Posted on October 31, 2024

Planning a trip to Ayia Napa? Whether you’re working a season abroad or heading there on a group holiday, you’re in for more than just legendary nightlife. Cyprus’ most famous coastal town offers sun, sea and stunning scenic views that’ll make you forget all about home.

The area surrounding Ayia Napa is full of natural beauty that will take your breath away. There’s plenty to explore on your days off from your summer job in Ayia Napa – we’ve put together our pick of the best day trips to take it all in while working on your tan.

Blue Lagoon Cruise Ayia Napa
  1. Dive into crystal clear waters on a Blue Lagoon Cruise

A Blue Lagoon cruise is the best way to take in Ayia Napa’s unbelievable turquoise waters. From your offshore vantage point, you’ll be able to see the sparkling blue waves in all their glory and appreciate water that’s more transparent than you’ve ever seen before. 

Most cruises involve a stop where you’ll be allowed to dive off deck into the mesmerising lagoon that looks like it’s been photoshopped. Depending on the tour that you pick, you might also get to see or even stop off at some of the other beauty spots on this list – so it’s well worth doing!

quad bike adventure Ayia Napa
  1. Go on a quad bike adventure

When it comes to travel on land, nothing beats kicking up the dust on a quad bike. And Ayia Napa’s rugged terrain is the perfect setting for a quad bike adventure, with lots of offroad areas to explore and incredible coastal views that you can’t access by car. 

Guided quad bike tours are available, or you can simply rent a few with your friends and see where the day takes you! Ayia Napa has plenty of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. 

Ayia napa boat party
  1. Soak up the vibes and views on a boat party

If you’re keen to see some of Ayia Napa’s natural beauty but the party life comes first, you can get the best of both worlds by getting tickets for one of Ayia Napa’s infamous boat parties. The vibes are impeccable with the sun blazing, tunes playing non-stop and the glittering sea all around you.

For the ultimate experience, we recommend choosing a sunset boat party. Bathed in the golden-hour glow, Ayia Napa’s coastline looks more stunning than ever and the atmosphere on deck can’t be beaten. 

Konnos Bay, Cyprus
  1. Tour the sites at Konnos Bay

Even the pickiest of people will find something to enjoy at Konnos Bay, so it’s the ideal place to go for a group day out. There’s Konnos Beach itself, which has watersports, sunbeds and shallow water that’s perfect for swimming, but the number one attraction is Turtle Cove.

Accessible by sea and land, Turtle Cove is the place to go to experience Ayia Napa’s marine life. You might just spot some turtles doing their thing, too! Further up the bay, you’ll find Anthea Cave and Cyclops Cave, which are totally worth the short hike to sprinkle a bit of adventure into the day.

Cape Greco National Forest Park, Cyprus
  1. Hike around Cape Greco National Forest Park

Everyone loves a hike… don’t they? Ok, well, even if you’re not a fan of getting your hiking boots on, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by the short but scenic hiking routes around Cape Greco National Forest Park. 

Located on a rocky peninsular, the national park has a variety of trails to suit different appetites. If you don’t fancy walking, you can even rent bikes and follow the signed cycle paths. The stunning sea views and interesting terrain are a natural wonderland that makes the perfect break from the energy of Ayia Napa town.

Hiking addicts can also check out the Red Cliffs on the other side of Ayia Napa for a slightly different but equally breathtaking landscape.

Ayia Napa Scuba Diving
  1. Scuba dive into a different world 

What’s the point in beautiful crystal-clear waters if you don’t make time for a bit of scuba diving? For a truly unforgettable day trip, sign up for a scuba diving tour of Ayia Napa’s underwater delights. 

The water is some of the clearest and warmest in the Mediterranean, so it really does cry out for you to jump in and explore. Beneath the surface, you’ll find a whole other world, including fascinating marine life, old shipwrecks and an eerie underwater sculpture park.  

  1. Visit the stunning sea caves

Ayia Napa’s sea caves are a natural wonder that anyone visiting simply has to go and see. Waves crashing into the cliff face over centuries have carved out caves in the rocks, and the result is jaw dropping. This is the place to unleash your inner photographer and get snapping those Insta-worthy pics.

You can go snorkelling in the enticing waters or, if you’re feeling brave, try your hand at cliff jumping. There are no shops nearby, so bring a picnic with you and make a day of it! A short walk away is the Tree of Lovers – another great spot for a photo op.  

On the way back to your accommodation, make sure to stop by Ayia Napa’s iconic Bridge of Love for an unbeatable sunset view.

  1. Explore Ayia Napa’s stunning beaches

Beaches don’t get much better than the ones surrounding Ayia Napa. With so many impressive sandy stretches, there are plenty of opportunities for day trips… you could even do a beach crawl before your bar crawl later on!

Our top beach recommendations are:

  • Nissi Beach: the main beach in Ayia Napa has everything you’d want from a beach – golden sand, turquoise water and a fun atmosphere. 
  • Makronissos Beach: the perfect beach for a more relaxing vibe (and if you get bored, you can explore the nearby natural pools and archaeological site).
  • Landa Beach: a stunning sandy bay with a great variety of watersports to try when you’re not sunbathing.

Ayia Napa’s legendary clubs are the ideal way to carry on the fun after a day out exploring the local sights. Check out our Ayia Napa nightlife guide for all you need to know about the best bars, clubs and events.