How to emphasize the word protaras. Protaras is small and remote. How to buy a cheap flight to Cyprus

From Paphos airport, traveling on your own is either very expensive or very long. Taxi or transfer will cost 180-200 euros! By bus you need to get from Paphos to Larnaca, then from Larnaca to Protaras, it will take about 5 hours!

Our advice! If you decide to relax on your own (without a tour) in Protaras, then take tickets only to Larnaca Airport, in no case to Paphos.

The geography of the resort of Protaras is not so simple

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

Theoretically, these are three separate resorts. In practice, tour search systems do not know the difference between them, calling all these coastal areas the name "Protaras". Hotel search systems work similarly. Guides and travel sites do not see the difference between the three areas.

But there really is no difference. None of the parts stands out as a "fashionable" or "budget" district. There is no area of \u200b\u200bconcentration of attractions where it would be convenient to settle in a hotel. In simple words, the Protaras, Pernera and Kapparis districts are “one face”.

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

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

Facts, Figures, and History

Historians suggest that on the site of modern Protaras in ancient times was the 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, as the location of the city of Arsinoe is also not exactly 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 dyadohs" when, after the death of Alexander the Great, his associates divided the empire. It is known that the fleet of Demetrius stayed at Lekoll and dedicated one of the three to the god Apollo. In 1877, near the Konnos beach, the ruins of a sanctuary with inscriptions dedicated to Apollo were found. This ends the evidence, there are no significant antique ruins in Protaras.

The fate of the city of Lekoll is unknown to us. We know that by the 7th century there were no large settlements in the area of \u200b\u200bmodern Protaras, only villages of peasants and fishermen. In the 7th century, Arab raids on the island of Cyprus began, and the population had to leave the coast and concentrate to protect themselves from raiders. So the city of Paralimni was founded 4 kilometers from the coast.

Until 1974, Paralimni was even difficult to call a city, and in Protaras there were only rare peasant houses and windmills. By the way, mills are still found, a tribute to traditions, and adds color to the resort.

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 place, as it is removed from the most popular region among the island's guests between Larnaca and Ayia Napa. The natural border is Cape Greco, immediately after it the resort begins. But if until recently it was truly secluded, now there are more and more vacationers.

Only 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, but still the presence of attractions make Protaras very attractive for travelers.

How to get to Protaras

Potaras is located just an hour's drive from Larnaca Airport, where ships with Russian tourists arrive. There is no direct bus between the air harbor and the resort: you will first have to get to the center of Larnaca and change there. But if a large company came to rest, 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 (nearest airport to Protaras)

Transport

Protaras is a small city, so many tourists do not use public transport within it at all. However, there are several stops at the resort where you can take buses No. 101 and 102, next to Ayia Napa and Paralimni, respectively. The fare must be paid by the driver at the entrance, the ticket costs 1.5 EUR, you can also buy a ticket for 15 EUR per week or 40 EUR per month. Buses connect you to Larnaca and Konnos. All buses on the island belong to OSEA (official website in English), are painted in blue, comfortable and not crowded. The only thing to remember is left-hand traffic, because of which the stops are not located on the usual side of the road. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

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

Bicycles for rent

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

Maps of Protaras

Rent a Car

Car rental is very common in Protaras: Cyprus is small, which means that you can explore at least the whole 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 you will have to pay extra. And also, are there any restrictions on the points of delivery of cars - they are at companies with lower prices.

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

Roads in Cyprus are good, but left-hand traffic. Cypriots are patient with tourists while driving. There are always red numbers on rented cars; it is illegal for tourists to move in cars with white numbers. It is forbidden to ride unfastened, including passengers, as well as violate the speed limit.

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

Communication and Wi-Fi

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

The rates 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 - when replenishing the balance, you can get free SMS packages, the larger the replenishment amount, the more messages in the package. However, you should not get too carried away: all the money left on the card burns out after 90 days, so it’s better to replenish the balance by the amount that will be definitely 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, is in hotels. As a rule, the signal is free, but password protected.

Protaras beaches

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

The fig bay and the Flamingo beach are crowded but very nice sections of the coast where there are always a lot of families with small children, because here they are just ideal conditions: a warm, calm sea, soft coast and a long strip of shallow water.

