What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Protaras, Cyprus.
Photo: dimitrisvetsikas1969 / Pixabay
Protaras is a beach resort in Cyprus, and most days here revolve around the sea. Fig Tree Bay is the best-known beach. Cape Greco National Forest Park is close by, with sea caves, Konnos Bay and coastal walks. Protaras Centre suits nightlife, couples and groups. Pernera is quieter and good for families. Kapparis works well for self-caterers on longer stays. The best months to visit are July, August, September and October.
There is no fixed number. Fig Tree Bay, Konnos Bay and Cape Greco National Forest Park each take half a day. The sea caves need 1–2 hours. The rest is beach time, so stay as long as you want to swim.
Protaras
The best-known beach in Protaras, with fine sand, clear shallow water and a small islet you can swim or paddle out to. Sunbeds, water sports and cafes line the shore, so it gets busy in summer.
Cape Greco
A protected headland south of Protaras with walking and cycling trails, sea cliffs and views along the coast. Go early or late in the day in summer, because there is little shade.
Cape Greco
Sea caves and rock arches cut into the cliffs on the coast of the cape. Many visitors come to swim, snorkel or jump into the deep, clear water, and boat trips from Protaras stop here too.
Cape Greco
A sheltered sandy cove between Protaras and Cape Greco, reached by a steep road down from the headland. The calm turquoise water suits swimming and snorkelling.
Cape Greco
A natural stone arch over the sea on the Cape Greco coast, a popular photo stop. It is easy to combine with a walk in the national forest park.
Cape Greco
A small whitewashed chapel on the cliffs at Cape Greco, with steps leading down to a sea cave below. It is a quiet spot to stop on a drive or walk along the cape.
Protaras
A small chapel on top of a rocky hill above the resort, reached by a long flight of steps. The top gives wide views over Protaras and the coast, and many people climb it for sunset.
Protaras
A small rocky bay with calm, clear water that is good for snorkelling and beginner diving. Underwater statues on the seabed make it a popular stop for dive schools.
Paralimni
An aquarium on the road between Protaras and Paralimni with fish, penguins, crocodiles and other animals. It is a useful option for families on a hot day or a day off the beach.
Deryneia
A viewpoint near the Green Line with a small exhibition about the 1974 division of Cyprus. From the terrace you can look across to the abandoned Varosha district of Famagusta.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Sea temp | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C / 11°C | 10 days (66 mm) | 8.6 h/day | 19°C | 3.0/10 |
| February | 17°C / 11°C | 6 days (38 mm) | 9.0 h/day | 18°C | 3.2/10 |
| March | 18°C / 12°C | 5 days (25 mm) | 10.4 h/day | 18°C | 3.8/10 |
| April | 22°C / 15°C | 4 days (17 mm) | 11.6 h/day | 19°C | 5.6/10 |
| May | 25°C / 18°C | 2 days (9 mm) | 12.7 h/day | 22°C | 8.3/10 |
| June | 28°C / 22°C | 1 day (3 mm) | 13.7 h/day | 26°C | 8.9/10 |
| Best month: July | 32°C / 25°C | 0 days (0 mm) | 13.8 h/day | 29°C | 10.0/10 |
| Best month: August | 32°C / 25°C | 0 days (1 mm) | 12.8 h/day | 30°C | 9.0/10 |
| Best month: September | 30°C / 23°C | 1 day (3 mm) | 11.6 h/day | 29°C | 9.9/10 |
| Best month: October | 27°C / 20°C | 3 days (15 mm) | 10.6 h/day | 27°C | 9.5/10 |
| November | 22°C / 17°C | 7 days (38 mm) | 8.9 h/day | 24°C | 8.2/10 |
| December | 18°C / 13°C | 10 days (65 mm) | 8.0 h/day | 21°C | 4.9/10 |
The wettest month, with 9.8 rain days and 66 mm of rain. Highs reach 16°C. It has our lowest score, so expect cool, quiet days and no beach weather.
Highs of 16.6°C and 5.8 rain days. Scores stay low because the sea is 17.9°C, too cool for most swimmers.
Highs of 18.3°C with 4.9 rain days and 10.4 hours of sun. It still scores low, as the sea is only 18°C.
Rated OK. Highs of 21.6°C, 3.8 rain days and 11.6 hours of sun suit walking. The sea is still cool at 19.1°C.
The best-rated season starts here. Highs reach 25.3°C, there are just 1.9 rain days, and the sea warms to 21.5°C.
A top month. Highs of 28.4°C, 1 rain day, 13.7 hours of sun and a sea of 25.5°C.
Our highest score, but it is hot. Highs reach 31.5°C, nights stay at 24.7°C and there are 0 rain days. The sea is 28.6°C.
The hottest month at 31.6°C, with lows of 25.2°C and 0.2 rain days. Midday heat is tough, but the sea is warmest at 29.7°C.
Scores almost as high as July. Highs of 30.2°C, 1.1 rain days and a sea still at 28.7°C.
