Located on the outskirts of the popular resort of Protaras, Pernera attracts families and couples looking for quiet relaxing holidays. Just 30 minutes from Protaras and less than an hour from Larnaca, this lovely beach resort has the most quiet, uncrowded beach in the area, complete with a good choice of beach-front restaurants.

Pernera

 Pernea itself has a good selection of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops but for a more wider choice of restaurants and tavernas you will have to go to Protaras. And for more livlier entertainment you will need to visit the famous resort of Ayia Napa.

Pernera beach itself is one of the nicest sandy beaches on the eastern coast of Cyprus. All of the beaches around Protaras have fine sandy beaches with calm clear blue waters which make them an excellent choice for families with young children. The Protaras offers an abundance of watersports including diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, paragliding, water-skiing, jet-skiing, speed boats and banana boat rides. Pernera has its own dive centre which offers everything from dives for beginners and fish feeding dives to dives to the Zenobia wreck which is one of the world’s top diving wrecks. Whilst diving here you will encounter reefs, caves and no end of fascinating marine life including parrot fish, rays, sea bass, groupers and eels.

Fig Tree Bay

The area around Perera is great for walks to explore the surrounding sights. Walking to the west of Pernera you will reach Fig Tree Bay beach, Flamingo beach and the resort of Kepparis. To the north there are small secluded coves just waiting to be discovered. The whole family will enjoy exploring the beautiful unspoilt coastline around the headland at Cape Greko to the south of Pernera. There is an excellent scienic coastal path from Protaras to Ayia Napa beach which takes you past ancient ruins and sea caves.

Coastal Walk

There are lots of places to see when taking one of the many holiday packages on offer to Cyprus including the capital Nicosia with its unique old town, Larnaca with its old fort and museums, Protaras, Ayia Napa and the traditional Cypriot village of Paralimni. A great day out for the whole family is a visit to the Troodos Mountains where you will discover lots of quaint traditional villages, pine forests, hiking trails, Byzantine churches and the highest point on the island, Mount Olympus.  

When the children want a break from the beautiful beaches there is a local waterpark and also the larger Water World at Ayia Napa. A mix of Ancient Greece and modern rides, the Ayia Napa waterpark is a must for the kids and adults alike when on your cheap holidays to this wonderful island.

Nissi Bay is a popular beach resort on the east coast of Cyprus, just 2 miles from the lively resort of Ayia Napa. Nissi Bay has some of the best beaches in Cyprus and is very popular with families and those seeking a quieter resort than Ayia Napa.

Nissi Beach

The most popular beach here is Nissi Beach, a long expanse of beautiful white sand, sheltered by Nissi Island. After a long night parting in Ayia Napa revellers visit the beach here for a perfect day of relaxation and recovery! Pelicans often land here on Nissi Beach.
Other beaches in the resort include the excellent Grecian Bay which stretches in a long curve from the harbour in Ayia Napa right round to Nissi Bay. The quieter beach at Konnos Bay has lots of small coves and is the most unspoilt piece of coastline in the area.
There are lots of watersports on offer here, including scuba diving, snorkelling, jet skiing, windsurfing and paragliding. For beginners there are several diving centres in Nissi Bay where you can take lessons before experiencing a dive in the beautiful clear waters of the bay.

Konnos Bay

All of the beaches in Nissi Bay are perfect for families as they have gentle shelving and calm safe waters.

Nissi Bay has its own nightlife and restaurants but for the most popular, lively clubs and more traditional restaurants, a trip to Ayia Napa is a must.

For a great day out, trips to the Troodos Mountains, Paralimni, Liopetri and Sotira are available from the resort. A cruise around Cape Greco, Protaras and Pernera makes a great cheap day out and usually includes a stop off for a

Troodos Mountains

spot of snorkelling and a dip in the warm Mediterranean sea.

For a holiday that can be as relaxing or as action packed as you like look out for the many holiday packages that are on offer throughout the internet.

Enjoy a great family holiday with one of the last minute holiday deals to Cyprus, you won’t be disappointed.

Ayia Napa is one of the most popular resorts on the picturesque Mediterranean island of Cyprus, particularly popular with the 18-30 year olds who are looking for a fun packed holiday with great clubbing experiences.

Ayia Napa, although renowned for it’s club scene, is also a great resort for family holidays, with a beautiful beach and lots of child friendly areas.

For more information why not take a look at this interesting and informative destination guide to Ayia Napa which will give you an insight into this perfect holiday destination.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

If you are looking for cheap holidays to Cyprus, there are always great offers throughout the internet.

Cyprus has an abundance of natural parks so when on one of the cheap holidays to Cyprus, why not visit these National Parks where there is plenty to do but doesn’t cost a lot!

Troodos National Forest Park

Troodos National Forest Park

The Troodos National Forest Park has four nature reserves within the 93 sq kms that it covers. The park, situated in the centre of the island, is part of the Natura 2000, the European network of protected areas.
Mainly covered by natural black pine and brutia pine, there are about 800 plant species here. Of these 800 species, 72 of them are endemic to Cyprus, 12 of which are exclusive to the park.
The park offers camping sites, nature trails, picnic sites and facilities for winter sports.

Tripilos-Mavrol Gremmoi Nature Reserve

The reserve covers an area of 34 sq kms and is situated in the middle of Pafos Forest. This reserve is of great ecological value as it is home to the endemic Cyprus Cedar and the endemic Golden Oak. This area is also part of the Natura 2000 network and is a designated Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive as it is home to the Cyprus Moufflon and rare birds of prey.

