Paralimni-Famagusta

The modern city of Paralimni bears little resemblance to the sleepy rural backwater of the early 1970s. Paralimni’s metamorphosis began in 1974 when the town of Famagusta’s Greek-Cypriot population fled south during partition. Paralimni grew exponentially overnight and soon became the regional administrative capital. Town planning has never been high on Paralimni’s agenda and today’s urban sprawl holds little interest for tourists. However, the town has retained a friendly utilitarian charm that warrants a couple of hours of anybody’s time.

Paralimni’s inland location means that it can get unbearably hot during the summer months. In the not-too-distant past the surrounding area was irrigated by an intricate system of windmill-driven waterways, which today sit motionless and derelict. Matters aren’t helped by the fact that each morning Paralimni empties itself of people as the local population commutes to work in the nearby tourists resorts. For such a sizeable town, Paralimni has an eerily ghostly feel and daytime visitors won’t find much of interest beyond the attractive town square and a handful of handicraft shops. However, in the evening things liven up and Paralimni represents a refreshing alternative for anyone who is tired of the relentless beats that accompany every aspect of life in nearby Ayia Napa.

Gastronomically curious visitors will no doubt be interested in sampling a local delicacy known as ambeloboulia (pickled songbird eaten whole). However, this popular dish is illegal and visitors are advised to steer well clear. Locals put a lot of energy into their gardens, which lend a welcome splash of colour to the otherwise drab surroundings. North of Paralimni the abandoned town of Varosha is a melancholy reminder of the island’s troubled political situation, while to the east you’ll find some of Cyprus’ best beaches and most animated nightlife.

Paralimni is the largest town in the free Famagusta district and is situated in the southeast of Cyprus. The word Paralimni means "settlement by the lake". Historically, Paralimni was built on the shores of a shallow lake, which filled with water only in the wintertime.

In the beginning of the 20th century, as a result of reclamation work, the whole of the lakebed was reclaimed for agricultural purposes. Paralimni has not always been where it is now. Originally it was built on a hill, which was situated between Dherinia and its

However, in the 15th century, it was moved inland to avoid detection by the sea pirates. It is said that the first people to settle at Paralimni arrived just after the capture of the near town of Famagusta by the Ottoman Turks in 1571. The first settlement was called Saint Demetrius and this place still bears his name today.

Not far from Paralimni, at a location known today as Protaras, stood the old city-state of Leukolla. The city possessed a small safe harbour where the Athenian Demetrius Poliorketes in the year 306 B.C. sought refuge, lying in wait for Ptolemeos, one of the successors of Alexander the Great. In the ensuing battle Ptolemeos was defeated and fled to Egypt, leaving Cyprus for a while in the hands of Demetrius. The first inhabitants of Paralimni were farmers. The location of Paralimni is favoured by a very mild climate which is conducive to the early-in-the year produce of vegetables and potatoes. Paralimni has lovely beaches and the most well known in the area is Fig Tree Bay in Protaras area.

Protaras is part of Paralimni which is more familiarly referred to as "the land of windmills" maintaining the nostalgic quality of the past. Picturesque but geared for tourism, Procaras has lovely sandy white beaches, and man/ restaurants, pubs and clubs.