If you’re looking for an awesome holiday destination where you can really let your hair down (while you’ve still got some!) and cut loose with the boys, ever thought of Ayia Napa? Never even heard of it? Well it’s time you got your tongue around the funny name, broke the good news to ‘er indoors, and headed to Cyprus for some top shelf, mates-only fun in the sun!
It might be a bit harder to say than ‘a weekend in Magalouf’, but ‘a big boy’s holiday in Ayia Napa‘ has got everything you could ever want: cheap drinks (this place is party central after dark), awesome beaches, plus a whole lot of things that you didn’t even know you wanted to do! How about a quad bike safari and a few hours at a microbrewery? Thought so. And there’s more…
Buckle up and get your booking finger ready – you going to need it, pronto!
Here’s Cheers on a Microbrewery Tour
Well, we saw your ears prick up at the mention of a brewery so we didn’t want to keep you waiting. Assuming you’re over 21 (keep that lie up your sleeve for later on in the pub!) this is one of the best ways you could think of to spend an afternoon.
The Prime Microbrewery is not the place for a full-blown bender, but you’ll certainly be able to put a few cheeky brews away and learn something as well! You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the family-run microbrewery for a guided tour to find out just what’s involved in making your favourite bevvy taste so damn good.
You’ll get the chance to sample three different types of beer, included in the price, and once the tour’s finished there’s plenty of time to extend your education a little further (at your own expense) by trying as many kinds of ales and signature black and white beers as you like.
Prime Microbrewery tours are run every Tuesday from May through October and cost €29. Local phone: 23826130. Tours take 3.5 hours and pick up from your hotel in Ayia Napa is at approximately 2.20pm.
Lads’ Safari Time!
It’s a safari lads, but not as you know it! This one is on everybody’s favourite off-road 4 x 4 vehicle – the quad bike. Even if you’ve never ridden one before, you’ll get the hang of it in no time – although it’s not recommended on a day when you have a hangover as you’ll be out in the sun for about three hours.
The guys from Ayia Napa Adventure Safari will pick you up at your hotel, and after a safety briefing (yes, you do have to listen unless you want to risk going home with a bruised noggin) you’ll put on a funny Cyprian hat (aka a safety helmet) and head off-road, down dusty country roads and coastline trails. This is the big boys’ version of sightseeing and you’ll be able to get some awesome pics to prove you didn’t just come to Cyprus and sit in the pub all day. It’s noisy, it’s dusty and you’re loving the sound of it, aren’t you?
Ayia Napa Adventure Safari tours run every day from May to October. Local phone: 99640169. Pick up from your hotel is around 9.15am and the cost is €63. You’ll need to show a valid driving licence.
Paint Your Mates Red…and Blue, and Yellow
No matter how much you love your mates, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as paintballing them – especially if you set high stakes like a drinks round as the ultimate prize.
Split into teams to test out your tactical skills on the battlefield, armed with camo gear, replica M16s, and a whole lot of colourful grenades and ammunition. At Spartans Paintball you’ll navigate a course of underground tunnels, zip lines and watchtowers, dodging landmines as you go. There’s an awesome surround sound system and the special effects are scarily realistic. It’s as much fun as you can handle, but remember: what happens on the battlefield stays on the battlefield!
Spartans Paintball is located at 21 Nissi Ave and is open every day from 2pm until midnight (and until 2.am on Tuesdays).
Rage in the Cage
Ok we might have saved the best for last, because it’s a pretty safe bet Cage Rage is something you’ve never done before while on holiday – well, not sober and intentionally anyhow! Even if you don’t want to get in the cage yourself, this is a fast and furious spectator sport you can really get your teeth into.
If you enjoy a bit of regulated biff, you’ll have a chance to prove your MMA skills in the ring – overseen by an official MMA umpire and a crowd of up to 1,000 cheering you on. You don’t need to have any skills and anyone is welcome to have a go. The cheering and booing crowds turn the atmosphere positively electric (and a little blue at times), so if you’ve ever fancied your chances as a pro fighter, now’s your opportunity!
Cage Rage takes place every Sunday afternoon in the town hall arena, and anyone is invited to watch or take part for free.
And That’s Not All Folks…
There are plenty of other big boys’ activities going on as well, here are just a few more to add to the list:
- Lazing on Nissi Beach
- A deep sea fishing tour
- Fantasy boat party
- Bungee jumping
- Slingshot riding
- Scuba diving
- Bucking bronco rides
If you’re up for some fun, Ayia Napa is up for your next lads’ getaway, and judging by the number of attractions, you might just need another break to get over it…
How to Get to Ayia Napa
From the UK there are some excellent budget flights to Cyprus, starting from around £50. You’ll have a choice of flying in to Paphos or Larnaca airport, although Larnaca is much closer.
The fastest way of getting straight to your accommodation is with one of Shuttle Direct’s airport transfers to Ayia Napa. You can prebook online and you’ll be met at the airport and can be sinking the first beer with your mates within an hour.
You can travel by public transport but there is no direct bus service from the airport. You’ll need to take a bus in to the centre of Larnaca and then connect to the regional bus 711 to Ayia Napa. There are no buses in the evening, however, and the timetable is also irregular on weekends. For a group, it’s extremely economical to book a shuttle, so that’s definitely your best bet.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct provides fast, easy and economical transfers from airports, railway stations and ports to destinations all over Europe and North Africa. Our user-friendly online booking system makes it easy to organise your travel arrangements before you leave home, and one of our friendly drivers will meet you at the airport and transport you and your luggage to and from your final destination without delay.
