Some people think that Cyprus is a nice and idyllic little island in the Mediterranean Sea. Although this might be correct 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 in Cyprus has drawn attention, especially from party people, in recent years. Ayia Napa, a resort in the southeast of the island. Hugely popular as a family destination years ago, it has slowly but surely attracted younger tourists, who want to relax on sandy beaches during the day (beating off their hangovers) and party through the long nights.
Yes, Ibiza ‘eats your heart’! Ayia Napas is catching up and has, by now, established a relatively stable party scene.
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 coming to light. 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 all of Cyprus. The club almost recreates itself every year (keeping people coming back for more each time) and puts on a great night out for everyone. And if I say “any” I mean it, because it has 3 music rooms (each one with a different style), an outdoor terrace, a VIP lounge and a total of 14 bars with 9 DJ’s. 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 had enough of dancing, drinking and general flirting after a night in the clubs above, there is always “Club Aqua”, a very popular club for those ‘very’ late nights! Girls don’t worry about staying up late in Ayia Napa, it counts as a very safe place to be. Interestingly, although alcohol is flowing strongly in clubs, bars and everywhere in the city, people still seem to behave and stick to general etiquette.
Once you wake up (with a really bad, really bad hangover), you can wobble down to Nissi Beach where the fun continues, with great bars and loud music. Or you could just lay out on the sand for a bit, listen to your iPod and try to catch some sun and regenerate for the next wave of evening action. For the sports enthusiast (or whoever wants to look really sexy on a jet ski, if that’s possible) there are plenty of water sports facilities at Nissi Beach. As a general rule, it could be said that the party never stops in Ayia Napa.
Prices – ok honestly if you’re 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 drink prices. Nights out can still end up being more expensive than a night out in the good old 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 the extra penny. And who knows, with more tourists arriving on the island every year, the competition will grow, which could drive prices even higher.
The other point that could be a little more expensive is that it is almost twice the journey 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 may always be able to get a cheap Easy Jet or Ryanair flight. The travel time also means that it might not be suitable for a short weekend trip – you’ll need to have at least one extended weekend to really count.
Accommodation: If you are one of the families who are brave and party crazy in Ayia Napa, because of the amazing beaches, local cuisine and sunshine, but don’t really want to get in touch with the partygoers (or their hangovers), then a villa might be just the thing for you. There are countless villas in Cyprus with swimming pools, allowing you to spend your holidays in privacy and enjoy a dip in the sunny water.
The villas are also great for young people looking to party (sorry families!) – “why” you’re asking? This is because most villas sleep a minimum of four people and are charged weekly. This means that it could be cheaper than booking at one of the Hotels or Resorts. So less money spent on lodging equals more money spent on booze and parties. Also, if you had enough of partying in those clubs, you could have a private pool party in your villa!
If you’re thinking about a party holiday this summer, I’d definitely say Ayia Napa should be on your list (even if you’re a huge Ibiza fan!). Start your investigation!
