Protaras accent. Open the left menu Protaras. Unpronounceable consonants in Russian words

Where thousands of tourists come every year. The coastal promenade, more than 15 km long, cannot leave anyone indifferent. A small island not far from the shore of the beach, which a good swimmer can reach himself, is also considered special. This city will intoxicate you with its bliss and tranquility. There is everything you need for relaxation: museums and entertainment, bars and restaurants, hotels and apartments. Protaras is very generous with water activities that will captivate you for more than one hour. The tranquility and safety of this city will allow you to fully enjoy a wonderful holiday.

Climate in Protaras

Always sunny, windless weather in Protaras will provide you with a wonderful holiday. The mountain slopes and the location itself in the bay create a mild Mediterranean climate. In the cold season, the minimum here is +17, and in the summer it is always +28. The water temperature in winter is +15 degrees, in summer - +24, so you can swim and bask on the shore of Protaras from April until the end of October.

Beaches of Protaras

A holiday in Protaras cannot be complete without visiting the sunny beaches. Visitors to Cyprus believe that this is where the best food on the island is located. There are more than ten of them in this town. The ones that tourists like most can be found in Fig Bay (). All the beaches of Protaras are united by the gentle sun, warm clear sea and a lot of water activities. The most popular and best beaches in Protaras are:

Sights of Protaras

You can book a guided tour of these places at your hotel or on travel agency websites.

Entertainment in Protaras will find you in every corner of the town. There are both bright, noisy places and quiet, cozy places for a relaxing family holiday. Of all, the grand one and the diving school stand out.

In any case, you will find something that will not leave you indifferent and will be remembered for many years. Protaras will probably never “sleep” thanks to its nightlife (discos, bars and beach restaurants). Local small water parks will appeal not only to children, but also to the most serious adult parents.

Protaras Hotels

The coastline of Protaras is filled with hotels, inns and cafes, because this is the favorite part of the city of all tourists. Here you will find luxury boarding houses and small apartments for rent. The best hotels in Protaras are:

Address: Paralimni, Protaras 5296, Cyprus
Phone:+357 24 624400

Anastasia Beach Hotel is a wonderful five-star hotel in Protaras. Sea view, swimming pool, comfort and wellness rooms - this is all that attracts tourists. And all children will really like the hotel’s small water park.

Helpful information:

Address: PO Box 33199, Protaras, Cyprus
Phone:+357 23 832633

Constantinos the Great Beach Hotel is a five-star, the best hotel in Protaras. On its territory you will find a huge swimming pool, tennis courts, cafes and restaurants, and a fitness center. The luxurious view from the rooms will not leave anyone indifferent. By the way, there are 160 rooms in total, 70 of them have sea views.

Helpful information:

Address: 29 Protaras, Protara, Paralimni 5296, Cyprus
Phone:+357 23 834000

Odessa Beach Hotel is a four-star hotel located on the coastal street. The hotel has a 24-hour swimming pool with bar, sauna, tennis courts and massage rooms. The coastal bay can be reached on foot in 10 minutes.

The resort is relatively young, but already has a developed tourist infrastructure and is famous for its hotels, bars and restaurants. At the same time, it remains a quiet and family-friendly place, as it is removed from the most popular region among island guests, between Larnaca and Ayia Napa. The natural border is Cape Greco, immediately after which the resort begins. But if until recently it was truly secluded here, now there are more and more vacationers.

Just half a century ago, only fig groves grew on the site of the city, there were no hotels or even simple residential buildings.

Clear blue water, soft, almost white sand, a rocky island nearby and, although minimal, the presence of attractions make Protaras very attractive to travelers.

How to get to Protaras

Potaras is located just an hour's drive from Larnaca airport, where airliners with Russian tourists arrive. There is no direct bus between the airport and the resort: you will first have to get to the center of Larnaca and make a transfer there. But if a large company has come on vacation, it makes sense to take a taxi - in Cyprus it works at quite reasonable prices.

You can read more about how to get to Protaras on this page.

Search for flights to Larnaca (the nearest airport to Protaras)

Transport

Protaras is a small city, so many tourists do not use public transport within its borders at all. However, there are several stops at the resort where you can board buses 101 and 102 to Ayia Napa and Paralimni respectively. The fare must be paid from the driver at the entrance, the ticket costs 1.5 EUR, you can also buy a pass for 15 EUR for a week or 40 EUR for a month. You can take buses to Larnaca and Konnos. All buses on the island are owned by OSEA (office site in English), painted blue, comfortable and uncrowded. The only thing you need to remember is that you drive on the left, which means that the stops are not located on the side of the road that we are used to. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Many visitors to Protaras prefer to take a taxi. Landing costs 4 EUR, and each kilometer costs 0.75 EUR. At night there is a special tariff - 15% more expensive, you will also have to pay extra for traveling on holidays or for large luggage (1.5 EUR each).

