Sculpture Park Ayia Napa

This will be the last holiday post from me, with a trip to the Sculpture park on the outskirts of Ayia Napa.

It seems that wherever I go, cactus stuff seems to find me. We saw signs to this up at the crossroads in Ayia Napa, near the harbour and looking at my phone back at the hotel it seems its some way outside of town. And could be walked to, if you wanted a long walk. 

Big mistake, its quite a way outside town and if you are situated at the Nissi Beach end its quite a walk. If you are based in Ayia Napa itself and are slightly outside town, then this is quite doable.

We got about halfway and my map lead us to the Tourist information office so we popped in to get directions. The upshot of this was, get the bus by the big I heart Ayia Napa sculpture in town and then go a few stops to get there.

Is it worth going?.

In a word, yes. And if you don't like cacti its still worth going as that bit is across the bridge, so you can skip it if you wish..

There is quite a few sculptures dotted around this dry and quite arid landscape, they are mostly modern art in style but are also many well done. The bridge in particular is a fine example with its metal gods (I clocked a Herakles, Athene with owl and Poseidon) and numerous photo ops.  But also be on the lookout for a cheeky Minotaur, Large owl and Athene and a Trojan Horse. There are some hippos too, for you to look out for.  And finally there are a few you can climb on to take your photo.

Seems Legit

Cactus Park Portion

The latter half past the bridge is a cactus garden. Mainly showing plenty of the larger species that are too big for pot culture outside larger gardens.

You may think it'll be non stop tall Agave and Opuntia and you'd be sort of right as they are well represented here. You may think they'd have the larger cactiform Euphoriba's that you can see on the main drag and you'd be wrong, as the main Euphorbia is the native Greek Spiny Spurge, Euphorbia Acanthothamnos which acts like a small hedge in places growing between the rocks.

Mostly though it is Opuntia, with an even split between prickly pear types and Cholla. This includes the most evil spined species of all, Cylindropuntia Tunicata, and its rather nice pinkish flowers.

Polaskia and attendant ant.

Other species include some of the bigger Aloes such as Ferox, an old man cactus, and a few of the more obscure species including  Polaskia Chichipe with its yellowy green flowers.

Finally the last part is a Mediterranean garden collecting together the wild flowers that grow in the region. Although I fully suspect this is just a wild and untamed area.  Look out for Agama lizards here, and butterflies. We saw a Bath White as well as Swallowtail, along with a few Painted Ladies.

Info.

Sculpture Park Ayia Napa. Free admission. Buses: From Nissi Beach, 101. From Protaras, 102.