Traditions and culture in Agia Napa

Agia Napa has undergone a remarkable transformation from its humble beginnings as a tiny fishing village to a buzzing holiday destination full of sun, sand, sea and debauchery.

According to the locals, prior to 1974 - when the Varosia beach strip and resort in Famagusta were cordoned off - there were only two houses, a monastery and some fishermen in the town.

But all that has changed and it has since evolved from being an ideal family holiday venue to a haven of boozy, hedonistic clubbers looking to live it up in the eastern Cyprus sun.

Indeed, the old town's monastery, which dates back around 500 years, is the only cultural attraction of note.

Things to do in Agia Napa

As you would expect, most of the activities in Agia Napa revolve around the vibrant drinking and clubbing scenes, which are perpetuated by a number of different types of dance music.

Most of the tourists tend to flock to the Square and there are plenty of watering holes to sample, with the most popular perhaps being Bedrock, Castle Club and Ice.

In addition, people book flights to Larnaca and head to Agia Napa from all over Europe as they are drawn in by idyllic white sand beaches such as Nissi, Makronisos and Grecian Bay.

For anyone looking to travel around to neighbouring villages, some companies offer cheap car hire, but travellers should also note that they may find it next to impossible to park in the centre of the resort.

In terms of accommodation, holidaymakers can expect to struggle to book a hotel in high season (mid-July to mid-August), which is why securing a villa could be a preferable option.

Weather in Agia Napa

The Mediterranean climate in Agia Napa is one of the main reasons why people flock to its shores, with sunshine in plentiful supply all year round.

Average temperatures sit on or above the 30C mark between June and September, rain is rarely a threat and the skies are invariably blue and cloudless.

Winters are mild and the spring and autumn seasons are remarkably short.

Destination checklist for Agia Napa

Agia Napa has a population of 2,693.

The resort is two hours ahead of UTC time.

The official language spoken is Greek.

The official currency in Agia Napa is the euro.

The resort's international dialling code is +357.