This coastal town in eastern Cyprus has grown from a farming village into a modern beach destination near Protaras, with traditional tavernas and a 19th-century Orthodox church.
Paralimni sits near Cyprus’ eastern coast, named after the seasonal lake on its western edge. Spend mornings at Protaras beaches like Malama, where shallow waters and rocky areas let kids swim safely and snorkelers explore marine life. Walk through the town center to see the 13th-century Virgin Mary church decorated with 18th-century plates, then stop at cafes serving strong Cypriot coffee. Between November and March, rainwater sometimes fills the lakebed, drawing flamingos and a rare snake species found nowhere else. The area’s red soil grows potatoes served roasted in local tavernas, and annual events like the September harvest festival highlight the town’s farming roots alongside its coastal attractions.
Beaches Near Protaras
Protaras, part of Paralimni’s municipality, stretches along 20 kilometers of coastline. Malama Beach has gentle slopes into the sea, making it safe for children, with rocks near the shore where fish gather. At Vrissiana Beach, face west to watch the sun dip below the horizon without buildings blocking your view. Trinity Beach stays less crowded due to its location between cliffs and patches of scrubland. Head southeast to Cape Gkreko Forest Park, where trails wind past sea caves and the arched "Love Bridge" rock. Join a morning boat tour from Protaras harbor to swim in bays unreachable by road, like tiny Lara Cove.
Exploring Paralimni’s History
The town center keeps its narrow streets and low-rise buildings despite newer developments nearby. Visit the Paralimni Folkloric Museum to see butter churns, handlooms, and black-and-white photos of farmers from the 1920s. Agios Georgios Church, rebuilt in the 13th century after pirate raids, hosts a lively street fair every April 23 with skewered meats and traditional violin music. Don’t miss the older Agios Georgios chapel half a kilometer north, which holds a 16th-century painting of Saint George slaying a dragon. Twenty smaller chapels dot the area, including Agia Triada near Kapparis, where a whitewashed building sits steps from the sea.
Food and Farming
Red-earth farms around Paralimni produce potatoes so distinct they’ve earned a regional designation. Order them baked with oregano and olive oil at tavernas around the central square, where cooks also simmer beef stews with cinnamon and pearl onions. Fresh octopus, caught daily by Protaras fishermen, often appears grilled or marinated in vinegar. Every Wednesday, vendors at the Sotira Road market sell oranges in winter, watermelons in summer, and jars of thyme honey year-round. During the September Potato Festival, chefs demonstrate recipes like potato-based desserts, and farmers hand out free samples straight from their fields.
The Seasonal Lake
A flat basin west of town fills with water only after heavy winter rains, creating a shallow wetland. From December to February, binocular-toting visitors scan the area for pink flamingos, gray herons, and ducks resting during migration. Scientists confirmed the survival of the Cyprus grass snake here in 1994, a species once thought lost. A packed-earth path loops around the 3-kilometer lakebed, usable even in dry months for jogging or cycling. Information boards near the path’s start detail how the lake’s brief floods support insects, plants, and nesting birds.
Shopping Areas
April 1st Avenue, named for the 1955 anti-colonial revolt, buzzes with clothing stores, phone repair kiosks, and a large Carrefour supermarket. For handmade items, visit shops near the town hall where embroiderers work on lace tablecloths in real time. A Marks & Spencer near the bus station sells British teas and biscuits, while local boutiques display leather sandals and silver pendants shaped like olive leaves. Parking spaces fill quickly near the central squares, but side streets usually have spots within a five-minute walk.
Annual Events
On April 23, the Agios Georgios festival turns the church square into a nighttime hub with fried dough stalls and a Ferris wheel. In August, Protaras projects films onto screens set up near Fig Tree Bay, with free seating on the sand. Late May brings the Flower Festival, where artists build sculptures using native plants like purple cyclamens and poppies. December’s Christmas market in Paralimni’s square serves hot zivania (a grape-based spirit) and sticky loukoumades drizzled with honey.
Places to Stay
Protaras has the highest concentration of hotels, including all-inclusive properties with water slides and beachfront apartments. In Paralimni itself, La Mer Homes rents three-bedroom villas with outdoor kitchens, ten minutes from Konnos Beach. Budget travelers find studios along Protaras Avenue, some with views of the seasonal lake. For a quieter base, book a renovated 19th-century house in Sotira village, surrounded by citrus groves and a short drive from town.
Getting Around
Larnaca International Airport is a 45-minute drive via the A3 highway. Green buses run every 20 minutes between Paralimni’s central stop and Ayia Napa, passing Fig Tree Bay. Rent a bike in Protaras to follow the paved coastal trail to Cape Gkreko, which takes about an hour at a leisurely pace. Drive 15 minutes north to Deryneia’s observation deck for a view of Famagusta’s abandoned high-rises. Tours into the UN-controlled buffer zone near Famagusta require reservations and ID checks at military checkpoints.
