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Protaras Information
Protaras, is a predominantly tourist resort. It comes under the administrative jurisdiction of Paralimni Municipality. In ancient times, where now Protaras seems to be located stood the old city-state of Leukolla.
The city possessed a small safe harbour where the Athenian Demetrius Poliorketes in the year 306 B.C. sought refuge, lying in wait for Ptolemeos, one of the successors of Alexander the Great. In the ensuing battle Ptolemeos was defeated and fled to Egypt, leaving Cyprus for a while in the hands of Demetrius.
Protaras has lovely, sandy beaches with clear sky-blue waters and the most well known beach in the area is Fig Tree Bay. Protaras is also referred to as "the land of windmills" maintaining the nostalgic quality of the past.
On the back of the success of Ayia Napa (which is only a few km away), it has exploded into a resort of considerable size with tens of high capacity hotels, hotel apartments, villas, restaurants, pubs and all sorts of facilities a modern holiday resort ought to have.
Being quieter than Ayia Napa and having less of a club scene, it has a reputation of catering more for family and Cypriot tourism.
Nightlife
At night Protaras main street erupts into a noisy sound and light show as the many disco/bars, pubs and clubs turn up the volume to draw in the crowds. Many establishments offer live entertainment or karaoke and the discos feature English DJs and laser lights.
There are only a few nightclubs, and serious all-night clubbers prefer to travel to Ayia Napa for the evening.
Activities
The main beach at Protaras offers a vast range of water sports opportunities and equipment hire, from paddle boats to jet skis. The resort caters particularly well for children, most of the hotels and apartment complexes offering excellent Kid's Clubs.
There are two exciting water parks nearby at Ayia Napa, which provide thrills and spills for all ages. Most visitors enjoy a stroll along the clifftops of the coastline, particularly in spring when the landscape is covered in wild flowers.
The more energetic can hike up the steep crag on the outskirts of the resort to the Ayios Ilias Church from where there is a spectacular view. Local operators offer several day trips, sea cruises and excursions to places of interest, like into the Troodos Mountains or to explore the city of Nicosia. |
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