Bicycles for rent

For those who want to explore the city and surrounding area on bicycles, local rental shops offer a variety of models. It is best to stay in the mountains, although Cyprus has good roads and there are often bicycle paths. But there are not enough bicycle parking areas here; “iron horses” are fastened where it is convenient. The rental cost starts from 5-8 EUR per day; it is more profitable to rent a bike for a long time.

Maps of Protaras

Rent a Car

Car rental is very common in Protaras: Cyprus is small, which means you can explore the entire island by car. There are both international (Auto Europe, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) and local companies (Privilegerentacar, Paphos Car Hire Cyprus, etc.). Moreover, the latter often do not take a deposit, since it is impossible to leave the island in a rented car. You should pay attention to whether insurance is included in the price (and what exactly it covers) or whether it will have to be paid additionally. And also, are there any restrictions on car delivery points - companies with lower prices have them.

The average rental cost is about 30 EUR per day, but you can find more affordable options.

The roads in Cyprus are good, but traffic is on the left. Cypriots are patient with tourists driving. Rented cars always have red license plates; it is illegal for tourists to drive cars with white license plates. It is prohibited to drive unbelted, including passengers, and to violate the speed limit.

There are practically no free parking spaces in Protaras. In places marked with a double yellow line you cannot not only park, but also stop. In the rest of the territory, parking costs 0.4-0.6 EUR per hour.

Communications and Wi-Fi

Mobile communications in Cyprus are relatively cheap. Therefore, for those who plan to communicate a lot with their homeland, it is best to buy a local SIM card on the very first day. The most popular operator is CYTA Vodafone, it has the widest possible coverage area, so even those who are planning to leave Protaras for wild places will always be in touch. The second most popular operator is MTN.

The prices are approximately the same for both: a call to Russia will cost 0.11-0.12 EUR per minute, a call to Cyprus - 0.07 EUR per minute, and they charge per second. Another advantage is that when you top up your balance, you can receive free SMS packages; the larger the top-up amount, the more messages in the package. However, you shouldn’t get too carried away: all the money remaining on the card expires after 90 days, so it’s better to top up the balance with the amount that will definitely be spent.

But with 3G coverage in Protaras, everything is not so good. The signal is unstable, it is better to rely on Wi-Fi. It is found in almost all cafes and restaurants, and of course, in hotels. As a rule, the signal is free, but protected by a password.

Beaches of Protaras

Many tourists call Protaras one of the best beach resorts in Cyprus. There are several beaches in and around the city, which are famous for their clean, fine sand and convenient access to the sea. Everywhere you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, there are toilets, showers, cafes and sports equipment rental. Two sun loungers and an umbrella will cost approximately 7 EUR per set. Separately, these items are rented for 2.5 EUR, but you can sunbathe simply on a towel.

Fig Bay and Flamingo Beach are crowded, but very nice areas of the coast, where there are always many families with small children, as the conditions here are simply ideal for them: warm, calm sea, soft shore and a long strip of shallow water.

Expensive hotels are located along the elite Sunrise beach, so the crowd here is more respectable, and Mazura, Luma and Konnos Bay are a little less convenient from the point of view of swimming, but they are never crowded.

Diving

Protaras is a popular place for divers, there is very high visibility due to clear water, it is possible to dive up to 40 m, there are no strong currents, and the marine fauna is so rich and diverse that it surprises even experienced divers.

The most favorite place among travelers remains the point where the Liberty ship sank in 2009. Green Bay is a great place for beginners to learn, as diving here takes place directly from the shore. And fish, corals and vegetation can be observed in any area (for example, diving from a boat). Diving in Protaras costs about 50 EUR per dive. If you want to swim at night, you will have to pay an extra 20 EUR. And for 250 EUR you can take the whole course and receive a certificate.

Protaras Hotels

Despite the modest size of the town, Protaras is rich in accommodation for tourists. There are suitable options here both for those who want to relax on the most budget possible, and for travelers who are not limited in funds. Hotels are traditionally divided into “star” categories, but there are also hotels without “stars”. This only means that they were not certified. There are also many guest houses and apartments in the resort. But there are few hostels in Protaras, just a few, and places in them sell out instantly.

The cheapest option is to rent an apartment, it will cost about 30 EUR per night, a double room in a 3* hotel will cost about 75 EUR, and expensive five-star hotels offer accommodation for 200 EUR per day for two. The most luxurious option is to rent an entire villa; such accommodation will empty your wallet by about 500 EUR per day.

Is it possible to use the tennis courts of neighboring hotels in Protaras?

