It's time to pack your bags, because the long-awaited vacation that you plan to spend in one of them is just around the corner. If you find it difficult to make a decision and give preference to Limassol or Ayia Napa, read this article, which may help you make the right choice.
Location and climate Recreation and entertainmentThe holiday season in Ayia Napa is generous with carnivals and festivities that attract both locals and tourists. The most spectacular are Green Monday; carnival held on the eve of Maslenitsa; Easter celebrations, Day of the Light. If noisy events are tiring for you, then the city of Ayia Napa has entertainment that you are sure to enjoy. Visit, which is famous for theatrical shows with the participation of dolphins. Children will also be delighted to visit. And beach lovers in the city of Ayia Napa will be pleased with the cozy beaches with clean sand, where you can relax from the bustle of the city and get a little tan.
The cultural life of Limassol is very interesting, which is represented by such annual festivals as the wine festival and the festival of dramatic art, which many foreigners dream of visiting.
After going around the historical buildings and museums of the city, you can go to the Limassol water park, which is located in the central part of the city and is called "Wet`n Wild". It is famous for its numerous slides, which you will definitely want to conquer. As for the beaches, they are covered with sand, which has a slightly unusual gray tint. This is due to the high silicon content and volcanic origin. Staying on such beaches, according to cosmetologists, is very useful for all skin types.
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Young people love Ayia Napa because of the rich nightlife, many bars, discos that work until the morning. There are thousands of entertainment establishments of this type, so there should be no difficulty in choosing. Ayia Napa also has many hotels of various classes of service, each of which is equipped with its own restaurant. In addition, on the streets of the city you can easily find a cute restaurant, a cozy tavern, which offer both traditional dishes and favorite dishes from the cuisines of the world.
The nightlife of Limassol is in full swing, and its lovers will be pleased with the rich choice of establishments where you can pass the night. The city is famous for its excellent street restaurants and taverns, where you can have a delicious lunch and taste the collectible Cypriot wines.
TransportTransport links in Ayia Napa are very developed, but it is forbidden to visit the city center by car, which is possible here, so the local population and tourists move by bicycle or on foot.
The best beaches and resorts in Cyprus or where it is good in Cyprus, only the very best places for a beach holiday in Cyprus.
Holidays in Cyprus- these are primarily beaches and most tourists go for this. The rest of the sights only set off beach holiday and diversify it.
Cyprus beaches- this is not the easiest story, not all the beaches of the island are equally good, you can buy a tour and get into such a cesspool that there will be nothing to remember except for the black heels of your neighbors.
The beaches of Northern Cyprus I won't touch it, that's another story. In the meantime, only about the best and deservedly popular beaches of Cyprus. There will be no exaggeration and smooth expressions, you are going for maximum pleasure, so in this article only the best - the beach cream of Cyprus, if you want.
On Cyprus five major tourist beach locations. This is , and . I will tell you in detail about the best beaches of each direction in the relevant sections of the site, but for now we will choose the top five beaches in Cyprus.
The best beaches are in Protaras And Ayia Napa. These two places are adjacent and represent resort villages, almost entirely consisting of hotels and apartments.
Cyprus resorts - Protaras
Protaras is focused on family beach holidays, it is the beaches that are the strength of this village. All beaches are connected by a long footpath along the sea with pavilions and cafes. There are more than two dozen excellent sandy beaches in Protaras, but these three beaches are considered the best.
Sunrise Beach aka Flamingo Beach
Cypriot names often have a second and even a third name, so do not be surprised if different sources contain different names for the same place.
Flamingo Beach- the longest in Protaras, about a kilometer long. A gentle entrance to the water, sand both on the beach and near the shore - no special slippers are needed. The beach is imprisoned for families with children - it is shallow near the shore and the water warms up well. Adults and children are attracted by active recreation - catamarans, banana, water scooters, pleasure boats and paragliding. Along the beach there is a busy tourist promenade with cafes, bars and restaurants. In the high season there are a lot of people, but there is enough space for everyone. Sunbeds and umbrellas are paid - 2.5 euros per unit. There is free parking, both along the promenade and nearby streets.
