the fact that there are no hotels directly on it. The walk from Makronissos is only 10 minutes, so it's the perfect choice when you start to mind the crowds. It's smaller and more compact, but that doesn't detract from its beauty. Its fine white sand, turquoise warm sea, shallow water and surrounding greenery will make for a great day out.

Landa beach

5. Nissi Beach

Nissi Beach is unfortunately a victim of its own popularity. This beautiful beach is located right by Ayia Napa and offers a wonderful setting. Fine white sand, turquoise sea, plenty of water activities and an island you can reach without swimming. Nissi is paradise, but only in the morning. From 11:00 you won't find a place to lay down. Every corner is packed with tourists. There's head-to-head on the beach. People are crowding like at the airport to get to the island and it spoils the whole atmosphere of the place. If you come here before 9:00 you will experience paradise, if in the afternoon you will experience hell. Nissi is really a beach of two faces and it's up to you which one you want to see

Nissi Beach

6. Famagusta in the Turkish part

Although Famagusta is in the Turkish part of the island, it takes about 30 minutes to get there from Ayia Napa. Take a day trip here.

Famagusta will enchant you not only with its medieval walls but also with the abandoned town of Varosha. Once a bustling resort, it is now a ghost town, a symbol of the conflict between Greeks and Turks after the 1974 invasion. Its empty buildings and streets stand in contrast to magnificent monuments such as the gothic Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque and the Othello Tower. Here the monuments bear traces of Venetian, Byzantine and Ottoman history.

Famagusta

7. Sea Caves

The Sea Caves near Ayia Napa offer breathtaking scenery. In addition to the stormy sea, caves all around the coast await you here. For the adventurous, there is the opportunity to climb down into one of the caves and explore it from the inside. The views you'll get are fabulous. But beware of particularly strong winds.

Sea Caves Ayia Napa

8. Governor's Beach

Governor Beach can be found a short walk from Limassol towards Larnaca. It leads out to the white stones and resembles the Scala dei Turchi. Its fine sand, calm sea and magnificent limestone cliffs make for a perfect day at the beach. You can lay down on one of the two organized sections or on one of the mini beaches between the cliffs. Both have their own charm. Although the sea doesn't have a turquoise hue, it makes up for it with scenery. This one is fabulous.

Governor's Beach

9. Larnaca

Larnaca, one of the oldest cities in Cyprus, is known for its rich history and cultural sites. During your walk through the city, visit the Church of St. Lazarus, which is dedicated to the biblical Lazarus and surrounded by a beautiful square. Nearby is the famous Salt Lake, where you can watch flamingos, especially during the winter months.

A stroll along the Finikoudes promenade offers sea views, cafes and restaurants, while Mackenzie Beach offers the perfect spot to relax on the sand with a view of the planes landing.

Church of St. Lazarus

10. Nicosia

The capital, Nicosia, is divided into Turkish and Greek parts. It is therefore worth visiting the city centre, where you will find one of the borders between Greece and Turkey. For those interested in history, it also pays to visit the Museum of Cypriot History in Nicosia, where artefacts and exhibits from different historical periods of the island are on display. However, this is not all Nicosia has to offer.

Nicosia centre and the border

11. Fig Tree Beach

Fig Tree Beach in Protaras offers fine sand, beautiful sea colour and a slowly sloping sea like other beaches in the area. Thanks to its popularity with tourists, the beach is also quite crowded. Most of the beach is occupied by hotels, but there are also places where you can rent a parasol.

Fig Tree was pretty full and there are many similar beaches nearby with fewer visitors. We preferred to take a different option after 3 hours, as even the kids didn't like the fact that they couldn't even throw a ball in the sea.

Fig tree Beach

12. Choirokoitia

Choirokoitia is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 7th millennium BC, the site is famous for its Neolithic remains.

At the site, you will find reconstructed houses that offer a glimpse into the life of our ancestors. Choirokoitia is unique in that it has retained its historical atmosphere and is surrounded by beautiful Cypriot countryside.

Choirokoitia

13. Sculpture Park and Bridge of Love

The Ayia Napa Sculpture Park is a unique place that combines art with the beauty of nature. Home to many fascinating sculptures by both local and international artists, this outdoor park is set in a picturesque setting overlooking the sea. A stroll through the park is a great opportunity to admire these works of art and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. As a bonus, there is no entrance fee.

Bridge of Love is just next door and is known for its romantic atmosphere. This picturesque bridge, which connects two cliffs, is a popular spot for couples who come here to take photos and leave locks to commemorate their love. Surrounding the bridge are spectacular views of the sea.

Bridge of Love

14. Cape Greco

Cape Greco is one of the most picturesque places in Cyprus, located between Ayia Napa and Protaras. Famous for its stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and dramatic cliffs crashing with the waves, this national park is a must-see.

In addition to the many paths, it offers a view of beautiful sea caves, normal caves, and above all, a variety of birds.

Capo Greco

15. Vathia Gonia

Vathia Gonia Beach is a short walk from Nissi in Ayia Napa. We thought it would be less busy, but it wasn't. It is narrow and very similar to the others in the area, but due to the number of hotels and smaller size, the beach is quite crowded. Also, there are larger rocks in the sea right at the entrance so you have to be careful not to trip over them. What is nice about it though is the coastline. It's surrounded by cliffs and there are big waves crashing and you can take a walk along them.

Vathia Gonia

16. Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa boasts an abundance of restaurants, bars and nightclubs to attract young visitors. It is also rich in culture and history, with several historical sites such as the Ayia Napa Monastery, which dates back to the 16th century.

The town is full of people and the atmosphere is typical seaside. The only drawback is the prices, either in shops or restaurants, which are almost twice as high as in other parts of Cyprus.

Ayia Napa