10 Best Beaches in Ayia Napa

With its crystal-clear turquoise water, soft golden sand, and beautiful coastline, Ayia Napa is home to some of the best beaches in Cyprus. It’s also one of the Mediterranean’s most popular beach destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Many of its beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status, thanks to their clean, safe water and excellent facilities.

While Nissi Beach is undoubtedly the most famous, there are plenty of other stunning beaches to discover. From lively beaches with beach bars and water sports to quieter bays perfect for a relaxing day by the sea, Ayia Napa has something for everyone.

We’ve been living just a short drive from Ayia Napa for more than three years, which has given us plenty of time to explore its coastline in every season. In this guide, we’re sharing the best beaches in Ayia Napa, from world-famous spots to lesser-known bays that many visitors miss. Whether you’re looking for the perfect family beach, a peaceful place to swim, or that postcard-worthy stretch of sand, you’ll find plenty of inspiration below.

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Best Beaches in Ayia Napa at a Glance

From lively beach clubs to peaceful hidden gems, here’s a quick look at the best beaches in Ayia Napa.

The 10 Best Beaches in Ayia Napa

Here are our picks for the 10 best beaches in Ayia Napa after visiting these beaches more times than we can count. Some are well-known for good reason, while others are places we’ve stumbled across and now keep coming back to ourselves. Many of these also feature in our guide to the best beaches in Cyprus, thanks to their crystal-clear water and beautiful scenery.

1. Nissi Beach

Nissi Beach is probably the most famous beach in Cyprus and, for many visitors, the best beach in Ayia Napa. We’ve visited beaches all over Europe, and the water here is probably the closest we’ve seen to the Maldives. Its powdery white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and the small island just offshore create a beautiful beach setting. During low tide, you can even walk across the shallow water to the island. Thanks to its sheltered bay, the sea is usually calm and perfect for swimming.

Its popularity does come at a price, though. Nissi is one of the busiest beaches on the island, so if you want to secure a sunbed, it’s worth arriving early, especially during peak season.

Nissi Beach is especially known for its lively atmosphere. The eastern end is home to stylish beach cafés and cabanas, while the western end attracts a younger crowd with some of the best beach bars in Ayia Napa, DJs, and regular foam parties.

If the crowds become a little too much, nearby Latchi Adams Beach is just a short walk away and offers a quieter alternative with equally beautiful clean water. However, no trip to Ayia Napa is complete without spending at least a few hours at Nissi Beach. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Cyprus.

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2. Makronissos Beach

Located around 5 km (3.1 miles) west of Ayia Napa, Makronissos Beach is one of the best beaches in Ayia Napa for families. With soft golden sand, crystal-clear water, and a gently shelving seabed, it’s an excellent choice for anyone travelling with young children.

What many visitors don’t realise is that Makronissos is actually a collection of three neighbouring beaches. Alongside the main beach, you’ll find a smaller cove that tends to be quieter (called Small Makronissos) and a third beach on the other side known as Dome Beach. Together, they offer plenty of space to enjoy the sun, even during the busy summer months.

The atmosphere here is far more laid-back than nearby Nissi Beach, attracting a mix of tourists and locals. Watersports, sunbeds, kiosks, and restaurants are all available nearby, while the ancient Hellenic Makronissos Tombs are worth a visit if you’d like to combine some history with your beach day.

3. Landa Beach

Located between Nissi Beach and Makronissos Beach, Landa Beach is often overlooked by visitors heading to its more famous neighbours. However, if you’re looking for a quieter beach with plenty of space and beautiful turquoise water, this is one of the best choices in Ayia Napa.

The beach features a lovely stretch of soft white sand, while the shallow water extends quite far from the shore, making it ideal for families with young children and anyone who enjoys simply floating around in the calm sea.

For us, this is the best beach in Ayia Napa. It offers the same stunning water as Nissi Beach but with a much more relaxed atmosphere.

Landa Beach can easily be reached via the coastal path from either Nissi or Makronissos and has excellent facilities, including toilets, showers, changing rooms, a beach bar, café, food truck, volleyball court, and a nearby picnic area.

You might also be interested in: Renting a Car in Cyprus: All You Need to Know

4. Ayia Thekla Beach

Ayia Thekla Beach is the westernmost beach in Ayia Napa and a great choice if you’re looking to escape the crowds. Named after the picturesque whitewashed church nearby, it offers a lovely stretch of golden sand and calm, shallow water that’s perfect for a relaxing swim.

Compared to beaches such as Nissi and Makronissos, Ayia Thekla has a much quieter atmosphere and often feels more local. This makes it an excellent option for anyone looking for a more peaceful beach day away from Ayia Napa’s busier tourist hotspots.

The recently developed Ayia Napa Marina is just a short drive away, where you’ll find a good selection of restaurants and cafés. If you’re searching for a quieter sunbathing spot with beautiful views and clear water, Ayia Thekla Beach is well worth considering.

5. Sandy Bay Beach (Vathia Gonia)

Located around a 25-minute walk from the centre of Ayia Napa, Sandy Bay Beach, also known as Vathia Gonia, is a picturesque horseshoe-shaped bay framed by rocky headlands. Its sheltered position creates calm, clear water and a relaxed atmosphere.

