Protaras
Protaras Introduction
Protaras lies fourteen kilometres east of Ayia Napa in the east coast of Cyprus. Transfer time from Larnaca airport is approximately ninety minutes. A purpose built resort covering ten kilometres of sandy coastline, it is family friendly with many leisure facilities. While it has a lively nightlife, it is not to be compared with Ayia Napa which is on a different scale altogether. Protaras has enough variety of restaurants to satisfy even the most pernickety of eaters.
Why Go To Protaras
Protaras does not pretend to have an authentic Cypriot heart. Purpose built, mainly to supply the increasing demand of British holidaymakers; it is a jumble of hotels, apartment blocks and restaurants. It is not the prettiest of resorts but it does have fantastic sandy beaches and therein lies its main attraction. It has many leisure activities to keep the more energetic visitor happy.
Who Is Protaras Popular With
Protaras is essentially a family resort having excellent beaches for those with young children. The sand shelves gently into the water making it a safe environment for children and weak swimmers. Water sports enthusiasts will find plenty to occupy their days from water skiing to paragliding.
When To Go To Protaras
Protaras’ season begins in April when the temperatures are in the early seventies and continues until the end of October. Be aware that it can get very hot during the summer months with temperatures at times in the high eighties.
Protaras - The Place
A Protaras holiday offers, above all, wonderful beaches of fine sand and beautiful turquoise water. Fig Tree Bay and Konnos Beach are two of the most popular having good facilities and providing a wide range of water sports including the exciting sport of paragliding. The rocky coves around Cape Greko are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Other sports include golf, horse riding, shooting, and cycling along the nature trails. The National Forest Park is an area of great natural beauty which can be explored on foot as well as on horse back or by bicycle. In nearby Agia Napa you will find the Waterworld Leisure Park and a go-kart track.
Protaras offers sun and relaxation on beautiful beaches. With good food and wine, warm and friendly people, a wide variety of night time entertainment and charming gift and souvenir shops it is no surprise that many visitors make return visits.
Protaras Nightlife
Those looking for noise and night time action should visit the main street in Protaras. Many bars and pubs offer live entertainment and karaoke bars are popular. There are not many night clubs so those wishing to dance until dawn will have more choice if they take the ten minute journey to Ayia Napa.
The shops in Protaras provide all the holiday essentials as well as gifts and souvenirs. Although there are a number of clothes shops and jewellers, serious shoppers would be advised to visit Ayia Napa where they will find many shops selling tax-free designer goods. Cyprus excels in handcrafted goods and the government have recognised the value of this by creating the Cyprus Handicraft Service. There are a number of official shops around the island. There are of course many more unofficial shops in all resorts selling good quality goods that are reasonably priced. Popular gifts and holiday mementoes are the embroidered linens, the Lefkara lace and ceramic pots.
Protaras Eating
Protaras has dozens of restaurants from fast food outlets to English style pubs and from pizzerias to traditional fish restaurants. Fish features prominently on Cypriot menus with calamari, red mullet and sea bass being particularly popular. Halloumi, a cheese made from goat and sheep’s milk is an island speciality. It is often served grilled as an appetiser. The Cypriot equivalent of the Spanish tapas is mezze and it is a good way to sample the variety of local food. Local wines are tasty and inexpensive.