We arrived in Sofia as part of a trip to Bulgaria with our daughters, Maya (4.5 years old) and Sophie (almost two years old). The trip took place in August, with warm weather. We spent two nights in Sofia and the rest of our time in Bansko.

Sofia Bulgaria with kids- Traveling outside the box

Family-Friendly Hotels in Sofia

During our stay in Sofia, we stayed at two different hotels.

Eurostars Hotel

The first was the Eurostars Hotel, located in the city center. We booked a suite that included a pull-out sofa, a double bed, and a bathroom. The suite was spacious, but in hindsight, we would have preferred two connecting rooms. The hotel itself was pleasant but not exceptional. I think itโ€™s a great choice for anyone looking for a centrally located hotel at an affordable price. The breakfast was good, with a variety of Bulgarian dishes and fresh fruits. The hotel offers paid parking at 24 leva per day.
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Hotel Zoo

Hotel Zoo is located right next to the zoo and a large park. I thought this would be a great choice so we could visit the zoo with the girls, but we ended up visiting the Science Museum and another park instead. The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from the city center, and the staff there was not very friendly. Additionally, there was a lot of noise in the mornings from the nearby zoo. However, I liked the spacious rooms, the on-site restaurant and bar, and the small outdoor playground. For those traveling with small children, it might be a pleasant place to stay for a night, but I would recommend a hotel in a more central location. Parking costs 10 leva per day.
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Getting Around Sofia

We primarily used taxis, which was the most convenient option with the girls. Taxis in Sofia are inexpensive, and there’s an app called Taxime that always had available taxis.
By the way, if youโ€™re traveling with a baby to Sofia, keep in mind that the sidewalks are not very stroller-friendly, especially if you have a basic travel stroller.

Car Rental in Sofia

Thereโ€™s no need to rent a car for traveling within Sofia itself, but since we planned to travel from Sofia to Bansko, we decided to rent a car directly from the airport and return it there. I chose hotels with parking to avoid dealing with parking in the city. I rented the car through Paapm Paapm, a service I like because it saves time and allows filtering out less recommended rental companies.

I filtered the search results on Paapm Paapm for an automatic car and pick-up at the terminal, so we wouldn’t have to wait for a shuttle โ€” especially with two small girls โ€” and it was a great decision. We received the car within 10 minutes of arrival. We rented from Goldcar, which is part of Europcar. We paid an extra 35 euros for a car seat, and in hindsight, it would have been wise to email them in advance to request a seat, as the number of seats is limited. We booked full insurance through Carinsurent. You will need a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit (a debit card is not acceptable).

Children’s Science Museum: Muzeiko

Muzeiko turned out to be the perfect place to visit with the girls. We spent two enjoyable hours there (and could have spent even more). The museum is modern and new, and there werenโ€™t many people, probably because we visited in the middle of the week. It is spread over three floors and divided into themes of past, present, and future. All the exhibits are interactive and engaging for both children and adults. There is also an area suitable for little ones with games and a slide. Each floor has restrooms, and the ground floor has a nice cafรฉ with hot and cold drinks, ice creams, and desserts. Maya and Sophie were very interested in the exhibits, and Maya wanted to try everything we saw. Although Sophie didn’t understand everything, she wasn’t bored because everything was interactive, and she tried everything Maya did.

Entry fee: Children under the age of two enter for free. For adults and children, the cost is 12 leva (about 6 euros). If you arrive between 4:00-6:00 PM, the entrance fee is 10 leva.
Opening hours: The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Borisova Gradina Park

A beautiful park that’s nice to walk around in. It is the oldest and most famous park in Sofia. There is a lake, walking trails (you can also rent bikes and ride around), a restaurant by the lake, and food stalls. Directions.

Studentski Park

About a 10-minute walk from the museum, we reached a lovely park with lots of trees, lawns, and a cute playground that the girls enjoyed. I think itโ€™s a great park to visit with kids if you’re in the area. Directions.

