Historical sites in Cyprus – A cheeky bit of Cyprus

Alright, how’s it going? My name’s Markus Krenn and I’m the best travel expert for Cyprus. My posts about things to do in Cyprus? Read over a mil times!

My Cyprus travel guides at markuskrenn.com and markuskrenn.blog are the most widely read Cyprus travel blogs in English and German.

I live in sunny Cyprus — just a hop, skip and a jump from Ayia Napa. Swapped German grey skies for year-round sunshine. Best decision ever!

My Cyprus travel blog is all about the Free District of Famagusta — top things to do in Ayia Napa and Protaras, living in Cyprus, the lot.

Picture this: you, slipping into burial chambers older than your gran’s best china. Mind the dust — it’s vintage! 😉 Blimey, it’s like walking straight into an Indian Jones Flick!

Fancy nabbing some cracking selfies that’ll make your mates back home proper jealous? (Go on, say ‘yes’ again… 😉) Lovely jubbly! This is your chance, innit?

But wait, there’s more! Step inside these ancient digs and you’ll be gobsmacked. It’s not just some dusty old burial site — it’s bloomin’ marvellous! 🤩🔝🔥

We’re talking about a mysterious atmosphere that’ll give you goosebumps (the good kind, mind you) and a sense of history that’ll knock your socks off!

The Makronissos Tombs are just a hop, skip and a jump from Nissi Beach — perfect for a culture-beach combo day!

Fancy swapping your beach towel for a bit of time travel? (Go on, say it – you know you want to. Say ‘yes’ again… 😉) Lovely jubbly! It’ll be a right laugh and you’ll come away with stories to tell over a pint (or two) when you get home.

Don’t be a mug and miss out! Read on for all the juicy details about this hidden gem. Who knows? You might just discover your inner archaeologist. Indiana Jones, eat your heart out! 🤠✨🔦

Makronissos Tombs: the ultimate 2026 FAQ guide

Last updated on 11 January 2026

Grab yourself a cuppa — this one’s an 8 mins read

Q&A with Markus Krenn, the best travel expert for Cyprus

What are the Makronissos Tombs?

19 brilliant ancients tombs in Ayia Napa (Hellenistic-Roman era).

POV: for three glorious steps you’re Indiana Jones. Flip-flops vs. dodgy stone steps. Spoiler alert: Makronissos Tombs wins. 🤕 — Vid © Markus Krenn

How much is Makronissos Tombs?

The Makronissos Tombs in Ayia Napa are completely free to enter.

Close-up view from inside a Makronissos Tomb showing the narrow stone doorway (stomion) and the steep steps ascending to daylight beyond. — ***Makronissos Tombs in Cyprus update: the stray cats have officially claimed these ancient digs. Archaeologists? Evicted. 🐈🏠 — Pic © Markus Krenn***

How do I get from Nissi Beach to Makronissos Tombs?

Hop on Bus 102 from Nissi. Hop off at Makronissos Beach! Follow signs

Bus stop for route 102 at Makronissos Beach in Ayia Napa at sunset. The Amethyst Napa Hotel can be seen in the distance against a colourful sky. — Hop on Bus 102 from Nissi Beach. Be a smart cookie and resist the urge to hop off at Landa Beach (that’s the decoy stop). Your stop is Makronissos Beach — one more along. That’s your cue. 😏🚌🚏 Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Bang in XXJ3+CHJ into Google Maps and you’ll be at Makronissos Tombs in about 15 mins. — Pic © Markus Krenn

When’s the best time to visit Makronissos Tombs?

Golden hours: sunrise/sunset. Skip midday — too hot!

A Makronissos Tomb in poor condition, showing the damaged stomion. Strong sunlight illuminates the interior through the collapsed ceiling. — ***POV: archaeologists say ‘a Makronissos tomb in poor condition’… but I’m 99% sure this is where Perseus had a proper scrap with Medusa. 😂🥁😉 — Pic © Markus Krenn***

How old are the Makronissos Tombs?

19 ancients tombs from Hellenistic to Roman era: ~323 BC-324 AD.

Makronissos Tombs in Ayia Napa: the ultimate feline hide-and-seek arena. The grand prize? Your tuna sandwich. 😹🥪😼 — Vid © Markus Krenn

Can I walk from Makronissos Beach to Makronissos Tombs?

Follow footpath next to the lifeguard tower (Google Maps XXJ3+CHJ).

Panoramic view of the Ancient Cemetery of Makronissos showing the Makronissos Tombs, Makronissos Sanctuary and the azure Mediterranean Sea. — Makronissos Tombs house rules: 1) Admire the Ancient Cemetery of Makronissos and the Makronissos Sanctuary 2) Lose to stray cats at hide-and-seek 3) Offer cat treats as tribute. 😹🥓😉 — Pic © Markus Krenn

How far is Makronissos Tombs from Makronissos Beach?

~260m from Makronissos Beach in Ayia Napa (Google Maps XXJ3+CHJ).

