Cyprus, with excellent weather and blue flag beaches and over three hundred days of sunshine a year, is one of the most popular resorts. The former fishing village of Protaras has since 1990 become a thriving tourist destination in the Mediterranean. The town is surrounded by pretty little villages and beautiful coves that are worth visiting while on the island.
Architecture
The entire city consists of small two- and three-storey buildings, finished with light plaster and natural stone. The only exceptions are a few large hotels. Most of the houses are decorated with small courtyards with trees and flowers, and there is also a lot of greenery on the streets.
Beaches
The coastline of Protaras consists of different beaches - there are yellow sand, there are lighter and shallow ones, there are also several places with a rocky bottom. Overall quality - all beaches are very clean and gently sloping long shallow water, which makes Protaras a family resort and an ideal place for families with children.
Sandy beaches, blue sea and beautiful landscapes are everywhere in Protaras, but the most popular with tourists are:
- Fig Tree Bay (Fig Tree Bay)
- Konnos Beach
- Green Bay
The best beach on the island is the Figa Tri Bay beach, located near the main hotel Road, with golden sand and crystal clear water. There is also a wide range of water sports, as well as a water park and aquarium, several excellent restaurants, bars and cafes serving local and international cuisine.
If you move further in the same direction from the city center, you can walk to Konnos Beach. Its main feature is a stunning view from the road. The beach itself lies at the bottom of a pine-covered hill; the descent to the sea goes along a rather steep path and stairs. The small beach of Konnos is located among the rocks that protect it from the wind, so there are no waves at all. Konnos Beach, due to the more difficult access, is not so popular with vacationers in Protaras, although there is all the infrastructure on the coast - lifeguards, a catamarans and boat rental station, showers, sun loungers, umbrellas and a restaurant. In addition, pine trees provide natural shade and a wonderful aroma.
The small rocky coves of Green Bay Beach with submerged statues and fish living among the underwater boulders are ideal for diving and snorkelling.
Attractions nearby
- Agia Elijah
- Cape Greco
- Ayia Napa Monastery
Protaras is primarily a seaside resort, and there are few attractions in the city and its surroundings.
The chapel of the Prophet Elijah is located in the tourist area of the city. The structure was erected on a granite rock with inaccessible and almost steep slopes. To get to the temple, you have to climb 153 steep stone steps, but the ascent is worth it - the view from above is simply mesmerizing. Although the 14th century church was rebuilt in the 1980s, the classic original icons have been preserved in the interior. The best time to hike to Agia Iliya is before sunset and in the evening, when the structure is illuminated. Next to the chapel, a "wish tree" grows, on which ribbons are tied to fulfill a dream or request.
Cape Greco is located on the southeast coast of Cyprus, between Ayia Napa and Protaras. Cape Greco National Park is an excellent base for hiking, cycling, bird watching, fishing and snorkeling. Trips to Cape Greco are especially popular with deep-sea fishing and snorkelling enthusiasts.
A former medieval castle built around 1500 AD, Ayia Napa Monastery is the most visited attraction in the area. The monastery, located in the center of modern Ayia Napa, is partly deepened into the ground, partly cut into the rock. The complex was reconstructed twice - in 1950 and in 1978, and today it is the Ecumenical Center of the Cyprus and Middle Eastern Churches. The fig tree growing at the southern gate deserves special attention - it is believed to be about 600 years old.
A visit to the monastery is possible in the summer months from 09.30 to 21.00 and in winter from 09.30 to 15.00.
Protaras does not sleep in the evenings. Bars and good restaurants on the beach by the sea and in the alleys in the city center offer visitors Greek and Turkish cuisine. Seafood, grilled halloumi cheese with fresh vegetables, herbs and bread, meze with Commandaria sweet wine, zivania or just a glass of wine on the summer terrace overlooking the sea will end a wonderful day.