Instagrammable Stairs

When I saw these stairs near our hotel, I thought it would be a great place for a photo of the girls, but it turned out to be an attraction they really enjoyed as well. The stairs are covered in graffiti and are right outside the Eurostars Hotel. Maya and Sophie enjoyed climbing the stairs and sliding down the ramp. Directions.

Cafรฉ with Great Cakes: Altruist Urban Cafe

If you love cakes, we found a cafรฉ with a great selection of delicious cakes โ€” Altruist Urban Cafe, which offers seating both inside and outside. They have excellent coffee and cakes. Our favorites were the chocolate cheesecake and the pistachio-raspberry cake.

Tsentralna Banya Gardens

From the Altruist Urban Cafe, we continued to the gardens (about a ten-minute walk with a stroller). On a previous visit, the gardens were more well-kept, but this time there were many pigeons, which the girls enjoyed feeding and running around with. The gardens are home to Sofia’s old city bathhouse (Central Mineral Baths), an impressive historic building with beautiful Ottoman architecture and mineral water fountains that attract many visitors. Directions.

Vitosha Boulevard

The most popular area in the city. On this pedestrian street, you will find plenty of restaurants and shops. If you are looking for a lively place to be throughout the day and night, this is the place.

Restaurants in Sofia

Amazing Italian Restaurant: Unica

We arrived at Unica on the first day of our family vacation for dinner. I found the restaurant by chance on Google Maps and saw that it was just a five-minute drive from our Eurostars Hotel. I called ahead to make sure there was a table available. Luckily, there was (I recommend making a reservation in advance and asking for a table by the window). Our first impression was excellent, and the food was even better than expected. We ordered focaccia for a starter, which came cut into squares with cheese and sausage โ€” it was so good that we finished it immediately and ordered another one. We also ordered a tartare dish, which I found less impressive. For the main courses, we had risotto with baby calamari and peas (the winning dish of the evening) and spaghetti with tomatoes, which was very tasty and a big hit with the girls. Additionally, we ordered local wine, which was excellent. If you’re in Sofia, this restaurant is highly recommended for a delicious dinner.

Korean Restaurant: Korean Restaurant Korea

When we returned to Sofia from Bansko, we looked for a place for lunch near the Zoo Hotel. I found a restaurant called Korean Restaurant Korea, just a four-minute drive away. It is a small, homey restaurant with a few tables inside and outside. When we arrived, we were the only customers, and we were a bit apprehensive, but soon realized it was a great restaurant, and we loved the dishes. We ordered a delicious seafood soup and a vegetarian bibimbap that was so good we were disappointed we didn’t have time to come back. For the girls, we ordered a vegetable omelet and a clear noodle soup with vegetables, which they loved. Additionally, several small side dishes, such as kimchi and tofu in sauce, were served to the center of the table.

Local Chain Restaurant: Happy Bar & Grill

On our last night in Sofia, we had dinner at Happy Bar & Grill, a Bulgarian restaurant chain with branches all over the country. We had eaten at their branch in Varna during a previous vacation in Golden Sands. This is a chain with tasty food at good prices, making it very suitable for those traveling with children. Directions to the branch we visited.

More Things to Do in Sofia with Kids

We had limited time in Sofia, so we didn’t get to experience all the attractions in the city. However, I did some research beforehand, and here are some additional suggestions for things to do:

in conclusion, I believe you can easily spend 3-4 enjoyable days with kids in Sofia, as there is always something to do. The city has plenty of parks and playgrounds, which is a significant advantage for those visiting with young children in spring or summer. I really loved combining a visit to Sofia with a trip to Bansko, allowing us to experience both the city and nature.

I hope my post has been helpful to you. If so, I would love for you to leave a comment below. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comments or reach out to me on the blog’s social media pages: Facebook and Instagram.
Looking for more information about Bulgaria? I have more posts about Bulgaria on my blog!

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We flew to Bulgaria for a family trip. The plan was to land in Sofia, stay there for one night, and then continue for six days in Bansko. After seeing the Kempinski Hotel and its excellent summer rates, I decided on Bansko. I also discovered the many attractions in the Bansko area for families with children. Since Bansko is famous as a ski resort in winter, hotel prices are much lower in the summer.

