Summer revelers fill Ayia Napa’s white-sand beaches by day, then dance until dawn at clubs that draw international DJs. Despite its well-deserved reputation as Cyprus’ party capital, things to do in Ayia Napa go beyond the bar scene. There’s also the family-friendly WaterWorld Waterpark, hiking in Cape Greco National Forest Park, and sunken art in the Museum of Underwater Sculpture. Boat excursions reveal another side of the coast, from sea caves and coves for snorkeling to the azure-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Parties and beaches reach their annual peak during the hot, sunny months of July and August, drawing big-name DJs and crowds to match. Prices drop outside the summer season, however, and beach weather extends well into the shoulder-season months of May, June, September, and October. The religious holiday of Pentecost—which falls in either May or June—brings the ancient Kataklysmos festival to Ayia Napa harbor, with dancing, watersports competitions, and diving for a submerged cross.
Ample cycling paths and pedestrian-friendly streets mean cycling and walking are popular ways to explore Ayia Napa. Local bus services whisk you between WaterWorld Waterpark, the Ayia Napa town center, and Nissi Avenue—for everything else, you can hail one of the city’s plentiful taxis. To go farther afield on the island, it’s helpful to have a car; rental cars are available both at the Larnaca International Airport and in central Ayia Napa.
Some of the best things to do in Ayia Napa are free. Artists from around the world contributed work to the city’s hilltop Sculpture Park, which has gorgeous views across the surrounding coastline. Since the area has little shade, come early or late in the day: it's a fantastic spot for a sunset picnic dinner, without the premium you’ll pay for beach-side dining.
