Where is it warmer: Paphos or Ayia Napa? Ayia Napa or Limassol - which is better? How to find an inexpensive hotel or apartment in Cyprus
In addition, the distance between Paphos and Ayia Napa is 200 km, so if you do not want to explore the island of Aphrodite in full, there is no point in racking up the kilometers. I will try to help those who have doubts or those who are going to Cyprus for the first time with their choice.
Paphos or Ayia Napa
If very briefly, then
- Paphos is a rich excursion life, history and a little sea
- Ayia Napa – 90% beach holiday and travel along the coast and very few excursions
All you have to do is choose what you want most, so as not to waste extra money and time on empty trips. Below I will dwell in more detail on Paphos, Ayia Napa and their surroundings. On their pros and cons. In order not to upset those who want both, I will say that with any choice you can dose the sea and excursions yourself in any proportion. I'll just give guidelines. 
Pathos, pros and cons
About the disadvantages of Paphos
Paphos has its own airport, but it does not serve many international destinations. Therefore, most flights land in Larnaca, and from there it is much further to Paphos than to Limassol or Ayia Napa. The solution to the problem is to rent a car.
Paphos has far fewer good beaches compared to Ayia Napa. The most famous and coolest is the beach Coral Bay, but it is located quite far from the Paphos embankment. If you want to live near a beautiful beach, book accommodation near Coral Bay
. 
The second option to live near a decent beach suitable for swimming is to choose hotels on the coast east of Paphos, to the left of the embankment when looking at the sea. There are good, but quite expensive options there.
The beaches are mostly rocky; near expensive hotels on the shore there are artificial small bays with dark brown and golden sand. 
Pros of Paphos
There is a promenade and plenty of sea-view establishments where you can spend an evening. And this is the main difference from Ayia Napa, which is essentially a tourist village with hotels and apartments.
In the very Paphos many more attractions than in Ayia Napa and this is his strong point. There is something to do during non-beach time.
And in Paphos and in Ayia Napa there is a long walking path along the sea. There is approximate parity here, although Paphos is better suited for walking and more lively - good opportunities for cycling.
IN Ayia Napa There are plenty of city restaurants, but Paphos and the surrounding area will be cooler in this regard. And if you are vacationing in Ayia Napa, then you can have a good and inexpensive lunch with a sea view in Larnaca or Zygi village near Larnaca.
Both a plus and a minus at the same time Ayia Napa can be considered a vibrant nightlife which peaks in July-August. If you are a party animal, you definitely need to come here! 
Let's sum it up: Paphos vs Ayia Napa
If you are going to Cyprus for good beaches, nightlife with one, maximum two excursions, Ayia Napa is for you. If you are a party animal and a clubber, Ayia Napa is for you. Ayia Napa is a place about the sea and beaches, bars and clubs! Ayia Napa is for the young at heart and lovers of beach activities and boat trips. If you prefer a family vacation with beach priority, but are not ready to overpay, Protaras is for you. It is very close to Ayia Napa, which can be reached for a couple of euros by bus. Protaras has a long, well-equipped and beautiful promenade along the sea, which stretches all the way to Cape Greco, a dozen good cozy beaches, the long city Sunrise Beach and the iconic Fig Tree Bay.
If you love active recreation and despise beach chairs and sea activities, if your priority is active recreation - cycling, ATV rides and wild nature with minimal time at sea - you should go to Paphos or Polis. If you want to immerse yourself in local life and color, visit wineries and see ancient history to understand Cyprus more, you’re in Pathos or Policy.
At the same time, Paphos also has several beautiful beaches, so you won’t be deprived of the sea. And you can spend beautiful evenings on the embankment in one of the restaurants with your beloved.
If you want to take a ride to Troodos mountains, see ancient monasteries and villages - choose Paphos, it’s closer and more convenient to get to from here and you can do it in one day.
Is it possible to combine all this in one vacation? It’s easy, just do a minimum of planning week in Paphos and surroundings and the second week or at least Spend 3-4 days in Ayia Napa. Then you will put a bold and beautiful end to your vacation, remember and love Cyprus, and just like us, you will come every year. Use Larnaca only for transit and transfer from/to the airport; there is nothing to do there for more than half a day.
Is there some more Limassol, but this is something between the two locations described above; I would not recommend it to those who decided to try a holiday in Cyprus for the first time. The main advantage of Limassol is its equidistance from almost all places in Cyprus; it is perfect for traveling around the island if you live in one place. 
