PAPHOS OR AYIA NAPA: WHERE SHOULD YOU TRAVEL?
The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has two very popular holiday resorts – Paphos and Ayia Napa. Earlier this year, we spent one month exploring Cyprus and visited both resorts. Whilst both are famed in Cyprus, the two resorts are very different beasts.
In this blog post, we will look in detail at Paphos and Ayia Napa to help you decide which one you should travel to.
Paphos or Ayia Napa: Which has the best vibe?
Paphos: History with a touch of hedonism
Paphos, located on the southwestern coast of Cyprus, is a city steeped in history and mythology. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Paphos is renowned for its archaeological treasures, including the Paphos Archaeological Park with its Roman mosaics. For history lovers, The Tomb of the Kings is also quite unique. You can expect to spend a few hours meandering around the tombs and learning about how they were used in the past.
All of this said, we were a little underwhelmed by by the main archeological site in Paphos – largely it is a collection of ruins. And whilst interesting, is not the best site that we visited in Cyprus. For history buffs – whilst we wouldn’t warn you off Paphos, we would actually strongly encourage you to consider Limassol too, which is close to the fantastic Kourion Ruins.
We had expected Paphos to be quite idyllic, especially the area around the harbour. There are aspects of it that we loved – the municipal swimming areas are filled with courting couples enjoying romantic sunset swims for example.
But aspects that we also weren’t enamored with – restaurants were overrated and we often spotted chain eateries, like Pizza Hut.Not to put too fine a point on it, but there are lots of bars around the harbour where happy hours start at 10:00 and where drinking a beer with your shirt off is totally acceptable.
In contrast, Paphos Old Town (a 30 minute walk up the hill from the harbour) is delightful. It has a classy vibe, thriving restaurants with good food and less holiday-makers.
Ayia Napa: The Party Capital – or is it?
On the southeastern coast of Cyprus, Ayia Napa is famous for its vibrant nightlife and “energetic atmosphere”. It rose to fame in the 90s and became known as the party capital of Cyprus. TO an extent, Ayia Napa does still deserve this image – things get quite wild after dark on the main bar street. We enjoyed one night properly “out out” and will remember some of the scenes we witnessed for a long time to come!
All of this aside, there are some quaint and delightful restaurants in Ayia Napa. There are also some pleasant cocktail bars and live music venues that attract an older crowd (think less Inbetweeners but not quite Sex and the City.)
During the day, Ayia Napa’s beautiful beaches offer a different kind of excitement. From thrilling watersports to lively beach parties. But search a little harder and you’ll find Capo Greco national park with stunning lagoon coves as well as some of the loveliest sandy beaches in Cyprus. We spent a day on the beach and honestly had one of the most relaxing days – not a teeny bopper in sight or a loud speaker in earshot.
Totally out of left field, Ayia Napa was actually one of our favourite destinations in Cyprus. It surprised us. And we would recommend it, even if you are over 30 (like us!)
Paphos or Ayia Napa – which has the best beaches?
Paphos: Beautiful – but not always convenient
Before I visited Paphos, I had read about how stunning the beaches are in the area. Whilst this is true – there are two things about beaches in Paphos that you need to know before deciding whether to visit here.
Firstly, Paphos town has a harbour and some municipal bathing areas but no beach as such. You can swim, but there are no sandy shores to wash up on. There are stunning beaches – Coral Bay for example – but you will need to drive or take a bus to get there. The beaches are ideal for a day trip.
Secondly, the beaches can get crowded. We visited in June, before peak-summer and found it a bit of a battle to get sun loungers at Coral Bay. We totally swerved the beaches closer to Paphos, because they were far too busy for our taste.
A drive or bus ride away from Paphos is Akamas Peninsula, with the stunning Blue Lagoon. Again, this makes a wonderful day trip from Paphos.
Ayia Napa: Possibly the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus
Ayia Napa’s beaches are renowned for their vibrant atmosphere and variety of activities. Nissi Beach, with its soft white sand and turquoise waters, is a popular destination for beach parties.
