Famagusta District
Fig Tree Bay
Protaras's headline beach: 500m of soft sand, shallow clear water and a tiny swimmable islet just offshore — genuinely one of the Med's best, but it fills fast, so get there early or walk to the quieter north end.
Where
Protaras, Cyprus
Opening hours
Open access (always open). The beach is public and free at any hour; lifeguard cover, sunbed hire and the beach cafes operate seasonal daytime hours, busiest from late spring through summer. Arrive early in peak season for space.
Tickets
Free — no ticket needed to use the beach. You only pay if you hire a sunbed and parasol pair, which typically costs around €10-12 for the day, or eat and drink at the beach cafes.
Time needed
A half to a full day on the sand and in the water; an hour or two is enough if you just want a swim, the islet and a coffee.
In short
Visiting Fig Tree Bay
Fig Tree Bay is the reason most people come to Protaras: about 500m of soft sand, shallow clear water and a tiny swimmable islet just offshore that you can reach with a short swim. It is genuinely one of the Med's best beaches, but it fills fast — get there before about 9:30 in summer or walk to the quieter northern end. Free to use; a sunbed and parasol pair runs roughly €10-12.
The beach itself
Fig Tree Bay is why most people come to Protaras, and it broadly lives up to the hype. It’s a gentle curve of around 500m of soft, pale sand, backing onto water that is shallow, clear and calm — the kind of bay where you can wade out a long way and still stand up, which makes it excellent for families and easy swimming. Just offshore sits a tiny islet you can reach with a short swim, a small adventure that has become the beach’s signature. On its day, it genuinely ranks among the Mediterranean’s best beaches.
The honest catch is popularity. In high season the bay fills early, the hired sunbeds pack in tightly, and the central stretch can feel crowded and a little hectic by midday. None of that is a secret to the people already there at nine.
Beating the crowds, and what it costs
The fix is timing and position. Get there before about 9:30 in summer to claim a good spot and parking, or walk towards the quieter northern end, which is less built-up and calmer. A late afternoon swim, once the day-trippers thin out, is another lovely window.
Using the beach is free. A sunbed and parasol pair typically runs about €10-12 for the day, and given how limited the natural shade is, that parasol earns its keep in the summer sun. There are beach cafes for drinks and lunch, and seasonal lifeguard cover on the main stretch.
Bring water, sun cream and a hat, watch any flag warnings before swimming out to the islet, and don’t leave valuables unattended. Check current GOV.UK travel advice for Cyprus before you travel. Come early, pick your end of the bay, and Fig Tree Bay delivers exactly the beach day Protaras is sold on.
Planning the rest of your trip? See the Protaras city guide.
