Protaras

{{more citations needed|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox settlement  | name = Protaras | settlement_type = [[List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus|Town]] | image_skyline = Modern new pedestrian seaside road next to Protaras beach in Paralimni.jpg | imagesize = 300px | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | pushpin_map = Cyprus | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_mapsize = 300 | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Cyprus | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Cyprus}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Districts of Cyprus|District]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Famagusta District]] | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 =  | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 20,230 | population_density_km2 =  | timezone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]] | utc_offset = +2 | timezone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]] | utc_offset_DST = +3 | coordinates = {{coord|35|0|54|N|34|3|15|E|region:CY_type:city|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes =  | elevation_m = | elevation_ft =  | postal_code_type = [[List of postal codes in Cyprus|Postal code]] | postal_code = | area_code = | blank_name = | blank_info = | blank1_name = | blank1_info = | website = | footnotes = | native_name = {{nativename|el|Πρωταράς}} | image_caption = Boardwalk in Protaras }} {{Short description|Town in Famagusta District, Cyprus}} '''Protaras''' ({{Langx|el|Πρωταράς}}) is a predominantly tourist resort that falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the Municipality of [[Paralimni]] in [[Cyprus]]. In ancient times, the area now known as Protaras, was home to the old city-state of Leukolla.<ref>''The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0006:entry=leukolla Leukolla].</ref> The city had a small, safe harbour where [[Demetrius I of Macedon|Demetrius Poliorketes]] sought refuge in 306 BC, lying in wait for [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]], one of the successors of [[Alexander the Great]]. In the ensuing battle, Ptolemy was defeated and fled to [[Egypt]], leaving Cyprus briefly in Demetrius's hands. Protaras is also known as "the land of windmills" which preserves the nostalgic quality of the past.

Protaras has clear, sky-blue waters and sandy beaches, the most well known of which is [[Fig Tree Bay]]. Building on the success of [[Ayia Napa]], located about {{convert|10|km|0|abbr=on}} to the southwest, it has expanded into a modern holiday resort of considerable size with dozens of high-capacity hotels, hotel apartments, villas, restaurants, pubs and associated facilities<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Protaras Hotels |url=https://www.hotelscombined.com/Protaras-Hotels.47503.hotelist.ksp |access-date=2025-11-22 |website=HotelsCombined |language=en-us}}</ref>. Being quieter than Ayia Napa and having less of a club scene, it has a reputation for catering more to families and domestic Cypriot tourism. [[Cape Greco]] is a 10-minute drive from the centre of Protaras.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to Get to Cape Greco — Protaras |url=https://theislandofcyprus.com/cavo-greco-faq/ |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=The Island of Cyprus}}</ref>

Protaras is a popular diving destination<ref>{{Cite web |title=SCUBA DIVING |url=https://visitfamagusta.com.cy/diving-spots/ |access-date=2025-11-22 |website=Visit Famagusta |language=en-US}}</ref>. Green Bay is the most popular dive site and features underwater statues for thousands of first-timers divers to enjoy while practising their scuba skills.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Bay |url=https://www.visitcyprus.com/discover-cyprus/sun-sea/diving/green-bay/ |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=VisitCyprus}}</ref> Other notable dive sites include The Blue Hole, The Chapel, Decosta Bay, and Malama Bay. Protaras's most famous technical diving site is the Cyclops Bay, located on the border with Ayia Napa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cyclops |url=https://www.visitcyprus.com/discover-cyprus/sports-training/sports-diving/cyclops/ |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=VisitCyprus}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Paralimni]]