Why is it important to rent a car in Cyprus?
I still think that traveling around Cyprus by public transport is masochistic, and frequent use of taxis is quite difficult financially.
Moreover, a car in Cyprus is not a luxury, but an affordable means of transportation, from 8 Euros in the low season and from 15 Euros in the high season, there are options without a deposit and always a meager advance payment.
We find such correct wheels on the website MyRentacar– the main players in the local car rental market are gathered here under one roof. Tested - ideal for a traveler, use it, recommend it. 
The best beaches and resorts in Cyprus or where it’s good in Cyprus, only the very best places for a beach holiday in Cyprus.
Holidays in Cyprus– these are primarily beaches and most tourists come for this. The remaining attractions only highlight the beach holiday and diversify it.
Beaches of Cyprus- this is not the simplest story, not all beaches on the island are equally useful, you can buy a tour and end up in such a cesspool that you will have nothing to remember except the black heels of your neighbors.
Beaches of Northern Cyprus I won’t touch on it, that’s a different story. In the meantime, only about the best and deservedly popular beaches of Cyprus. There will be no pretense or smooth expressions, you are going for maximum pleasure, so this article contains only the best - the beach cream of Cyprus, if you want.
On Cyprus five main tourist beach locations. This is , and . I will tell you in detail about the best beaches in each direction in the relevant sections of the site, but for now we will select the top five beaches in Cyprus.
The best beaches are in Protaras And Ayia Napa. These two towns are located nearby and are resort villages, almost entirely consisting of hotels and apartments.
Resorts of Cyprus - Protaras
Protaras is aimed at family beach holidays; the beaches are the strong point of this village. All beaches are connected by a long walking path along the sea with gazebos and cafes. There are more than two dozen excellent sandy beaches in Protaras, but these three beaches are considered the best.
Sunrise Beach aka Flamingo Beach
Cypriot names often have a second and even a third name, so do not be surprised if different sources contain different names for the same place.
Flamingo Beach– the longest in Protaras, about a kilometer long. Gentle entry into the water, sand both on the beach and near the shore - no special slippers are needed. The beach is ideal for families with children - it is shallow near the shore and the water warms up well. Adults and children are attracted to active recreation - catamarans, banana boats, water scooters, pleasure boats and paragliding. Along the beach there is a lively tourist promenade with cafes, bars and restaurants. There are a lot of people in high season, but there is enough space for everyone. Sun beds and umbrellas are paid - 2.5 euros per unit. There is free parking both along the embankment and nearby streets.
The beach faces east hence the name Sunrise Beach. Like all beaches in Cyprus, Flamingo Beach is very clean even during peak season, you can rest assured for yourself and your children. The photo was taken before the start of the beach season, in the evening there is shade on the beach. The best time is early in the morning and from 16:00 to sunset.
Protaras. Sunrise Beach
Fig Tree Beach
It was named so because of the abundance of fig trees growing right on the beach; now there are not so many of them left compared to what it was before. A beautiful semi-oval and high rocky shore, fine light yellow sand and emerald water. It is rightfully considered the most beautiful beach in Cyprus. The entrance to the water is gentle, like almost everywhere else in Cyprus.
Fig Tree Beach ( Fig Tree Beach) located next to Flamingo Beach, but more intimate and much smaller than Flamingo. You can easily change the location and walk along the embankment.
About the rest of the beautiful ones beaches of Protaras I’ll tell you in the Cyprus guides section dedicated to this resort.
Konnos Beach
This is already the outskirts Protaras, or rather, the beach is located at a distance from the village on the edge. But it is so beautiful and cozy that in the high season the folk trail to it is not overgrown. You can get there by car, ATV or scooter, which can be rented on site in Protaras, and the car immediately upon arrival at Larnaca airport.
Sand is brought to this beach every season, but this in no way detracts from its merits. KonnosBeach equidistant from the main party Ayia Napa And Protaras and is surrounded by picturesque rocks covered with greenery. There is all the necessary infrastructure - changing cabins, access road - Konnos Road, free parking, a cafe with a sea view - I recommend it, toilets and sunbeds and umbrellas, just like everywhere else in Cyprus.
The entry into the water is smooth, the bottom is fine white sand, there are several picturesque huge stones in the water - the best place to take a photo of yourself. The water is even more emerald than in the center Protaras because of the color of the sand and natural purity.
