Guide to Protaras

'Less boisterous than Ayia Napa but with bags of Cypriot charm, Protaras is brimming with holiday fun.'

Less famous and frenetic than its noisy neighbour, Ayia Napa, Protaras is every bit as beautiful. With white sands, twinkling turquoise sea and more sizzling sunshine than you can shake a hat at, this is one paradise slice of Cyprus. The most popular beaches are Fig Tree Bay to the south of the centre and Pernera Beach to the north. But there's a string of sandy coves and rocky inlets in between. So you're not short on sun-trap spots to choose from. Scuba divers home-in on the rugged Cape Greco headland. Whereas snorkellers favour Fig Tree Bay. And all the beaches have plenty of watersports on offer too – from pedaloes and windsurfers to jet skis and parasailing, there's a million and one ways to get wet here. Shopping-wise, there are plenty of gift shops and mini-markets peppering Protaras, and a couple of supermarkets in nearby Paralimni. And this purpose built resort has no shortage of eateries and entertainment options. Tavernas, restaurants and fast food choices sprinkle the streets. Feast on a traditional meze, twirl spaghetti round your fork or grab a hunger-busting burger – the choices are endless. The nightlife's not on Ayia Napa's scale but there's plenty of live music and karaoke bars, a handful of discos and a 'light and water' show. For a fun-packed beach holiday, Protaras is practically perfect in every way.

Find the cheapest late deals to Protaras leaving in the next six weeks.

Recommended Protaras hotels and apartments

Hotel Sunrise Beach

Hotel Anais Bay

Brilliant Apartments

Protaras hotels and apartments

Our hotels and apartments in Protaras include Alva Apartments, Brilliant Apartments, Crown Resorts Elamaris, Hotel Anais Bay, Hotel Antigoni, Hotel Chrystalla, Hotel Golden Coast, Hotel Iliada Beach, Hotel Kapetanios Bay, Hotel Kouzalis Beach, Hotel Louis Nausicaa Beach, Hotel Mimosa Beach, Hotel Odessa, Hotel Pernera Beach, Hotel Sunrise Beach, Louis Ayios Elias Village, Mimosa Beach Studios, Paschalia Hotel, Sandra Apartments, Tsokkos Gardens Hotel And Sun Garden Apartments and Tsokkos Sun Garden Hotel.

More Larnaca Region holiday destinations

Looking for holidays in Larnaca Region? Our Larnaca Region holiday destinations include Ayia Napa, Nissi Beach and Protaras.

Beaches

The rugged headland of Cape Greco and its rocky inlets are favoured by scuba divers, while bathers love the fine, golden sands that melt into the warm, clear seas at Fig Tree Bay (the beach can get quite crowded in August). The fine beaches shelve gently into the sea and so are particularly good for families with children. Why not intersperse your time basking in the sunshine with some snorkelling or boating in the calm waters of Protaras?

Eating out

Restaurants offer international and local food.

Nightlife

While Protaras doesn't rival Ayia Napa in terms of nightlife, it's certainly got plenty to do once the sun goes down. The 50-odd bars - mostly British - feature videos, sports TV and karaoke. There are also a few discos that are popular with the locals. If you are looking for more excitement, head to nearby Ayia Napa and its exuberant nightlife to dance the night away.

Shopping

While there are many shops dotted throughout the resort, Protaras isn't best known for its variety in terms of shopping. A better selection of stores can be found in Paralimni which boasts a good choice of typical Cypriot shops, stalls and supermarkets. For more serious shopping, head to nearby Ayia Napa.

Local information

Should you want to get out and about while on holiday, why not visit Cyprus' capital, Lefkosia? The city is generally better known by its Medieval name, Nicosia, and its roots stretch as far back as the 3rd millennium BC. Over the centuries Nicosia has been ruled over by numerous rulers and civilizations including the Byzantines, Ottomans and Venetians... Richard the Lionheart also once occupied the city. One of the principle landmarks in the city is the Gothic cathedral of St. Sophia. Modelled on the Notre Dame in Paris, it was later transformed by the Ottoman Turks into a mosque.