Expensive hotels are located along the elite Sunrise beach, so the public is more solid, and Masuria, Luma and Konnos Bay are a little less comfortable from the point of view of swimming, but they are never crowded.

Diving

Protaras is a popular place among divers, there is very high visibility due to clean water, there is the possibility of diving up to 40 m, there are no strong currents, and the marine fauna is so rich and diverse that it is surprising even for experienced divers.

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

Protaras Hotels

Despite the modest size of the town, Protaras is rich in accommodation for tourists. There are suitable options here for those who want to relax as low as possible, and for travelers who are not limited in funds. Hotels are traditionally divided into categories of "stars", but there are also hotels without "stars". It means only that they did not pass certification. The resort also has many guest houses and apartments. But there are few hostels in Protaras, just a few, and places in them scatter 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 a whole villa, this placement will empty the wallet by about 500 EUR per day.

• Is it possible to use tennis courts in neighboring hotels in Protaras

What to bring

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

Most often, tourists bring ceramics and local pottery products as a gift. These are simple and stylish objects in their laconicism: from tiny vases to large, almost Greek amphoras. No less popular is handmade lace. True, they do not 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 acquired a large batch of Cypriot lace to decorate the Cathedral of Milan, since then it has become popular in Europe.

Decorations and embroidery will be a good gift, but the most unusual local souvenir is glasses. The resort is known for its abundance of optics and very low prices for frames and finished models.

Ayia Napa and Protaras

Cuisine and restaurants in Protaras

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

The classic Cypriot dish is “meze”, although this can not even be called a dish, it is a whole series of snacks that are taken out in turn (sometimes their number reaches 25). There are meat and fish options for food, but they always start with sauces and bread, then salad, and only then - main dishes.

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

In addition, it is worth trying “aphelion” - pork stewed in red wine, “kleftiko” - lamb, baked in a special way in the oven of the same name and “ceftal” - peculiar sausages or chopped pork cutlets. Of course, one can not help but enjoy the local cheese “halloumi”, 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 memories of taste will remain for a long time. Otherwise, the establishments are ordinary: expensive restaurants with an average bill of 50 EUR for two, cafes and eateries, where you will have to pay about 25 EUR for lunch and street fast food, where you can cheaply (between 7-8 EUR) and have a quick bite.

Best photos of Protaras

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Yachts off the coast of Protaras, whose modest size is more than paying off for the picturesque landscape, opening from a height of 115 m above sea level. In the church itself, tourists can admire the old frescoes. Another must-see place is the dancing fountains. The show is called Magic Dancing Waters and runs every evening in high season. Fans of antiquity will like the Historical Museum, which contains archaeological finds discovered on the island.

Guests who are more attracted to natural monuments should head to Cape Greco, whose territory belongs to the national park. There you can walk along 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 being transported to another time.

Protaras for children

Vacationers with kids are very fond of Protaras. Good sandy beaches with convenient access to the water, an aquarium and an aqua park right in the city - all this delights the kids. More than 1000 inhabitants of the sea, penguins, monkeys, raccoons and crocodiles - are waiting for guests in the aquarium.

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

3    things to do in protaras

1. Go camping in Cape Greco National Park.
2. Overpower all food changes in real Cypriot Mesa.
3. 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 warmer half of the year, but the best time to travel is from late August to early October. In the middle of summer it can be very hot, and the complete absence of rain collects a lot of dust. By November it gets colder, sometimes precipitation falls. This picture persists until the end of winter, and in March a full, blooming spring begins.

Cyprus is a longed-for dream of millions of tourists, travelers and ordinary people prone to vivid adventures. How can you not fall in love with this island if it is all created for a relaxing holiday, romantic dates under the moon and unforgettable relaxation on the beach under tall palm trees? How not to fall in love with this original kitchen, rocky bays with crystal clear, warm water and picturesque houses of the local population? Cyprus is truly a paradise for those who want to change the stuffy city with its exhausting bustle and be alone with nature, the surf and the hot sun.

Sights of Protaras

What to see in Cyprus (Protaras) - be sure to visit this wonderful resort city, which only wins the hearts and souls of tourists from around the world. It is most suitable for couples and parents with children of all ages, although here you can often meet newlyweds and fun company of friends. Protaras is also an ideal place for those who prefer to live in a quiet, not crowded place, but at the same time not far from Ayia Napa, famous for the variety of places of entertainment.

