Villa Eudoxie

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.
 

Read more about Protaras

Perched on Cyprus’s stunning southeastern coastline, Protaras is a Mediterranean jewel boasting sky-blue seas, sun-soaked beaches, and laid-back touches of traditional charm. What is more, Protaras’ serrated coastline of coves and promontories means there is no shortage of shallow, serene bays that are ideal for families, swimming, and watersports.

The famed Fig Tree Bay, with its shallow, protected water and golden sands is the most popular beach, and regularly listed among the best in Europe. Named after the lone fig tree set amidst its pristine sands, this quaint inlet is a picturesque retreat for sunbathers and snorkelers alike, but it’s also only the beginning of Protaras’ delightful qualities.

If you’re looking for a slightly quieter spot to sunbathe and dip your toes in the calm, Mediterranean waters, make your way south across the Fig Tree Peninsula to find a series of bays, including Green Bay which is a laid-back and excellent spot for snorkeling where you might even be lucky enough to see a sea turtle!

But snorkeling only scratches the surface of Protaras’ spectacular coastline, as it is a haven for scuba divers of all levels of experience. The region boasts a number of fantastic dive sights including the Green Bay Caves, the wrecks of the Liberty and the Nemesis, and the wonderful submerged gallery of statues which is close enough to shore to be accessible to divers and snorkelers alike. But if getting your feet wet isn’t your bag, not to fear, the coastline is equally wonderful to explore on a private boat tour. Tours explore highlights such as Cape Greco, Konnos Bay and the lovely Blue Lagoon.

Anyone looking to put their hiking boots to good use will revel in Protaras’s sublime selection of hiking options, from the rugged Cape Greco National Park to the unique Paralimni Lake – a natural saltwater wetland area swamped with migratory birds including herons, ducks, and even pink flamingoes. Cape Grego National Park is well known for its breathtaking landscapes and boasts several hiking trails. What is more, the Park offers a bevy of swimming spots so make sure to bring your bathers.

Far from limited to natural wonders, Protaras is also a culinary adventure. The town’s tavernas are brimming with grilled halloumi and souvlaki, and serve as the perfect spots to sit and relax as twilight turns to evening and the strum of bouzouki music serenades the streets and promenades. But don’t get too comfortable, because the night won’t end there. Protaras has a lively nightlife which centres on The Strip where numerous bars and clubs are open until late into the night, offering plenty of music and entertainment to keep the party going.

With its splendid assortment of natural wonders from serene bays to rugged landscapes, and no shortage of activities, attractions, and alluring culinary delights, Protaras is a picturesque location for a perfect vacation whether you’re a young family or a group of firm friends.