Things to do in Protaras
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Protaras
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Best months: warm sea, open tavernas, sane crowds
Peak: book everything, beaches at capacity
Quiet: many hotels close, good for walkers and cyclists
Best things to do in Protaras
Fig Tree Bay
500 m of sand with the swimmable islet, go early in August.
Konnos Bay
Pine-fringed cove between Protaras and Ayia Napa.
Cape Greco
Headland cliffs and the classic sunset viewpoint.
Cape Greco Sea Caves
Sea caves and the Love Bridge arch, snorkel or boat in.
Profitis Elias Church
Hilltop church with the full resort panorama.
Blue Lagoon
Half-day boat trip with swim stops in turquoise water.
Protaras Strip
Evening restaurant and bar drag; eat one street back.
Ocean Aquarium Protaras
Small aquarium, a solid kids' hour.
Where to stay in Protaras
Fig Tree Bay
classic beach holidays
Pernera
quieter stays
Center and the Strip
evening action
Think twice about
- Right on Protara Avenue
traffic and bar noise run late; one street back is a different world
- Highway-side inland blocks
cheap apartments with nothing around; car needed for the beach
- Far north beyond Pernera
pretty but isolated; thin on restaurants
Best restaurants in Protaras
Ifalos Taverna
Traditional Cypriot taverna, the Pernera neighborhood favorite.
Nissiotis
Long-running Pernera restaurant, meze and grills.
Taverna Kamasias
Traditional taverna since 1977, seasonal meze.
Doma
Paralimni fish restaurant the locals name first.
Taverna Moustakallis
Old-style taverna, Cypriot classics and fair prices.
Speedy Gonzales
Mexican and tex-mex, the change-of-pace night.
Outdoor things to do in Protaras
Nissi Beach
Famous white-sand beach 15 minutes west.
Cape Greco National Forest Park
Marked cycling and walking trails with sea views.
Makronissos Tombs
Rock-cut Hellenistic tombs by the sea, free.
Ayia Napa Sculpture Park
Open-air sculptures on the headland, free.
Famagusta
Walled city and Varosha day trip across at Deryneia.
Larnaca
Old town and salt lake, an hour west.
Best hotels in Protaras
Sunrise Beach Hotel
Established beach hotel right on Fig Tree Bay.
Sunrise Pearl Hotel & Spa
Spa-focused sister hotel, adults-leaning.
Constantinos the Great Beach Hotel
Pernera beachfront hotel with pools and sea views.
Golden Coast Beach Hotel
Big family-friendly complex on the Pernera coast.
The King Jason Protaras
Adults-only hotel near the center, the couples' pick.
Is Protaras expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | €55 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | €95 a person |
| Splurge | €200 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Blue Lagoon: a few days ahead
- Sunrise Beach Hotel: months ahead
- Blue Lagoon boats: day before in August
- August hotels: months ahead, beachfront first
- Cape Greco: go early for parking in summer
Is Protaras safe?
- Safe family resort; deep water with no lifeguards at Cape Greco
- Do not swim alone in the caves area
- Emergency number: 112
Protaras travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Strip touted restaurants: average food; eat one street back or in Pernera
- Overpriced Cypriot-night dinner shows: a real taverna is cheaper and better
- Fig Tree Bay sunbed rows: arrive before 10am in August
Getting around Protaras: public transport and more
- Walk the center and the Strip; Fig Tree Bay is walkable
- Local bus runs Protaras-Ayia Napa-Paralimni, cheap and regular
- Rent a bike for Cape Greco; Larnaca Airport is 45 minutes by transfer
Who Protaras suits
| Solo travellers | OK |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Great |
| Couples | Good |
| Bachelor parties | OK |
| Families | Great |
| Bachelorette parties | Good |
Make Protaras your trip
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