What to bring

Protaras cannot be called the best place for shopping, but you can find interesting souvenirs. Most of the shops are concentrated along the sea, although sometimes there are authentic shops on the streets of the city.

Most often, tourists bring ceramics and products from local potters as gifts. These are simple and stylish objects in their laconicism: from tiny vases to large, almost Greek amphorae. Handmade lace is no less popular. True, they don’t weave it in Protaras itself, they do it in the village of Lefkara, but there are specialized shops in the resort.

Back in the 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci purchased a large batch of Cypriot lace to decorate the Milan Cathedral, and since then it has become popular in Europe.

Jewelry and embroidery will be a good gift, but the most unusual local souvenir is glasses. The resort is known for its abundance of opticians and very low prices for frames and ready-made models.

Ayia Napa and Protaras

Cuisine and restaurants of Protaras

Food in Protaras is one of the important components of a holiday, because it is incredible here! Moreover, both in quality and volume.

The classic Cypriot dish is “mezze”, although it cannot even be called a dish, it is a whole series of appetizers that are brought out one by one (sometimes their number reaches 25). There are meat and fish options, but they always start with sauces and bread, then comes the salad, and only then the main dishes.

“Meze” is a great way to get acquainted with the main dishes of Cypriot cuisine at one time, but it is better to check with the waiter about the portion sizes and order one dish for two.

In addition, it is worth trying “afelya” - pork stewed in red wine, “kleftiko” - lamb baked in a special way in the oven of the same name and “sheftalya” - a kind of sausage or minced pork cutlets. Of course, you can’t help but enjoy the local halloumi cheese, which is usually served fried, and sweets: kadaifi, Turkish delight and baklava.

For food, it is best to go to a traditional Cypriot tavern; a hearty lunch with a drink per person here will cost about 15 EUR, and the memories of the taste will last a long time. Otherwise, the establishments are ordinary: expensive restaurants with an average bill of 50 EUR for two, cafes and snack bars, where you will have to pay about 25 EUR for lunch, and street fast food, where you can have a cheap (within 7-8 EUR) and quick snack.

The best photos of Protaras

Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo

Yachts off the coast of Protaras, whose modest size is more than compensated by the picturesque landscape opening from a height of 115 m above sea level. In the church itself, tourists can admire ancient frescoes. Another must-see place is the dancing fountains. The show is called Magic Dancing Waters and takes place every evening during high season. Antiquity lovers will enjoy the Historical Museum, which houses archaeological finds discovered on the island.

Guests who are more attracted to natural monuments should go to Cape Greco, whose territory belongs to the national park. There you can walk on hiking trails, ride bicycles or look at the famous Aphrodite Trail. And 20 km from the city there is a small fishing village of Liopetri. The artist Arthur Rimbaud once lived here, and today Liopetri retains its ancient charm - as if you were transported to another time.

Protaras for children

Vacationers with children love Protaras. Good sandy beaches with convenient access to the water, an aquarium and a water park right in the city - all this delights children. More than 1000 sea inhabitants, penguins, monkeys, raccoons and crocodiles, await guests in the aquarium.

The water park in Protaras is small and safe, adults will find it a bit boring, but children love it. It is located in the Anastasia Beach Hotel, but everyone can become visitors, not just guests. A single ticket for two adults and a child costs 30 EUR, a regular ticket for an adult costs 15 EUR, and for a child costs 7.5 EUR.

3 things to do in Protaras

Go hiking in Cape Greco National Park.
Master all the courses in real Cypriot meze.
At dawn, climb the mountain to the Church of the Prophet Elijah and admire the surroundings.

Weather in Protaras

Hot, dry and sunny - these are the main features of the local climate. Guests come here throughout the warm half of the year, but the best time to travel is late August-early October. In mid-summer it can be very hot, and the complete lack of rain collects a lot of dust. By November it becomes colder, with occasional precipitation. This picture persists until the end of winter, and already in March a full-fledged, blooming spring begins.

