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. 
Cyprus is popular among travelers all over the world. But there are many resorts there, how to determine the best one? Paphos, Larnaca, Protaras or Ayia Napa: what to choose to make your vacation a success? Let's try to look at the two most popular resorts - Paphos and Ayia Napa - from different angles. Despite numerous positive reviews about both places, they are still different from each other. And if you learn more about them, it will help you plan your vacation wisely.
Location and climate
The city of Paphos is located in the western part of the Republic of Cyprus, and Ayia Napa is in the eastern. This leaves its mark on the local weather. On average, the air temperature in Ayia Napa is slightly higher than in the Paphos area. However, if you arrive in the middle of summer, you are unlikely to feel this difference. Temperatures above +30°C in the shade (even hotter in the sun!) are not very comfortable for walking around the city or excursions. On such days, it’s nice to spend time on a sun lounger by the sea or sit under an umbrella in a cafe. And both Ayia Napa and Paphos are suitable for this!
The same can be said about the ratio of sunny and cloudy days. Their number differs so slightly at both resorts that there is no need to talk about a significant difference in the weather. In most cases, you will spend your entire vacation under the bright sun! During the season (and in Cyprus it begins in spring and ends in mid-autumn), there is little precipitation. Both Paphos and Ayia Napa will delight tourists with cloudless days.
Attractions
Paphos or Ayia Napa: what to choose if you are planning not only a beach holiday, but also an excursion program? All resorts in Cyprus have interesting sights, especially many ancient monuments. Archaeological excavations are still ongoing in some regions. The island of Cyprus has a rich history, which will be interesting for any tourist to get to know.There are much fewer archaeological sites in Ayia Napa than in the Paphos area, but they are also present. Take, for example, the Makronisos tombs, located next to the beach of the same name. Excavations are still underway there, but tourists can visit these ancient tombs.
In Paphos, you can make a whole list of interesting antiquities:
- Church of Panagia Christopolitissa,
- Archaeological Park,
- Paphos Castle,
- Catacombs of Saint Solomonia.
And these are just archaeological sites! And there are also museums and temples, visited daily by hundreds of tourists. So in terms of the excursion program, Paphos wins over Ayia Napa.
Entertainment and beaches
If you want non-stop fun, then between Paphos and Ayia Napa, choose the latter resort. This does not mean that there are no nightclubs and discos in Paphos, but there are clearly more of them in Ayia Napa. It’s not for nothing that this resort is considered a youth holiday destination.
If we consider other entertainment, there is plenty of it at both resorts. Both Ayia Napa and Paphos have water and amusement parks. There are also beautiful places where you can admire the natural landscapes: bays, cliffs, wild beaches.
In terms of hotel comfort, these two resorts can easily compete. There are inexpensive hotels, and there are luxury hotel complexes. Paphos is traditionally considered a more expensive resort, but this mainly applies to high-level hotels. Prices in restaurants, tour agencies and shops in Paphos and Ayia Napa are quite comparable. 
All beaches in Cyprus are municipal. They have good infrastructure, equipped with rescue stations, many are marked with the Blue Flag. One has only to note that in Ayia Napa most of the beaches are sandy, while in Paphos they are pebble. And for many tourists this becomes an important selection criterion. Some vacationers find sandy beaches more comfortable. And in this parameter, Paphos is slightly inferior to Ayia Napa.
Where should we go?
You can't go wrong if you fly to any resort in Cyprus! Limassol or Ayia Napa, Protaras or Paphos - all of them will not leave tourists indifferent. Of course, each resort is unique in terms of its attractions or picturesque bays. But at each of them you will find: sun and sea, high-level service and interesting excursions, hospitable locals and famous Cypriot cuisine. Choose the hotel you like and start planning your vacation in Cyprus!
It's time to pack your bags, because the long-awaited vacation that you plan to spend in one of the cities is just around the corner. If you find it difficult to make a decision and give preference to Limassol or Ayia Napa, read this article, which may help you make the right choice.
Location and climate Recreation and entertainmentThe holiday season in Ayia Napa is full of carnivals and festivals that attract both locals and tourists. Green Monday is considered the most spectacular; carnival held on the eve of Maslenitsa; Easter celebrations, the day of the Epiphany. If noisy events tire you, then the city of Ayia Napa can offer entertainment that will certainly please you. Visit the city, which is famous for its theatrical shows with dolphins. Children will also be delighted to visit. And beach lovers in the city of Ayia Napa will be pleased with the cozy beaches with clean sand, where they can relax from the bustle of the city and get a little tan.
The cultural life of Limassol is very interesting, which is represented by such annual events as a wine festival and a drama festival, which many foreigners dream of visiting.
After touring the historical buildings and museums of the city, you can go to the Limassol water park, which is located in the central part of the city and is called “Wet`n Wild”. It is famous for its numerous slides, which you will definitely want to conquer. As for the beaches, they are covered with sand, which has a slightly unusual gray tint. This is due to its high silicon content and volcanic origin. Staying on such beaches, according to cosmetologists, is very beneficial for all skin types.
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Young people love Ayia Napa because of its vibrant nightlife, many bars and discos that are open until the morning. There are thousands of entertainment establishments of this type here, so there should be no difficulty in choosing. Ayia Napa also has many hotels of various classes of service, each of which has its own restaurant. In addition, on the streets of the city you can easily find a cute restaurant, a cozy tavern, which offer both traditional dishes and your favorite dishes from world cuisines.
Limassol's nightlife is in full swing, and nightlife lovers will be pleased with the wide selection of establishments in which to while away the night. The city is famous for its excellent street restaurants and taverns, where you can have a delicious lunch and taste vintage Cypriot wines.
TransportTransport links in Ayia Napa are very developed, but visiting the city center is prohibited by car, which is possible here, so the local population and tourists travel by bicycle or on foot.
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.
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.
