The south-eastern corner of Cyprus has a bit of everything – the beautiful forests of the Cape Greco National Park, the sunny beaches of Protaras, and the full-on nightlife of Ayia Napa. Add in some good family attractions along the way and the scenic stretch of coast snaking east of Larnaca has something for all tastes.
Protaras may not be as famous as its hedonistic neighbour, but what it lacks in nightlife it more than makes up for with its stunning beaches and easy-going character. This visitor-friendly resort still gets plenty of visitors, many of them drawn in by the likes of beautiful Fig Tree Bay, the town’s best-known beach. A lovely spot for swimming, sunbathing or water-sports, this Blue Flag beach gets busy, so it’s worth knowing about a few of the lesser-known beaches in the area.
Agia Triada is very pleasant golden beach located beside a small fishing harbour, where you can hop on a sun lounger and chill out all day. Quiet spots like Skoutari, Nisia and Pernera will also get you away from the crowds, while Green Bay is a good choice for those learning to dive. There are many more besides – in fact, you may not have time to try them all.
When you’re not on the beach, you’ll find a wide range of restaurants in Protaras, demonstrating the Cypriot love of good food in some style. Many make the most of their enviable locations, with cool beachfront terraces providing the ideal setting for meze and cocktails.
There is a bit of nightlife in Protaras, mainly catering to tourists, but it’s not on the level of Ayia Napa where the more hardcore clubbers can be found. During the day, Ayia Napa has plenty to amuse the whole family, including a water park and adventures like dolphin-spotting boat safaris and open-top bus tours. Later, the foam parties, bar crawls and through-the-night clubbing begin – most clubs not kicking things off until around 1 am.