Pernera merges south into Protaras a developmental disaster of some fifty wall-to-wall hotels and self-catering facilities, packed out from mid-May onwards with relatively well-behaved Scandinavian and British families. The rather narrow sandy beach is not even indicated from the inland bypass road-only the hotels themselves are signposted. Thus if you don’t know that the Salparo Apartments mark the north end of the bay, and Louis Nausicaa Beach Apartments the southern extreme, it’s quite easy to drive right past the resort without ever seeing the sea. Once you do figure it out, you’ll find that big shoreline lawns and swimming pools, substantial enough to accommodate the crowds, supplement the lack of sands-conveying a clear message that, unless you’re actually staying at one of the behemoths or using their manifold recreational facilities (water-skiing, paragliding,etc), you’re not exactly welcome here. At least the sea, if you do manage to reach it, is as clear and warm as you’d hope for.
It’s difficult to imagine a setting less appropriate for non-package visitors, but Nicosians come here in some force at weekends, and (unlike Ayia Napa) much of the resort stays”open” in winter. A good bet for anyone showing up on spec is the three-star Pernera Beach Tel.23831011. The area’s commercial hub is Eden Square, a mini-mall of bars and restaurants. Other worthwhile, scattered places to eat include The Raj (Dinner only April-Dec; closed Mon Nov-Dec) on the main drag in Protaras, with tandoori dishes a strength, and fish-and-steak specialists Nissiotis Beach at so-called Flamingo Bay.
Related posts:
Tags: ayia napa -protaras, cyprus protaras, eden square, nissiotis beach, paragliding, pernera beach, PROTARAS, protaras beaches, protaras hotels, protaras restaurants, self-catering, self-catering facilities, water-skiing