Cyprus offers visitors sun-soaked stretches of fine, stunning sandy beaches with every conceivable watersport, a stunning interior with wildflower meadows and dense vineyards, sweeping pine-clad mountains perfect for hiking, cycling and even winter skiing, a tumultuous history with ancient buildings and fantastic party and dining scenes. Cyprus is nicknamed ‘the island of the Saints’ as boasts so many monasteries and churches.
Protaras is a great location for a holiday in Cyprus. The beaches are amazing, and it has excellent facilities though it remains peaceful and very smart. You can walk to the stunning Fig Tree Bay from Villa Eudoxie. It is one of the best beaches in the area, and the ancient, lone fig tree on the beach is featured on many postcards. The beach boasts calm, turquoise waters, glistening white sand and buzzy beach bars and restaurants. There is an excellent selection of watersports on offer. You can swim out to a little island. Above the bay are excavated Hellenistic tombs. To the northwest, you will find the limestone Church of Profitis Ilias which marks one end of the nature trail that leads to Konnos Beach. Protaras has an excellent promenade and beach path. You can enjoy hiking trails to Louma Beach and Lombardi Beach. The walks around Protaras are very scenic. Other excellent beaches nearby are Green Bay, about 10 minutes away and Sirena Bay, a secluded gem.
If you want to party, Ayia Napa is a 10-15 minute ride away from Protaras. It is the legendary party town of Cyprus with late-night beach parties, karaoke bars and nightclubs. Ayia Napa does also have a peaceful side and boasts 14 Blue Flag beaches along an 8 km coastline. Sandy Beach is perfect for families and Makronissos Beach offers fantastic watersports. Ayia Napa also has its delightful Municipal Museum, a Medieval monastery and fabulous tavernas along the harbourside.
A wonderful day trip is to visit the ghost town of Varosha, roughly 40 minutes away. Varosha was deserted overnight during the Turkish invasion and has remained abandoned. It is very popular to visit and so eerie.
Meze is a delicious way of tasting the delicious local cuisine. You can enjoy creamy hummus, afelia which is pork cooked in red wine, kebabs including sheftalia, halloumi, baklava and many deserts flavoured with rose water, almonds and pistachos.
In the centre of the island, you can visit the Troodos Mountains. The highest peak Mount Olympus hosts the Sun Valley and North Face ski areas with five ski lifts. You will enjoy cool, pine-scented air, lonely monasteries, quiet mountain villages and painted Medieval churches. The south-facing foothills are draped in vineyards. You will find some lovely panoramic picnic spots. The best villages to head for are Fikardou and Machairas.