Protaras: a blue that photographs struggle to capture.
If you are looking for the clear water you have seen in photographs of Cyprus, you will probably end up here. Protaras has some of the island's best-known beaches, but the area is even more rewarding when you combine the sea with short coastal walks, Cape Greco and the more local side of Paralimni.
Type
Beaches · Sea · Nature · Walking · Local life
Recommended time
1–2 days
Best time for the beach
Late spring · Summer · Early autumn
Best time for walking
Spring · Autumn · Winter
Car needed?
Not essential in Protaras. Very useful for Cape Greco and Paralimni.
Ideal for
Sea · couples · friends · beach and nature
You may come for the beach.But stay a little longer for everything around it.
First: getting to know the area
Protaras is not Paralimni.
Understanding that makes the area much easier to make sense of.
Protaras
Sea + holidays + coast
Protaras is the coastal, tourist part of the area. Here you will find Fig Tree Bay, many of the beaches, the seafront promenade and much of the holiday accommodation and services.
Paralimni
Town + local life
Paralimni lies a few kilometres inland. It is the municipality's urban centre, with squares, churches, small museums and an experience much less focused on beach tourism.
Beaches
Which beach shall we choose?
In this part of Cyprus, it is easy to end up saving ten beaches on Google Maps. There is no need. These five give a good idea of the different ways to enjoy the coast of Protaras and Paralimni.
The coast, from north to south
Protaras's iconic beach
Fig Tree Bay
Golden sand, clear water and the heart of Protaras almost on your doorstep.
Fig Tree Bay is Protaras's most recognisable beach. Its name comes from a fig tree that, according to official tourist information, has stood in the area since the 17th century. For a slightly quieter experience in summer, visit early in the day.
recommends
Konnos Bay
A small bay where the beach and Cape Greco almost meet.
Konnos is only around 200 metres long and is sheltered by the slopes of Cape Greco National Forest Park. The path down passes through vegetation and offers one of the most recognisable views of Cyprus's east coast.
Come for the water. Stay because there is so much more to discover from here.
Beach + harbour + chapel
Agia Triada
Agia Triada has pale sand and calm water, but what makes it different is its small fishing harbour and the white chapel beside the coast.
For exploring the coast
Pernera + Louma
North of central Protaras, Pernera and Louma link several small stretches of coast with Agios Nikolaos Harbour. This area is particularly useful if you want to walk along the seafront and move between beaches without constantly using the car.
Further north
Kapparis
Kapparis lies at the northern end of this coastal strip, closer to Paralimni. Its small bays let you extend your route once you have explored central Protaras.
Keep exploring
Cape Greco, Paralimni and tips
The seafront promenade, nature, a route for the day and practical information about the area.
Keep exploring
Cape Greco, Paralimni and tips
The seafront promenade, nature, a route for the day and practical information about the area.
Protaras Coastal Promenade
More than four kilometres by the sea.
The official seafront promenade runs for more than four kilometres, connecting the Agios Nikolaos fishing harbour area with Fig Tree Bay. It is one of the easiest ways to understand how the different parts of the coast fit together.
Tip from
You do not need to walk the whole thing. Choose a stretch and use it to connect two beaches.
Now leave your towel in the car.
Cape Greco is just a few minutes away.
Nature
Cape Greco: when Protaras becomes more than just a beach destination.
Between Protaras and Ayia Napa lies Cape Greco, a protected National Forest Park within Natura 2000. The park covers approximately 385 hectares and brings together rocky coastline, Mediterranean vegetation, caves, viewpoints and a network of trails.
385 ha
National Forest Park
Natura 2000
Protected area
Walking
Cycling
Coast
Diving
Cape Greco
Blue Lagoon
One of the best-known stops on the Cape Greco coast, with exceptionally clear turquoise water. You can visit from the sea, and many boat trips along this coast stop here for a swim, but a boat is not essential. You can also arrive by land and enter the water from the shore.
A boat offers a different perspective. But it is not the only way to get there.
From land
Access to the water is rocky, unlike a conventional sandy beach. Wear suitable footwear and always assess the sea conditions before entering.
From the sea
It is a regular stop on boat trips along the Cape Greco coast, and a particularly lovely way to see it and swim there.