Konnos Beach, Protaras
Resorts of Cyprus - Ayia Napa
Nissi Beach
Nissi Beach, the most beautiful beach of the entire island, the real pride of Cyprus. White sand, oval in shape and a sand spit along which in the spring you can walk without taking off your shoes to a small island from which a panorama of the beach and coastline opens.
A gentle entrance to the water and a rich azure color are far from being the main thing on Nissi Beach. The main thing is an eternal party throughout the entire season, which opens in Cyprus on April 1 and ends on October 31.
Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa
On the first line of the beach there are luxurious 4*-5* hotels with corresponding prices, which are sold out several months before the start of the season. To the street clubs in Ayia Napa It's quite a long walk, about 30 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by car.
Budget holidays near Nissi Beach possible if you rent an apartment across the road from the beach.
Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa
Sandy Bay (Vathia Gonia)
It is far from Nissi Beach either in size or in terms of party scene, but it is an intimate and very nice beach. Nearby is a beautiful and comfortable 3* hotel Anonymus. An oval bay with virtually no waves makes this place ideal for those who like silence but want the party to be nearby. Nissi Beach is a 10-minute walk along the walking path along the sea.
Resorts of Cyprus - Paphos
Paphos is quite far from Protaras and Ayia Napa, in the southwest of Cyprus. There is a beautiful pomenad for several kilometers along the sea and benches overlooking the sunset. The resort is more suitable for retirees and those who love a calm, measured or active holiday. Paphos is a paradise for lovers of a healthy lifestyle and bars and seafood restaurants.
Coral Bay Beach
Coral Bay — the best beach in Paphos. It is located outside the city, but can be reached by car in just 10 minutes or by taxi. There are a couple of 4* hotels nearby. Gray-yellow fine sand is pleasant to the touch, there are a few picturesque stones near the water and a gentle entrance. There is a cafe overlooking the sea, parking and changing cabins, a toilet.
Coral Bay Beach, Paphos
Near Coral Bay Beach There are sea caves to which excursions by sea are organized; you can also look at them from land. Next to the caves in the neighboring bay there is a half-sunken ship.
Coral Bay Beach, Paphos
IN Paphos there are several other good beaches, but I will talk about them in an article dedicated to Paphos, read in the section Guides to Cyprus - Paphos.
Larnaca And Limassol Unfortunately, they cannot boast of good beaches, no matter how much they are praised by specialized travel sites, especially those who sell tours to Cyprus. There is something to see there and it’s good in its own way, but the best beaches for relaxation are not their trump card, for sure.
Individual and group transfer in Cyprus
Cyprus- a top summer destination and taxi drivers at the airport often raise prices for their services. In addition, most of them do not have child car seats. It is not installed because it takes up the seat of an adult passenger. Because of this, tourists with children have to run around the airport looking for a free car with a child car seat.
Both problems can be solved very simply. Transfer, both individual and group, is possible. There you can also choose the option with a child seat. You won’t have to overpay taxi drivers and there will be no problems with the safety of children.
Everything happens very simply. Afterwards, you will be met by a driver with a sign with your name written on it. Immediately after leaving the arrivals hall, you get into the car and drive to your hotel.
How to find an inexpensive hotel or apartment in Cyprus
I use the trusted Booking.com and aggregator site RoomGuru (HotelsCombined). Choice of accommodation, even for such a small island as Cyprus, on these resources is huge, but I recommend booking in advance - the best options are sold out a couple of months before the high season (July-August).
How to rent a car inexpensively in Cyprus
We rent a car on the Myrentacar website, which brings together most local rental companies. The prices are good, 24/7 Russian-speaking support, I have used them 6 times in three years. There are no complaints, the conditions are stated transparently, so you can always find an acceptable option.
Greetings, dear travelers! Today we have an interesting topic on the agenda, , what to choose? I warn you right away that this article is about everything! Be sure to read to the end. As you read, there will be many photos of beaches and landscapes. Still, the sea in Cyprus is the most important thing. 🙂
There is a lot of information on the Internet these days, but, alas, it is not always useful. You have to spend more than one hour, and sometimes more than one day, to get to the bottom of the truth and finally understand for yourself, which is better Paphos or Ayia Napa. Many people, I think, can guess what I mean.
CONTENT:
Therefore, without unnecessary water, I will try to describe and tell you in all colors what, where, and how, to convey to you my experience and knowledge. It will take some of your time, but I'm sure you will be satisfied.
