FAMAGUSTA REGION
stunning white sands & shimmering sea
- Destinations
- Famagusta
With its breathtakingly beautiful coastline of sugary sands and crystalline seawaters, Famagusta region (Ammochostos) is an alluring blend of lazy beach days and pulsating night vibes.
Best known for the iconic Agia Napa – one of summer’s hottest destinations, the resort’s stunning beaches unfold towards those of neighbouring town Paralimni, with its family-friendly and popular sub-district Protaras. Bridging the towns is the unspoiled natural haven of Cape Grecko National Forest Park; comprised of sea caves, nature trails, cycling paths and unique flora and fauna.
The region is also dotted with thriving villages where the island’s best fresh produce is grown; bursting with the flavours of the nourishing sun and mineral-rich red soil that lends the communities their moniker ‘kokkinochoria (red villages).
Iconic Agia Napa
Visitors from around the world flock to Agia Napa for the ultimate holiday of sun, sand and sea, enhanced by a legendary nightlife that continues to top the list of best clubbing destinations.
The town was once a quiet fishing village, centred around its quaint harbour, until a meteoric rise in the 1990s that put it on the party map. Today, the town is an expanded resort that is home to some of Cyprus’ most stunning beaches – including Nissi, Makronissos and Konnos – that continue to enchant with their distinctive powdery white sands and dazzlingly clear waters.
Away from its picture-perfect coast, Agia Napa’s second defining feature is its plethora of restaurants, pubs and clubs that continue to draw the younger crowds, whilst it has also evolved to offer a more balanced family vibe with attractions such as the funfair, water park, themed boat trips, and interesting cultural offerings like the Thalassa Municipal Museum of the Sea and the open-air Sculpture Park. Diving has been enriched with the unveiling of the island-first MUSAN Museum of Underwater Sculpture in 2021, and a new, elegant face is also emerging with the Agia Napa Marina development – a luxurious marina that includes prestigious commercial, residential and leisure options in the Agia Thekla area.
Petite Protaras
Equally blessed with mesmerising beaches that mirror the soft white sands and clear waters of neighbouring Agia Napa, Protaras (the tourist district of Paralimni) is home to the landmark Fig Tree Bay beach – one of the most photographed beaches on Instagram, and is beloved for a more laid-back, family atmosphere.
Set to a backdrop of charming windmills, everything is conveniently located along a bustling, colourful, main commercial avenue, making Protaras popular with visitors seeking a holiday that puts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and a varied nightlife at their fingertips. The resort’s high-star hotels sit between the coast and the strip, where welcoming pubs and restaurants and several leisure options for younger visitors can be found when the sun sets, creating a complete evening.
Divers of all levels love Protaras for its amazing array of dive sites that delight and surprise with their interesting array of rock formations, such as caverns, caves, overhangs and walls; hidden wreck treasures, and a rainbow of friendly marine life.
WHERE TO STAY
IN FAMAGUSTA
Cyprus has a large array of accommodation types to suit all travellers, tastes and budgets.
Whether you are looking for an opulent five-star resort; a city hotel that offers independence to explore; a simple hotel apartment as a base, or a rustic agrotouristic retreat, the following are my personal recommendations!
EAT & DRINK
PlusSea Lifestyle Bar
Although I love traditional cuisine, I also enjoy visiting the more modern and international establishments on the island, and particularly those that provide me with a view of the Mediterranean Sea!
DISCOVERBEST THINGS TO DO
IN Famagusta
Half-Day Surf & Turf Blue Lagoon Adventure
If you're looking for the ultimate adventure on the Cyprus east coast, look no further than this thrilling land and sea excursion. During this surf and turf tour, you'll get to experience all of the most breathtaking sights and landmarks of the country's east coast. Whether you're racing over rugged terrain in an off-road 4x4 or relaxing on a cruise, soaking in stunning coastal views as far as the eye can see.
DISCOVER
