Protaras is a small town on the east coast of Cyprus, close to the Turkish border and the ghost town of Famagusta. This is my favourite town in Cyprus! But don’t be fooled by its small size, you won’t be bored for a second. Here is a list of 6 fun and cheap activities I did in Protaras.
1. Soak up the sun on Fig Tree Beach (then cool down in the Mediterranean Sea)
Make the most of the weather in Protaras and go to Fig Tree Beach. Rent a beach chair for €2.50 and soak up the sun while you take a nap, read a book or just admire the beautiful beach. If you get too toasty, cool down in the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
2. Take a cruise
There are various companies that operate cruises in the Protaras area, so a lack of options won’t be a problem. Choose between a half-day cruise lasting about 3 hours or a full day cruise that includes a barbecue. I chose the 3 hour cruise that sailed up and down the east coast (€12 per person). I saw all the major sights from the water, swam in the Blue Lagoon and drifted as close as possible to the spooky abandoned city of Famagusta.
3. Stroll up the hill to the Church of Profitis Elias
Take a rather lengthy but pleasant stroll from the town up the hill to the church. Be prepared to climb a couple of steps on your way up! Profitis Elias is a lovely, quant little stone church perched on a hill that overlooks Protaras. The church itself is worth the hike, but the panoramic view is even better! It affords the best vantage point of the whole area.
4. Fish pedicure
Take a break from the beach or sightseeing and pamper yourself! That is to say, let the small fishes nibble on your toes and get to the places your pedicure set can’t reach. This was my first time receiving a ‘fish pedicure’ and the experience did not disappoint. Just walk up, sit back, relax and let the fishes work their magic (€7).
5. Catch a Michael Jackson show
Do you love Michael Jackson? Of course you do, everybody has at least one favourite MJ song (mine is Smooth Criminal). This MJ impersonator looks the part, dresses the part (complete with hats and studded jackets), brings the moves and successfully captures the essence of Michael Jackson. Crowd participation is compulsory (you will tap your feet or your fingers, it’s unavoidable!). Catch his show every night at different pub/club in Protaras.
6. Hike, watch a lizard or jump off a cliff at Cape Greco National Forest Park
Cape Greco is a beautiful, interesting national park only 5 km south of Protaras. If you want to get out of town for a while and take a breath in nature, this is the place to go. Cape Greco can easily be reached via bike or car, and there are numerous little hiking trails in the park to enjoy. The park is the eastern most part of Cyprus and the views are spectacular, cliffs overlooking the sea below. The fauna and flora is unique. I was lucky to spot a lizard or two. If you are adventurous, take a plunge off a 10 m cliff into the blue waters below!