I decided unequivocally: I’m going, because I haven’t been there yet. Then the question arose about the city of residence. I wanted to get the sea and sea air, the sun, an atmosphere of silence and serenity... But at the same time, I didn’t want to end up on a desert island, where there was only water and a hotel around. Modern infrastructure was also on my wish list. My choice fell on the wonderful small cozy city of Protaras. When I arrived there, it was night. Even then, this city impressed me with some kind of “nurtured” calm, harmony and a slightly rural atmosphere - a slight isolation from the outside turbulent world. Already in the morning, going out onto the streets of Protaras, I realized that my choice was excellent. Small buildings, cozy shops and cafes, everything is very clean and beautiful. It is impossible not to pay attention to the general atmosphere of the city, which is created by the local population. On the one hand, they are indifferent to you, mind their own business, calm and quiet, and on the other hand, they are very friendly and responsive people with a subtle sense of humor. They will always help and advise. It seems that you are a welcome guest in this city. This is very pleasant: it feels like home.
In Protaras, most of the streets are decorated with wild trees with tangerines, various amazing-smelling shrubs with small, exquisitely beautiful flowers. With the onset of darkness, local bars and cafes are filled with tourists and locals, everyone is having fun, communicating, dancing, relaxing, laughing, and at this time a whole line of taxi cars stands near the bars and cafes and waits in line. I was amazed by the fact that among taxi drivers there was a clearly defined queue for customers to board, but I was even more impressed by the pattern of waiting. Taxi drivers stand around the hood of the car, take out a chessboard and play checkers or chess. It's so cool. When you leave a cafe, sometimes you want not to get into a taxi and go home to bed, but to play at least one game with them. I will tell you about the beaches in more detail below. In short, all we can say is that they are amazing. You will definitely have a desire to come back here again.
Protaras will offer you a wide variety of unusual and unique souvenirs that are unique to Cyprus. For those who are afraid to move around on their own due to the language barrier, I’ll say right away that you shouldn’t worry about it. On the island, not to mention Protaras itself, people are accustomed to hearing and listening to Russian speech. There are many signs and tablets in Russian. However, it should be noted that there is no complete penetration of the Russian language into the territory of Cyprus. In Protaras, you should definitely visit such vibrant places as the Protaras Aquarium, the Church of Agios Elias, the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Valley of the Windmills. Almost in the very center of the city there is the famous show of “Dancing” fountains. Read more about all the most interesting attractions below.

It’s worth going here if you want to have a cozy, quiet, carefree beach holiday, if you like to dive with a mask and spend hours watching the sea inhabitants, if you are fond of fishing and you like a little rustic lifestyle, if you don’t mind partying at the local disco, but this is not a fundamental factor for you when choosing a vacation spot. In Protaras, the main number of tourists are families with children and pensioners. It will be a bit boring here for young people who have come to party, have wild fun and have a blast, as you can only do when you are in your 20s.
You will definitely fall in love with the pristine beaches and incredibly beautiful water. In the evening on the beach in certain places you can easily meet a sea turtle, so be careful. And having once visited Cape Cavo Greco, you can safely tell your friends and family that you have visited the ends of the Earth. There, sitting on one of the few benches, you will think about life, about the beauty of nature and how great it is to travel and see the beauty of our Planet.

How to get there

Protaras is a city on an island, and accordingly, the most preferred way to get to it is by plane. Of course, you can plan your trip and choose a complex and long route, travel by train to one of the countries where there is a railway connection. According to Russian Railways: “in the train schedule for 2015/2016, Federal Passenger Company JSC carries passengers on direct and transit routes to 16 countries in Europe and Asia - Germany, France, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Italy, Finland, Mongolia, North Korea." After enjoying the views from the train window, transfer to one of the available water modes of transport, where you can happily breathe in the sea air and admire the endless seascapes, and sail to the island.

By plane

There is no airport directly in Protaras. Cyprus has two airports in the cities of and. Airlines operate regular and charter flights.

From Moscow

You can get from Moscow to Larnaca by direct regular flights with such airlines as Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, Rossiya from Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo airports. Airfare from 210 EUR (price varies depending on the season, departure time and flight date). Flight time is approximately 4 hours. There are fewer flights operating in the city. Ticket prices vary from 175 EUR (direct regular flight in January. Starting price with the same parameters, but the month of air travel in August - from 300 EUR. Prices can be found).

From Saint-Petersburg

You can purchase a ticket for charter flights both from Moscow and St. Petersburg. During high season, flights operate daily. From Pulkovo airport direct regular flights to the airport are operated by Aeroflot (cost from 240 EUR). There are no direct flights to the city. You can fly to Cyprus any day of the week, but you need to fly with a transfer, spending more time and material investments.

How to get from Larnaca and Paphos airports to the city center

Distance to Protaras from:

Airport in Larnaca = 57 km;
Airport in Paphos = 188 km.

There are several ways to overcome this distance:

Beaches. Which ones are better

Beaches of Protaras. They are beautiful. All. They are different, but all wonderful. It’s not for nothing that Fig Tree Bay Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus. The exceptional whiteness of the coastal sand, the purity of the water, and the transparency to the very bottom make you fall in love with it.
Due to the topography of the coastline, there are many cozy coves and very low wave heights. This is an attractive setting for families with children. Children can dive and splash here for hours.
Entrance to all beaches is absolutely free, since all the beaches of Protaras and Cyprus are municipal. The beaches are clean, there is no garbage from visitors, it is safe to run barefoot. Each beach has waste disposal areas and showers with cool water. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for a fee of 2-3 EUR.

