Ayia Napa is known globally for its white-sand beaches and fabulous nightlife, and anyone looking for a good time without stress could do a lot worse than this coastal town.
Usually known as the party capital of Cyprus, Ayia Napa regularly attracts fun-loving people eager to blow off some steam and enjoy everything the resort has to offer, especially in the summer months when it is peak season.
But aside from all the beaches and nightclubs, Ayia Napa actually has a rich and interesting history, from its origins as a simple fishing village to the majestic holiday destination that it is today.
Once known as Agia Napa, the town is first mentioned in documents in the 14th Century. Five ships carrying stolen Cypriot goods were sunk just off the coast of the region, and accounts of the incident talked about a wooded, green area that was well known with hunters.
In fact, the name ‘Ayia Napa’ comes from the Greek word ‘nape’ meaning ‘wooded valley’, indicating that the area once looked a lot different to the golden, sun-drenched landscape that we see today.
During the early 16th Century, the Ayia Napa monastery was built into a cave along the coastline, commemorating the area where a figure of the Virgin Mary was found by a local hunter. The figure had been hidden and forgotten over the years; but when it was re-discovered, pilgrims began to flock to the area to witness the miraculous statue.
Eventually, a monastery was erected around the cave; these buildings still stand at the present and are worth visiting. Although the monastery has been regularly visited after the structure was finished, Ayia Napa didn’t have its first residents until the late 18th Century. A group of people fleeing an outbreak of the plague in nearby Thessalonica settled in the town, and soon, many houses were built.
As the population grew, several trades began to emerge as the residents sought to establish an economy and means to survive. Because of the town’s coastal location, fishing became one of the biggest trades and soon Ayia Napa had a successful seafood and fishing business. The Thalassa Museum in the centre of the town examines this heritage much more closely.
The boom in foreign holidays in the 60s and 70s initiated a rapid change in Ayia Napa’s character, and in no time at all, the white-sand beaches and weather were attracting plenty of tourists. Nightclubs began opening all over the town, and it became renowned for its party atmosphere and fantastic entertainment.
At present, Ayia Napa holidays are perfect for those looking for great nightlife, cool clubs and plenty of beaches. Especially popular with those who like the UK garage and urban scene, the town has usually been compared to Ibiza; what’s more, the large number of cheap hotels means that the resort is great for those who want to holiday on a budget, making it popular with a younger crowd of holidaymakers.
Ayia Napa is no doubt one of the nicest places for people looking for fun and plenty of sun this summer but it’s worth noting that aside from sunbathing, partying and shopping, the town has a unique history with plenty of attractions to explore should the mood take you.
The monastery and museum are both ideal options for when all that relaxing becomes too much, and the nearby sea caves are great for those who like to keep active. The resort may have come a long way, but remnants of the old town are still there to be discovered.
