Things To Do in Nissi Beach

Nissi Beach is hallowed turf for watersports enthusiasts, thanks to its perfect sea conditions. You’ve got jet-skis, banana boats and windsurfing. And if you’re feeling flush, you can even take a 135bhp jet boat for a spin. The watersports centre is on the little island just off the main beach, so you’ll need to wade through the knee-deep water to reach it.

You’ll find meze on the menu of almost every taverna in Nissi Beach. This selection of little dishes, like taramasalata, beetroot, yoghurt and cucumber, can stretch to 25 dishes at some places. For mains, there’s usually a choice of stifado casserole, grilled fish, or lamb chops, sprinkled with herbs. And it’s customary to finish the meal on a sweet note, which means honey-drenched baklava pastries.

Bacchus Bar is the smartest place for an evening drink. You’ve got tonnes of cocktails to try out, from Black Russians to Frisky Bisons, and there’s live music thrown in, too. The main bar is all shiny, hardwood flooring and spotlights, but Bacchus’ real calling card is its terrace, surrounded by lush tropical gardens, with plenty of intimate spots where you can chat late into the night.

Decked out in the local colours of blue and white, Mangas is a cosy restaurant and meze bar where you get a real taste of Cyprus. The meze includes grilled halloumi, taramasalata, stuffed vine leaves and skordalia – a potato and garlic dip. And the kleftiko here is melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s also got a well-stocked wine cellar, so you can enjoy a glass of Ayios Chrysostomos and Regina with your meal.

Nissi Beach has just a few shops to its name. There’s a large souvenir shop on Nissi Avenue that’s got inflatables, beach balls, sunglasses and hats displayed outside the store. There’s also a large supermarket, where you can pick up bottles of Cypriot wine and tasty snacks. If you really want to splash the cash, Ayia Napa, which has a line-up of achingly cool designer boutiques, is only a 5-minute bus ride away.

In the streets behind the beach, there’s friendly competition between the Greek tavernas. They all do a good line in fish meze – sharing-sized portions of prawns, calamari, oysters and whatever local specialities are on the day’s menu. Add in a side order of Greek salad and a glass of retsina and you’re done.

Opposite the Nissi Beach Hotel, it’s the entertainment here that really pulls in the crowds. When it comes to the karaoke, host, Xan, has got the X-Factor in spades – he’s first on the stage to get things going. And with his Elvis rendition, bar manager Kyriakos is a bit of a star turn, too. The 2 euro cocktails seem to help things along nicely as well.

Run by mother and daughter Agnes and Chris, this airy restaurant is right opposite the seafront. It’s open all day for snacks and light meals or come in the evening for dishes like halloumi and lountza – smoked pork – and chicken in honey and orange. They’ve got a kids’ play area in the garden – and if you fancy a nightcap, they’ve got a rather nice lounge bar, too.

In summer, you can literally wade through the water from Nissi Beach to a little island. What you’ve got over here is a watersports centre that really ramps up the pace. With names like Nissi Twister, Crazy Squab and Fly Fish, it takes being towed along by a speedboat to a whole different level. And when you want to slow things down, there’s always the pedalos and kayaks.

Proving there’s more to Ayia Napa than bass-pumping nightclubs, this 3-day festival unfolds in Seferis Square, opposite the monastery. It pulls in some big acts from the world of Greek pop so locals come from miles around. And there are plenty of activities for children, from face-painting to puppet shows, plus a gigantic fireworks display on the final night.

The tavernas are in no hurry to see you go, so feel free to linger over a bottle of wine after your meal. Or head to one of the bars along Nissi Avenue where karaoke is always an option. If you want live DJs and stacks of foam, though, the famous Nissi Bay Beach Bar runs daytime parties – then you can head to Ayia Napa for more of the same.

There are 18 rides to choose from at this giant waterpark with an Ancient Greece theme. You’ve got Apollo’s Plunge, a supersized corkscrew ride, and Phaeton’s Flume, with its heart-stopping drop. Plus, with the Trojan Adventure playground and soft toy-filled Pegasus Pool, there’s plenty for small children.

Evenings are for taking it easy in Nissi Beach. You can enjoy a quiet meal under the stars at one of the tavernas behind the beach – most of them have playgrounds where children can let off steam. There are a handful of bars, too, where you’ll find karaoke and tribute bands on the bill. And if you’re looking to up the pace, Ayia Napa Square is heaving with bars and clubs – it’s just a 15-minute walk away.

Europe’s largest themed waterpark is just a 5-minute drive away. Modelled on an Ancient Greek metropolis, sky-high slides shoot past Doric columns and there are statues dotted all over the place. You’ve got 18 rides to get round, including Phaethon’s Flume, the Fall of Icarus and Trojan Adventure for the kids. Oh, and if you hear a horn, that’s apparently your cue to plunge into Poseidon’s Wave Pool.