Akamas

Akamas, Pegeia and Meleti Forests

These forests cover a total of over 70 sq kms.
The Akamas Peninsula is home to 600 plant species, 35 of which are endemic to Cyprus, 168 bird species, 12 mammal species, 20 reptile species and many different butterflies.
The Lara-Toxeftra area is a protected Marine Reserve. The beaches here are nesting areas for the Green Turtle and the Loggerhead Turtle.

Petra tou Romiou National Forest Park

Situated on the south-western costal area, 10 kms from Paphos, this park covers an area of about 3.5 sq kms. Part of the Natura 2000 network, the park offers excellent scenery, nature and spot trails, look out points and picnic areas.

Polemidia National Forest Park

Covering about 1.25 sq kms, the park is found just outside of Limassol. Here you will find nature trails, sports grounds, childrens playground, cafe and picnic areas.

Macheras National Forest Park

The 45 sq km Macheras National Forest Park is situated in the middle of the island on the eastern end of the Troodos. Part of the Natura 2000 network, the park is of great historical and ecological value, with more than 600 species of plants of which 27 are endemic to Cyprus. The park has 5 nature trails, one of which has been designed for disabled visitors, and several picnic areas.

Athalassa National Forest Park

Athalassa National Forest Park

With man made vegetation, covering 8 sq kms, the park is situated near Lefkosia town and offers nature trails, botanical gardens, bird watching sites, picnic sites, volleyball and basketball pitches.

Paedagogical Academy National Forest Park

This small man made 0.5 sq km park is also situated near Lefkosia town, offering nature trails and picnic areas.

Rizoelia National Forest Park

Covering about 1 sq km this Natura 2000 network park is situated near Larnaca, offering nature trails and picnic areas.

Cavo Gkreko

Cavo Gkreko

This 4 sq km park, and the surrounding marine area, is also part of the Natura 2000 network and is situated in the south east of the island between Ayia Napa and Paralimni. Here you will find 300 species of plants, 11 of which are endemic to Cyprus, partridge, wood pigeon, crows, owls, foxes,hares and also migratory birds which use the island as a ‘resting point’. Facilities on offer here include hiking, cycling, horse riding, climbing, swimming, diving and picnicking.

Agios Nikandros National Forest Park

This new 0.25 sq km park is situated on the coastal area west of Ayia Napa. Although very new the park has a nature trails and a picnic area.

Liopetri National Forest Park

Situated on the coastal area west of Ayia Napa, this new 1 sq km park is being restored to preserve its unique scenery and natural features.

The Beach

Once a small fishing village in the south-eastern corner of Cyprus, Ayia Napa is now a hotspot for holidaymakers looking for a lively vacation. Over 250,000 clubbers travel to Ayia Napa each summer and the atmosphere in its bars and nightclubs is nothing short of explosive.
Location
Ayia Napa is located in the centre of the market garden area of the island, with superb golden sandy beaches and vestiges of its cultural heritage. There is a Venetian decorated monastery fronted by a 600-year-old Sycamore tree and also a quaint harbour.
Located a few miles from Ayia Napa is the more restrained resort Protaras, more suited to family holidays.
Both resorts have excellent beaches, the most famous being Fig Tree Bay. Other popular beaches include Nissi Beach and Nissi Bay (two miles west of Ayia Napa), Cape Greco to the east, where the challenge is to leap from the rocks into the sea and Konnos Bay, just past Cape Greco, where there is a beach café and speedboats for hire.

Shopping
Top name watches, sunglasses, clothing, cameras and jewellery are available at prices much cheaper than in the UK. Shops and boutiques are generally small and friendly and are generally open until 11pm every night except Sundays. Good souvenirs can be bought here, including beautiful embroidered Lefkara lace, original ceramic pottery, artistic silver jewellery, baskets, woven and silk goods and high quality leatherwear.

Restaurants
With countless restaurants serving everything from the romantic and traditional, to fast food and pub-grub, holidaymakers won’t be disappointed. Whether it is a Big Mac, fish ‘n chips, a Chinese or formal French you fancy, you won’t have to go far to find it. Holidaymakers should try the Cypriot fare, particularly in the delightful, traditional tavernas clustered around the harbour. Highly recommended is the typical Cypriot ‘meze’, made up of between 15 and 30 island dishes. Other local specialities include taramosalata, tsatsiki, moussaka, stifado (beef or veal stew), aphelia (pork and red wine), and loukoumades (doughnuts dipped in syrup).

Ayia Napa at night

Nightlife
with bars, discos, nightclubs and bouzouki clubs open well into the early hours of the morning holiday makers soon realise that it is essential to take an afternoon siesta! Most hotels have their own nightly entertainment with a resident band, and Greek nights with folk dancing. The resort’s clubbing scene is legendary with big name DJ’s appearing frequently at some of the popular clubs.

Activities
The long sandy beaches along the coast of Ayia Napa are washed with warm waters that provide many opportunities for watersports, including water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, pedal boats, motor boats, parasailing, scuba diving and snorkelling. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation supervises the beaches, many of which have Blue Flag status.
Holidaymakers can take excursions from Ayia Napa to places like Agia Thekla (a small offshore island), Makronisos Beach (a cluster of three sheltered bays) or to the historical city of Larnaca. Jeep safaris around the island itself are popular, with attractions like the Caledonian Falls and the Byzantine Monastery of Kykkos waiting to be explored.