Magic fountains

What to see in Protaras for those who first appeared in this small but friendly town? Perhaps, one of the favorite places for tourists can be called the central square of the city, namely the fascinating one, which starts here daily at 21 o'clock local time. You can admire this bewitching sight in the period from May 1 to September 30.

Huge streams of water, illuminated by multi-colored laser beams, rise up to beautiful music, and then collapse, simulating the boiling lava of an erupting volcano. You can watch this sparkling show sitting at the cafe table and savoring the local cocktail. As a rule, young people with their halves come to look at the magic fountains, because the sight is truly romantic and discouraging.

Fig Three Bay

  Sights and excursions in Cyprus in Protaras - this is not all that travelers, eager for new experiences, like. Fig Three Bay is one of the best places for snorkeling enthusiasts. The water here is incredibly clear, the coast is covered with golden sand, but the main highlight of the beach is the old fig tree, which served as the name of this fabulous place. According to legend, a tree has been growing on the island since the 17th century. Near the bay of Fig Three is another small beach, which is famous for its chic coral thickets.

Ocean aquarium

  Have you ever seen live sharks, moray eels and huge, toothy crocodiles? Or maybe you like to watch birds and unusual fish? Then the Protaras Ocean Aquarium will not disappoint you, because here you can see with your own eyes many inhabitants of distant islands:

• penguins;
• moray eels;
• alligators;
• piranhas;
• blackheads;
• clown fish;
• many species of sharks;
• anemones, etc.

The oceanarium, which is one of the main attractions of Protaras in Cyprus, is open every day. Here you can have a tasty lunch in a cozy cafe, as well as celebrate a children's birthday.

Windmills

The valley with windmills and pumps should be visited by everyone who has happened to visit Protaras. Several hundred wind generators performing their intended work, namely, irrigation of agricultural crops, make an indelible impression on vacationers. It would seem that what might be of interest is a metal column with rotating blades? But no, tourists are attracted here, as a magnet, besides, getting to the valley is not difficult.

Sinners Bridge

  Favorite attraction of Protaras in Cyprus is the Bridge of Sinners. Sometimes you wonder when you see another natural monument or an unusual plant that is not found anywhere else on the planet. So the Bridge of Sinners was created by nature itself, and now it is a favorite place for vacationers. It is only a pity that since 2012 it’s not possible to get close to the bridge - this natural statue is a great danger to people, since it is easy to get down from here.

Barbara church

  When making excursions in Protaras, be sure to check out the Church of St. Barbara. This is one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches of the city - a real cult of a strange island. The church is located near the beach of Protaras, at the very entrance to the village. When the temple was exactly built is still unknown, however, according to some scholars, the building has been adorning the island since the 19th century.

The exterior of the church is made in pastel, warm colors, which instantly catches the eye of tourists. Inside the temple is no less attractive - the incredibly beautiful decoration of the walls, ceiling. And from the territory of this unique building offers a magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea. The Church of St. Barbara is a favorite place for newlyweds who decide to legitimize their relationship.

Protaras Tours

Excursions from Protaras in Cyprus are unforgettable mini-trips for you if you like outdoor activities and do not want to spend your whole vacation on the beach under the scorching sun. There is something to see here:

• you can go to the fishing village of Liopetri, where at the end of the 19th century lived the famous French artist A. Rimbaud;
• here you can admire the old churches;
• learn how to cook local seafood dishes;
• watch local women skillfully weave baskets;
• how skillfully men catch fish, etc.

No less popular in Protaras are jeep excursions or a sea safari, where you will be taken by boat along the coast.

Map with Attractions

A map of Protaras with landmarks in Russian is an excellent assistant for those who want to quickly navigate the area, consider the location of hotels and noteworthy objects. The map helps to make the rest more comfortable, plan excursions and trips to interesting places in advance, find a suitable shelter for an overnight stay. Knowing the location of restaurants, you can quickly build a route to the institution you like.