The beach faces east, hence the name Sunrise Beach. Like all beaches in Cyprus, Flamingo Beach is very clean even in the peak season, you can be calm for yourself and your children. The photo was taken before the beginning of the beach season, in the evening - there is a shadow on the beach. The best time is early in the morning and from 16:00 to sunset.
Protaras. Sunrise Beach
Fig Tree Beach
So named because of the abundance of fig trees (figs) growing right on the beach, now there are not so many of them left compared to what it used to be. Beautiful semi-oval and high rocky shore, fine light yellow sand and emerald water. It is rightfully considered the most beautiful beach in Cyprus. The entrance to the water is gentle as almost everywhere in Cyprus.
Fig Tree Beach ( Fig Tree Beach) located next to Flamingo Beach, but more intimate and much smaller than Flamingo. You can easily change the location and walk along the embankment.
About the rest of the beautiful beaches of Protaras I will tell you in the section of the guide to Cyprus dedicated to this resort.
Konnos Beach
It's already on the outskirts Protaras, more precisely, the beach is located at a distance from the village on the edge. But it is so beautiful and cozy that in the high season the folk trail does not overgrow to it. You can get there by car, quad bike or scooter, which can be rented on the spot in Protaras, and the car immediately upon arrival at Larnaca airport.
Sand is brought to this beach every season, but this does not detract from its merits. Konnosbeach equidistant from the main party Ayia Napa And Protaras and is surrounded by picturesque rocks covered with greenery. There is all the necessary infrastructure - changing cabins, access road - Konnos Road, free parking, a cafe overlooking the sea - I recommend, toilets and umbrellas, like everywhere else in Cyprus.
The entry into the water is smooth, the bottom is fine white sand, there are several picturesque huge stones in the water - the best place for a photo of yourself. The water is even more emerald than in the center Protaras because of the color of the sand and natural purity.
Konnos Beach, Protaras
Cyprus resorts - Ayia Napa
Nissi Beach
Nissi Beach, the most beautiful beach of the entire island, the real pride of Cyprus. White sand, oval shape and a sandy spit, which in the spring you can walk without taking off your shoes to a small island from which you can see the panorama of the beach and coastline.
A gentle entry into the water and a juicy azure color are far from being the main thing on Nissi Beach. The main thing is the eternal party throughout the season, which opens in Cyprus on April 1 and ends on October 31.
Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa
On the first line of the beach, there are luxurious 4 * -5 * hotels with the corresponding price list, which are sold out a few months before the start of the season. Up the street Ayia Napa clubs walk quite far, about 30 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by car.
Budget stay near Nissi Beach possible if you rent an apartment across the street from the beach.
Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa
Sandy Bay
Far from Nissi Beach, neither in size nor in partying, but a chamber and very nice beach. Near the beautiful and comfortable 3 * hotel Anonymous. The oval bay with almost no waves makes this place ideal for those who like silence but for the party to be nearby. Nissi Beach is a 10-minute walk along a hiking trail along the sea.
Resorts of Cyprus - Paphos
Paphos is located quite far from Protaras and Ayia Napa, in the southwest of Cyprus. There is a beautiful pomenade for several kilometers along the sea and benches overlooking the sunset. The resort is more likely for pensioners and those who like a calm, measured or active holiday. Paphos is a paradise for both healthy lifestyle lovers and seafood bars and restaurants.
Coral Bay Beach
coral bay — the best beach in Paphos. It is located outside the city, but you can get there by car in just 10 minutes or by taxi. There are a couple of 4* hotels nearby. Gray-yellow fine sand pleasant to the touch, there are some picturesque stones near the water and a gentle entrance. There is a cafe overlooking the sea, parking and changing cabins, a toilet.
Coral Bay Beach, Paphos
Near Coral Bay Beach there are sea caves, to which they organize excursions by sea, you can also look at them from land. Near the caves in a nearby bay is a half-sunk ship.
Coral Bay Beach, Paphos
IN Paphos there are some more good beaches, but I will talk about them in an article dedicated to Paphos, read in the Guides to Cyprus - Paphos section.