There are also small stalls where you can buy snacks and drinks. Not far from all the beaches of Protaras you can easily find cafes, bars and restaurants.

The following types of entertainment are widely represented:

water skiing: 15 EUR / 15 min;
parachuting (parachute riding): 40 EUR/ for 2 people;
jet skis and catamarans from 20 EUR/ 15 min;
diving from 50 EUR/ 1 hour.

Many tourists walk along the coastline of Protaras and stop to sunbathe and swim in a new place every day, often on wild beaches. The advantage of such beaches is the absence of people, but here you will not find the amenities of civilization. There are no sunbeds, umbrellas or other equipment here, but here you can fully enjoy nature and even meet a lizard or sea turtle.
You can see the main (largest) beaches on the map:

What to see in 1 day

If you are in Protaras for just one day, then I advise you the following route:

Rise at 6 am. Rent a car or taxi and go to Cape Cavo Greco (examination and walks around the cape; approximate sufficient time is about 2 hours). Here I recommend taking more photographs and if you are a brave tourist, be sure to record a video of how you jump from the Cape into the sea (there are a number of places from which you can make a jump. You will immediately notice in such areas that there are five tourists or local residents jumping down from the Cape). So bring a towel, a change of clothes, or just walk for an hour and let the sun dry your swimwear. I also advise you to take drinking water and sandwiches (food for a snack) with you, because there are only a few stalls with food directly on the Cape; they do not have a clear opening schedule.
After the Cape, I advise you to go to all the main and famous beaches of Protaras. I wrote about them above. Swim everywhere.
Next, have lunch at one of the many restaurants.
Then go on a day boat excursion. For about 2-2.5 hours.
Then visit the church of Ayios Elias.
And end the evening with dinner at the famous "Magic Dancing Waters" show. Before the show starts, you'll have time to check out the local souvenir shops.

Food. What to try

Here are some examples of prices for a number of products:

bread – 3 EUR;
potatoes – 1.5 EUR/kg;
cucumbers – 2 EUR/kg.

I can’t recommend you any specific restaurants and cafes, simply because you will definitely be given delicious food everywhere. The service is generally good, prices are also about the same. Of course, there are differences in the menu, in the way the food is served and in the general atmosphere, but again, it is impossible to single out a number of better or worse establishments here.

Budget

As budget places where you can eat, you can only highlight retail shops with food based on the "fast food" principle, and of course, McDonald's.

Holidays

More than half of all national holidays in Cyprus are religious holidays, since the majority of the population of Cyprus professes Orthodox Christianity. The most important holidays are:

Easter;
Christmas;
Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

Cypriots go out on a grand scale: for example, during the Easter period, many offices are closed for a week.

In Cyprus there is one unique, fantastic, summer-like serene, bright, cheerful holiday - Kataklysmos (the holiday of “water celebration”). Holiday in honor of the Flood. Cypriots celebrate it on a grand scale, with folk festivities, pouring water on each other, laughter, dancing and fun.

Also in Cyprus and in Protaras, various flower festivals and wine festivals are held every year.

Safety. What to watch out for

The situation in the country is calm and safe, and the city of Protaras is no exception. Protaras is a very cozy and safe city. Cypriots are friendly people. A young girl, woman with a child, unaccompanied by a man, can travel to Protaras without fear. Traveling around the city is safe both day and night. You can safely walk around at night, visit night bars and clubs, or simply enjoy a walk along the sea coast and admire the lunar landscapes. By the way, walks along the seashore are very popular among tourists and, while walking, you will definitely meet a couple in love who is just starting their love relationship, and unions of mature people that have already been tested by time and life, who just as tenderly hold each other’s hands, just like 30-year-olds. 40 years ago. On the streets and public institutions no one approaches or flirts.

You shouldn’t worry too much about your material assets: I haven’t encountered any cases of theft on beaches, in cafes, restaurants, bars, or shops. Of course, this does not mean there are 100% absence of scammers; attentiveness and vigilance should never be lost, but I would rate the comfort in terms of safety on the streets, in hotels, cafes, etc. at 80%. I still recommend keeping your passport, documents and other valuables not in your pocket or purse, but in a hotel safe: on any trip it’s better to be on the safe side. At the reception of any hotel they will make a copy of your documents.

Things to do

Shopping and shops

Protaras stores operate on the same principle as the generally accepted operating rules for all stores in Cyprus. Opening times vary depending on location and their type of trade. All shops located in the tourist area are open 7 days a week, without lunch and until late in the evening. Basically, closing time is 22:00-23:00. There are many 24-hour minimarkets in the tourist area. Shops outside the tourist area operate according to the following schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 8:00-20:00, break - 13:00-15:00, Wednesday and Saturday - 8:00-14:00.