The drive from Sofia to Bansko takes just over two hours. Itโ€™s a relatively easy and flat drive, mostly on a main road, except for the last twenty minutes, which are more winding with a single lane in each direction.

Bansko with kids - Traveling outside the box

Overview of Our Trip to Bansko

How Did We Get to Bansko?

We rented a car from Sofia Airport and drove for just over two hours to Bansko. We stayed one night in Sofia on arrival and one night on the return trip. I chose hotels with parking to avoid dealing with parking in the city. I booked the car through Paapm Paapm, which I like because it saves time and allows you to filter out non-recommended rental companies.

I filtered the search results on Paapm Paapm for an automatic car with pickup at the terminal, so we wouldnโ€™t have to wait for a shuttleโ€”especially with two small children. This turned out to be an excellent decision; we received the car within 10 minutes of arrival. We rented from Goldcar, which is part of Europcar. We paid an extra 35 euros for a child’s seat. In hindsight, it would have been wise to email them in advance to request a seat, as their supply is limited. We took out insurance for deductible reimbursement through Carinsurent. Note that a credit card in the driver’s name is required for a deposit (debit cards are not accepted).

Kempinski Hotel

Staying at the Kempinski Hotel was an exceptional experience. It is one of the most impressive hotels we have ever visited, and its design is simply stunning. We couldnโ€™t believe the value of the money we received. We paid about 2,000 euros for five nights in two connecting rooms (each with a balcony, a king-sized bed, and a bathroom with both a tub and a shower) on a half-board basis. The dinners were of a very high standard. The hotel is designed like a castle, with beautiful antique decor and breathtaking views of lawns and mountains.

Best hotel for families this summer in Bulgaria - Traveling outside the box

Hotel Facilities

The hotel has an indoor pool, a jacuzzi, an adults-only area with saunas and an ice room, a spa, and a gym that is open 24/7. There is also a kids’ club where children over three can be left under supervision, or you can stay with them. Since we had Sophie, who was under two, we spent some time in the kids’ club and some time sitting in the seating areas outside the club (ordering coffee). This way, the girls could play and join us whenever they wanted. The only downside was that the staff at the club mostly spoke Bulgarian and not much English, so the girls had difficulty communicating with them. I mentioned this in my feedback to the hotel.

Outside the hotel, there are several swimming pools, including a toddler pool and a jacuzzi, which we used with the girls. In the late afternoons, when it got a bit cooler, it was very pleasant to relax in the warm jacuzzi. The hotel has a restaurant above the pool area where we had lunch on our first day. The food was excellent, and they also served homemade ice cream.

Food at the Hotel

Breakfast is a diverse buffet with everything you could imagine: an omelette station, waffles, pancakes, hard cheeses, salmon, deli meats, fresh juices (which vary daily), freshly squeezed orange and red grapefruit juice, bread, pastries, fresh fruits, cakes, spreads, and more. There is a children’s corner with accessible food and unbreakable plates, so Sophie and Maya could take whatever they wanted themselves. Additionally, you can order extra dishes from a menu, like Eggs Benedict.

In the evenings, there were two barbecue buffet dinners (on Fridays and Saturdays), which were very high quality, with excellent steaks, seafood, salad bars, cheeses, deli meats, fresh fruits, cakes, and moreโ€”all included in the half-board (except drinks). On the other evenings, dinner was served at the Italian restaurant with an ร  la carte menu. The dishes were excellent, and you could choose a starter (either pasta or risotto) and a main course. Some dishes required a small additional fee (about 5 euros), like the octopus carpaccio, which was excellent. For dessert, there were delicious options: Roman chose the tiramisu, which he said was one of the best he had ever had. The girls and I loved the restaurant’s signature dessertโ€”white chocolate mousse, raspberry mousse, and sorbet. For the kids, you could choose a dish from the kids’ menu and a dessert.

The only downside was the slow service at the restaurant, where on two evenings, it took almost two hours to receive all the dishes. The girls began to lose patience, but apart from that, the meals were amazing.

