The island of Cyprus, off the coast of Turkey, is well known for incredible beaches, astounding historical artifacts, cultural hegemony of the Mediterranean, and some of the best seafood to be found anywhere, but one aspect of it may be less well known than others. That is the region of Ayia Napa, a part of the island with the reputation for some of the best nightlife in the entire world. Ayia Napa holidays have exploded in popularity over the past several years and are now known as the “dance party capital” of Cyprus. Of course, clubbing and discotheques are not the only attraction, as the sandy shores and stellar panoramas attract followers of their own.
The majority of tourists on holidays to Ayia Napa are British given the amount of stage time given to the clubs and bars of British “garage” bands that have less commercial appeal in the United Kingdom. As such, while an American would not be out of their element as many of the resorts and clubs have English-speaking staff, they use British vocabulary and lingo that may be confusing to Yankee tourists. The area, however, is extremely receptive and polite to tourists of all nationalities, as much of the economy of the area is fueled by international clubbing enthusiasts come to test the moniker of the city for themselves.
Arriving there is fairly simple. While it is impossible to get a non-charter flight directly from the United States to Cyprus, it is only a matter of finding a connecting flight in a European hub. Other tourists prefer to take leisurely boat tours or cruises to get to and from Cyprus. Taxis run up and down the island, so getting to Ayia Napa is fairly easy, although it may cost as much as one hundred US dollars. Those looking for a cheap holiday to Ayia Napa may be disappointed, as the bus services are crowded but functional. It is not recommended to drive in the area unless you are used to it, as a number of roundabouts and unnamed streets will confuse novice drivers. Some places rent moped scooters, which are less frustrating and easier to wind through traffic.
An Ayia Napa holiday is most often a small slice of a longer vacation on the isle of Cyprus or around the Mediterranean coasts. Many vacations are part of cruise liners that travel about the sea and drop anchor at various ports for their customers to explore; others offer a cultural tour of Cyprus with an added stop in Ayia Napa for the younger members. Indeed, if nightlife is not your cup of tea then you may be disappointed by holidays in Ayia Napa; the only cultural stop of note is a five-century-old monastery, famous for architecture dating back to the Ottoman Empire. There are some quality restaurants for authentic Mediterranean foods, but most find that the meals served cannot compare with those in larger cities.
If dancing and drinking are up your alley, however, a holiday to Ayia Napa will give as much as you can possibly take. The club goers here are enthusiastic and dedicated, but you may find the city’s main square to be deserted until nightfall. Even then, many bar hoppers and dancers will not show up until eleven pm or even midnight, with some clubs not even opening until one in the morning. The three main bars around the square are Bedrock, Ice and the Castle Club, all boasting full bars, massive dance floors and enough music selections to appease enthusiasts of any genre. These bars employ agents to go through the square and insist tourists frequent their establishment, promising free or reduced price drinks or explaining at great length the advantages of a specific spot. While these agents can be irritating and occasionally forceful, if you express disinterest they will quickly more on to a new target.
Holidays to Ayia Napa are more expensive than elsewhere as the popularity of the spot drives up the cost for drinks. A single beer in a club may cost the equivalent of five US dollars, while a well drink or shot can be eight to ten dollars. In addition, some clubs have cover charges from ten to twenty dollars, but others have arrangements with the local hotels and resorts to give their customers better savings on drinks. All told, however, be prepared to spend money if you are interested in drinking at any location.
For dance enthusiasts or music aficionados, Ayia Napa holidays can be a dream come true. While there is little else to do in the area, holidays in Ayia Napa can be part of a larger vacation about the island. Check out cruise lines for good rates on traveling through the area during various times of the year.