Properties in Paralimni and the Protaras and Ayia Napa areas

The modern city of Paralimni bears little resemblance to the insignificant sleepy village of the early 1970s, since it effectively became the capital of 'Free Famagusta Province' after the 1974 invasion.

The word Paralimni means "settlement by the lake" as it was built on the shores of a shallow lake, which used to fill with water only in the wintertime. However, in the beginning of the 20th century, the whole of the lake bed was reclaimed for agricultural purposes as a result of reclamation work.

The mild climate and fertile red soil together with underground water has contributed enormously to the increasing development of agriculture and farming. The main produce of the villages around Paralimni are potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh vegetables, watermelons, melons and broad beans. In the not-too-distant past, before Cyprus built its dams, the area was irrigated by an intricate system of windmill-driven waterways. Many windmills can be seen today sitting motionless and derelict, a reminder of the past. The villages that surround Paralimni are called the red villages, named after the colour of the fertile soil. These villages are fast becoming attractive to those seeking properties in Paralimni, especially smaller villas with and without private swimming pools, thereby catering for all types of property purchasers as they are still at reasonably lower prices than many other areas of Cyprus.

Paralimni has not always been where it is now. Originally it was built on a hill, which was situated between Dheryneia and its present location.

However, it was moved inland to avoid detection by the sea pirates in the 15th century. The first people to settle at Paralimni arrived just after the capture of the nearby town of Famagusta (Ammochostos) in 1571 by the Ottoman Turks.
North of Paralimni the abandoned town of Varosha is a melancholy reminder of the island's troubled political history, while to the east you'll find some of the Cyprus' best beaches and most animated nightlife.
Paralimni province has proven a popular holiday resort area, whilst still becoming a very sought after residential area causing property prices to rise considerably. From an investment point of view, properties in Paralimni province and the villages in its surrounding area are proving to give good returns and those who have purchased properties in Paralimni have created a hotspot for those seeking maximum investment on their capital.

Near to Paralimni town are the sea side tourist hotspots, such as the well known tourist town of Ayia Napa, where vast changes have occurred over the years. Once a haven for the ‘lager louts’ from the UK, it has turned into a beautiful holiday location for all the family with wonderful beaches and facilities. Nearby is also Protaras, another lovely holiday hotspot with fantastic facilities. Due to some of these towns businesses starting to remain open during the winter, many people are now seeking to buy properties in Paralimni province for residency thereby creating an ongoing stable infrastructure.

Near to Paralimni town with easy access to the main motorway link to Paphos and Nicosia, is Ayia Thekla, still within walking distance of Ayia Napa but primarily a residential area consisting of very affordable villas, these are snapped up by the Brits as they are only 40 minutes drive from the international airport at Larnaca.

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