Older crowds, or those seeking serenity, will prefer Makronissos Beach or Pantachou Beach. If your idea of a perfect beach is white sand and clear water – Ayia Napa will tickle your pickle.
Around the corner from Ayia Napa and an easy bus ride (or quad bike ride) away is Capo Greco National Park with it’s stunning lagoons. Keep going and you’ll get to the resort town of Protaras – which also has idyllic beaches.
Paphos or Ayia Napa for foodies?
Paphos: A mixed bag
Dining in Paphos is a mixed experience. Many restaurants offer lovely views of the sea and fresh seafood. But it can be a little hit and miss, with some harbour-side restaurants offer bad value for money and not particularly exciting food. You’ll also have to navigate carefully around the restaurants serving up pie and mash, or other “British classics”.
Old Town Paphos is a different story. Restaurants are better, with more authenticity and better value for money.
Ayia Napa: Also a mixed-bag
Brunch in Ayia Napa is a delight – there are some many wonderful coffee places and brunch restaurants (find our recommendations here). When it comes to dining out in the evening, we found perhaps one or two low-key tavernas with okay food – but nothing to write home about.
Ayia Napa’s dining scene is more diverse than Paphos, and if you prefer international food to local, you’ll find something you like.
In all honesty, we love our food and whilst we had some pleasant meals in Paphos and Ayia Napa – we think foodies would MUCH prefer Limassol, which has a far superior dining scene to either resort. Find out more about Limassol here.
Paphos or Ayia Napa – which has the better accommodation?
Paphos: Luxurious Retreats + Self-catered charm
Paphos is home to some of Cyprus’s most luxurious resorts and hotels. Whether you’re looking for a five-star beachfront resort or a charming boutique hotel, Paphos has accommodations to suit every taste.
There is also a huge selection when it comes to mid-range and budget hotels and apartments. Paphos is perhaps the best resort if you are looking for a self-catered apartment with a swimming pool. There are simply loads of apartment complexes, ideal for families, groups of friends or couples who prefer pool side to beach.
Here are some of our top recommendations for places to stay in Paphos:
BUDGET: Cystrallo Apartments is a typical budget apartment block close to Kato Paphos available for around 50 Euros per night. There are many similar apartments with pools available on Airbnb too.
MID-RANGE: For mid-range accommodation, Paphos has plenty of choice. The Regency Boutique Hotel is a new building with smart features, close to the harbour. Alternatively, this apartment is a more relaxed option.
LUXURY: Alexander the Great is a large hotel with many swimming pools and what we think is one of the best locations. It is close to the water and only 10 minutes away from the harbour – but far enough to feel relaxed.
Ayia Napa: Chic and stylish or loud and lairy
Ayia Napa offers a mix of modern hotels, chic boutique accommodations, and budget-friendly options.
The city is quite small, so you can choose whether to locate yourself slap bang in the middle, or a little further away. There are also tonnes of seafront properties, think luxe hotels with pools. At the more “mid-range” and “budget” end, a few of the hotels have a bit of an “18 to 30s” vibe, so don’t expect to relax too much around the pool.
Our recommendations for accommodation in Ayia Napa are as follows:
MID RANGE: New Famagusta Hotel offers a giant swimming pool, central location and spacious rooms. It is also 400m from the beach.
LUXURY: Grecian Bay Hotel is an upscale accommodation, with three swimming pools and lovely grounds. Plus a central location and beach access.
Final Verdict: Which to Choose?
Choosing between Paphos and Ayia Napa ultimately depends on your travel preferences. If you’re drawn to a spot of history, a relaxed coastal vibe, Paphos may be better for you. Paphos may also suit families better, especially if you’re looking for an apartment in a complex with a pool.
On the other hand, if you prefer a dynamic environment with vibrant beaches and non-stop nightlife, Ayia Napa will be more of your bag.
If you want to visit both – you can find our 7, 10 or 14 day itineraries for Cyprus here.
Not sure if Paphos or Ayia Napa are for you?
Find out about Limassol and Larnaca – these cities may suit you better.
For couples trying to decide where to stay in Cyprus – you can find our guide here.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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