Things To Do in Protaras

This rather classy restaurant has earned so many thumbs-ups for it modern Cypriot cuisine, you’ll need to book in advance if you want to be sure of a table. Here, you can try out some more unusual local flavours – like wild boar, venison and monk fish. Best of all, you get to watch the chef as he prepares it all in the open kitchen.

You can get up close to the coast when you hike along the nature trails around Protaras. There’s a lovely 3-hour walk that takes you from the chapel of Profitis Elias – set on a hill with great views of the town – to Konnos Beach. Or you can do a 45-minute circular trail from Agioi Anargyroi chapel. On the way, look out for the fragrant juniper plant, which is used in the making of incense.

Paragliding, waterskiing, surfing, jet-skiing, banana boats – if you’ve ever wanted to try a new watersport, Fig Tree Bay is the place. Handily, there are plenty of instructors on hand to show you the ropes. But if letting other people do the work suits you better, you can sit back and admire the coast from a motor boat instead.

Protaras is no early-to-bed resort. Brit bars and pubs crowd the main street, most of them with wide-screen TVs showing sports and sitcoms. There are also live bands, tribute acts, karaoke and an implausible number of Elvis impersonators. You’ll also have plenty of opportunity to dance ’til the early hours. But if you want full-on clubbing, then Ayia Napa is just a 10-minute taxi ride away.

Cypriots get pretty excited when spring comes round, so all over the island they celebrate with flower festivals – anthestiria comes from anthos, the Greek word for flower. Protaras holds its own event, which sees the town filled with fragrant blooms at exhibitions and shows all around the place. Be sure not to miss the main parade, where beautifully decorated floats waft through the streets.

The town’s main street, Protaras Avenue, covers an international line-up of Chinese, Italian, Mexican and Japanese restaurants. And in between you’ll find traditional tavernas serving up Greek-Cypriot dishes. Order the meze and you can try halloumi, sheftalia sausage and meatballs, along with houmous and tzatziki for that all-important bread-dipping. It tastes particularly good with a bottle of wine from one of the small, local, family-owned vineyards.

This place majors in authentic Greek-Cypriot dishes. Try the tsipoura – charcoal-grilled swordfish with parsley and lemon, or afelia – slow-cooked pork chunks with coriander and Madeira wine. It all comes with a side order of fun, particularly on their twice-weekly Greek nights when you’re entertained with bouzouki music, belly dancing and plate smashing. Plus, waiters who can balance a surprising number of glasses on their heads.

Just a short boat trip away is the protected nature park area of Cape Greco. Cyprus’ own Land’s End, it marks the most south-easterly point on the coast and the views from the top of the enormous rock make it well worth the climb. The quiet coves and clear blue water are top snorkelling territory, too – all the equipment comes as part of the trip.

Protaras will sort you out with souvenirs and holiday essentials, but if it’s proper retail therapy you’re after head for Ayia Napa. Here, small boutiques and local shops compete with designer outlets selling everything from sunglasses to cameras – all of it cheaper than the UK. Shops stay open ’til 10pm most evenings.

Whatever your favourite cuisine, the main drag, Protaras Avenue, will probably have it covered. If you fancy an authentic Cypriot meal, though, try one of the traditional tavernas. These places do the classics best, like kleftiko – slow cooked lamb – and dolmades, spicy rice wrapped in vine leaves. Or if you fancy trying a bit of everything go for the meze – the Greek equivalent of Spanish tapas.

For holiday essentials, Protaras comes up with the goods. If you’re serious about your retail therapy, though, go to Ayia Napa. Designer labels come thick and fast here, with the likes of Ben Sherman and Calvin Klein leading the way on Makarios and Nissi avenues. It’s also a great place to find souvenirs with a real local stamp – look out for pretty Lefkara lace, handmade pottery and handwoven baskets.

Protaras is well up for a party. On the main strip you’ve got karaoke, tribute acts, live bands and Elvis impersonators. There are a couple of clubs here, too, although many of the bars will happily keep you out dancing ’til dawn. And if you really want to have it large, a few minutes in a taxi gets you to the glo-sticks of Ayia Napa.

If you’re in town in June, head down to the beach for a festival of folk dancing, singing, swimming and boat races. Actually, this annual water festival – or Kataklysmos, as it’s known locally – is basically just an excuse for people to throw water at each other. It marks the biblical floods, you see – not that there’s much chance of 40 days of rain in these parts.

As well as being a lovely spot, Fig Tree Bay is also the watersports hub round here. Paragliding, waterskiing, surfing, jet-skis and banana boats are all on standby, along with motor boats to take you along the coast. If you’re new to any of them, there are instructors and lifeguards on hand to help.

Opposite the Vrissiana Boutique Beach Hotel, this stylish, al fresco drinking place comes with a lit-up onyx bar and contemporary white sofas. The party crowd here sip frozen strawberry daiquiris and the signature apple mojito – or go for broke with a 300-euro bottle of Dom Perignon. Meanwhile, the DJs keep everyone dancing ’til the early hours.