Outside the Hotel

Outside the hotel, there is an inflatable playground and a kids’ parkโ€”great activities for the children. The inflatables cost about 10 leva for half an hour, which is very reasonable. The hotelโ€™s location is excellent, with attractions nearby. If you want to walk to restaurants or cafes in Bansko, you can do so, but keep in mind that the area is hilly. Going down with the kids is easy, but coming back up can be more tiring.

Summary of the Hotel Experience

At the entrance to the hotel, there is a valet parking service that takes your car keys and parks the car for you, and when we needed the car, they brought it to us. The service was excellent, as was the cleanliness of the rooms. Attention to detail was evident in the room: bathrobes for adults and children, toiletries, facial cleansing water, a coffee machine, a kettle, tea, and coffee capsules. In short, the experience at the hotel was amazing. Aside from a few small details that could be improved, our stay was perfect and highly recommended.

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Cable Car and Kidsโ€™ Activities in the Mountains

Behind the Kempinski Hotel is a cable car, which is used for skiing in winter. In summer, you can take it up to an area with children’s activities. The cable car ride takes almost half an hour, so keep that in mind if you are travelling with small children. Maya and Sophie were very excited about the cable car and the views from it. The round-trip ticket for the four of us cost 90 leva (about 45 euros).

When we arrived, we found a world of activities for children: a playground, inflatables (costing 10 leva per child for 20 minutes), and a water slide (only for children over the age of 8, so we couldnโ€™t try it, and Maya was disappointed but was told she was too young). There is also a tubing track (without water, suitable for children over 1.30 meters tall, but Maya, who was 1.20 meters, was allowedโ€”probably depending on the attendant). Maya was very excited about this attraction and did it five times at the cost of 25 leva. There is also a mini-golf and a restaurant where I had iced coffee, the girls enjoyed ice cream, and Roman had a cold soup (yoghurt and cucumber).

Overall, it was a very enjoyable activity with the kids. I hope that next time we come, we can all try the water slide. There is also a short walking trail in the forest that can be done with a stroller. For those without kids or with older children, you can take the cable car up with rented bikes and ride down the trail or explore the area by bike and return by cable car. For all the activities and prices.

Horseback Riding

Five minutes drive from our hotel, we discovered a horse farm called ะšะพะฝะฝะฐ ะฑะฐะทะฐ ะšะžะจะ•ะ ะ˜ะะ. We decided to go there and ride horses together. The place itself is charming and feels like a cosy corner with a hammock, several picnic tables, playground equipment, and animal enclosures with chickens and rabbits.

You can choose between a fifteen-minute or a thirty-minute ride in the forest. We chose the fifteen-minute ride because Sophie is still young, and it was her first time on a horse. I was the first to ride a horse, Maya rode behind me on a pony, and Roman rode with Sophie on another pony. Each of us had a guide holding the reins, so no prior riding experience was necessary. The ride was calm and relaxed in the forest, and Maya wanted to do it again. The way back was even more beautiful, as the mountain views unfolded before us. Directions.

Rila Fun Park

One of the recommended attractions in the Bansko area is Rila Fun Park, located about a 45-minute drive from the Kempinski Hotel. The park is situated near the Bear Sanctuary, so you can combine visits to both attractions on the same day.

The park features a variety of attractions, including inflatables and trampolines. At the top, there are seating areas suitable for older children and adults. You can enjoy a small cafรฉ and a popcorn stand with stunning views of the forest and mountains. However, the highlight of the park for me was the roller coaster! You can ride it alone or with a partner, and you can control the speed of the ride. Iโ€™m not sure exactly how long the ride lasted, but I estimate it was a few minutes. It was an amazing and relaxing experience for me (I chose to go slowly, which was calming), while Maya and Roman wanted to go at full speed, making it a more thrilling experience for them. There are brakes you can pull to slow down the ride, so if you want a slower experience, it’s possible. I preferred the slower pace, but it can be very fast.

The roller coaster is suitable for children aged 3 and up. Tickets cost 15 leva for adults and 10 leva for children. Parking and park entry are free. The park also has a playground, a zip line, and a dwarf house primarily for photo opportunities. Additional paid attractions include trampolines and a seat that launches you upwards (I’m not sure how to describe it since we didn’t try it :)).