POV: you thought this was a historical site in Cyprus… until a stray cat strolls out of a Makronissos Tomb like it’s a five-star feline hotel. 🐈🏨🌴 — Vid © Markus Krenn

Is Makronissos Tombs worth it?

Makronissos Tombs are easily one of the top historical sites in Cyprus

Are the Makronissos Tombs good for kids?

Perfect for a culture-beach combo day with kids! Mind dodgy steps!

Is there a beach near Makronissos Tombs?

~3-min walk down to picturesque Makronissos Beach (260m/853ft).

When does Makronissos Tombs open and close?

Open 24/7. Dark at night — bring a torch! Wear sturdy shoes

Are dogs allowed at Makronissos Tombs?

No dogs allowed at Makronissos Beach/Makronissos Tombs.

How long to spend at Makronissos Tombs?

Allow 1h for photos or 2-3h for a culture-beach combo. Stunning views!

Can you picnic at Makronissos Tombs?

Of course! Picnic welcome — grab any free spot but keep paths clear.

Are the Makronissos Tombs wheelchair accessible?

A bit tricky for wheelchairs (access via beach and footpath).

Are the Makronissos Tombs pushchair friendly?

A bit tricky for pushchairs (access via beach and footpath).

Are there toilets at Makronissos Tombs?

~4-min walk down to free loos at beach kiosk (Google Maps XXM3+7WP).

Makronissos Beach Kiosk photographed in the early morning before opening. The back area with access to the toilets is visible. — Your last chance oasis before the fab Makronissos Tombs: cold drinks, working loo and zero ancient dust. Stock up, mate! Brace yourself for the epic 4 mins trek ahead. 🥤🎒🏜️ — Pic © Markus Krenn

Are there drinking fountains at Makronissos Tombs?

Grab water at beach kiosk en route or bring own (Google Maps XXM3+7WP).

The furry gatekeeper at Makronissos Tombs never clocks off (payment in cat treats only). The gate’s always open, but there’s zero lighting in the tombs. Bring a torch after dark or prepare to trip over history. 🐱🔦😹 — Vid © Markus Krenn

Is it safe to visit Makronissos Tombs alone?

Yes, of course! Ayia Napa is safe day and night. Super low crime rate!

What’s the story behind Makronissos Tombs?

The Tombs of Makronissos were discovered in 1872. Archaeologists finally rocked up in 1989.

What took them 117 years? Your guess is as good as mine. Reckon they got stuck on Odysseus’s route and just kept sailing in circles. 🤔⛵️

The tomb raiders? They skipped the Odyssey bit and went direct. 🏴‍☠️⚔️💰

The proper dig started in November 1989 and was all wrapped up by January 1990 — quick job, that (clearly got their priorities sorted this time).

Nineteens tombs from the Hellenistic and Roman eras — that’s what they found. Not too shabby for a couple of months’ work, innit?

Most of the Makronissos Ancient Tombs are still in rather good nick (a bit dusty but nothing a broom couldn’t fix).

Sadly, a few tombs took a bit of a beating ages ago when cheeky Cypriots nicked the stones to build their gaffs. 🏠 Can’t beat free bricks, I suppose. 🧱

A typical Makronissos Tomb comes with a stepped dromos — the ancient Greek word for the approach to the burial chamber — plus a stomion (the tomb’s version of a front door).

Back in the day, they sealed it all up with slabs of calcarenite (think the ancient world’s version of flat-pack stonework). 😂🥁😉

Inside, the burial chambers are very much cut from the same cloth — or rather, the same rock. 😏

There’s a rectangular hollow slap bang in the middle of the floor and stone benches carved into the walls. Looks a bit like an ancient waiting room if you ask me… just without the magazines. 😂🥁😉

Some Makronissos Ancient Tombs have a little bonus niche in the burial chamber. The posh ones? Two chambers and room for up to five bodies. Quite the family plot for the bigwigs.

Pro tip: if you pop over to Thalassa Municipal Museum in Ayia Napa, you’ll get to eyeball a cracking sarcophagus nicked straight from the Makronissos Tombs.

What’s the story behind Makronissos Sanctuary?

During their rummage around the Ancient Cemetery of Makronissos, archaeologists came across what looks like a cult site — basically a big stone rectangle, cobbled together with whatever rocks were lying about. The fancy name of the ancient cult site? Makronissos Sanctuary.

The handful of offerings dug up there point to the cult site being in use during the Hellenistic era (that’s 323 to 30 BC, if you’re counting) and the Roman period after that (all the way up to 324 AD). Not exactly yesterday!

Is there parking at Makronissos Tombs?

Pay and display at Google Maps: XXP3+27H or free parking at XXM3+GQ.

How to get to Makronissos Tombs by bus?

How to get your bum to Makronissos Beach: hop on bus 101 from WaterWorld — Ancient Greece-themed waterpark (Google Maps Plus Code XWPX+Q97) and you’ll be at Makronissos Beach stop in under 10 mins. That’s about 1 km or a tad over half a mile in old money.