- National Park "Kavo Gkreko"
- Religious buildings
- Attractions of Protaras
- Protaras for children
- Note to shopaholics
- Delicious points on the map
Fig (accent on the first syllable) trees, which gave the name to the bay on the island of Cyprus, once covered a huge section of the coast with a continuous green carpet. In recent years, vegetation has given way to humans. This is how Protaras appeared in the list of Mediterranean resorts, where it is pleasant to spend a summer vacation or vacation. You will not find a large number of attractions in this part of the island, but lovers of archeology, history and local lore can always go for cognitive impressions in the neighboring Cypriot cities. But on the question of where to go in Protaras, adherents of outdoor activities will willingly answer. In the vicinity of the resort there is a national park with both cycling and hiking trails. Fans of Mediterranean cuisine will also get their portion of pleasure at the resort. The staff at the taverns and restaurants of Protaras has a lot of interesting ideas in store and easily turns casual visitors into good friends.
National Park "Kavo Gkreko"
In the southern part of the Famagusta Bay, a few minutes drive south of Protaras, the territory of the Kavo Greco National Park begins, well known to all active travelers spending their holidays in Cyprus. Cape Greco is visible on the map of the island: it juts out to the southeast and is the most eastern point under the control of the Republic of Cyprus. The cape divides the resort areas of Ayia Napa and Protaras. Due to the rocky seashore and clear water, it has become a favorite resting place for divers and spear hunters.
The national park covers about 400 hectares. Its territory is a real treasure for lovers of natural attractions:
- Orchids stand out among the diverse flora of the reserve. About three dozen species of beautiful flowers of the orchid family grow on the territory of the park. Another large botanical community, representatives of which are found in a park near Protaras, are irises.
- For photographers taking pictures of nature, observation platforms equipped in the park will seem useful and convenient, from where picturesque views and landscapes open.
- Tourists, for whom gatherings with friends are an important part of their rest, will be glad to find specially equipped picnic areas in the park.
- The reserve has a variety of hiking trails. Tourists with any physical ability will be able to choose a trail of a suitable category of difficulty.
- Cycle paths will delight active tourists with scenic views, and the riding studio will provide horses for walks and give lessons for beginners.
- Diving, parasailing and snorkeling equipment rental points are open on the seashore.
The list of the most famous sights of the park "Cavo Greco" also includes the rocky Arch of the Crow, which is also called the Bridge of Lovers, and the ruins of the sanctuary, where in ancient times the inhabitants of the island worshiped Aphrodite.
Religious buildings
The snow-white chapel on the rocky coast at Cape Greco is the undoubted decoration of the national park. Head to the church for some of the best sea views in Protaras. Especially if you are not too lazy to get up early in the morning to catch the sunrise.
The church was built relatively recently - in the late 80s. last century. It was consecrated in memory of the Holy Unmercenaries, who are called the healers and miracle workers Cosmas and Damian of Asia. A wedding ceremony is often held in the temple. Going down the stairs to the sea, you will find a cave, where, according to legend, the very Holy Unsilaterals lived as ascetics.
The Temple of Elijah the Prophet is another religious building in Protaras, where all vacationers at the resort tend to go. The church stands on a hill at an altitude of 115 m above sea level and the ascent to it will take some time. The efforts are worth it, because the pilgrim's reward will be magnificent views of the surroundings and the peace that overtakes anyone who finds himself in small provincial churches. The modest decoration of the temple does not prevent it from being important and significant for believers, because Elijah the Prophet has been revered in Cyprus since the Old Testament times. The structure was built from local sandstone. The temple received its modern look in the last century, but the first wooden chapel was built on this site in the XIV century. A tree grows near the Church of Elijah the Prophet, which grants wishes. As you climb 170 steps up the hill, consider your request carefully. There is evidence that everything conceived at the chapel of Elijah the Prophet in Protaras tends to come true.
Attractions of Protaras
Despite the modest list of local attractions, the resort is able to delight its guests. If you decide to add variety to the monotony of beach everyday life, pay attention to some places, structures, shows and events:
- Magic Dancing Waters is a nightly performance that is played during the high season by dancing fountains at 6 avenue Protara. Do you think that such entertainment looks somewhat provincial in the Cypriot countryside? Nothing of the kind, because the show is technically equipped quite modern: the power of the water jets is provided by 160 strong pumps, and the light part of the program is arranged by half a thousand projectors and several laser cannons. The performance is paid, and you can just go and watch the fountains dancing in Protaras (19 euros) or book tickets for the show and enjoy dinner in the process (34 euros).
