Fig Tree Bay

Fig Tree Bay is the centre of Protaras and one of the most photographed beaches in Cyprus. A wide arc of soft, pale gold sand backs onto calm, shallow water, with a small rocky islet a short swim offshore that confident swimmers like to reach. The bay is named for an old fig tree near the shore, and it was the first beach in Cyprus to earn a Blue Flag, a status it has carried for many seasons.

The water shelves gently and stays clear and protected, which makes Fig Tree Bay a reliable family choice. Sunbeds and umbrellas fill much of the sand in summer, watersports operators run from the beach, and a strip of cafes, tavernas and hotels sits just behind. The bay is consistently ranked among the better beaches in Europe, which is part of why it draws steady crowds through the season. It gets busy at peak times, so arriving early gives you the calmest water and the best pick of space.

Planning a Fig Tree Bay day

• Blue Flag beach with lifeguards through the main season.
• Sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets and watersports on the sand.
• Tavernas, cafes and shops line the road behind the beach.
• The offshore islet is a short swim for stronger swimmers only.

Fig Tree Bay sits along the Protaras strip near the sandy Sunrise Beach, with the sheltered Konnos Bay and the cliffs of Cape Greco a short drive south. The beaches of Ayia Napa, including Nissi Beach, are an easy hop along the coast.