About the location
Both resort towns are located on the island of Cyprus, in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Paphos is located in the southwestern part, Ayia Napa in the southeastern part.
- The distance between them is about 180 km.
- Each city has its own international airport.
- Paphos is much closer to the largest mountain range on the island - Troodos.
- In Paphos you can see very beautiful sunsets, but in Ayia Napa you can hardly see the sunset.
Climate, weather, water temperature
The climate on the entire island is Mediterranean. If I may say so, it is smooth, without sudden changes in temperature and pressure, which is ideal for the health of people of all age groups, in particular children, weather-sensitive people, and hypertensive patients. Ayia Napa or Paphos from a weather point of view they are identical. The same applies to water temperature.
Still, it is worth noting that in Ayia Napa, as a rule, both the air and the water are a couple of degrees warmer. If on hot summer days, from June to August, this is not particularly important, then if you go swimming, for example, at the beginning of May or at the end of September, you can feel the difference a little. August in Cyprus is the hottest month of the year! 
I have come across the opinion that the climate in Paphos is somewhat milder. The proximity of mountain ranges probably has an effect. But to be honest, I didn’t feel the difference, since the climate on the entire island is already very mild!
Beaches, sea
In the matter of choice, Ayia Napa or Paphoswhere is better, be sure to keep in mind that in Ayia Napa the beaches are sandy, with fine light sand, and in Paphos the beaches are mainly pebble and rocky, there are also sandy ones, but the sand there is already grayish-brown. The only thing that matters here is your preference. For example, we chose Ayia Napa as our main holiday destination only because of the beaches, since my husband does not really like pebbles in any form. And my mother, planning a trip to Cyprus, just chose Paphos, on the contrary, she was delighted with the stones and pebbles, my dad did not resist, it doesn’t matter to him whether it’s sand or pebbles. How many people, so many opinions. Don’t forget, in Paphos you can find a hotel near a sandy beach, but there are only a few such places.
All beaches in Cyprus are municipal, you can visit absolutely any one you like best. During the high season, large beaches offer various sea activities - catamarans, banana boats, etc. 
Paphos or Ayia Napa, what to choose for a holiday with children? The entrance to the sea is flat everywhere, the beaches are ideally adapted for swimming with children. My advice is to choose what you like, if you are in harmony and happy, the child will feel a good mood and will be happy.
The sea along the entire coast of Cyprus is very clean!
Entertainment, night life
Traditionally, Ayia Napa is the center of nightlife in Cyprus with developed infrastructure. You can walk here until dawn, you will find something to do. Young people are advised to go here. Pathos is truly associated with a calmer and more measured pastime. 
There is a lot of entertainment in Ayia Napa - a water park, an amusement park (children will love it, and adults will find something to do. There are a couple of attractions for those who like the most thrilling sensations), sea excursions. Paphos also has a water park.
Nature, attractions
Miscellaneous (shopping, prices)
If you are thinking about shopping, then it is generally better to go to Limassol. 🙂 Ayia Napa or Paphoswhere is it cheaper?? Regarding prices, there is so much information on the Internet! Some people write that it is more expensive in Paphos, others that it is more expensive in Ayia Napa and vice versa, reading all this is just a waste of time. In terms of prices, both resorts are identical, since they are the most popular and promoted throughout Cyprus. I will say this, where it is definitely cheaper is in the northern part of Cyprus - Kyrenia. The word “cheaper” somehow doesn’t mean Paphos and Ayia Napa at all. Where there are a lot of people, prices are high. 
For comparison: a bottle of simple still water, 0.5 liters, in a store on the main street in Ayia Napa, where there are a lot of cafes and restaurants, and a constant huge flow of tourists from all over, costs, for example, 1, or even 1.5 euros. If you turn deeper into the island and walk for 5-10 minutes, the same water will cost 2 times less. That's all mathematics. It’s not surprising to you that Coca-Cola on Red Square in Moscow costs several times more than somewhere in a store outside, say, the 3rd ring. 🙂
By the way, I almost forgot to say that, other things being equal, prices for trips to Paphos are somewhat cheaper than to Ayia Napa. I compared more than one option! I also have an educational story!
I also have a comparison of 2 more popular resorts in Cyprus -
I hope my review helped you decide Ayia Napa or Paphos, what to choose, what's better for you.