Larnaca And Limassol sorry to brag good beaches they can’t, no matter how they praised their specialized travel sites, especially those who sell tours to Cyprus. There is something to see and it's good in its own way, but best beaches for recreation is not their trump card, for sure.
Individual and group transfer in Cyprus
Cyprus- the top summer destination and often taxi drivers at the airport raise prices for their services. In addition, most of them do not have child car seats. It is not installed because it takes the place of an adult passenger. Because of this, tourists with children have to run around the airport in search of a free car with a child car seat.
Both problems are very easy to solve. Transfer, both individual and group is possible. There you can also choose the option with a child seat. You will not have to overpay taxi drivers and there will be no problems with the safety of children.
Everything happens very simply. After, you will be met by a driver with a sign on which your name will be written. Immediately after leaving the arrivals hall, you get into the car and drive to your hotel.
How to find an inexpensive hotel or apartment in Cyprus
I use the trusted Booking.com and aggregator site RoomGuru (HotelsCombined) . The choice of accommodation, even for such a small island as Cyprus, on these resources is huge, but I recommend booking in advance - the best options diverge a couple of months before the high season (July-August).
How to rent a car cheaply in Cyprus
We rent a car on the Myrentacar website, which brings together most of the local car rental companies. The prices are good, round-the-clock Russian-speaking support, I have used them 6 times in three years. There are no complaints, the conditions are written transparently, so you can always find an acceptable option.
If your vacation is in autumn, and you dream of sunbathing and swimming in the sea, choose a holiday in Cyprus! September and the first half of October are not as hot as July and August, but still very warm: up to + 32 in the air and about + 25 in the sea. There are water parks and attractions, you can ride catamarans, yachts, go kite surfing, snorkeling and diving. The Velvet season beautiful and the fact that prices on the island are declining.
In September, amazingly sweet light pomegranates, figs, autumn strawberries, and young wine appear. And in this wonderful time, you can comfortably travel around the island and visit any sights - including open-air, mountains, national parks, archaeological sites ...
We will tell you more about autumn at different resorts in Cyprus below. And who can't wait, prices - from 23,800 rubles / person, for 7 nights with breakfast. A pro-visa is issued quickly, online and free of charge.
Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa- the youth capital of Cyprus on the southeast coast, with huge amount bars and nightclubs. In September and October, the parties are not so wild, but the music is still booming, and you can have fun from the heart. Among other attractions of the resort is the largest themed aquapark Waterworld Waterpark in the style of ancient Greece and amusement park Parko Paliatso.
Which beaches of Ayia Napa are worth visiting?
Do not miss Sea Caves Cavo Greco- Beach "Sea Caves", with a complex of bizarre caves, grottoes, arches and labyrinths of natural origin. Here is surprisingly clear sea water of all shades of blue. Pirates used to hide their treasures here.
Love Bridge beach, or "Bridge of lovers"- one of the most romantic places in all of Cyprus. Here is an arched bridge stretching from a rocky plateau into the turquoise-emerald sea. If you go down from the “sea” edge of the bridge to its base, you can swim or go diving nearby.
Beautiful white and gold beach Agia Thekla named so in honor of St. Thekla - there is a blue and white church nearby. The lagoon here is very shallow and ideal for children. beautiful beach Makronissos with white sand is located on the outskirts of Ayia Napa, on a cape in the shape of a mermaid's tail. Here is the most transparent water, a diving center, and nearby is an ancient cave complex, which is more than two thousand years old.
Resting in Ayia Napa, you can not miss the famous sandy Nissi Beach with a relaxed atmosphere and the neighboring Nissi Bay with DJs and Blue Flag awarded foam parties.
What excursions to go on?
From Ayia Napa closest to national park Cavo Greco. On the cape of the same name you can admire incredible sunsets. It is worth visiting the unique open-air sculpture museum. From here, trips to the Troodos Mountains to the Shrines of Cyprus, including the Kykkos Monastery, where the lifetime face of the Virgin Mary by the Apostle Luke is kept, start. An excursion to the Troodos mountains can also take place in the most picturesque places - mountain peaks, waterfalls, relict forests, old villages. Do not miss the opportunity to travel to northern Cyprus and see the fortresses and castles of the Byzantine period, rebuilt in the Middle Ages.