Payment

You can pay for purchased goods in almost every store and mini-kiosk using credit cards. Cash payments are accepted everywhere. Currency – euro. The price of goods includes VAT. As a foreign tourist, you have the right to return part of the VAT amount provided that the goods are exported from the country of purchase, that is, from Cyprus. The minimum amount at which you can exercise your right is 50 EUR. To get a refund, you need to issue a Tax Free voucher when purchasing goods in retail stores marked with a special "Tax Free Shopping" logo. If there are no similar logos on the store window, be sure to check with the sellers for information. By the way, this will not be difficult to do even for a tourist who speaks only his native Russian language, since through one of the sellers they at least partially understand the Russian language. At the airport, before going through passport control, you need to go to the customs clearance point. There you will be asked to present your passport, receipt, and purchased items. If everything is done correctly, the customs officer will stamp the Tax Free voucher, confirming your right to a refund. After registration and customs inspection, find the cash refund point - “Tax Free Cash Refund”. Here you will be paid in cash up to 500 EUR. If you need to transfer money by non-cash method, this is also possible. To do this, you need to fill out a “Tax Free” voucher, where you need to indicate your account details. Checks are valid for three months from the date of issue. By non-cash payment, money is credited within 2-8 weeks.

What to buy

So, what is the best thing to buy in Protaras. The range of goods presented here is completely similar to the rest of Cyprus.

Bars. Where to go

Protaras nightlife is very active for a small resort town. It is impossible to recommend anything specific, because like cafes (restaurants), bars are also for the “amateur”. There are bars where it is customary to simply drink beer and watch live broadcasts of sports games. Another category of bars: everyone drinks alcoholic drinks and dances. Alcoholic drinks are very, very similar in all bars. Bars post prices for the 5 most popular drinks directly in front of the bar entrance, this is very convenient because you walk down the street, stop in front of the bar and read the “hot” offers of the evening (night). And you make your choice. Almost all bars are open until 2-3 am. The audience is very different in age, but everyone is cheerful and kind. Let me give you an example of prices: 50 ml of tequila – 5 EUR (there are often “sales” and you can drink tequila for 2.5-3 EUR). The average cocktail is also 5 EUR. After midnight, ordering food and eating well is difficult: most bars stop serving food, or they are only willing to serve a limited number of dishes.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

So, what souvenir should you bring from Protaras? I will highlight the most significant and noteworthy items.

The first is olives and olive oil. The best and most useful souvenir for yourself and your friends is a bottle of premium olive oil. You will find a variety of bottle sizes from super mini to liter large bottles. Their cost varies from 2 to 20 EUR.
The second delicious souvenir is honey and jam. Particular attention should be paid to honey and jam, which are produced directly in the monastery. A 350 ml jar of jam will cost you 5-6 EUR. Almost every monastery offers to purchase this product.
The third edible souvenir is a unique Cypriot goat cheese that does not melt when fried. Sold in vacuum packaging and ready for transportation.

And now five inedible souvenirs for your family and friends.

Ceramics. Pottery - making various objects from clay - is an ancient type of Cypriot folk craft. Decorative plates and vases, jugs, various stands and much more can be found in every store and souvenir shops.
Rose water and rose oil will be the most fragrant souvenirs. On the island of Cyprus, Damask rose is specially bred, from which the most fragrant and most valuable oil is obtained.
Natural cosmetics based on organic olive oil. Cosmetics are very effective for hair and skin care.
Products made of silver and gold. Jewelry produced by Cypriot craftsmen is famous for its highest quality and at the same time reasonable prices. Various silver products are especially popular: elements for the interior, decorative elements, jewelry, tableware. These items are produced mainly in two small villages: Lefkara and Omodos.
Well, and finally, about the most significant souvenir - a fur coat. Fur coats and fur products, leather goods are also widely represented in Protaras shops and are famous for their high quality and elegant tailoring. All you have to do is choose your fur coat.

Taxi. What features exist

There are two types of taxi: regular and Travel Express.

Regular taxi. Such a taxi will take you to any place at your expense, including giving you a tour of all the sights, you just have to want and pay. You can call a taxi from the hotel reception, cafe, bar, or just catch it on the street. The cost of 1 km is on average 0.60 EUR one way. When traveling round-trip, the cost is reduced and is approximately 0.40 EUR. Waiting (downtime) will cost you 12-15 EUR / 1 hour. It is important to take into account that there is a concept of “minimum travel cost”, which is 3 EUR. There are also day and night rates. The night rate is 15% higher than the day rate. The daily rate is valid from 6:00 A.M. to 8:30 P.M., night from 8:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. I advise you to agree on the cost of the trip in advance, since sometimes there are cases of deception on the part of taxi drivers, since they do not really like to turn on the meters, although they are obliged to, and they tell the price that is favorable to them.
Travel Express. These are taxis, so to speak, mini-buses that carry from 4 to 7 passengers and thanks to this, the fare is reduced. The price is discussed on the spot with the driver. It is important to note that this taxi does not call at airports and runs only during the day, and the main purpose of this taxi is to transport passengers between major cities of Cyprus. There are no internal transportation in Protaras.