One of the best months. Highs of 26.9°C are gentler than summer, with 3.4 rain days and a warm 26.6°C sea.
Still rated best, with highs of 22.1°C and a 24.2°C sea. Rain returns, though, with 6.7 rain days and 8.9 hours of sun.
Rated OK. Mild highs of 18.1°C, but 9.5 rain days and 65 mm make it one of the wettest months. The sea is 20.9°C.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Cyprus →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for first-timers, beach lovers
This is the best-known beach in Protaras, with calm, shallow, clear water and plenty of cafés and restaurants just behind the sand. Staying here puts you within walking distance of the main strip and the sea. In peak summer the beach gets very crowded, and finding a free spot on the sand early in the day matters.
Good for nightlife, couples, groups
The main road through town is lined with bars, restaurants, shops and souvenir stores. It is a short walk down to several beaches. Rooms facing the main road can be noisy late into the night in summer.
Good for families, quieter stays
Pernera lies just north of the centre, with smaller sandy coves and a calmer, more residential feel. You can still walk or take a short bus ride to the main strip for dinner. Evenings are quiet, and the coves are small, so they fill up quickly on busy days.
Good for self-caterers, longer stays
Kapparis is a mostly residential area of villas and apartments between Protaras and Paralimni, with its own local beaches and supermarkets. It suits people who want space and a kitchen more than nightlife. It is spread out, so without a car you rely on buses or long walks to reach the centre.
Good for nature lovers, walkers
This sheltered cove sits south of town near the Cape Greko national forest park, with walking and cycling trails along the coast. It is the most scenic base and the quietest at night. It is far from the main strip, the road down to the beach is steep, and boat trips and day visitors make it busy around midday.
Places within 2½ hours by train, bus, ferry or car.
bus · 5 EUR
Intercity Buses route Nicosia – Ayia Napa & Paralimni. It stops along Protaras Avenue. The operator gives the full journey as about 2 hours. There are only a few departures a day, so check the timetable. A one-way ticket is €5 and a return is €9.
car
I could not confirm any public transport across the line between these towns, so the realistic option is a car or taxi. This page only lists bus routes in the south. Cross at the Deryneia/Strovilia checkpoint and bring your passport. Hire-car insurance from the south often does not cover the north, so you may need to buy extra insurance at the border. The 25-minute time is my estimate; I could not check it.
A long run of small plates, such as grilled fish, calamari, octopus and dips, shared over a slow meal. Seafront tavernas around Protaras serve it, mostly in the evening.
Cyprus's own firm, salty cheese, made from sheep and goat milk. Locals eat it grilled or fried as a starter, or cold with watermelon in summer.
Big chunks of pork or lamb slow-roasted on long skewers over charcoal. Cypriot families cook it at weekend gatherings and on holidays, and many tavernas offer it.
The farming villages just inland from Protaras have red soil, and their potatoes are known across Cyprus. Locals eat them roasted, fried or baked alongside grilled meat.
Lamb baked very slowly in a sealed clay oven until it falls off the bone. It is a traditional village dish and a common taverna main course.
Small balls of fried dough soaked in honey syrup and sometimes topped with cinnamon. People eat them as a sweet snack, often from bakeries or at village festivals.
Best: Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec
Best: Apr, Jun, Sep, Oct
Best: Mar, Apr, Jun, Oct
Yes, August is one of the best months for a beach trip to Protaras. Highs average 31.6°C and nights stay warm at 25.2°C. The sea reaches 29.7°C, the warmest of the year. Rain is very rare, with only 0.2 rain days and 12.8 hours of sun a day. Expect real heat in the middle of the day.
The top months are July, September, October and August, with the strongest weather scores. July scores 10, September 9.9, October 9.5 and August 9. In these months highs run from 26.9°C to 31.6°C and the sea is between 26.6°C and 29.7°C. September and October are a little less hot than July and August, but the water is still very warm.
Yes, many people still swim in November. The sea averages 24.2°C, and daytime highs reach 22.1°C with lows of 16.8°C. It is wetter than summer, with 6.7 rain days and 38 mm of rain. You also get less sun, at 8.9 hours a day. November still scores 8.2 out of 10.
Winter is mild but cool and much wetter than summer. January has highs of 16°C, lows of 10.8°C and 9.8 rain days, with 66 mm of rain. December has 9.5 rain days. The sea cools to 18.8°C in January and 17.9°C in February. That is too cold for most swimmers, but you still get 8 to 9 hours of sun a day. This suits walks at Cape Greco more than beach days.
Allow several days if you want to see the main sights without rushing. Fig Tree Bay, Konnos Bay and Cape Greco National Forest Park each take about half a day. The Cape Greco Sea Caves need 1–2 hours and Protaras Ocean Aquarium 2–3 hours. Shorter stops include Kamara tou Koraka and Profitis Ilias Church, at about 1 hour each. Add extra time if you want lazy beach days.
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