Also on the map of Cyprus Protaras you can see museums, churches and other attractions that are visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world. By clicking, for example, on a hotel of interest on the interactive map of Protaras, you can find out all the necessary information about the institution. As a rule, on satellite maps presented in Russian, all objects important for vacationers are displayed, including beaches, dive sites, attractions and other important objects.

Resort Protaras in Cyprus. General information, beaches, attractions, what to see in Protaras and when to go to relax.

Protaras  it would have remained a little-known village in the south-east of Cyprus in the shadow of the magnificent beaches of Famagusta. But the Turks captured Cyprus and a significant part of the Greek Cypriots moved to Protaras, settled down and turned the fishing village into the number one resort for families.

Protaras  stretched along the coast and now actually represents a long promenade by the sea along which hotels and apartments of different calibers are built.

Beaches in Protaras  sandy, sand from light yellow to dark brown, turquoise sea with a smooth entry into the water and an unusual color of water.

Best beach  - Protaras city beach, aka Sunrise Beach - a long and wide beach with yellow sand, very busy in the summer season.

The cult beach of Protaras - Fig tree beach  or fig tree beach. It is named after the fig growing on it (fig \u003d fig). An oval beach with light yellow fine sand is the main attraction of Protaras. Fig three beach is adjacent to the city Sunrise Beach.

In addition to these two beaches, Protaras has at least a dozen smaller beaches, but the same cozy and sandy. A walking trail stretches along all the beaches.

On the one hand, Protaras props up, and on the other, the village practically rests on the territory. The neighboring Ayia Napa is 10 km away. or 20 minutes in a car.

Between Protaras  and Ayia Napa  There is a bus service, so when choosing these resorts, the possibilities of a tourist are actually doubled.

Club life in Protaras is certainly there, but everything is much smaller and quieter than in youth Ayia Napa.

Attractions resort Protaras  not rich. In addition to the beaches, one can note the Church of Elijah the Prophet on the hill and the beautiful church of St. Barbara on the outskirts of Protaras if you go to Paralimni by bus number 102. Another church of St. Nicholas is located on the Mediterranean coast near the beach of Kalamis and the yacht marina.

Since May, a show of dancing fountains has been working in the center of the village, children are interested in a marine aquarium that works year-round.

But the main attraction for active travelers can be considered a hiking trail that starts at the Church of Elijah the Prophet, and ends near Konnos Beach and the Grecian Park Hotel in Cape Greco Natural Park.

Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, Protaras

Protaras  It gives the impression of a very well-maintained calm resort for families or children. Party people here will be bored, but before Ayia Napa  near.

Season in Protaras  It starts just like everywhere else in Cyprus from April 1, and lasts until the end of October. In winter, almost all hotels are closed.

Housing in Protaras  - these are luxury hotels as well as tourist “triples”, a lot of apartments are the most budget option.

How to get to Protaras

All roads to Protaras lead via international larnaca Airport. From there we get to Protaras by taxi, bus or rented car. From Larnaca Airport to Protaras 70 km., This is approximately 1 hour drive.

Of larnaca Airport  You can take a taxi, which can be ordered in advance at. You will be met upon arrival by the driver with a sign on which your last name will be written.

How to book a cheap hotel in Cyprus

In the low season in winter and early spring, you can book the hotel at least two days before the trip. Better do it through Booking.com. Why? If you want to look for a hotel upon arrival, the owner may simply not be there or the apartments will be closed, the prices at the booking do not differ from the prices at the hotel reception, well, you yourself know that.

How to rent a car in Cyprus

Cyprus traffic lefte - thanks to the British whose colony was the island, but this is a very small problem. You get used to the steering wheel on the right in about 5-15 minutes. Rented cars have red license plates - according to them, local drivers determine the tourists and are understanding, giving way. The traffic on the island is correct, the roads are excellent and mostly separate, that is, there are practically no chances to leave for the oncoming traffic.

we rent a car  on the Myrentacar website, which brings together the majority of local distributors. The prices are good, round-the-clock Russian-language support, I have used them already 6 times in three years. There are no complaints, the conditions are spelled out transparently, so you can always find an acceptable option.

How to buy a cheap flight to Cyprus

We use the service aviasales.ru and always buy cheap air tickets, the main thing is to do this at least a couple of months before the trip. Use the calendar of low prices - very convenient.