Bear Sanctuary

The Bear Sanctuary is located just behind Rila Fun Park. There are two ways to get there:

  1. On Foot: There is a trail through the park that you can walk. Our friends who visited reported that the walk takes about twenty minutes. They had a two-and-a-half-year-old with them, and since the trail is not stroller-friendly, they carried him part of the way and had him walk the rest. Itโ€™s advisable to bring a baby carrier if youโ€™re walking with infants.
  2. By Car: Alternatively, you can drive five minutes from the park. We chose this option since we didnโ€™t have a carrier. Itโ€™s the most convenient and quickest option.

At the Bear Sanctuary, you can take a one-kilometre tour to see the bears. Tours are conducted from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. When we arrived a bit after noon, we had to wait until 1:00 PM for the tour, which conflicted with lunchtime and Sophieโ€™s nap. Therefore, we decided to go only to the observation point (free), and luckily we managed to see two bears, which was enough for us. If we had checked the times in advance, we would have tried to make it for the tour.

The tour costs about 10 leva for adults, 3 lev for children aged 7 to 18, and children under 6 enter for free. Directions to the sanctuary are available. Directions.

Restaurant with Playground and Animals

On the way back from the Bear Sanctuary, we stopped for a meal at a charming restaurant called Hristiana Heavenly Place. The restaurant features a playground and various animals like ostriches and chickens. It is a 15-minute drive from the Bear Sanctuary.

We ordered two pizzas: one with olives and mushrooms and one with Margherita, along with a salad and beef sausage with fries. Roman also ordered a draft beer and said it was good. Itโ€™s a great option for lunch, especially if you’re with children. The girls enjoyed the playground while we waited for the food. The service was quick and good.

Restaurant with Fish You Can Catch

The restaurant itself is an experience. I saw a recommendation for it in a story on Instagram by Hila from ToTravelLive. Itโ€™s a stunning restaurant with fish ponds and seating areas overlooking the ponds. Besides the beautiful setting, you can also catch your fish, which they will then prepare for you.

We arrived close to lunchtime, and the girls were already hungry, so I didnโ€™t want to risk Roman and Maya not catching any fish. Therefore, I pre-ordered a grilled fish, along with additional dishes like salad, tomatoes with cheese, garlic potatoes, and schnitzels. It turned out to be a good decision since they didnโ€™t manage to catch any fish, but at least we enjoyed the attempt. A child nearby caught two fish within 2 minutes, so it is possible.

The restaurant is called Rila Fish and is located about a 35-minute drive from Bansko. You can combine a visit here with a trip to Rila Fun Park and the Bear Sanctuary, instead of the other restaurant I mentioned earlier.

Cafรฉ with a Play Area

On one of our trip days, Sophie wasnโ€™t feeling well and was quite sleepy. We wanted to get coffee outside the hotel while Maya wanted to play, so I came across a new cafรฉ that opened in February 2024, ZZ Land Play Cafรฉ.

Itโ€™s a lovely cafรฉ with both indoor and outdoor seating. The ground floor features a large, modern play area with lots of games for children, a slide, a ball pit, and a caretaker. On the upper floor, there are TVs where you can watch your child, so if youโ€™re having coffee and cake upstairs, you can still keep an eye on them. The staff were very friendly and spoke good English, so Maya felt comfortable going downstairs to the play area with the caretaker. Sophie slept while Roman and I enjoyed coffee and delicious cakes. The cafรฉ only serves drinks and cakes.

The area around the cafรฉ is really nice, with a path with flowing water and greenery. The cost of the play area is 10 lev per hour.

Local Market on Sundays

We love markets, so when I discovered there was a market in Bansko on Sundays, I immediately included it in our activity plans. The market is open every Sunday from 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM and is located in the town centre. We arrived by car and found parking nearby. Many of the shoppers are locals, so the atmosphere is not touristy. Thereโ€™s a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, jams, spices, and more. Near the market, thereโ€™s a whole area with cafes, shops, and restaurants, as well as some food stalls. Additionally, there are paid attractions for children, like a carousel and a space ride. Directions to the market are available. Directions.

