Ayia Thekla: Ayia Napa's Quiet Side
Ayia Thekla sits at the far western end of Ayia Napa, past Makronissos, where the resort thins out into low rise holiday homes around a small white chapel on the shore. There is a sandy cove, a seasonal beach bar, and very little else to make noise, which is precisely the point. This is where you sleep well while keeping the whole of Ayia Napa, from Nissi Beach to the marina, within a ten minute drive.
The Location in Practice
The neighbourhood's great trick is what it puts on the doorstep. WaterWorld, the ancient Greece themed waterpark that anchors most family holidays here, is effectively next door; see our WaterWorld guide before you go. Makronissos beach and its rock cut tombs are five minutes away, and the chapel cove below the villas is a genuine swim spot rather than an ornament, busiest on Sundays when local families arrive with picnics. The famous lagoon at Nissi Beach is a ten minute drive when you want the lively version of the coast, and the town's restaurants and nightlife stay exactly as far away as you choose.
Eating locally is easy without going into town. A handful of tavernas and beach restaurants serve the neighbourhood itself, and the old fishing anchorage at Potamos Liopetriou, a short drive west, is worth an evening on its own: wooden boats, one of the island's most photographed chapels, and fish tavernas where the menu depends on the morning's catch.
Who It Suits
Large family groups above all. The villas here are big, the streets are calm, and children can use the pool at seven in the morning without a neighbour complaining. It also suits anyone who wants Ayia Napa's attractions without paying the noise tax of staying central. A hire car makes life easier, though taxis are inexpensive and the shops and restaurants of the coastal strip are only minutes away.
Our Six Villas in Ayia Thekla
This is the home of our entire Ayia Napa collection: six villas, every one with a private pool. Tiki, with three bedrooms, is the smallest and the highest rated; Belvedere and Riviera each take eleven guests across five bedrooms; Jade and Juniper sleep twelve apiece; and six bedroom Tuscany hosts gatherings of fourteen. If your dates are gone, or you want a bigger pool of options, our 76 villas in Protaras start fifteen minutes along the coast, close to Konnos Bay and the national park.