Protaras 

Home of the fabulous Fig Tree Bay

Heading south-east from Aiya Napa across the craggy promontory of Cape Greco you’ll soon arrive at the rapidly expanding resort area of Protoras, and another magnificent Cypriot beach – the wide swathe of fine yellow sand shelving into crystal-clear waters at Fig Tree Bay.

The ancient fig tree from which it takes its name still leans against a beachfront taverna, these days surrounded by a small forest of blue beach umbrellas, and a sea of sun-beds.

You can easily escape those crowds if you chose, because there are several smaller beaches sheltering in the coves along this lovely stretch of coastline.

With a hire car you can head north across the Plain of a Thousand Windmills, to the little sandy bay at Ayios Trias, overlooked by a tiny chapel and soon afterwards reach the border with North Cyprus close to Famagusta.

Protoras has all you need for a perfect family beach holiday – water-sports, tavernas, tourist shops, and a range of excursions if you fancy a change of scene.  As night falls, there’s a relaxed atmosphere and the tavernas do a roaring trade.  You have a choice of friendly music bars and several discos, and of course Aiya Napa’s nightlife is only a ten-kilometre taxi ride away.