Protaras, Cyprus 🇨🇾
#1119 35.014946, 34.053128

Nomad Score: 69%
Overview Guide Scores Costs

Essentials

🏙️ City Protaras is a coastal town located in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant tourist atmosphere.
👥 Population Approximately 20,000 residents.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speeds are around 50-100 Mbps.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD, with numerous ATMs and international bank branches available.
🚰 Tap Water Tap water is generally considered safe to drink, but bottled water is commonly recommended.
🔌 Power Electricity is 230V, 50Hz, with Type G sockets.
📶 SIM Card Providers include Cyta, MTN, and Primetel, with prepaid SIM cards available.
💳 Banking for Expats Popular banking choices include Hellenic Bank and Bank of Cyprus, along with digital solutions like Revolut.
🛌 Accommodation Options range from beachfront hotels, villas to serviced apartments through platforms like Airbnb.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, cashless transactions are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and Booking.com provide numerous short-term rental options throughout Protaras.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostels and budget hotels such as New Famagusta Hotel offer affordable stays.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space The Office Protaras is a popular coworking space among digital nomads.
☕ Best Cafe for Work Kohili Coffee offers a great atmosphere for remote work with reliable Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Local meetups can often be found via Facebook groups for digital nomads.
🥂 Social Events for Expats The Protaras Expats Community organizes regular social gatherings and meetups.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Bolt operates in Protaras, providing convenient ride-hailing services.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Protaras has various local shops offering bike and scooter rentals.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Fig Tree Bay is a prominent beach, just minutes away and famous for its crystal-clear waters.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Cyprus Airways serves regional flights from Larnaca.
✈️ Top International Airline Larnaca International Airport is served by major airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa.
🛣️ Highway Access Access to the B1 highway provides good connectivity to other parts of Cyprus.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Protaras does not have a train station; however, Larnaca is the nearest transit hub.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Buses operate frequently between Protaras and nearby towns, tickets are typically around €1.50.
✈️ Regional Travel Intercity buses connect Protaras with cities such as Larnaca and Nicosia.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Protaras Health Center provides basic healthcare services; greater needs may require travel to Larnaca.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Ayurvedic Wellness Centre offers yoga classes and health treatments.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Fitness 24 is a popular gym offering various training options.
🧺 Laundry Services Local laundromats provide laundry services across Protaras.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Wolt and Deliveroo operate in Protaras for food delivery.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Meze is a must-try traditional dish that includes a variety of tapas-style plates.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Fresh restaurant offers a good selection of vegetarian and vegan meal options.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Café Mamas is popular for its delicious pastries and desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Local markets in Protaras offer fresh produce and traditional goods.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Jumbo and IKEA online provide home essentials and goods for delivery.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Supermarkets like Lidl and Alfa Mega offer grocery delivery services.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Protaras Nightlife district features a variety of bars and nightclubs.
🍻 Local Brewery Keo Brewery produces the iconic local beer, available at various bars.
🍷 Wine Bars VinoCulture™ offers local and international wines in a cozy environment.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street vendors offer traditional Cypriot food like souvlaki and halloumi.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Restaurants like Pizza Express and Zorba serve popular international dishes.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Church of Profitis Elias offers stunning views and a glimpse into local culture.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Thalassa Museum showcases the maritime history of the region.
🏰 Historical Sites The ruins of the ancient city of Famagusta are a short drive away.
🕍 Religious Sites The Icon Museum in Paralimni is a notable place for those interested in religious art.
🎉 Annual Events The Protaras Festival features local music, dance, and food every summer.
🎨 Cultural Districts Old Protaras is known for its traditional architecture and local shops.
🎭 Theater Venues No major theaters, but local community centers host various performances.
🛍️ Local Markets Local flea markets in nearby Paralimni offer hand-crafted products and local goods.
🎼 Music Scene Live music can be found at many bars, particularly during tourist season.
🎨 Street Art Murals around the town, especially during the summer months, will engage art lovers.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Local cooking schools offer classes on traditional Cypriot cuisine.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries The Gallery of Art Lydia features works from local artists.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Well-preserved buildings dot the town, reflecting its rich history.
🏴 Local Heritage Cypriot history and culture are celebrated throughout the town's festivals and events.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Cape Greco National Forest Park is nearby, offering beautiful trails and scenic views.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Cape Greco National Park features stunning natural landscapes and opportunities for hiking.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Coastal paths from Protaras to Ayia Napa offer stunning sea views.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The cliffs at Cape Greco provide breathtaking sunsets and photo opportunities.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Cape Greco is recognized for its diverse bird species, ideal for birdwatchers.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Designated areas in national parks allow for campfires and gatherings.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL provides reliable parcel delivery services in Protaras.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local shops on the main strip provide computer and mobile phone repair services.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Several community centers offer table tennis facilities.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Language schools in nearby Paralimni offer English and Greek classes.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots The Municipal Library in Paralimni provides study and reading spaces.
🏘️ Community Centers Cultural centers host workshops and community events throughout the year.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Local cafes often feature gaming zones for casual play.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls There are no casinos in Protaras, but nearby Ayia Napa has gaming options.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €72,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €232,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000).
💼 Corporate Tax 12.5%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 17%.
🏦 Tax System Based on a residence system; residents are taxed on worldwide income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 35%.
🧾 VAT 19% standard rate.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, Cyprus has CFC rules in place.
🏠 Property Tax Yes, property tax is applicable, based on property value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Transfer tax is 3% for properties under €85,000, 5% for properties between €85,000 and €170,000, and 8% on the portion above.