If you can't imagine a vacation without shopping, take a shopping tour to Larnaca or another city bigger than Ayia Napa. There's a wider choice of stores and goods and lower prices. In Larnaca, for example, you will even find outlet stores, which Ayia Napa does not have. You can shop before traveling to Ayia Napa right near Larnaca, in the outlet near the airport. The sale seasons are January-February and mid-July - mid-September. First the price tags are reduced by 30% and then by 70%.
There are no large shopping centers in Ayia Napa (there are Carrefour and Lidl supermarkets in Paralimni and Protaras). The resort offers shopping in boutiques and open-air shops. They sell everything from T-shirts, cups with inscriptions about Cyprus to beach accessories, quality leather shoes, fur coats. In such stores you can, for example, get a dress for 10 EUR, jeans for 8 EUR.
Locals and tourists often go shopping in Ayia Napa at the Incredible Universe "shopping center" on Nissi Avenue, which is reminiscent of Soviet self-service department stores. Cypriots buy mainly chocolate and household goods. The rest of the assortment is oriented more towards resort guests. These are olives, olive oil, olive-based cosmetics, honey, suitcases, toys, and so on. After paying, count the change, advises those who have been shopping in Ayia Napa. It's not that you're being scammed, it's just that in summer there are usually too many shoppers and not enough cashiers.
For authentic items, go to the villages. It's best to go without a guided tour - you can knock 50% off the price or more. You should buy pottery in Paralimni, vine crafts in Liopetri, embroidery, lace and silver in Lefkara. In many villages, judging by reviews about shopping in Ayia Napa, the wines "Kommandaria" and "Zivania" are tastier than in stores. Wine costs 5-10 EUR per bottle, olive oil 5 EUR per liter.