Buses

In Protaras, as throughout Cyprus, the transport network is not widely developed; there are no trains, trams or metro. In this regard, the most popular form of public transport is buses. They move strictly in accordance with the schedule presented at bus stops. Upon request, the reception desk of any hotel will provide you with this information. The buses are clean and the ride is very comfortable. The fare is from 1.5 EUR per adult one way. The price varies depending on the travel distance. I advise those who do not have a driver’s license to use this type of transport.

Transport rental

Renting a car in Protaras will not be difficult; the basic and standard rules for renting a car in European countries apply here. You can rent a car directly through this hotel service, through your tour operator, via the Internet or simply on the street. You can easily find many shops offering rental cars, motorcycles and other types of transport. Don't be afraid to use these smaller companies. It is not in their interest to deceive you.
The most important point when driving: I advise you to drive around the local streets a little before merging onto the motorway, since in Cyprus the traffic is on the left and you need to adapt to this. All rental cars have a different license plate color - red. Therefore, local residents immediately determine who is driving. And they are more lenient with your driving, since from time to time you will still want to enter a roundabout on the right, rather than on the left. Be careful and careful. Take your time and don't be nervous.

So, the main points when renting a car:

To rent you need to have 3 years of driving experience and a driver's license. To drive a car, a standard driver's license issued on the territory of the Russian Federation is sufficient. The driver's license must be valid for the class of vehicle you wish to drive.
Petrol. In Cyprus, unleaded gasoline AI 95 and 98 is used (there are also other, more expensive types of fuel, but you are unlikely to need them). The rented car, as a rule, is handed over to the client when renting with a full tank, at the client's expense. If the car is returned with a full tank, the client receives a refund (unless otherwise specified in the contract). A very important point: pay attention when concluding a contract. Also pay attention to your route. Since there are many gas stations in all cities and tourist resorts, but only a few are located in mountainous areas and villages. So if you are planning such a trip, make sure you have enough fuel to get you there and back.
Insurance. A very important point: when renting a car, insurance is only valid within the area under the control of the Republic of Cyprus. If you want to move to Turkey, you simply pay for additional insurance (the price depends on the category of the car, from 30 EUR per 1 day. Please check the details when renting). For drivers under 25 years of age with up to 3 years of driving experience, special insurance rates apply. Supplements for the amount insured are calculated.

You must have a foreign passport with you. Gasoline, insurance, fines are paid by the tenant. The minimum rental period is 1 day. The cost of renting a car is from 30 EUR/day. Prices can be viewed.

There is nothing scary or difficult about renting a car. There are some pitfalls and attempts at deception too.

I highly recommend renting a car and, if possible, visiting all the main attractions not only of Protaras, but of Cyprus as a whole.

Yacht rental is also popular. Renting a yacht or an individual sea voyage will allow you to experience the island from a different perspective, very interesting and exciting. You will appreciate the beauty of Cyprus, the coastline of Protaras, caves, swim in the open sea, in this infinitely transparent, magically blue sea water.

I will highlight several important points when renting yachts:

Rental cost from 1000 EUR/2 hours (large yacht with a capacity of up to 100 people). For a yacht with a capacity of up to 7-8 people, rent will cost you from 500 EUR/4 hours.
Food and drinks are most often not included in the rental price and are paid additionally.
Transfer to the yacht also needs to be paid additionally (if such a service is needed).

For motorcycle (moped) lovers, this is also a paradise. The rules for renting motorcycles are as follows:

The driver and passenger must wear a helmet. Rental agencies must provide helmet(s) for the duration of the rental upon request. Payment is usually included in the total rental price.
A passenger may ride on eligible motorcycles/mopeds provided he/she is over 12 years of age and sits astride the seat.
The insurance amount and gasoline are paid separately.
The International Driving License is valid throughout Cyprus. Renters can also use a national motorcycle driving license, provided it is valid in their own country for the class of vehicle they wish to drive.
Persons under 17 years of age are prohibited from driving any vehicles other than motorbikes.

Protaras - holidays with children

Is it worth going on holiday to Protaras with children? Definitely yes. Protaras is intended specifically for families with children. There is no constant noise from a huge number of cafes, bars and other entertainment venues. Protaras is not a party, noisy, 24-hour energetic holiday destination like Ayia Napa. In the evenings on the streets of Protaras you will definitely notice the main contingent of tourists, namely families with children and people of retirement age. Nothing will disturb even children's daytime sleep. Any hotel will provide you with various kinds of children's equipment (tables, children's chairs). Most hotels have children's animators. Protaras resembles a modern, comfortable urban village; when you arrive there, you step away from the noise and atmosphere of a big city, but at the same time you are surrounded by all the necessary achievements of mankind. I advise you to go on an excursion with your children to the zoo, water park and oceanarium.

