History, Nature & Art: A Day in Larnaca & Ayia Napa From Pafos – My Thoughts

Alright, so picture this: you’re chilling in Pafos, enjoying the relaxed vibes, and then you get this sudden urge to see a bit more of Cyprus. You’re thinking of Larnaca and Ayia Napa. That’s how I ended up signing up for one of those “History, Nature, Art” day trips. It sounded, like, interesting. Now, I’m gonna give you the lowdown on my experience – what I thought was fab, what was just alright, and a few tips that, basically, might help you if you’re thinking of doing the same thing.

The Initial Hop: From Pafos to Larnaca

First off, the bus ride from Pafos to Larnaca is, very, quite something. It’s, actually, a bit of a trek, so, really, get comfy and bring something to keep you entertained. I mean, the views of the Cypriot countryside are, pretty, okay, with fields and small villages, but after a bit it sort of blurs into one big green-ish thing. It is, basically, a decent chance to catch up on some sleep, I guess, too it’s almost.

Our first stop was Larnaca, and the most important landmark that got a bit of our attention, was the Church of Saint Lazarus. It’s, quite, a beautiful building with a very, quite rich history. Saint Lazarus, if you didn’t know, is that religious figure whom Jesus resurrected. I did enjoy looking around, appreciating the architecture and, you know, learning a thing or two about the area. The vibe of the city had, seemingly, a certain charm that makes the old architecture combine with modern-day construction designs and structures, so, arguably, walking about that place could be very enticing.

Following this stop, it seemed like we took some time visiting the Larnaca salt lake. Depending on the season, you will see it covered in Flamingos and wildlife, yet, due to it being too hot during our travel time there wasn’t many animals in sight which did hinder the excitement of that spot. So, anyway, that place is, more or less, worth visiting for the sights.

Ayia Napa: Beaches, Sculpture Park, and Cape Greco

After Larnaca, it seemed like we were headed to Ayia Napa, and this is, possibly, where things got interesting. Most people associate Ayia Napa with wild parties, but it’s, actually, got way more to offer. The tour included a stop at the Sculpture Park. So, really, it’s a collection of contemporary sculptures set against the, very, vibrant backdrop of the sea. Some of them are, kind of, amazing, and some are a little odd, but it’s, probably, worth walking around.

From there, it seemed like the next stop was Cape Greco, which is, basically, a National Forest Park. The views from the cliffs are, just a little, awesome. We had, virtually, a bit of time to take pictures. You may want to watch out though; it can be quite windy! I am just saying, the nature is, very, absolutely gorgeous and I did find some time for a few snaps to show the people back home.

The guide that came with us suggested a place that had one of the best rated beach in Ayia Napa, so we had time to go around, get in the water, swim a bit, basically that was about it for that part of the trip. So, very quickly, after that beach, we got back on the bus.

The History Bit: Kourion Archaeological Site (Optional)

Now, it should be added, that some tours add in Kourion which wasn’t on the itinerary. That is, seemingly, an ancient Greco-Roman city with a ridiculously big theater and some mosaics. You, probably, won’t want to miss this area, too it’s almost. It could be the high point of your trip. It is just a little bit interesting going back in time with all the preserved landmarks.

I found the ruins so captivating, and, actually, walking in that theater, that ancient theater, that’s one really cool experience. The mosaics, actually, are something else too, it’s almost – incredibly detailed, too it’s almost. Honestly, they provide, literally, a small peek into what life was like back then.

Food, Souvenirs, and Those Tourist Traps

The tour made stops in areas with restaurants and souvenir stores, and, to be honest, a few of those spots felt like those typical tourist traps. You know, places where the prices are jacked up, and the products are, more or less, similar to anything else you’d find. I ended up getting a, pretty, cool magnet (because, yeah, I am one of those people), but I would also recommend wandering a little bit away from the, fairly, main drag to find somewhere, actually, a bit more authentic and with food that’s not from a touristic menu.

There are times, you know, that some of those day trips get packed with too many destinations on that specific travel-run, so there is often, naturally, not enough time to properly explore, nor enjoy. Food on a couple of spots were just average at best. This can happen as it could be part of a larger catering contract for travelling tourist visits that needs things done quickly to follow a tight travel schedule.

My Verdict: Was It Worth It?

Right, so, I would probably recommend that excursion run. Yes and no. The “History, Nature, Art” day trip from Pafos to Larnaca and Ayia Napa crams in, basically, a lot in a, very, short amount of time. It is, really, a way to see a good chunk of Cyprus without doing too much traveling all on your own. However, there are moments that the whole trip could be feeling like, you’re constantly rushing from place to place, and, very, quite barely getting any kind of proper experiences.

If you like a, extremely, whistle-stop tour and want to get, extremely, a taste of different places, it’s, literally, a okay choice. Just go knowing that you might want to go back to certain places to, finally, spend more time. I, basically, know I’d, literally, like to spend more time in Kourion, as a matter of fact, and perhaps even plan to properly stay somewhere around Ayia Napa at some time. Overall, actually, a little holiday planning could potentially bring good change!

Key Takeaways

• The bus ride from Pafos to Larnaca is lengthy.
• Ayia Napa offers a variety of sights.
• Make sure that you research food spots that could offer the best quality eats.