Ayia Napa – The new Ibiza?
Some people think that Cyprus is a pretty and idyllic little island in the Mediterranean Sea. Although this might be suitable for some parts of Cyprus, the island has certainly entered the 21st century with a bang. Trust me, I did my research on Cyprus, especially since I’m getting married pretty soon (I know exciting times!). It’s a great place for people who are in a relationship, looking for a relationship, getting married, or already married (or people who just want to let their hair down!).
Cyprus is not the largest island, but it has many different facets. One area of Cyprus has attracted some attention, especially from party people, in recent years. Ayia Napa, a seaside resort in the southeast of the island. Popular as a family destination for years, it has slowly but surely attracted younger tourists, who want to relax on the sandy beaches during the day (recover from a hangover) and have fun on long nights.
Yes, Ibiza ‘eat your heart’! Ayia Napas is catching up and has established a relatively stable party scene by now.
Party Scene – One of the main indicators that Ayia Napa is becoming a well-established party spot is the growing club scene. The list of clubs is getting longer and their reputation is spreading. One of the main clubs in Ayia Napa (not to be missed) is the “Castle Club”. It is not only the biggest club in Ayia Napa, but also in the whole of Cyprus. The club almost recreates itself every year (keeping people coming back for more every time) and offers a great night out for everyone. And if I say “anyone” I mean it, because it has 3 music rooms (each with a different style), an outdoor terrace, a VIP room and a total of 14 bars with 9 DJs. Other famous clubs include “black and white” which is just an R&B club, “Club Ice”, famous for its club nights, such as Twice as Nice and Foam Parties (very popular with good British tourists).
Also, if you haven’t gotten tired of dancing, drinking and flirting in general after a night out in the clubs above, there is always “Club Aqua”, a very popular club for those ‘very’ late nights! Girls don’t worry about staying out late in Ayia Napa; counts as a very safe place to be. Interestingly, even though alcohol is flowing strongly in clubs, bars, and actually wherever you go around town, people still seem to behave and stick to general etiquette.
Once you wake up (with a really bad, bad, bad hangover), you can stagger down to Nissi Beach, where the fun continues, with great bars and loud music. Or you can just kick back on the sand for a bit, listen to your iPod, and try to soak up some sun and regenerate for the next wave of nighttime action. For the sports enthusiast (or anyone who wants to look really sexy on a jet ski, if that’s possible), there are plenty of water sports facilities on Nissi Beach. As a general rule, you could say that the party never stops in Ayia Napa.
Prices – OK honestly, if you are looking for cheap fun – Ayia Napa can’t keep up with Ibiza prices. However, in recent years the competition between bars and clubs has grown significantly, which means a price war on the prices of drinks. Night out can be more expensive than night out in the UK. But I guess, for 340 days of sunshine, sandy beaches, and some of the best clubs in Europe, you’ll be happy to pay an extra penny. And who knows, with more tourists flocking to the island each year, competition will increase, which could drive prices even higher.
The other point that could be a bit more expensive is that it is almost twice the travel time from the UK to Cyprus (4 hours 30 minutes) compared to the UK to Ibiza (2 hours 30 minutes). Flights can be a bit more expensive, but you can always get a cheap flight from Easy Jet or Ryanair. Travel time also means that it might not be suitable for a short weekend trip; you’ll have to have at least one extended weekend for it to really count.
Accommodation: If you are one of the families who are braving the crazy Ayia Napa party, due to the amazing beaches, local cuisine, and the sun, but you really don’t want to get in touch with the partygoers (or their hangovers), then a villa may be the right fit for you. There are countless villas in Cyprus with swimming pools, which will allow you to spend your holidays in private and still enjoy a dip in the water with plenty of sun.
The villas are also ideal for the younger ones looking to have fun (sorry families!) – “Why?” This is because most villas sleep a minimum of four people and are charged weekly. This means that it may be cheaper than booking at one of the hotels or resorts. So less money spent on accommodation equals more money for drinking and partying. Also, if you had enough partying at those clubs, you could have a private pool party at your villa!
If you’re thinking of a party vacation this summer, I’d definitely say Ayia Napa should be on your list (even if you’re an Ibiza fan!). Get your inquiry!
