Heady Ayia Napa first put Cyprus’s Famagusta – home to the island’s finest beaches, on the tourist map. These days the district offers established expat communities, both minutes inland or besides the sparkling Med, with investment in marina developments giving the area an exciting edge…

Location and landscape

The easternmost part of the Republic of Cyprus, Famagusta’s southern coastline begins just east of Larnaca where it becomes a peninsula, the end of which is famous for its stunning beaches – 14 of them with Blue Flags.

Stretches of fine white sand lapped by clear turquoise sea and flanked by low-lying rocky headlands are shared between the four main resort areas of Ayia Napa, Protaras, Pernera and Paralimni, each no more than 10-15 minutes apart.

The end part of the peninsula is a protected area called the Cape Greco National Park, a natural paradise for exploring above and below water. Especially splendid beaches include Makronisos and Nissi beaches in Ayia Napa, Fig Tree beach in Protaras and Konnos beach in Cape Greco.

A few minutes off the coast, the landscape becomes flat, agricultural and dotted with windmills, traditionally used for irrigation. There, the so-called ‘red villages’, a collection of farming communities named after the area’s distinctive red soil, famed for growing potatoes and taro, offer a quieter, more rustic lifestyle.

Notable buying spots

Ongoing efforts by the local government mean tourist hub Ayia Napa is scaling back its famous clubbing scene and transforming itself into a resort that’s equally attractive to families and maturer homeowners.

Its colourful night spots will always be a magnet for certain buyers, but more discerning homeowners are drawn by its picturesque harbour and old town, glorious beaches and its sparkling new state-of-the art marina.

Property there ranges from small apartment complexes to luxury villas. Quieter areas to the west but still with easy access to Ayia Napa centre include Ayia Thekla and Liopetri beach.

Heading eastwards, Protaras is the next main beach destination with apartment complexes and villas within walking distance of landmark beach at Fig Tree Bay.

Following the coastlines takes you to Pernera, comprising a string of cosy coves with waterfront restaurants, behind which are low-rise developments.

Then comes the pretty bay of Agia Triada, followed by increasingly popular Malama beach and Kapparis beach, where small complexes stretch inland as far as Paralimni town. Popular with more permanent homeowners, Paralimni is a working town a couple of minutes from the coast, with a large square, established expat community and full range of amenities.

Meanwhile, traditional village options include Avgorou, Sotira, Frenaros and Xylofagou.

The lifestyle

Famagusta enjoys a balmy Mediterranean climate, with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. It rarely dips below 17 degrees in the cooler months with typical summer temperatures of mid 30s, so perfectly suited to an outdoor coastal lifestyle. Chilled days on the beach – and you’re never far from one, are the big draw but the calm, clear waters make it heavenly for all types of water sports.

Ayia Napa and Protaras have good conditions for windsurfing. Snorkelling and diving are popular all over, but are especially recommended in the Cape Greco park, which has lots of caves and dives sites to explore.

Boat trips and sailing are an everyday activity too. Ayia Napa has its original harbour with marina, as well as its new Superyacht marina just east of the resort, while Paralimni Marina is another luxury marina development under development on the site of Agios Nikolaos harbour in Pernera.

Other leisure highlights include the Ayia Napa Waterpark, ranked as one of the best in Europe, and the aquarium in Protaras.

Property

Previously the more affordable end of Cyprus, today Famagusta has prices to suit most budgets with pockets of high-end luxury properties. Jewels in the crown of the current market are properties within the new Ayia Napa Marina – typical prices are €4m to €7m-plus for the best new penthouses or villas, or €1.3-€1.5m for a 2/3-bed apartment.

The Ayia Thekla area local to the marina has become equally exclusive. Another hot spot is the Paralimni Marina project, where two-bed apartments are circa €1m off-plan, while the Cape Greco area also has a selection of boutique villas with high end price tags.

More typically, a budget of €250,00-€500,000 delivers a huge choice the three-bedroom detached villas, with price depending on proximity to the beach. For a good choice of resale one-bed/studio apartment near the beach, budget from €100,000 and from €125,000 for a two-bed.

Getting there

For the shortest transfer fly to Larnaca, Cyprus’s main international airport with year-round flights from the UK.

Transfer by car to Ayia Napa is around 40 minutes and 50 minutes to Protaras. Paphos Airport is around two hours’ transfer from the Famagusta district.