- EURONAPA HOTEL 3*
- CORFU HOTEL 3*
- NISSIANA HOTEL & BUNGALOWS 3*
- MARGADINA 3*
- NAPA PLAZA 4* (adults only)
- PANTHEA 4* (powered by All Inclusive)
- ATLANTICA AENEAS RESORT & SPA 5*
Pathos
Respectable and measured Pathos in the southwest of the island is located at the foot of the Troodos mountains. In that ancient city Cyprus is closely intertwined history and mythology. In 51 BC. the famous orator Cicero lived here. Within the city there is an open-air archaeological museum with temples, the Forum, as well as magnificent floor mosaics, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
IN Paphos picturesque pebbly and sandy beaches, charming sunsets. In the vicinity there is a place where, according to legend, the goddess of love Aphrodite was born. There are also many entertainment venues. Visit the water park, zoo, Ayiou Antoniou street with clubs, discos, English pubs.
Which Paphos beaches are worth visiting?
Aphrodite beach(Petra tou Romiou) is the most beautiful and romantic natural attraction in Cyprus. According to legend, in 1200 BC. in this place, the goddess of beauty, love and eternal spring, Aphrodite Cyprida, came ashore. Bathing here, according to the same legend, promotes rejuvenation and gaining love. Frequent guests of the beach of Aphrodite are newlyweds from different countries, photographers and artists.
The golden beach of Coral Bay in a cozy bay between the Maa-Paleokastro peninsula and the cape, 12 km from the city center, was awarded the Blue Flag. It is the most visited beach on the island's west coast and is popular with families with children of all ages. The sand here is exceptionally fine and soft, light yellow in color. The seabed is shallow, with a comfortable entrance, and the water temperature is several degrees higher than on other Paphos beaches. There are many taverns, shops and a developed entertainment infrastructure.
What excursions to go on?
Not far from the city of Paphos is located national park Akamas, an area of 230 square kilometers. Endemic plant species grow in the reserve, foxes, wild goats, Cypriot owls are found. On cool autumn days, you can visit the Baths of Aphrodite, walk along the Aphrodite Trail, swim in the Blue Lagoon. On the protected Lara Beach, protected since 1989, rare green turtles lay their eggs. Akamas gorge is located 5 km from the beach - for lovers of hiking.
The village of Geriskopou in the vicinity of Paphos is a place of pilgrimage for those with a sweet tooth. The villagers are masters in the preparation of Turkish Delight.
- HELIOS BAY APTS (Cat. A) 3*
- ROMAN HOTEL 3*
- KISSOS 3*
- QUEENS BAY HOTEL 3*
- Venus Beach Hotel 5*
- ACTI BEACH VILLAGE RESORT 4*
In addition, the distance between Paphos and Ayia Napa is 200 km, so if there is no goal to explore the island of Aphrodite completely, you should not wind up kilometers. I will try to help those who have doubts or who are going to Cyprus for the first time with a choice.
Paphos or Ayia Napa
Very briefly, then
- Paphos is a rich sightseeing life, history and a bit of the sea
- Ayia Napa - 90% beach holiday and a trip along the coast and very few excursions
You just have to choose what you want more, so as not to spend extra money and time on empty transfers. Below I will dwell in more detail on Paphos, Ayia Napa and their environs. On their pros and cons. In order not to upset those who want both, I will say that with any choice, you can dose the sea and excursions yourself in any proportion. I'm just giving directions. 
Paphos, pros and cons
About the cons of Paphos
Paphos has its own airport, but it does not serve many international destinations. Therefore, most flights arrive in Larnaca, and from there it is much further to Paphos than to Limassol or Ayia Napa. The solution to the problem is to rent a car.