The beach is known for its fine white sand and gently shelving seabed, making it another excellent choice for families with young children. Despite its laid-back feel, watersports are still available for those looking to add a little adventure to their beach day.

The rocky coastline and small rock pools also make Sandy Bay a great spot for snorkelling, exploring marine life, and discovering a different side of Ayia Napa’s coastline. When it’s time for a break, several beachfront restaurants and cafés are just a short walk away. You’ll also find several beach massage stalls offering relaxing massages at very reasonable prices.

This article may also pique your interest: 10 Best Cyprus Day Trips

6. Pernera Beach Ayia Napa

Located right next to Sandy Bay Beach, Pernera Beach is a small and often overlooked beach along Ayia Napa’s coastal walkway. (Just don’t confuse it with Pernera Beach in Protaras.) With calm, crystal-clear water, it’s one of the best beaches for swimming in Ayia Napa.

While the sandy beach itself is relatively small, the surrounding rocky shoreline makes it a fantastic spot for snorkelling and exploring marine life. It’s also the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a quieter beach day away from some of the busier stretches of coast.

We also love that the MUSAN Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa is just 200 metres offshore. As keen snorkellers and freedivers, we’ve explored this unique underwater sculpture park several times, and it’s one of our favourite places to experience both art and marine life beneath the surface. It’s also one of the best photo spots in Cyprus.

7. Pantachou Beach

Pantachou Beach is the closest beach to Ayia Napa’s town centre, making it one of the most popular beaches in the area. Also known as Limanaki Beach, Harbour Beach, or Grecian Bay Beach, it stretches east from the harbour for around 1.2 km (0.75 miles), making it the longest beach in Ayia Napa.

The beach features very fine golden sand and crystal-clear water, with plenty of space to spread out even during the busy summer months. Compared to many other beaches in Ayia Napa, the sea here can be a little rougher with slightly bigger waves, which is why it isn’t quite as well suited for young children as beaches such as Nissi, Makronissos, or Landa. However, its convenient location also means you’ll find a great selection of beach bars, cafés, and restaurants along the seafront.

One of the things we enjoy most about Pantachou Beach is taking a long walk along the shoreline before stopping for a drink at one of the relaxed beach bars overlooking the bay. If you’re staying in the centre of Ayia Napa, this is likely to be the beach you’ll visit most often.

8. Glyki Nero Beach

Glyki Nero Beach marks the eastern end of Pantachou Beach and is essentially the final section of Ayia Napa’s longest stretch of coastline. This lovely bay is known for its fine golden sand and crystal-clear water, making it another great place to spend a few hours by the sea.

The water remains shallow for quite a distance from the shore, making it a great choice for families with young children and anyone looking for a relaxed swim.

Although Glyki Nero is smaller than Pantachou Beach, it’s well equipped with nearby cafés and facilities. Keep in mind that the bay is quite compact, and with watersports equipment taking up part of the bay, it can feel crowded fairly quickly during the busy summer months.

9. Ammos Tou Kambouri Beach

If you’re looking to escape the crowds, Ammos Tou Kambouri Beach is one of the best hidden gems in Ayia Napa. Located just outside the town centre, this small sheltered bay offers a much quieter and more peaceful atmosphere than many of the area’s better-known beaches.

Despite its relatively small size, you’ll still find everything you need for a comfortable beach day, including sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, and a snack bar. The calm surroundings make it an ideal place to switch off, grab a book, and spend a few relaxing hours by the sea.

The rocky seabed means it’s not the best beach for swimming, but it’s perfect for cooling off on a hot summer’s day. For us, this is also one of the best beaches in Ayia Napa for couples. With its intimate atmosphere and lack of crowds, it’s the perfect spot for a laid-back beach day with your significant other.

10. Kermia Beach (Limnara Beach)

Also known as Limnara Beach, Kermia Beach is located a few miles east of Ayia Napa and offers a quieter alternative to the more popular beaches closer to town. This small sandy bay is particularly known for its beautiful views towards Cape Greco.

Although a luxury hotel sits directly behind the beach, Kermia still feels far less crowded than many of Ayia Napa’s main beaches. The bay is well sheltered from the waves, creating calm conditions that are perfect for a relaxing swim or simply unwinding by the sea.

Its location is another advantage. The famous Ayia Napa Sea Caves and Cape Greco are both nearby, making Kermia Beach an excellent stop if you’re exploring the eastern coastline and want to combine sightseeing with a swim.

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From the lively atmosphere of Nissi Beach to quieter spots like Ammos Tou Kambouri and Kermia Beach, Ayia Napa is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly bays, excellent snorkelling, crystal-clear water, or peaceful stretches of sand away from the crowds, you’ll find a beach that’s worth adding to your Cyprus itinerary.

One of the things we love most about Ayia Napa is the variety. You can spend one day at a buzzing beach with beach bars and water sports, then discover a quiet hidden gem the next.

If you’d like to explore even more of the region’s coastline, have a look at our guide to the best beaches in Protaras. It includes favourites such as Konnos Bay, Green Bay, and Fig Tree Bay, all of which are located in Protaras, just a short drive from Ayia Napa.

Madeleine & Carsten

FAQ – Best Beaches in Ayia Napa

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