Not to be confused with Akamas
Cyprus has another well-known Blue Lagoon on the Akamas peninsula, in the west of the island. This is Cape Greco's Blue Lagoon, between Ayia Napa and Protaras.
recommends
Konnos → Agioi Anargyroi
From one of the area's prettiest beaches to a chapel built above a sea cave.
The first few kilometres follow the coast from Konnos to the small church of Agioi Anargyroi. The route continues through Mediterranean scenery, passing Kamara tou Koraka and the area around ancient remains associated with the worship of Aphrodite.
Do not walk on rock formations or fences, or enter restricted areas. Always follow the path and signs.
Cape Greco Environmental Information & Education Centre
Before you start walking, get to know the area.
The centre explains the park's different land and marine ecosystems and is especially useful if you want to understand what you are seeing before exploring Cape Greco.
Beyond your swimwear
Two changes of perspective.
At sunrise or at the end of the day
Profitis Ilias
Climb a little higher to see Protaras and the coast from above.
The small chapel of Profitis Ilias stands on a hill in Protaras. A staircase of 156 steps leads up to it, and the top offers a panoramic view over Protaras and the coast.
Beyond the coast
Agioi Saranta
A chapel inside a cave.
Agioi Saranta is a small chapel built inside a natural cave in the hills behind Protaras. Its exterior dome is almost the only clue to what lies beneath the rock.
Now drive ten minutes inland.
The sea disappears. And Paralimni comes into view.
Paralimni
The other half of the area.
Paralimni is a town and local hub: its squares, churches, shops and everyday life carry on as the tourist rhythm of the coast changes with the seasons. A glimpse of everyday life in this part of the island.
The centre of Paralimni brings together religious buildings from different periods around Agios Georgios Square. Rather than making each church a separate visit, use the square as a starting point for a walk around the centre.
The small museum occupies a traditional 19th-century house and brings together objects from the rural and everyday lives of earlier generations. It is a simple stop, but helps you understand how thoroughly agricultural this part of Cyprus was before tourism developed along the coast.
A day between sea and nature, theway
From the water to the trail, without trying to see everything.
Step 01
Morning
Fig Tree Bay
Start by the sea before the day gets going.
Step 02
Mid-morning
Coastal walk
Walk a stretch rather than driving from one beach to the next.
Step 03
Midday
Konnos
Swap the seafront promenade for a bay surrounded by nature.
Step 04
Afternoon
Cyclops Cave
Just 1.7 km to add a short trail to your day.
Step 05
End of the day
Profitis Ilias
See Protaras from above.
If you have had enough of the beach
Paralimni → Folkloric Museum → Agioi Saranta → Agia Triada
A way to alternate between town, inland scenery and the coast without spending the whole day on the beach.
Plan your trip
How much time do you have?
Just one day
Fig Tree Bay → Konnos → short trail → Profitis Ilias
Two days
Day 1: Protaras + beaches. Day 2: Cape Greco + Paralimni.
I just want the beach
That is fine too. Choose two beaches and put the map away.
Seasons
When should I visit?
Spring
recommendsHighly recommended.
Perfect for combining the beach on warm days with Cape Greco and short trails.
Summer
Peak season.
The sea takes centre stage and the beaches are busy. Walk the trails early in the morning.
Autumn
recommendsHighly recommended.
The sea remains a highlight and walking becomes more pleasant again.
Winter
Coast + nature.
A rewarding time for walks and trails. Some tourist services may operate seasonally.
Practical information
Before you go.
Protaras is the main coastal resort within the Paralimni area. Paralimni lies inland and serves as the urban and local centre.
Fig Tree Bay if you want to be right in Protaras. Konnos if you want to combine the beach with Cape Greco. Agia Triada for a beach with a small harbour and chapel. Pernera/Louma if you want to make the most of the seafront promenade.
You can plan a holiday based in Protaras without necessarily relying on a car. For Cape Greco, Paralimni and several coastal spots, a vehicle gives you considerable flexibility.
No. Cyclops Cave and Kavos are official trails taking approximately 45 minutes. There are also some slightly longer options.
Yes. The distance makes it easy to combine them, but they have different atmospheres. That is why olé treats them as separate areas.
We try to keep this information up to date, but opening times, prices, access and conditions can change. Before travelling, especially to trails and natural areas, always check the latest information using the linked official source.
Keep exploring Protaras + Paralimni
Related areas
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Where do I start?
A quick guide to Cyprus to help you make your first decisions. Request it for free and receive it by email.