Other Activities in Bansko We Didnโ€™t Do

In summary, Bansko is a perfect destination for families and couples. Itโ€™s enjoyable all year round with many attractions and activities. There are many hotels in the area, but I highly recommend the Kempinski Hotel, which is amazing. Iโ€™m already looking forward to our next visit and trying more activities.

I hope my post has been helpful to you. If so, I would love for you to leave a comment below. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comments or reach out to me on the blog’s social media pages: Facebook and Instagram.
Looking for more information about Bulgaria? I have more posts about Bulgaria on my blog!

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Germany is one of my favorite countries because of its nature, people, bustling cities, and
the fact that thereโ€™s lots to do there.
In this post I will tell you about the cities Iโ€™ve liked the most when visiting.

Berlin

Berlin tops my list because it’s a truly fun city. Iโ€™ve visited four times, going both alone and
with a partner, and I always had a great time. The city offers countless things to do and has
many modern and trendy cafes, which is something very important to me when I
travelโ€”good coffee, a great atmosphere, and plenty to see and do.

Berlin is easily accessible, with two airports offering direct flights from almost anywhere in
Europe. Getting around the city is easy with public transportation. I used the metro and
trains, and it was simple to navigate with either option.

Things I really liked to do in Berlin: tours ๐Ÿ™‚ When I traveled alone, the tours were a great way
to meet people and explore the city. I tried a beer tour through Sandemans Europe, in which
we were a group of seven people and the guide. The guide was from Chile and from the
beginning I really liked him because he was funny and started telling cool facts about the
beer that I had no idea about. The tour consisted of three hours that were spent in old
breweries in the city and ended in a cool bar.

I also tried a bike tour through Berlin on Bike at Get your guide. I was a bit apprehensive about doing a bike
tour of the city because I was worried that the roads would be too busy, but it turns out that
Berlin is a very comfortable city for cycling. There are bicycle paths in most places and if
there are not, riding on the road is not stressful because there are not many vehicles. The
tour was about three-and-a-half-hours-long and we visited popular points of interest in the
city.

Another recommendation for something that I really liked is to go to a stand-up show in
English at the Cosmic Comedy Show. I went there both alone and with a partner and both
times I laughed a lot and really loved the place. Some evenings they host beginner and
veteran stand-up artists and each one appears for about 10 minutes. Most of them were
really funny. The entrance price is cheap and includes pizza, which is even nicer. There are
also evenings that consist of a show led by two veteran stand-up artists who each appear for
about 40 minutes.

A must-visit place is the Berlin Cathedral which is simply stunning and suitable for
photography lovers because it is very photogenic. In addition, there is a whole complex of
museums near the cathedral. I checked out the Pergamon Museum, which I really liked. The
museum contains a collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, a museum of Eastern
antiquities, and a museum of Islamic art. I really enjoyed the area of โ€‹โ€‹ancient Rome. At the
entrance you can pay for audio instruction and it was great because that way I could

progress at my own pace and whenever something seemed interesting to me I turned on the
audio according to the number of the performance and heard details about what I was
seeing.

If you like Vietnamese food, a restaurant that I really liked is Monsieur Vuong.
Itโ€™s a Vietnamese restaurant with amazing food and, as someone who traveled in Vietnam
for three months, I really enjoyed the flavors of this place.
A cafe that I really liked is Cafรฉ Hรผftengold Foodshop Hรผftengold.
A cafe in which it is really fun to sit outside on warm days. It is colorful with a good
atmosphere and has a variety of healthy and affordable breakfasts and desserts as well as
great coffee.
17 Cool things to do in Berlin

Nuremberg

Nuremberg really surprised me. I didnโ€™t expect much before arriving, but I quickly fell in love
with the city. The city center, with its beautiful architecture, is perfect for exploring on foot,
and there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and museums to enjoy.

