Endless Holiday

Protaras is situated on the southeast coast of the island of Cyprus, less than an hour’s drive from the Larnaca International Airport and only 12km from the celebrated resort area of Ayia Napa. Guests can visit numerous historic cities, as well as fascinating churches, beautiful museums, monasteries, and remote mountain villages. Genuine crusader castles can also be found in this alluring town, and one can indulge in a guided tour if so desired.

Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay

An Interesting History

The history of Protaras is full of ancient, intriguing facts, and the area offers a wide selection of fun and absorbing activities that appeal to vacationers everywhere. The island’s year-round pleasant weather makes it an excellent location for visiting the archeological ruins and historical sites that are spread throughout the island. These attractions range from prehistoric considerations, to classic Roman and Greek ruins. Sites can be explored dating back to the Crusaders, as well as the infamous Byzantine empire.

Archeological expeditions have unearthed numerous artifacts that prove Protaras was, at one time, the town of Lefkola–a city-state which featured a busy shipping port. The city’s small harbor was relatively safe, and in the year 306 B.C., Demetrius Poliorketes from Athens, sought refuge as he waited for his arch enemy, Ptolemeos–a successor of Alexander the Great. A fierce battle followed, in which Ptolemeos was defeated and took refuge in Egypt, leaving Demetrius victorious in Cyprus.

Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay

Another colorful time in this area’s history was the 7th Century, when Arab pirates regularly pillaged the town causing the population to live in fear, sometimes year-round. Many of the villagers chose to live in remote inland sections of the island to avoid tragic experiences with pirates.

The Land of the Windmills

Prior to becoming a tourist resort, Protaras was virtually uninhabited, and windmills covered most of the area. Some of these can still be seen, and many visitors feel this adds to the landscape’s character. Protaras is called the “Land of Windmills” by many historians because such a great number of these structures once graced the area. Some of the windmills are over 500 years old, and can still be seen to this day. Visitors enjoy exploring them, and both locals and tourists alike say that they add to the island’s culture and nostalgic ambiance.

Modern Protaras

The contemporary tourist area of Protaras is a beautiful location of which Cyprus is quite proud. The celebrated “Fig Tree Bay” is one of its most famous beaches, as well as home to an outstanding number of lovely fig trees. A small island is located approximately 100 meters from the beach, where many water sports enthusiasts enjoy swimming. In recent years, Protaras has grown to cover Green Bay, Kapparis, Cayo, Pernera, Greco, and Ayia Triada, rather than just the unusual, horseshoe shaped village from which it began.

The first resorts and vacation apartments were established in the 1970s and have continually to grown throughout the decades, and many private rentals, villas, and vacations homes are offered to the public each year. Additionally, a substantial number of bars, restaurants, and cafes pepper the landscape. The entire area was re-done in 2010, to include paved and cobbled sidewalks and pathways featuring water fountains and unique sculptures. This area makes an ideal location for family photos, and several weddings have also been performed in this unusual section of the town.

Protaras is far quieter than some of its neighboring areas such as Agia Napa. This makes it a prime location for those who wish to enjoy the coast without the stress of traffic and crowds. It features lovely beaches with golden sand, the most famous of which is the aforementioned Fig Tree Bay. Modern Protaras is considered by most experts to be quite new with regard to historical standards. Most of the area’s contemporary development has taken place over the last five to six decades. The long and interesting history of Protaras, combined with its restful, unspoiled beauty, will likely keep visitors returning year after year.