With its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches and pleasant surroundings, Protaras is probably the most popular family holiday destination on the island of Cyprus. It is a laid back resort with spectacular views along the east coast and surrounding fertile countryside that is equally beautiful. As with most of Cyprus, Protaras is known for having hot summers and mild winters, making it an ideal destination all year round though the real heat is in the summer when temperatures border on 40°C. Protaras takes approximately one hour and twenty minutes to reach from Larnaca airport after a four hour forty minute flight from the majority of UK airports.
With its quiet beaches, Protaras is the most popular family destination in Cyprus…
Protaras is an ideal place to enjoy the coast without the crowds, and is much quieter than the neighbouring Ayia Napa and Paphos. As a consequence it has become extremely popular among family groups with most hotels catering for children through a range of first class facilities. The calm waters and undisturbed beaches make Protaras an agreeable romantic getaway, with a choice of cafes and tavernas to watch the world go by. Those who prefer a more active nightlife will find a good selection of nightclubs and discos and Ayia Napa is within easy reach by taxi.
With clear waters throughout the resort, Protaras is a haven for scuba divers and snorkellers thanks to its array of caves, reefs, canyons and exotic marine life. The Cape Greco Peninsula is perfect for snorkellers, and more experienced divers might wish to hire a car and explore more remote regions.
The stunning white sands of Protaras are accentuated on Fig Tree Bay, which has many recreational facilities including water skiing and paragliding. The only problem with the beach is that it can prove difficult to spot, as only the surrounding hotels are signposted. So remember that Salparo Hotel apartments mark the north and Naussica Beach hotel marks the south and you'll soon find your little bit of paradise.
Green Beach Bay is better suited to those who want to avoid the crowds with the north filled with umbrellas and the southern part full of sandstone platforms. For watersports, Louma Beach is the best in the resort with Baywater Water Sports offering banana tube rides, paragliding, ski jets and water-skiing. Skoutari Beach is also popular for snorkelling and the area is lined with good restaurants. By contrast, Agia Triada Beach and Mouzuora Beach are particularly good if you want a quiet spot though it should be noted that Mouzuora Beach is not suitable for non-swimmers or children due to steep sands.
If you can move away from the beach, there is plenty to enjoy in the shops and a host of bars, clubs and restaurants. There are many well-established local cuisines that are well worth tucking into, such as Yalanci Dolma, which are vine leaves stuffed with rice, onions and tomatoes. The Cinnamon Pub is a crowd pleaser with live music on Tuesdays and Fridays, while Miestros is a popular haunt for locals and tourists. Protaras is also ideal if you would rather make the odd visit into the party town of Ayia Napa and then return to a more relaxing location.
There are many sights worth taking in while you're around Protaras including several windmills and the Ayios Ilias church. Nearby towns include Paralimni, which has an open-air theatre and Pernera, which is a mini resort packed with restaurants and bars.
