Cape Greko

Situated on the Protaras road approximately a mile east of Ayia Napa, Konnos Bay is a Blue Flag beach with breathtaking views, water sports and nature trails that take from 30 minutes to 3 hours, which are well worth doing for the fantastic coastal scenery along the way. Driving down the winding road towards the bay, the wide shore is sheltered by the rocks protecting it from the wind. Once on the beach, sun worshipers can relax and soak up the rays on the spacious beach with an occasional dip in the crystal clear waters.

For the more adventurous, Konnos Bay has all sorts of water sports available including Jet skis, paragliding and motor boats.  The sheltered bay also makes it an ideal location for water skiing. Refreshments are available at the tavern overlooking the bay (Pyrillis restaurant) as well as the Grecian Park Hotel and the adjacent restaurant (Spartiatis) where panoramic views of Konnos Bay can be enjoyed. Green Bay is an ideal place to avoid the summer crowds and is located to the south of Protaras beach.

While the bay has few facilities save for the obligatory sun loungers and parasols available to hire, it is as good a spot as any for a leisurely swim. The small sandstone platforms to the south of the beach provide a nice setting for a picnic. Green Bay is not as well signposted as some of the other beaches in the area making it slightly difficult to locate.

For those journeying to Protaras from Ayia Napa, it is worth noting that Green Bay is the first beach you will encounter en route.

Situated on a rocky peninsula on the south-eastern coast of Cyprus, east of Agia Napa and south east of Protaras. Cape Greko is an area of unspoiled natural beauty that has been declared a National Forest Park and conservation area and covers an area of 385 hectares. Hike along the network of nature trails lined with miniature pine trees and juniper stopping to admire spectacular views from sea cliffs overlooking turquoise seas.

Benches along the way provide the opportunity to rest and gaze down into crystal clear waters. One of these trails forms part of the European Long Distance Trail E4, running from Gibraltar to Cyprus. The 2 kilometres Aphrodite nature trail, which goes along the north east coast of the Cape Greko peninsula, is part of the Aphrodite Cultural Route and commemorates the link with the goddess.

Do not miss the small white washed church of Agia Anargyri with steps down to the sea where the Holy Water exists, or take one of the trails leading to the so-called Cyclops cave stopping at the nearby picnic site for a pleasant rest. Specialist cycling paths also exist in the area both for lovers of this sport and as a means to explore.

The island has perfect weather for cycling, especially in the winter months, what with low annual rainfall and few of the headwinds that are a bane to cyclists. Take a boat trip along the coast anchoring near those caves that nature has carved out of the ten metre limestone cliffs and adorned in such a way as to merit the name the Palaces. The Cape Greko area is popular with divers, thanks to warm sea temperatures ranging from 16 degrees in winter to 28 degrees in summer and with visibility reaching 30 to 40 metres. The fauna of the waters of Cape Greko hide many interesting sea creatures.