Nissi Beach

Nissi Beach is the Ayia Napa beach you have already seen photographed: 500 metres of fine pale sand fringing a turquoise bay, with a small island ('nissi' in Greek) sitting offshore connected by a sandbar so shallow you can walk it knee-deep. In high summer the music from the strip bars audibly competes with the sea. In late September it is, suddenly, a calm family beach again — and one of the best on the south-east coast.

The geology is what creates the colour. Fine quartz-rich sand over a pale limestone shelf gives the water its luminous turquoise; the islet is a low rock outcrop at the eastern end, easily reached by wading or by jet-ski from the western concessions. Lifeguards patrol in season, and the beach is consistently Blue Flag certified.

The standard infrastructure is comprehensive. Sunbeds (8-12 EUR a pair with umbrella), banana boat, parasailing, jet-ski, paddleboard, beach volleyball nets free at the eastern end. The famous foam parties at the Nissi Beach Bar run several times a week in July and August (afternoons, advertised on flyers). The walk to the island is the photo and takes two minutes.

Insider tips. If you are not here for the party, come before 09:30 or after 16:00 in summer; the music gets going around 11:00. The eastern end (toward the sandbar) is calmer and more family. For lunch, skip the beach bars and walk five minutes inland to one of the family tavernas on Nissi Avenue. Parking by the beach is paid and limited; the public lot 200 m back is cheaper.

Combinations. Pair with Makronisos Beach (3 minutes west, three small coves and ancient rock-cut tombs at the eastern point) or with Ayia Napa harbour for an evening (15 minutes east). For a calmer sister, head to Konnos Bay near Cape Greco. The Aphrodite Waterpark is 5 minutes inland.

Bring. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle (taps inside the resort area), a snorkel mask if you want to see the small fish around the islet rocks. When. June and September are the gold standard. July-August is intense; bring earplugs if you came for sleep. May or October sea is still swimmable for hardy swimmers (around 20-22°C) and the beach is half-empty.