There are far fewer good beaches in Paphos compared to Ayia Napa. The most famous and cool is the beach coral bay, but it is quite far from the Paphos waterfront. If you want to live near a beautiful beach, book accommodation near Coral Bay
. 
The second option to live near a decent beach suitable for swimming is to choose hotels on the coast east of Paphos, to the left of the embankment, if you look at the sea. There are good, but quite expensive options out there.
Most of the beaches are rocky, near expensive hotels on the shore there are artificial small bays with dark brown and golden sand. 
Pros of Paphos
It has a promenade and is full of establishments overlooking the sea where you can spend the evening. And this is the main difference from Ayia Napa, which is essentially a tourist village with hotels and apartments.
In the very Paphos many more attractions than Ayia Napa and this is his forte. There is something to do in non-beach time.
And in Paphos and in Ayia Napa there is a long walking trail along the sea. There is about parity, although Paphos is more walkable and more lively - good opportunities for cycling.
IN Ayia Napa full of city restaurants, but all the same, Paphos and the surrounding area will be more abrupt in this regard. And if you are relaxing in Ayia Napa, then you can have a good and inexpensive lunch with a sea view in Larnaca or the village of Zygi near Larnaca.
Plus and minus at the same time Ayia Napa can be considered a vibrant nightlife, the peak of which is reached in July-August. If you are a party-goer, you definitely need to come here! 
Summing up: Paphos vs Ayia Napa
If you are going to Cyprus for good beaches, nightlife with one, maximum two excursions - you are in Ayia Napa. If you are a party-goer and clubber, you are in Ayia Napa. Ayia Napa - a place about the sea and beaches, bars and clubs! Ayia Napa is for the young at heart and lovers of beach activities and boat trips. If you prefer family holiday with beach priority, while not ready to overpay - you are in Protaras. It is very close to Ayia Napa which can be reached for a couple of euros by bus. Protaras has a long, well-equipped and beautiful promenade along the sea, which stretches all the way to Cape Greco, a dozen good cozy beaches, a long urban Sunrise Beach and the iconic Fig Tree Bay.
If you love outdoor activities and despise beach chairs and sea activities, if your priority is outdoor activities - cycling, quad biking and wildlife with minimal time at sea - you are in Paphos or Polis. If you want to immerse yourself in local life and color, walk around wineries and see ancient history in order to understand Cyprus better, you Pathos or Policy.
At the same time, Paphos also has several beautiful beaches, so you will not be deprived of the sea. And evenings can be beautifully spent on the waterfront in one of the restaurants with your beloved.
If you want to ride in Troodos mountains, to see the ancient monasteries and villages - choose Paphos, it is closer and more convenient to get from here and you can meet it in one day.
Is it possible to combine all this in one vacation? Easy, for this plan a minimum a week in Paphos and surroundings and the second week or at least Spend 3-4 days in Ayia Napa. Then you will put a fat and beautiful point on your vacation, you will remember and love Cyprus and you will come every year just like we do. Use Larnaca only for transit and transfer from / to the airport, there is nothing to do there for more than half a day.
Is there some more Limassol, but this is a cross between the two locations described above, I would not recommend it to those who first decided to try a vacation in Cyprus. The main advantage of Limassol is its equidistance from almost all places in Cyprus, it is perfect for traveling around the island if you live in one place. 
Why is it important to rent a car in Cyprus
I still believe that moving around Cyprus on public transport- this is masochism, and the frequent use of a taxi is quite hard financially.
Moreover, a car in Cyprus is not a luxury, but a democratic means of transportation, from 8 Euros in the low season and from 15 Euros in the high season, there are options without a deposit and always a meager prepayment.
Such correct wheels we find on the site Myrentacar- here, under one roof, the main players of the local car rental market are gathered. Checked - ideal for a traveler, use it, I recommend it. 
Before choosing one or another city in Cyprus as the main base, which you define for yourself as the best, you first need to decide how you see your future vacation on this island. Each resort in Cyprus has its pros and cons. Let's try to describe both of them, and you decide what is more important for you.
