Insider Guide: Protaras, Agia Napa⛱️

East Cyprus, the Local Way

I’ve spent every summer of my life on the east side of the island. My dad is originally from Baroshia, and we’ve always felt a deep pull toward that place. Protaras, Ayia Napa, the free side of Famagusta, these places carry a strange mix of memory and contradiction. They’ve got layers, if you know where to look. Yes, there’s the tourist gloss: the crowded beaches, the sunbeds in perfect rows, the souvenir shops with the same magnets since 2003. But behind all that, there’s something quieter. The sea that never stopped being stunning, the smell of fig trees in the back roads, the way the light hits the limestone in late afternoon. There are old tavernas that haven’t changed their menus in decades, cousins you run into without planning it, the kind of silence you only get in July after 3pm, when the whole place seems to pause.

Award-winning Beaches🌟

The east side of the island is home to two of the island’s award-winning beaches, year after year. Think crystal-clear waters and soft golden sand. Like something out of a postcard, only real.

Worth Visiting Beaches🏖️

If packed beaches aren’t your thing, the organized ones offer a much more relaxed vibe.

Beach bars🍹

If you’re looking for ways to make the most of your time at the beach, this area has plenty to offer. Here are a few of my top recommendations.

Traditional Tavernas 🤤

These places serve proper traditional Cypriot island food, and they’re all solid. I’ll even tell you exactly what to get.

Nightlife🍸

If you're after nightlife, Ayia Napa still knows how to put on a show—clubs, beach bars, DJs, the whole thing. But for something a bit more relaxed, I usually head to Protaras. There are a few nice cocktail spots by the sea, live music here and there, and places where you can actually hear your friends talk. Depends what kind of night you're after. Here are some of my favourites places.

View Points🌴

One of the best things about this side of the island is the views. No joke! These are a few of my favorite spots, and honestly, I never get tired of them.