Located on the south east coast of Cyprus, Protaras is one the island’s most popular summer spots. Part of the small town of Paralimni, Protaras is adjacent to buzzing Ayia Napa. A destination for sea lovers, it boasts splendid beaches and pristine waters. There are tens of beaches, from hidden bays to long stretches of white sand.
Protaras is an ideal holiday destination for families and couples because of its many hotel and apartment options. From budget accommodation to 5 star hotels, there’s something for everyone. Furthermore, the wide variety of restaurants, the picturesque taverns and the fish restaurants by the sea, the modern bars, the traditional pubs and the laid back cafes make Protaras a perfect resort town to wind down and enjoy the lazy days of summer.
Places to Visit in Protaras
Protaras is mainly all about the beach. However, if one day you decide not to hit the beach, there are quite a few things you can visit and explore. For a relaxed day (even better, during the afternoon), stroll down the beautiful newly built pedestrian road along the main coastline of Protaras. In various spots along the way, there are kiosks to sit down and enjoy the sea view, stations to hop on a boat and take a mini tours of Protaras’ beaches and playgrounds for children. Families will have a fabulous time at the Ocean Aquarium where they can watch turtles, crocodiles, penguins and many more creatures of the sea. For the romantics, the sea cave right below the picturesque Ayii Anargyri Chapel over Konnos Beach is a must visit. And if you are up to it, walk up the more than hundred steps to get to the beautiful Saint Elias chapel situated on Protaras’ highest hill.
If you leave Protaras in a few minute, you will find yourself in the nearby villages of Derynia, Frenaros, Avgorou, Liopetri and Sotera. There are some impressive churches in these villages, such as the one in Derynia dedicated to Mary, built in the 17th century, or the church of Saint Andronikos in Frenaros, built in the 12th century. On Saturdays, in Sotera village there is an open market, with farmers selling quality vegetables and fruits in very good prices. During the night, there are some excellent taverns and kebab places in these villages, that are worth visiting. And of course, the town of Paralimni, has a good choice of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Things to do in Protaras
In Protaras, life is a…beach! You can spend your holidays, hopping from one beach to the other, kicking back and just relaxing, sunbathing or even enjoying drinks, fresh juice or a ‘frappe’ coffee at one of the many Protaras’ beach bars. On the other hand, if you are into sports, there are several water sport stations situated in the area’s most popular beaches. You can do jet skiing, kite surfing, kayaking, water skiing, paragliding and snorkelling or even take classes in scuba diving near Green Bay. If you want to do some sightseeing, the picturesque harbours of Ayia Triada and Ayios Nicolaos are beautiful.
What would be really interesting to do though, is explore the area’s nature by going hiking in one of its Nature Trails (including the European Walking Route E4 that starts from Gibraltar), set by Cyprus Tourist Organisation. Some of these trails include the Konnos-Ayii Anargyrii linear coastal trail, the Aphrodite trail or the Konnos- Spilia tou Kyklopa (Cyclop’s cave) circular nature trail. Finally, you should most definitely visit Cape Greco’s National Forest Park, that lies between Protaras and Ayia Napa. You will walk through an amazing natural landscape, you will enjoy the beauty of Cyprus flora (there are around 300 different species) and fauna (wild birds and small animals), you will swim or scuba dive in amazing crystal blue waters and you will have the opportunity to have truly spectacular views of Ayia Napa and the sea.
Protaras Beaches
This is the «beach capital» of Cyprus. The options here are endless and the vast majority of the beaches in Protaras have blue flags. Starting from the dreamy Fig Tree Bay, voted one of Europe’s best beaches, there is a stretch of long beaches with golden-white sand and turquoise waters. Almost all of those beaches in this part of Protaras, right in front of the large resort hotels, are always crowded, since they are organised with sun beds and umbrellas, rented by the Paralimni Municipality. Some of them include the Sunrise beach and Vrissiana beach. A few kilometres away, you will find smaller beaches, like Kapparis beach, Agia Triada and Golden Beach that are ideal for families with young children.
On the other hand, if you want something quieter and more serene there is Protaras’ other side. The one with the small bays and the hidden coves that are waiting to be discovered. The waters in these beaches are bluer, the sand is darker and beaches such as the Serena Bay are surrounded by trees. Furthermore, if you want to avoid the crowded beaches, you can spend your day at the remote Glifades and Nisia Beaches, the Pernera Beach or at the beautiful Green Bay. Of course, agreed by many, the most beautiful beach in Protaras Area is Konnos beach. Situated in a small cove, this beach, surrounded by trees and rocks, Konnos beach is an idyllic place, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. And although it is always packed, it is worth checking it out and have a coffee at the kiosk overlooking the sea.
Nicosia is the last capital in the world to still be divided militarily, and the Green Line at Ledra will intrigue visitors who want to know what it’s like to cross a city checkpoint in the 21st century. On both sides of the divide there’s a lot to see, like the Selimiye Mosque, a hybrid of Christian and Islamic architecture, or the Cyprus Museum, the premier collection of ancient artefacts on the island.
Things To Do In Nicosia
Famagusta Gate
In the years preceding the Ottoman invasion of Cyprus the Venetians bolstered Nicosia’s defences and you can still see the walls and gates that they constructed.
Famagusta Gate is the most impressive fragment of these old defences and is an exact copy of the Lazaretto Gate that was built by the Venetians for Candia on Crete.
After being used for storage by the British it was restored in the 1980s, breathing new life in to the Tahl-el-Kale neighbourhood around it.
The gate has a two-lane passageway lit from above by a dome that is based on Rome’s Pantheon, and today is a cultural centre where exhibitions are held throughout the year.
Büyük Han
After the Ottomans took over Cyprus in the 16th century this marvellous caravanserai was one of the first things they built.
A caravanserai is a kind of inn for merchants and other travellers, set around a central courtyard in the middle of which is a masjid, or small mosque.
Büyük Han is two storeys in height and has been beautifully restored over the last 20 years, after a few decades when it was used as a prison by the British. It’s now a centre for the arts, with galleries, studios and workshops.
Folk Art Museum
This exhibition of Cypriot art has a splendid home, inside the city’s old Episcopal palace, which was built in the 1400s but has portions that go back a further 200 years.
The museum was founded in the 1930s as part of an effort to preserve handmade embroideries, metalwork, lace, pottery, textiles and more after the advent of machine-powered mass production.
There are 5,000 items in the museum’s collection and as well as intricate decorative pieces you can see historic farming implements such as olive presses, water mills and threshing boards.
Fikardou
Around 45 minutes southwest of Nicosia is this small upland village that today only has three residents.
Fikardou has been left untouched and is currently being considered for UNESCO status as the settlement is a perfect example of traditional Cypriot rural architecture.
The village was inhabited from the 400s, but by the 1800s Fikardou’s population was dwindling.
What is left is a Cypriot community before electricity and cars arrived on the island.
On a visit you could spend your time negotiating the village’s steep paths are flanked by quaint stone houses topped with fading red terracotta tiles.
Get around Cyprus Nicosia & Protaras
Cyprus has plenty car hire companies with offices in airports and towns,you can rent a cheap car in Nicosia including major names like Hertz and Europcar. Cars should be reserved well in advance during the summer season.
You should be sure to check your agreement if you are planning to rent a car Protaras across the Green Line as not all hire companies in the south permit taking their vehicles to north Cyprus. Cars hired in the north of Cyprus also cannot be taken across the border to the South. Insurance purchased on one side of the border is not valid on the other side.
The minimum driving age is 18. For hiring a car drivers need to have held a valid licence for three years, meaning individuals under 21 are unlikely to be eligible.