Let's start our journey through the resorts in miniature from the Larnaca–Famagusta area, located on the southeastern coast of the island. From the modern Larnaca International Airport to the small resort towns of Agia Napa and Protaras, it is only 50 km along a beautiful expressway. On both sides of the highway stretches one of the most fertile plains of the island, which attracts the traveler's eye with the unusual red-orange color of the local soils. It is here that the earliest harvests of strawberries, watermelons and the first harvest of the year of extremely delicious local potatoes are filmed in Cyprus. When the journey across the plain ends and the best Cypriot beaches open up to the eye, it means that you are already in Ayia Napa, and in 5-7 minutes. The ride will seem like a Protaras.
Protaras
Dazzling white sand and a cozy bay, in the center of which there is a picturesque island; the color of the sea, changing from azure blue to emerald green during the day; pine groves interspersed with palm oases; peace and quiet so pleasant for a tired citizen... All this is Protaras. Coming here, at first sight you fall in love with this "toy" town, which is adored by lovers of a leisurely and measured vacation from all over the world. The very idea of rushing here seems unnatural! Surrounded by greenery, first–class hotels with beautiful beaches are so good that you don't want to go anywhere - just in the hot afternoon hours you need to move from the sun lounger to the bar located right in the pool and continue to enjoy life.
Those who want to show themselves and see people head to the central street of Protaras, teeming with restaurants and bars for every taste. If you have a desire, you can go to Robin Hood and sit among the mighty trunks of the Sherwood Forest, and when you get tired – have a cocktail with Elvis Presley or taste the exquisite dishes of the Celestial Empire, look into Thai, Indian or Italian restaurants… And so on until morning!
If you get bored with a measured vacation, you can rent a car and go to one of the most beautiful places on the island – the Cape Greco sea caves, which are only 10 minutes away. the ride. Here you can not only take stunning photos, but also jump into the clear and deep waters of the bay from a 10-meter cliff. Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts will also make a lot of interesting discoveries for themselves.
After leaving Protaras, in 5-7 minutes you can find yourself in Ayia Napa, the center of Cypriot clubbing. Anyone who knows a lot about clubs and discos will appreciate this place. Many people prefer to "club" in Ayia Napa at night, sleep off in a quiet and cozy Protaras before lunch, and then return to Ayia Napa again to have fun at the local water park or jump from a 30-meter tower on the local beach…
If such a variety of leisure activities has not left you indifferent, it is worth checking out the real estate of Protaras. This town is probably the only place in Cyprus where a new studio can be bought for only 70,000 euros, a detached three–bedroom villa with beautiful sea views and a large swimming pool for 300,000 -320,000 euros, and the cost of townhouses ranges from 220,000 to 280,000 euros.
These are really very attractive prices, but a meticulous buyer will certainly ask what the catch is? There is no catch if you are going to use your summer residence only during the holiday season – that is, from the beginning of May to the end of October. But if you come in winter, you will find the town almost empty. Of the dozens of cool bars and restaurants, only 5-6 will be open, and the streets of Protaras will be mostly populated by locals, and rarely by elderly couples from foggy Albion. What will not change is nature, the beaches will still dazzle with the whiteness of the sand, and the landscapes of Cape Greco will take your breath away!
Ayia Napa
This city rightfully has the fame of the club capital of the Eastern Mediterranean. The resort is extremely popular among European youth, so local clubs and discos are full of visitors throughout the summer season, and every weekend fashionable English DJs come to host parties. No wonder Ayia Napa never sleeps – the city dances and sings non-stop.
In addition to the active club life, the city is known for the largest selection of interesting and inexpensive boat trips and weekend cruises on the island – from exploring the ghost town of Famagusta from the water to traveling to the Cape Greco sea grottoes. All the beaches of Ayia Napa are marked with EU Blue flags, which guarantee a high level of beach, as well as the purity of sea water and sand.
Housing prices in the Ayia Napa area are slightly higher than in Protaras, and yet the offers of local construction companies are undoubtedly much more attractive to buyers than in Limassol or neighboring Larnaca. Judge for yourself – a detached new house with three bedrooms and a plot of land of 400 sq. m. An apartment in Ayia Napa costs from 370,000 euros, and a two-bedroom apartment in a new complex with a swimming pool costs from 135,000 euros. The problem of seasonality in Ayia Napa is also relevant, and yet in the winter months this resort is much more lively than Protaras.
Only mountains can be better than mountains...
For those to whom the words are close and understandable, the central part of Cyprus, where the Troodos mountain range rises, will seem very attractive. Given the compactness of the island, the path from almost any point of the coast to the wonderful mountain village will be only 30-40 km. They are really worth driving through, and you will understand this as soon as you find yourself in one of the most picturesque mountain settlements – Platres.
This place is famous for the delicious and largest cherry on the island, which grows in abundance in local gardens, a trout farm, and a farm restaurant where fresh fish is served grilled. And at 30 min. walking along the bed of a mountain stream flowing through Platres, you will find one of the most famous waterfalls of the island – Caledonia.
Outdoor walkers usually take a map with hiking routes of varying degrees of difficulty and length from the local tourist information office and go to test themselves on mountain trails in the vicinity of Platres. The rest admire the breathtaking scenery and breathe the clean, pine-resin-scented mountain air. By the way, the air of Platres and the local microclimate are very useful for people with lung diseases, and many of those who suffer from similar ailments come here to improve their health.
The construction of residential real estate in the Platres area cannot be called active – at the moment, work is being completed on the construction of just one complex of 8 detached houses, with plots of land from 300 to 500 sq. m. The view from the windows is breathtaking, and the price is very reasonable – from 250,000 euros per house, whereas the cost two-bedroom apartments here range from 150,000 to 180,000 euros.
Northwest Coast
On the border with the Akamas peninsula, 40 km from Paphos and the second largest international airport in Cyprus, there are two beautiful tourist towns – Polis Chrysochous and Latchi.
This place is unique in its kind – Chrysochous Bay, surrounded by mountain ranges, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful seascapes of Cyprus, adjacent to the Akamas Nature Reserve, where more than 50 species of orchids grow and where carriage turtles come every year to lay eggs in warm and clean sand. In Lachi there is one of the most popular places among tourists – the baths of Aphrodite: grottoes with fresh water springs, where, according to legend, the goddess of love and beauty took baths.
This resort area is focused on a relaxing family vacation and is famous for its fish taverns, often located right on the beach, where all kinds of local fish and seafood are cooked tasty and quickly.
The vast majority of housing under construction in the Policy are complexes of 10-12 detached villas, usually with 3-4 bedrooms, individual pools and a common park area. Prices for this type of housing range from 370,000 to 600,000 euros. The second most popular after villas are townhouses. In a complex with gorgeous sea views and a communal swimming pool, this type of accommodation will cost from 170,000 euros. Prices for one-bedroom and living room apartments in the new complex start from 100,000 euros.
Summing up our brief acquaintance with the miniature Cypriot resorts, I would like to note that for those who want to combine the opportunity to have a great vacation and make profitable investments, buying a home in any of the above cities is a profitable option. In 2008, Cyprus joined the euro area, and, according to analysts' forecasts based on the experience of other countries, only for the first
6 months after the transition, the value of real estate on the island will increase by 15-20%.