With the Eid holidays around the corner, people from across the region are looking to escape the harsh climate and enjoy a fun-filled beach getaway.
Cyprus has always been revered for being a great tourist location due to its friendly people, delicious cuisine, moderate climate and interesting history.
However, if you fancy lounging on a beach followed by good eats and an upbeat night life then Ayia Napa is the destination for you.
According to Trip Advisor, a well-known travel website, Ayia Napa is the number one location in its list of the World’s Best Beaches for 2011, along with Skiathos in Greece in second place followed by Protaras, also in Cyprus, in third.
The site said: “Within three and a half hours flying time from most Arab cities, Cyprus, though small in size, is big in variety, offering a range of climate types in close proximity that are extremely easy to access.”
Ayia Napa’s vibrant music scene, stunning diving spots and crystal clear turquoise waters are clearly a winning combination for holidaymakers. The resort, famous for its sandy beaches, is located at the far eastern end of the southern coast of Cyprus.
The island attracts a large number of tourists and features many beaches, on which water sports such as water-skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, scuba diving and speed boating are popular.
The most popular of these beaches is Nissi beach which is visited mainly by younger people in the summer and gets quite crowded. Another is the Harbour Beach which caters to families and is more tranquil.
Tourists usually end up at The Square, central to the town, to experience the high-end restaurants, night spots and shops.
While Ayia Napa is great for a family holiday, it has become a ‘party capital’ similar to Ibiza, Rimini and Mykonos in recent years.
Protaras beach offers visitors a more family-friendly vibe. It is situated on the sandy coastline of Cyprus’s Fig Tree Bay and is an ideal place for family outings.