Protaras, the quiet coast of eastern Cyprus

Protaras is where many families end up when they want the beaches of eastern Cyprus without the noise of Ayia Napa. It’s mainly about the coast, but there’s more to it than you see from a sunbed. Here’s what to see, where to swim and how to get about. The rest of the east is in Famagusta district.

A resort coast within Paralimni

Protaras isn’t a town with its own council. The Visit Famagusta tourism portal presents it as the tourism heart of Paralimni-Deryneia municipality, on the island’s south-eastern edge, with the centre of Paralimni about ten minutes away by car. The coast runs from Kapparis in the north to Konnos in the south, dotted with the metal windmills once used to draw water from underground.

According to the same website, Ayia Napa is about 8 km away and Protaras has grown in a similar way, but with a calmer tone that appeals to families and to Cypriots themselves. My ideas for children across the island are in Cyprus with kids.

What to see in Protaras

The best-known beach is Fig Tree Bay, with its islet and the fig tree that gave it its name. On a hilltop a stone’s throw from the centre, the Profitis Ilias church in Protaras is the great viewpoint, especially at sunset.

In Pernera, to the north, the little fishing shelter of Agios Nikolaos has a white chapel with a blue dome built by the fishermen themselves, and the region says a new marina is being built there. Above Vyzakia beach, the Neolithic settlement of Nissia has been open to visitors since 28 July 2025, with panels explaining the dig. And high on Fanos hill, the chapel of Agioi Saranta is tucked inside a cave, with a stone dome.

For a day off the beach, the Ocean Aquarium has, according to the region, more than 1,000 species and gardens of over 12,500 m². I haven’t found its opening hours or prices in a source I can cite.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Protaras before prices climb.

The seafront promenade

This is what I like most about Protaras. According to Visit Famagusta, the promenade runs for more than 4 km, linking Pernera with Fig Tree Bay and Agios Nikolaos harbour with Louma beach, with platforms jutting over the water and benches to sit on. The region suggests walking it at sunrise or sunset, when the heat eases. Along the way you reach Nissiotis pier, where the excursion boats leave from.

Beaches and diving

The region counts about 10 km of beach coastline and says eighteen beaches held the Blue Flag in 2024. For 2026 I had no official list to check, so I don’t name the holders beach by beach. They’re listed north to south in Protaras beaches.

Underwater, the Liberty is a cargo ship sunk on purpose on 27 May 2009 to create a reef, 650 m off Vrysoudia beach, and nearby lies the shallower Nemesis III. According to the region, they’re about 10 minutes away from Agios Nikolaos or Agia Triada, and loggerhead and green turtles are sometimes seen at Skoutarospilioi, DaCosta and Green Bay.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Protaras and choose by the reviews.

Getting there and around

OSEA routes 101 and 102 link Ayia Napa, Cape Greco, Konnos, Protaras, Pernera and Paralimni, with stops such as Fig Tree Bay and Profiti Ilia, and route 711 comes in from Larnaca. Route 301 loops round Paralimni along Protaras Avenue. A daytime trip costs €2. To the south lie Cape Greco and Konnos Bay.

For somewhere to stay, hotels in Protaras goes through the 93 places the official list gave for Paralimni and Protaras in August 2026.

A car frees you from timetables: search car hire in Protaras on DiscoverCars and compare companies.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Protaras before prices climb.