10 Best Nightlife in Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa's CPD (central party district) is the epicenter of the Cyprus nightlife scene and a guaranteed wild night out, even in the shoulder season. Ayia Napa Square serves as the throbbing heart of it all, with rows of packed venues lining the plaza to create a festive, carnival-like vibe. The atmosphere intensifies as the night draws on, especially in Square Bar, where live bands pump up a boisterous crowd.

If the plaza isn't quite to your liking, wander westward down the neon-lit Ayias Mavris Street. Dozens of booming venues compete for your patronage with drink specials and naughty booze-fueled games. Our top pick is Eden, though sometimes it's just best to follow your nose.

Ayia Napa isn't all ear-splitting discos and drink-till-you-drop partying; the resort town boasts several low-key beach bars as well. Head to any of Ayia Napa's golden sandy beaches during the day to indulge in a few frothy brews in a sophisticated setting. Levels or Beach House Dome on Makronissos Beach and the Nissaki Lounge Beach Bar on Ayia Thekla Beach all offer tasty food, chillout tunes, and creative cocktails.

Of course, not all Ayia Napa Beach Bars are sophisticated affairs. Some venues, notably the notorious Nissi Bay Beach Bar, host wild foam parties right throughout the summer. Choose wisely.

Can't decide which of Ayia Napa's dozens of venues to frequent? We can't blame you. So sign up for a bar crawl and let a team of hardened party professionals guide you to the best spots. Not only do these events chaperone you around town on boozy adventures, but with a guest list often stretching into 4 figures, it's a sure-fire way to meet likeminded party animals as well.

There are 2 companies that dominate the scene: Mayhem (Tuesday and Saturday) and Party Hard (Sunday and Wednesday). Both charge a reasonable rate and throw in free club entries, free shots, drinking games, and prizes to sweeten the deal.

Ayia Napa has got a well-earned reputation as one of Europe's premier clubbing meccas, with a solid selection of booming all-night venues to cater to all musical tastes. Different places open for different months depending on their popularity, so check ahead to insure your discoteca of choice will be pumping out the tunes.

And with so many options to choose from, the hardest part is deciding where to go. Check out Aqua Club for an after-party that rages on until breakfast, Blue Moon Bar to boogie with the Scandinavian crowd, Carwash Disco for cheesy old-school classics, or Club Sin for a quick dubstep fix. But for the biggest party in town, the enormous triple-arena Castle Club is king.

Sports-mad vacationers in Ayia Napa looking to watch their favorite team in action can grab a table at one of the city's sports bars. Broadcasting everything from Premier League fixtures to the NBA playoffs, an array of local venues offer a lively atmosphere for fans to watch and mingle.

If you don't mind taking a 15-minute cab ride to Protaras, then Rockerfellas is the best sports bar in the region. Within Ayia Napa itself, try Carina Sportsbar or the more upmarket Liquid Cafe N Bar.

Ayia Napa nightlife isn't all about ear-splitting music and tabletop dancing – there are several homey pubs dotted around as well. Our picks are Paddy's Irish Bar and Tommy's Pub, 2 laidback locales perfect for a quiet pint with the lads/lasses.

Can't wait for nightfall to kick-off the festivities? Then book yourself into the legendary Pamba Pool Party, a crazy event that goes off every Thursday afternoon during the season. Taking place in the sundeck area of the stylish Napa Rocks Hotel, this epic pool party sees thousands of scantily clad revellers let loose from midday to sundown.

International DJs, creative cocktails, VIP sunbeds, and non-stop splashing have made Pamba an Ayia Napa classic. Be sure to rock up before the hour-long open bar begins because that's when the craziness kicks up a notch.

Ayia Napa hosts a slew of action-packed events throughout the summer, offering an excellent alternate to the club scene in town. Held on a rotating basis, there's a crazy bash somewhere in the resort almost every day, so you won't have to wait long to hit up an event.

The biggest and baddest is Kandi Fest, a wild Friday-night shindig held at a state-of-the-art waterfront venue called The Dock. Competitions, naughty games, dance-offs, a 3-hour bar tab, and a top international line-up make this one to remember. If you can't make Kandi, there are plenty of alternatives: the Thai-style Full Moon Party (Mondays), the Insta-friendly White Party (Tuesdays), the ultra-messy Paint Party (Fridays), and the savage Jungle Party (Sundays).