The Kapparis Area

The main street of Kapparis is situated just four minutes walk from Villa Helena, which means that a hire car is not essential if you want to stay in the Kapparis area.

If you walk from Villa Helena towards the sea, after eight minutes you will reach the lovely Fireman's Beach. A short walk along the coastal footpath in either direction from Villa Helena will reveal many other quiet and secluded bays, all with crystal clear waters. Just eight minutes walk south along the coast from Fireman’s Beach is the beautiful Blue Water Bay Beach, which is ideal for swimming, as it is in a sheltered cove. Here you can relax on the large terrace of the Malama Hotel, whilst keeping an eye on your children swimming below. The hotel facilities are open to the public, including seven different water sports.

Kapparis itself has grown into a lovely town over the past few years, due to the ongoing development of the island. The main thoroughfare features a great choice of excellent traditional Cypriot restaurants, as well as those offering Italian and British fare. There are also bars and Cypriot tavernas; with live bouzouki music, Greek dancing and singing (during the summer months). The local supermarkets can provide you with a selection of Cypriot and imported food and wine for Villa Helena's well equipped kitchen.

The village is an all year resort and stays lively even in the winter months, due not just to the Cypriots, but also the increasing number of British people that live there, whose numbers are swollen during the Christmas and New Year period. There are more shops and restaurants staying open right through the year in Kapparis than in all the other resorts put together. Protaras, for example, is very quiet during the winter.

The main street through Kapparis was once the main coastal road into Famagusta. This is now a ‘ghost town’ which lies in crumbling dereliction just across the border in the Turkish occupied north. Until the invasion in 1974, the town was the principle port and the best holiday resort in the Mediterranean. With its eight kilometres of white sand and safe beaches, Famagusta was the jewel in the crown of Cyprus. You can still visit the beaches in Famagusta for a day trip if you would like. It is very straightforward to cross the border in a hire car. While on this day trip you can visit a world famous archaeological site at the ancient port of Salamis.

Further Afield

Villa Helena makes an ideal base from which to explore the Famagusta District. Within this area there is more than enough to see and do, to keep even the most active holiday makers happy for their whole time on this beautiful island.

If you want to hire a car to explore further afield, you can reach the long white sandy beaches around the family resort of Protaras. The famous Fig Tree Bay is 9 minutes drive and the lovely Konnos Bay at Cape Greco 11 minutes drive away. The stunning Cape Greco National Park is 14 minutes away. Lively Ayia Napa, with its famous Nissi Beach and buzzing nightlife, is only a 17 minute drive away.

Villa Helena places you within easy reach of the neighbouring towns of Paralimni, Dherynia and the resorts of Protaras, Pernera and Ayia Napa. These offer a wide range of sports and activities: catamaran cruises around the coast, scuba diving (including try-dives for beginners), snorkelling, walking or cycling along the beautiful coastal footpaths, restaurants, bars, shopping and sightseeing options to enjoy throughout your holiday.

Paralimni

The town of Paralimni is eight minutes drive inland from Villa Helena, and offers a more traditional view of Cyprus, with beautiful historic squares and churches, lovely bakeries, cafés, restaurants and even a Marks and Spencer. The square is a hive of activity, with trendy cafés and traditional Cypriot tavernas where the locals spend the warm afternoons socialising over Cypriot coffee. There are many shops to browse in, or you can relax in the main square and absorb the atmosphere.

Protaras

Protaras is a popular resort offering a choice of restaurants and bars, and family entertainments including mini-golf, a seawater aquarium and evening entertainment at the popular Eden Square.

Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa offers a range of options on a larger and livelier scale, including the famous Nissi Beach and Water World; one of the largest water parks in Europe. It is an enormous water park, ideal for all the family, open daily from 10:00 during the summer months.

If you want lively nightlife, Protaras and Ayia Napa offer plenty of clubs, restaurants and bars. However, if you are looking for somewhere more tranquil, and with beautiful walks, be sure to visit the Cape Greco national park, an area of unspoilt natural beauty.