DESTINATIONS GREECE & CYPRUS |AYIA NAPA/PAPHOS
5
OF THE BEST
Ayia Napa attractions Ayia Napa Monastery This 15th-century monastery
was built by the Venetians, with a peaceful courtyard providing calm and cool in the heart of Ayia Napa.
Makronissos Tombs
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa; Troodos mountains; Mare Paphos PICTURES: Shutterstock/Andriy Nekrasov, Sabina Berezina, trabantos, Wirestock Creators
who signed up for this undersea adventure came come back giddy with pleasure, having spent more than an hour among 93 submerged stone artworks by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Over time, the surreal sculptures will be reclaimed by the sea, providing a safe habitat for marine life. As a non-diver, I opt instead
to explore the Mare Ayia Napa’s spa, restaurants, bars and beach loungers. In contrast to the very family-oriented pools and water park, this sandy scene offers total tranquillity, making it a great option for couples and child-free groups. Activities range from yoga and Pilates to craft classes and workshops in mixology, clay sculpting and DJ mixing. The resort’s 16 bars and
restaurants feature Mediterranean flavours at Aroma, Cypriot cuisine at Estia, fine dining at Asian restaurant Kayo, a dry-aged steak selection at the Meat and Salt Steak
34 26 JUNE 2025 The Troodos
foothills are Cyprus at its most dramatic, with winding roads and dizzying turns
House and ever-popular Italian at Nico. It’s here that we bid a fond farewell to Mare Ayia Napa with a pizza-making class, putting on our aprons alongside 30 or so young children. It was an absolute hoot and thanks to the army of chefs overseeing our creations, the results are surprisingly good.
PAPHOS PICK-ME-UP A 90-minute drive away at Mare Paphos, the new brand’s upscale- yet-unpretentious signature is visible, albeit with a different vibe from its sister property. With a smaller footprint, there’s a more compact,
village-like feel to the Paphos resort, all centred around a large main pool and neighbouring activity pool. Facilities, eating and drinking options are as impressive as Mare Ayia Napa’s, but a contrasting landscape awaits in the Troodos foothills nearby. This is Cyprus at its most dramatic, with winding roads and dizzying switchbacks leading through acres of vineyards up to lush valleys bisected by waterfalls and dotted with Byzantine monasteries. Here we discover the small but growing wine industry, where visits to two wineries make clear the personality – and personalities – at the heart of it. At Fikardos, one of the first privately owned wineries in the country, the son of founder Theodoros Fikardos has us sampling a few of the supremely sippable wines produced from some of the island’s 12 indigenous grape varieties. And at the larger Kamantarena winery, founded in 1954 as part of a local
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An atmospheric rock-cut tomb complex featuring 19 tombs from the ancient Greek and Roman periods, each with a sarcophagus stand hidden inside.
Saint Elias Church
Situated in nearby Protaras, clients clamber 150 steps to
reach this little chapel, offering spectacular hilltop views.
Crow’s Arch
For early risers, suggest a sunrise trip to Crow’s Arch near Cape Cavo Greco, a picturesque limestone bridge that faces east over the Mediterranean.
WaterWorld
Families will love this ancient Greece-themed water park, with more than 30 rides and attractions ranging from Poseidon’s wave pool to a ‘chariot chase’ racing slide.
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