Consider the most popular places, arranging them geographically, from west to east: Pathos, Limassol, Larnaca And Protaras(Paralimni). To make it clearer to you where which city is located, we will first show them on a map of Cyprus.
Now let's talk a little about the pros and cons of each.
Pathos
Not far from Paphos is a very interesting monastery of St. Neophyte the Recluse. In addition, there is a Botanical Park and a Zoo nearby. And if you rent a car, then it’s not so far to go to the Troodos from here, and to the protected Akamas peninsula. The only thing to keep in mind is that some of the hotels are not located in Paphos itself, but in the Coral Bay area, which is located away from the city.
There are many hotels in this area, and the beaches here are very good, but you will have to get to the city by bus 615, which, however, runs quite often. But in Paphos itself, with good beaches, it is quite tense. There are good ones, but not every hotel, so often vacationers ride on Coral Bay beach.
Limassol
The coast of Limassol is an almost continuous beach with good entry into the water. Not shallow and not deep. The long promenade allows you to make long walks or bike rides along the sea. The only "flaw" is the grayish color of the sand, which is of volcanic origin. For some reason, when choosing Limassol as a holiday destination, this confuses many. But those who stop here stop noticing it on the second day.
Limassol stretches along the sea for 14 kilometers. From the eastern edge is the so-called "touristaria" (tourist aria), which houses most of the hotels, including almost all "five-star hotels". From here you will have to get to the center of Limassol and its "Old Town" by bus number 30, which often runs along the coast. In the central part of the city, the choice of hotels is also not small. We prefer to stay closer to the center, although we probably just got used to it over the years.
For independent travelers who intend to rent a car and move around the island a lot, Limassol, in our opinion, is the best choice. Its location (almost in the center of the coast of the island) allows you to travel more with less time. interesting places Cyprus, including, of course, the Troodos.
Larnaca
In addition, in the Larnaca region there is a very "shallow" sea. To swim normally, you need to go far enough into the water. For children, this expanse, and for adults - a small problem. :) In Larnaca itself, the beach is very long and wide, and outside it is also no worse. It is in this area that you can find the most budget hotels, which, coupled with the proximity to the airport, makes Larnaca attractive for many tourists.
The color of the sand here is light yellow, which is why the color of the sea water on the beaches acquires an azure hue, which cannot but please the eye. Not as shallow as in Larnaca. In general, the beaches here are hard to find fault with. Ayia Napa is located to the right on the map from Larnaca, that is, about 50 km to the east. This means that it will be a little more difficult for those who planned to travel a lot around the island. All the same, in all honesty, the main attractions, starting with Troodos with its mountain villages and ancient churches, are located on the other side of Larnaca. Nevertheless, the main flow of tourists tends to this area or even further.
Protaras
The beaches in Protaras are no less gorgeous than in Ayia Napa, and maybe even better - it's hard to find the right criterion. But in terms of the "mentality" of vacationers, these places differ quite a lot. If Ayia Napa is distinguished by "incendiary", then in Protaras it is much more calm. Couples with children of different ages love to stay here, so Protaras is known as a quieter resort, where various entertainments can also be found. The central one-way street, stretching slightly above the coastline, is crammed with bars, taverns, shops and other joys of resort life. Yes, one fountain show is worth something, where many tourists from other areas strive to get!
We hope that our short introductory story about the resorts of Cyprus will help you choose the right city of "dream". :) From the beginning of May to the end of October, any of them is good in its own way. Separately, let's say a few words about the rest in the off-season, that is, from the beginning of November to the end of April. It is better at this time to choose between Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca. But Ayia Napa, and even more so Protaras, which are almost "dying out" at this time, should be left for another time.
If for you the beach is one of the main criteria for choosing a city or hotel, be sure to check out the comparative characteristics of the beaches of Cyprus before making a final decision. When you are interested in just one of them, the circle of hotel choice will narrow sharply. But if you plan to rent a car, then the beach may not be a determining factor, because you can get to any of them on your own if necessary.
Well, now that you have already decided on the place of residence, it remains to choose the right hotel for you. We will share about the features of choosing a hotel in Cyprus in the next story.