- No less a holiday of the soul awaits fans of history and local lore in the Historical Museum of Protaras. Most of the valuable archaeological finds found on the shores of Fig Bay, alas, went to large museums, but some of them are also on display in the city center. You will see fragments of antique mosaics, frescoes and archaeological elements found during excavations. The part of the museum dedicated to a new period in the history of Cyprus displays objects used by Cypriots in everyday life, their tools, children's toys, national costumes, dishes and much more.
After thoroughly exploring the city's attractions, go on an excursion in the vicinity of Protaras. For example, the village of Liopetri, famous for its churches, is worth visiting. Once they were built seven, but today only a couple of temples have survived.
Built in the 15th century. the church of the Apostle Andronicus during the Ottoman rule turned into a mosque. Its main architectural feature is the octagonal structure of the dome.
The temple of the 16th century, consecrated in honor of the Mother of God, has preserved the wall paintings made during the construction.
In Liopetri in the 19th century. the French painter Arthur Rimbaud found refuge. Reproductions of his paintings, embroidery by local craftswomen, ceramics, wicker baskets - the assortment of Liopetri souvenir shops is very diverse, and you can easily find gifts in them for friends and family.
Protaras for children
For a quality family vacation, Protaras is perfect. The resort has almost no noisy entertainment, and the nightclubs of the “Cypriot Ibiza” of Ayia Napa are quite far away so that the roar of its clubs at night could interfere with the leisurely contemplation of the starry sky.
The entrance to the water on the beaches of Protaras is rather shallow, the sea warms up very quickly. There are no unrest and storms in the high season, and rescuers rarely put up red flags.
If your kid is a little bored of the beach, the Protaras Aquarium and a small water park at Anastasia Beach will help to entertain the young tourist. The Oceanarium has gathered under its roof not only marine inhabitants, but also land animals, and the water park is equipped with water slides and attractions that are suitable for visitors of even a very tender age.
Note to shopaholics
You should not count on a variety of shopping in Protaras, although the resort has prepared its own portion of souvenirs and pleasant local folk art for guests.
Olive oil is traditionally brought from Cyprus, which is convenient to buy in ordinary grocery stores - prices are lower than in souvenir shops, and the quality is absolutely the same.
Handmade lace from Lefkara is another traditional souvenir from the island. The village where the craftswomen live is quite far away - a few tens of kilometers from the resort, but if you decide to go on an excursion to Larnaca, it is quite possible to turn to Lefkara along the way. In Protaras itself, lace is also presented, but the cost of products will be slightly higher than that of the manufacturer.
Delicious points on the map
All the variety of catering establishments in Protaras can be divided into two categories: restaurants with a menu presented in them from different countries and traditional Greek taverns. You will have a chance to go on vacation to both of them, and therefore tune in to a variety of gastronomic experiences:
- The menu at the Cyprus Traditional Tavern on the resort's main street contains a typical Greek Cypriot array of dishes, from appetizers and vegetable salad to fish steaks, meze and pastries. The set menu is very inexpensive and will allow you to dine economically during the day.
- The Spartiatis restaurant at the beginning of Cava Greco is famous not only for its fish dishes, but also for its magnificent sea views.
- The star of the wine list of the place called Diva is the famous Cypriot wine Commandaria. The menu contains a rich selection of Mediterranean dishes. The service is very decent and the prices are appropriate.
- In Konatzi, on the contrary, you will be able to sit on a very budgetary basis, especially if you come with a company. The sizes of the dishes here are so impressive that one salad or one hot salad is enough for two.
In the village of Liopetri, where you can go on a day trip from Protaras, you can go to the fishing taverns, which are open right on the shores of the winding sea bay. Liopetri's restaurants are all about the sea, with the main dishes prepared from fresh seafood delivered by fishing boats early in the morning. The traditional fishing of Liopetri residents has now become an important part of the Protaras tourism industry.
