Just 25 miles east of Larnaca airport in Cyprus, Ayia Napa was once a sleepy fishing village, with one bar , the Romaza, nestling at the bottom of steps cut into the rocks on the shore.
Then the clubs arrived, and almost overnight Ayia Napa was snapping at the heels of Ibiza as the club capital of the Mediterranean. Ayia Napa was loud, funky, brash, wild, - and very cheap.
But with such success came problems. The resort earned a reputation for young, excessive drinkers spoiling the party, and the authorities decided enough was enough.
The inevitable clamp-down, however, could be the best thing that has happened to Ayia Napa in years. For those who always came to Ayia Napa for the music, the dance and the atmosphere, it’s still all there, waiting for you. All that’s gone are the gangs of drunken lads swaggering down the main drag, or tainting the dance floors with booze-fuelled aggression. Ayia Napa is still the club capital of Cyprus, and all the better for the departure of the ‘drink ’till you drop’ teenagers.
So, here’s the CyprusVista guide for enjoying a clubbing holiday in the new, improved Ayia Napa!
For the best deals on club entry, head for the main square in Ayia Napa at around 10pm, and hold out your hand! You’ll soon have more discount entry vouchers and flyers than you can possibly use, so pick what appeals, and then head off for some food and a drink.
You’ve got lots of time to eat a good meal, as most Ayia Napa clubs don’t open until 1.30am. Ayia Napa has a wide range of good quality restaurants open until late, serving local dishes to world food, from Polynesian curries to Japanese tempura.
You also have a massive choice of bars in Ayia Napa to choose from, all competing for your Euros! Listen to live bands over a pint, or sip a bewildering range of wild cocktails (just be careful, the local spirits are deceptively strong). Make music of your own at a karaoke bar, or cheer on the football stars at a sports bar. Pull on your green tights for a merry night at Robin’s Den pub, have your drinks with plenty of ice at the Titanic bar, or find new friends at the Lost City.
Now for the clubs. The main street of Ayia Napa is lined with a crazy assortment of themed clubs, from the popular Flintstone-themed Bedrock Inn to the 70s funk-inspired Starsky and Hutch or Car Wash. Go wet and wild at the Aqua Club with its own swimming pool, explore the Castle Club’s maze of rooms, or pay respect to Ayia Napa’s garage music heritage at Insomnia. Feel like a star at Hollywood Boulevard, go ape at Monkey Business, plunge into the Abyss club or chill out at Freedom Reggae - the choice is yours, and if you think there is just too much choice, there’s always tomorrow night!
Points to remember:
• You must be over 18 for entry into an Ayia Napa nightclub or to drink at a bar. ID may be required if you look younger.
• The local authorities and the police have a zero tolerance policy on drugs, recreational or otherwise. Possession will involve arrest, criminal charges and deportation from Cyprus.
• Drink drive laws are very strict in Cyprus. Don’t even consider taking the risk, and keep a few Euros in your pocket for your taxi home.
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