Good to know
Good to Know
- Just outside the monastery stands the famous ancient sycamore tree, a natural landmark that has shaded the area for hundreds of years and remains a popular point of interest for visitors.
- The Sculpture Park is free and provides a peaceful alternative to the town's bustling nightlife and beaches.
- MUSAN requires booking through a local diving center for safety and to fully experience the underwater museum; free beach access is theoretically possible but monitored.
- The Thalassa Museum design allows viewing exhibits from multiple levels, including an aerial perspective of the replica ancient ship.
- Ammochostos Motor Museum is fully air-conditioned, making it a good indoor refuge during extremely hot weather.
Must See Sites
Ayia Napa Monastery
- Type
- Historical Monument
- Admission
- Free entry
- Description
- Located in the heart of the town, this iconic historical site dates back to the Venetian period and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, featuring beautiful Byzantine architecture. Visitors can explore the peaceful courtyard, the charming church, and the underground cave where the icon of the Virgin Mary was discovered. In its current form, the medieval monastery dates from the Venetian era (1489-1571), however, the gate was erected in the Middle Byzantine period (1191).
Thalassa Municipal Museum
- Type
- Museum
- Hours
- June 1 to September 30: Monday 09:00-14:00, Tuesday-Friday 09:00-17:00, Saturday 09:00-14:00, Sundays closed. October 1 to May 31: Monday 09:00-13:00, Tuesday-Friday 09:00-17:00, Saturday 09:00-14:00, Sundays closed.
- Admission
- €4.50
- Description
- Named after the Greek word for 'sea', the Thalassa Museum was created to promote awareness of the marine heritage of Cyprus from prehistoric times to the present, and is a modern, interactive museum, housed in a multi-purpose cultural centre. The museum covers 7,000 years of human maritime history, with exhibits starting in the Neolithic age and moving through the Bronze age to the Classical period. Pride of place among the exhibits is a life-sized replica of the famous 4th century Greek trading ship 'Keryneia II' that sank off the coast of Keryneia around the year 300 BC.
Makronissos Tombs (Necropolis)
- Type
- Archaeological Site
- Admission
- Free entry
- Description
- There are 19 rock chambers in total, each with a large rectangular entrance that would have been sealed with a large limestone slab. Inside are benches and a central trench, while pyres discovered on higher ground prove that Ancient Greek rites were performed here.
Ayia Napa Sculpture Park
- Type
- Art/Open-Air Museum
- Admission
- Free entry
- Description
- A unique cultural attraction featuring works by artists from around the world. The park showcases a diverse range of sculptures, from abstract pieces to figurative works, set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean landscape. The open-air museum is free to visit and provides a creative and inspiring environment for art lovers and casual visitors alike.
MUSAN (Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa)
- Type
- Underwater Art Museum
- Admission
- Anyone can visit MUSAN for free from the public beach, but there is no entrance fee to visit the Underwater Museum. However, diving schools may charge their own fees for snorkelling or scuba diving.
- Description
- A captivating underwater park featuring 130 sculptures created by renowned reef artist Jason deCaires Taylor. The Underwater Museum is located 200 meters off the coast of Pernera Beach in Ayia Napa within a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The underwater entrance is located around 200 metres from Pernera Beach.
Ammochostos Motor Museum
- Type
- Museum
- Hours
- Open daily from 10:00-22:00
- Admission
- €12
- Description
- The Ammochostos Motor Museum in Ayia Napa offers an exceptional experience for anyone fascinated by the history, design, and evolution of motor vehicles. With an extensive collection of 105 exhibits, the museum welcomes visitors to explore a wide range of iconic machines, ranging from 70 classic cars, 29 motorcycles, 3 small cars to 2 historic tractors.
Cape Greco National Park
- Type
- Natural / Archaeological Site
- Admission
- Free entry
- Description
- Cape Greco occupies the southeastern tip of Cyprus, a rocky peninsula of rugged cliffs, pine forest, and some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. The national park covers roughly 385 hectares and is free to enter, making it one of the best-value natural attractions anywhere in Europe. The main trail from the Kavos car park to the Lovers Bridge viewpoint is approximately 3 kilometres and takes about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace.
Church of Profitis Elias
- Type
- Religious Site
- Admission
- Free entry
- Description
- Perched on a hill overlooking Ayia Napa, this beautiful Orthodox church is known for its stunning views and spiritual atmosphere. Visitors must climb a series of steps to reach the church, but the effort is rewarded with panoramic vistas of the town and the sea.
Museums Summary
Thalassa Municipal Museum
- Key Exhibits
- Ancient Greek ship replica (Kyrenia II), marine fossils, pottery, marine life specimens
- Primary Focus
- Maritime heritage and archaeology
Ammochostos Motor Museum
- Key Exhibits
- Classic cars, motorcycles, historic tractors
- Primary Focus
- Automotive history and design
Ayia Napa Monastery Museum
- Key Exhibits
- Archaeological finds from the area, as well as icons and other religious artefacts, most of them from the private collection of Archbishop Makarios.
- Primary Focus
- Religious artifacts and local history
Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- Most natural attractions are free, and the town is compact enough to explore in two to four days.
- The Ayia Napa Monastery is located in the town center and is easily accessible on foot.
- Visitors at MUSAN can either be certified divers or enjoy snorkelling with masks and snorkels. To go scuba diving, you must be certified, but for snorkelling, you have the option to use your own equipment or, if you don't have any, you can easily hire snorkelling gear.
- Cape Greco National Park is best visited with proper hiking shoes; coastal walking trails offer panoramic views.
- Museums have seasonal hours; verify operating times before visiting, especially during off-season months.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.