Before choosing one or another city in Cyprus as your main base, which you define for yourself as the best, you first need to decide how you see your future holiday on this island. Each resort in Cyprus has its pros and cons. Let's try to describe both, and you decide which is more important to you.
Let's look at the most popular places, arranging them geographically, from west to east: Pathos, Limassol, Larnaca And Protaras(Paralimni). To make it clearer to you where each city is located, let us first show them on a map of Cyprus.
Now let's talk a little about the pros and cons of each.
Pathos
Not far from Paphos there is a very interesting monastery of St. Neophyte of the Recluse. In addition, there is a Botanical Park and a Zoo nearby. And if you rent a car, then it’s not so far to go to Troodos from here, or to the protected Akamas Peninsula. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that some of the hotels are located not in Paphos itself, but in the Coral Bay area, which is located away from the city.
There are many hotels in this area, and the beaches here are very good, but you will have to get to the city by bus 615, which, however, runs quite often. But in Paphos itself, with good beaches, it’s quite tense. There are good ones, but not every hotel has them, so vacationers often go to Coral Bay beach.
Limassol
The coast of Limassol is an almost continuous beach with good entry into the water. And not shallow, and not deep. The long promenade allows you to take long walks or bike rides along the sea. The only “disadvantage” is the grayish color of the sand, which is of volcanic origin. For some reason, when choosing Limassol as a holiday destination, this confuses many. But those who stay here stop noticing it on the second day.
Limassol stretches along the sea for 14 kilometers. On the eastern edge is the so-called “tourist aria”, where most of the hotels are located, including almost all five-star hotels. From here you will have to get to the center of Limassol and its “Old Town” by bus number 30, which often runs along the coast. In the central part of the city, the choice of hotels is also quite large. We prefer to stay closer to the center, although we’ve probably just gotten used to it over the years.
For independent travelers who plan to rent a car and move around the island a lot, Limassol, in our opinion, is the best choice. Its location (almost in the center of the coast of the island) allows you to travel to more interesting places in Cyprus, including, of course, Troodos, with less time.
Larnaca
In addition, in the Larnaca area there is a very “shallow” sea. To swim normally, you need to go far enough into the water. For children this is freedom, but for adults it is a small problem. :) In Larnaca itself the beach is very long and wide, and outside it is no worse. It is in this area that you can find the most budget hotels, which, coupled with its proximity to the airport, makes Larnaca attractive to many tourists.
The color of the sand here is light yellow, which is why the color of the sea water on the beaches takes on an azure hue, which cannot but please the eye. It is no longer as shallow as in Larnaca. In general, it’s hard to find fault with the beaches here. Ayia Napa is located to the right on the map from Larnaca, that is, about 50 km to the east. This means that it will be a little more difficult for those who planned to travel a lot around the island. Still, hand on heart, the main attractions, starting with Troodos with its mountain villages and ancient churches, are located in the other direction from Larnaca. However, the main flow of vacationers tends to this area or even further.
Protaras
The beaches in Protaras are no less gorgeous than those in Ayia Napa, and maybe even better - it’s difficult to choose the right criterion. But in terms of the “mentality” of vacationers, these places differ quite a lot. If Ayia Napa is distinguished by its “incendiary” vibe, then Protaras is much more calm. Couples with children of different ages like to stay here, so Protaras is known as a quieter resort where various entertainment can also be found. The one-way central street, stretching slightly above the coastline, is crammed with bars, taverns, shops and other pleasures of resort life. Yes, one fountain show is worth it, where many tourists from other areas strive to get to!
We hope that our short introductory story about the resorts of Cyprus will help you choose the right city of your “dreams”. :) From the beginning of May to the end of October, each of them is good in its own way. Separately, let’s say a few words about holidays in the off-season, that is, from the beginning of November to the end of April. It is better at this time to choose between Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca. But Ayia Napa and especially Protaras, which are almost “dying out” at this time, should be left for another time.
If for you the beach is one of the main criteria for choosing a city or hotel, be sure to read the comparative characteristics of the beaches of Cyprus before making your final decision. When you are interested in just one of them, the range of hotel choices will narrow sharply. But if you plan to rent a car, then the beach may not be the determining factor, because you can get to any of them on your own if necessary.
Well, now that you have already decided on your place of residence, all that remains is to choose the right hotel for you. We will share about the features of choosing a hotel in Cyprus in the next story.