⛪ Ayia Napa, Cyprus
Most tourists in Ayia Napa walk straight past the monastery on the way to the beach or the bars. That's a mistake. Sitting right in the middle of the town square, the Ayia Napa Monastery is one of the best-preserved Venetian buildings in Cyprus — 500 years old, completely free to enter, and genuinely beautiful inside. I've lived here my whole life and it still surprises me how few visitors actually stop to go in.
📍 Open in Google Maps 💬 Ask Alex a QuestionThe monastery dates back to the 16th century, built during the Venetian period of Cyprus. According to local tradition, it was constructed around a natural cave where a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary was discovered by a hunter. The icon — known as the Panagia Ayia Napa — is still venerated inside the monastery today and gave the town its name: "Ayia Napa" means "Holy Forest" in Greek, referring to the wooded area where the icon was found.
The Venetians built the monastery in 1530, and it remained an active Roman Catholic monastery until the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in 1571. After that it became an Orthodox Christian site and has been in continuous use ever since. During the British colonial period it served briefly as a camel stable — a fact that tends to surprise visitors — before being restored to its religious function.
Today it remains an active place of worship. Services are held here regularly and the monastery is still a living, working religious site — not just a museum.
The whole complex takes about 30–45 minutes to explore properly. Here's what to look for:
The carved octagonal stone fountain in the courtyard dates back to the 16th century. It's one of the finest examples of Venetian stonework on the island.
A vast ancient fig tree dominates the courtyard — believed to be hundreds of years old. It provides shade for the whole courtyard and is one of the most photographed spots in Ayia Napa.
Built around the natural cave where the sacred icon was discovered. The cave itself is still visible inside the church — atmospheric and unique.
The main church is decorated with traditional Orthodox iconography. The sacred icon of the Virgin Mary — the Panagia Ayia Napa — is kept here.
The cloistered walkways around the courtyard feature beautiful Venetian stone arches — remarkably well-preserved for a building of this age.
A small museum inside the monastery displays religious artefacts, icons and items related to the history of the site and the church in Cyprus.
Visit first thing in the morning — by 10am in peak season the square gets very busy. Early morning the monastery is peaceful, the light is beautiful and you'll often have the courtyard almost to yourself. It's a 5-minute walk from most hotels in the centre and completely free — there's no reason not to go.
The monastery is in the heart of Ayia Napa town square — walkable from virtually every hotel in the centre. If you're staying further out, a taxi costs €5–€8 from anywhere in the resort. There is no need to book or arrange anything in advance — just turn up.
📍 Get DirectionsWhile you're exploring, these are worth knowing about:
See our complete churches guide for full details and photos of all five.