Situated on the east coast of Cyprus, Protaras covers approximately 5km of the golden Famagusta Coastline. Protaras flourished into a charming tourist resort in the 1980s as a more sophisticated alternative to the buzzing and wild atmosphere of its neighbouring town; Agia Napa (located 7 km west of Protaras).
Before becoming a tourist resort, Protaras was essentially uninhabited; the area was mostly covered by a multitude of windmills, some of which still stand, adding to the character of the Protaras landscape. Artefacts uncovered during recent excavations dating back to the Greco-Roman era (58 BC - 395 AD) suggest the land where Protaras now exists may have been the ancient town of Lefkola, notable in those times for its hustling port.
Protaras became an idyllic holiday resort largely due to the beautiful sandy beaches in its vicinity. There are several excellent beaches, each developed to appeal to a particular type of holidaymaker. For instance, the main beach “Fig Tree Bay”, regarded as one of the most popular beaches on the island, offers a wide range of water-sports, while to the north of the coastline, the tranquil waters of Skoutari Beach, make for great snorkelling.
Protaras is particularly apt for package-holidays owing to the impressive array of hotels that have been built in the area since not many people actually reside in this town. Some hotels are enormous comprising several swimming pools and have been purpose-built to fulfil their guests’ every need. The "All-inclusive" deals at these hotels often cover the use of deluxe sports facilities such as tennis courts, gymnasiums and spas.
The Golden Coast Hotel has been my favourite hotel in the area since it was built in 1986. Every summer, I spend at least a weekend there. Following tradition, I spent this weekend at The Golden Coast which also boasts one of the island's most attractive bays. This is where I look forward to having the first swim of the year in early June which marks the beginning of summer.
It was a quiet and peaceful weekend during which I had the chance to relax and unwind after a hectic week at work. Last night, after dinner, Alkis and I had the pleasure to watch the fire show right on the beach. It was an impressive show with real fire and excellent dancers. I really can't wait to go back to the Golden Coast Hotel, hopefully soon.
Photos and Video by Anastasia Marou
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