, .

Anything to add?

Getting from Paphos airport on your own is either very expensive or very long. A taxi or transfer will cost 180-200 euros! You need to take a bus from Paphos to Larnaca, then from Larnaca to Protaras, it will take about 5 hours!

Our advice! If you decide to relax in Protaras on your own (without a tour), then take air tickets only to Larnaca airport, and under no circumstances to Paphos.

The geography of the Protaras resort is not so simple

Various tourist sites and guidebooks call Protaras: a village, a town, a city, but all these options are not entirely correct. Protaras is a suburb of the city of Paralimni. The center of Paralimni (population about 15,000 people) is located 4 kilometers from the coast. Three suburbs are located on the coast - Protaras, Pernera and Kapparis. Below you can see a map of the area, click on the map to enlarge.

In theory, these are three separate resorts. In practice, tour search engines do not know the difference between them, calling all these coastal areas by the name "Protaras". Hotel search engines work similarly. Guidebooks and travel websites do not see the difference between these three areas.

But there really is no difference. No part stands out as a "fashionable" or "budget" area. There is no area with a concentration of attractions where it would be convenient to stay in a hotel. In simple words, the areas of Protaras, Pernera and Kapparis are “the same”.

Although there are several cases where the difference is felt. If you are planning to travel to other cities in Cyprus, then it is most convenient to book a hotel in the suburb of Kapparis. From here it is closest to St. George's Square and the Saint George Paralimni stop, from where intercity buses depart.

The second case is if you like hiking or cycling in the mountains and want to wander around the National Park several times. In this case, it is better to book a hotel in the suburbs of Protaras, as close as possible to Konnos Beach (the further south, the better).

Facts, figures and history

Historians suggest that on the site of modern Protaras in ancient times there was a port city of Lekolla. But these are only assumptions based on indirect evidence.

The Greek geographer Strabo writes about the city of Lekolla, indicating the location between the city of Arsinoe and Cape Pedalion (now the cape is called “Cavo Greco”). However, this evidence is very shaky, since the location of the city of Arsinoe has not been precisely established by historians.

Not far from the city of Lecolla, a naval battle took place between the fleets of Ptolemy and Demetrius. These were the “Wars of the Diadochi,” when, after the death of Alexander the Great, his companions divided the empire. It is known that Demetrius's fleet stopped at Lecolle and dedicated one of the triremes to the god Apollo. In 1877, near the beach of Konnos, the ruins of a sanctuary with inscriptions dedicated to Apollo were found. This is where the evidence ends; there are no significant ancient ruins in Protaras.

The fate of the city of Lekolla is unknown to us. We know that by the 7th century there were no large settlements in the area of modern Protaras, only villages of peasants and fishermen. In the 7th century, Arab raids began on the island of Cyprus, and the population had to leave the coast and concentrate to protect themselves from the raiders. This is how the city of Paralimni was founded, 4 kilometers from the coast.

Until 1974, it was difficult to even call Paralimni a city, and in Protaras there were only rare peasant houses and windmills. By the way, mills can still be found today, a tribute to tradition and adding color to the resort.

Protaras is a cozy resort town with beautiful rocky bays and sandy beaches, perfect for tourists and families. In Protaras there are many comfortable hotels and apartment complexes aimed at family holidays. The resort is perfect for people who want to relax near the clubbing Ayia Napa with its party pace of life, but at the same time in a quiet place. Also, Protaras will appeal to people who want to enjoy picturesque nature in solitude.

Climate in Protaras

The sea coast in Protaras is sandy and surrounded by rocks - the resort itself is located in a bay, so there is no strong wind, and the water warms up quickly and retains heat for a long time. Even in January, the average daily air temperature in Protaras does not fall below +17 °C, and the minimum water temperature in winter is +15 °C, in summer the average temperature is +27 °C, the average water temperature is about +23 °C. The holiday season lasts from April to the end of October.

Protaras Hotels

In Protaras there are many comfortable hotels of all categories and apartment complexes. Most of the hotels are located on the first line of the sea. The seclusion of the resort is added by the rugged coastline, consisting of various small bays, making a beach holiday fabulous. Protaras is very quiet and peaceful. Here your children will not be bored, they will quickly find playmates, and you will have the opportunity to calmly sunbathe and relax on the golden sand. The Protarsa hotel offers early dinners for children and nannies; in general, it has everything you need for a comfortable family holiday.