Car Hire in Protaras, Cyprus

Protaras

Protaras is a calm resort, located very near to the town of Paralimni in the south east tip of the island. It is very close to the busy resort of Ayia Napa, but provides a very different experience altogether being much quieter. It used to be a sleepy village until 1974 when the island of Cyprus was divided in two entities, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot, following a brief war. Protaras is in the Greek Cypriot part of Famagusta province and developed rapidly as a tourist destination because it benefits from beautiful beaches, fine weather and a sophisticated tourist infrastructure.

Attractions

The main attraction at Protaras is the stretch of golden sandy beach which stretches for 10 miles. The beach is so long that it gives you a choice between sea sports and easy access to restaurants and cafes as well as some quieter stretches, where you can sunbathe in peace.

On the outskirts of the town, you can visit the small church of Ayios Ilias, which is located on top of a small hill and provides views of the town and the surrounding countryside.

At the northern end of the road that crosses Protaras, you reach the green line that separates the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides of Cyprus. There you can have a glimpse of the ghost town of Famagusta, a former tourist resort in the 1970s, which lies empty, as it hasn’t been settled by any side since the 16th August 1974.

Shopping

As a tourist resort, Protaras offers the shopping experience available in most tourist destinations. You can purchase local souvenirs, sweets and the local brandy called zivania and the local wine called commandaria. There are also some high street shops where prices for clothes and shoes are cheaper than the UK.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Protaras may be quieter than neighbouring Ayia Napa, however it doesn’t lack food and nightlife options. You can choose from a variety of local tavernas that serve Greek and Cypriot dishes, such as sheftalia, kleftiko and a variety of meze. Make sure you visit Nicholas Taverna for an authentic Cypriot food experience. In addition the town offers the international cuisine options you would expect in a popular tourist destination, including, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Italian and French.

There are also a number of cafes, bars and discos, where you can drink and dance until the early morning hours. Karaoke bars are favourite with many English tourists. The two main clubs are the Q Club and Boogies.

Tourist Information

Cyprus / Ammochostos (Famagusta)
Tourist Information Office
Leoforos Protara - Kavo Gkreko 356
CY 5296 Protaras-Paralimni

• Tel: 357 23 83 28 65
• www.cyprustourism.org

Airport

The nearest airport is Larnaca International Airport which serves most international destinations and is easily reachable by taxi (50 km). By car the journey takes 30-40 minutes. There is no bus service between the Larnaca airport and Protaras.