Ayia Napa and Protaras have a stress-free almost bohemian atmosphere. As soon as you arrive, you can feel all your tension just start to fade away. It’s famous world over for its white sandy beaches and party lifestyle, however it is much more than that!
If you know where to look you can find wonderful hidden gems, ranging from cliff top nature trails to hidden little cave churches. This is just a quick guide to Ayia Napa & Protaras. If you want more information on adventure and activities in the area click here.
Ayia Napa and Protaras are awash with hotels, apartments and villas all welcoming visitors for seven months of the year. The summer months here are busy, bright and boisterous, catering to a tourist’s every need. There are souvenir shops on every corner. Boat trips heading out every hour for day trips and ‘booze cruises’ and the beaches are packed with groups of girls, boys, couples and large families enjoying the hot sun, cold beer and ice cream.
Road Trip!!
If you are planning to drive over to the East Coast of the island, it will take you approximately two and a half hours from Peyia. You’ll need to start early, take road trip snack and lots of drinks and maybe schedule in a toilet stop. I recommend the Alfa Mega at Skarinou, as it has a McDonalds, or the coffee shop at the Larnaca roundabout, as the coffee is good, and the toilets are clean.
If a five hour round trip seems a bit too much driving, maybe stay over in Ayia Napa or Protaras for the night, then head back the next day. You can usually find one night accommodation on Air BnB or Booking.com
If you do decide to opt for the 2-day road trip, there are many things you can stop and see on the way. The traditional lace making village of Lefkara, the Hala Sultan Tekkesi Mosque, Larnaca Harbour, and our famous Cyprus Potato Statue!!
The Beast Beaches in Europe!
To fully appreciate Ayia Napa and Protaras, you have to get our on the water! The sea is crystal clear and a stunning shade of turquoise. It’s easy to see why Cyprus was given the 2025 award for the cleanest water in Europe! The sea is a lovely temperature both during the day in the evening, and if you are lucky, you will not only be able to glimpse the assortment of fish that reside here, but also the turtles and the dolphins.
Boat Trips are a wonderful way to see the coastline, and they don’t have to be expensive. You can of course push the boat out and spend the day on one of the white super yachts, or the glass bottom party cruises. However, if you are looking for something more traditional, and you have a tighter budget, you can find a lot of local family fishing boats, that do a couple of hours at sea too.
If scheduled boat excursions aren’t really for you, but you still want to enjoy the water, there are an array of water sports on offer too. Pedalos are very popular, especially if you have children with you, as they come with life jackets, and they are equipped with slides. If you do take out a pedalo, I also recommend taking your snorkels. There are some amazing diving and snorkelling spots, some even have statues dotted around the ocean floor.
The Resort that Never Sleeps!
Daytime in Ayia Napa and Protaras is mostly about the beach, the night-time however is a very different story….
There are two very popular types of evening you can have on the East Coast, dinner and a show, or late-night partying.
The family friendly evening starts early with dinner around seven or eight-ish. This is then followed by a trip to a funfair, or an arcade with the kids. Then ends, with a cabaret act in one of the family entertainment bars (which close about 1.30am).
The more adult evening start about midnight (you sleep until then – disco naps are mandatory in Ayia Napa). You venture out to a bar, usually on the strip, and usually the one offering buy one get one free on drinks, or a free shot. You dance, sing and throw your hands up in the air, until closing at about 1.30am, then you move on to a club.
More dancing ensues, and more shapes being thrown on the dancefloor, again until closing at 5am. If you still have energy to burn, or you are determined to stay up and watch the sunrise, you can then head to a late nightspot. There are a few around town, my favourite has always been the one with the hotdogs, fire eaters and early morning swimming!!
The above options are preferred by the masses, but there are many other options in Ayia Napa and Protaras. You can stay and relax in your hotel, have a romantic dinner, go for walks along the beach and enjoy cocktails by the sea. The possibilities are endless.