Nuremberg has its own airport, and we arrived through a direct flight. Since we planned to
continue from Nuremberg to the Franconian Switzerland region, we rented a car at the
airport and drove to the city center. In Nuremberg itself, you donโ€™t need a car, so we parked
it near the hotel and only used it when leaving the city.
We stayed at the Melter Hotel & Apartments, an excellent 4-star hotel in a central location in
the old city.

Recommended things to do in the city:
First of all, if you come to Nuremberg during the Christmas season, you should know that it
is known as a city with one of the largest and most impressive markets in Germany.
In every new destination I really like to do a walking tour of the city to get to know all the
places and to get tips from local guides for the rest of the trip. We took a tour of the Ministry
of Tourism which cost 10 euros per person. The tour was light and fun, lasted about an hour
and a half, and we managed to see a lot of the downtown area and taste an excellent
gingerbread cookie in the bakery, everything is baked there.

Another place I recommend going to is the Imperial Castle. The area around the castle is
well maintained and beautiful, and in addition, there is a unique show around the well. Every
round hour, a short 10-minute show takes place in which a 50-meter-deep well is revealed,
which took about 10 years to be dug manually. The show is very nice and highly
recommended if you are in the area.

If you are looking for a restaurant that serves local food and is loved by the residents of the
area, you should try Restaurant Etzerdla. The restaurant is decorated in a modern and
impressive style, and the menu is based on seasonal and fresh ingredients, so the dishes
change according to the availability of local products.

Tip: It is recommended to buy the Nuremberg ticket so you can enjoy entry to many
museums and sites for free. The ticket can be ordered in advance and you can pick it up at
the information desk at the airport or at tourist information spots throughout the city.
3-day Nuremburg, Germany itinerary

Forchheim in Franconian Switzerland

Franconian Switzerland is in the Bavarian region of Germany. We got there with the rented
car from Nuremberg in a short one-hour drive. The road itself is really beautiful and I just
wanted to photograph every moment.
This area is suitable for nature lovers and those looking for something different from a
normal urban experience.
Forchheim is a stunning city that resembles a town more than a city. It is relatively small and
has beautiful architecture. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany, and is sometimes
referred to as the gateway to Franconian Switzerland. It has four local breweries and every
year, at the end of July, there is a beer festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of
tourists.

Not far from the city there is a castle that serves as a hotel and visiting it was one of the
most worthwhile things we did in the area. We stayed three nights at Burg Rabenstein
Castle. The area of โ€‹โ€‹the castle is stunning and you can go on various hiking trails.
The design of the castle looks medieval and the roomsโ€™ decor looks royal and authentic. In
courtyard there is a Biergarten restaurant with local food. There are also tours of the castle
that are free if youโ€™re a hotel guest there, or cost 5 euros if not.
Sleeping in a castle in Franconian Switzerland
Top things to do in Franconian Switzerland

Potsdam

We visited Potsdam as a day trip from Berlin, getting there by train. The S7 line of the S-
Bahn connects directly between Berlin and Potsdam. It departs from several central stations
in Berlin (like Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, and FriedrichstraรŸe) and arrives at Potsdam
Hauptbahnhof (Potsdam Central Station). The trip takes about 30-40 minutes.
Potsdam is a historical and cultural city famous for its palaces, gardens, and rich history,
making it a popular tourist destination. We visited in April when the city was covered in snow,
and while it was beautiful, Iโ€™ve heard itโ€™s even more stunning and colorful in the summer.
We enjoyed walking around the city center, admiring the architecture. Of course, you must
visit Schloss Sanssouci. We took a tour, which was very interesting, though some areas
were covered in snow, so we had to imagine what they looked like.

Hamburg

From Berlin, we drove to Hamburg, which took about three-and-a-half hours. We only stayed
in Hamburg for one day, and I regret not spending more time there. The city has a youthful
vibe, with many great places to sit outdoors. Itโ€™s a lively port city with plenty of attractions.

We really enjoyed wandering around the city itself. I think it’s an excellent place for young
people and for those looking for modern cafes, special architecture and nightlife.

If you are looking for nightlife, then the district of St. Pauli & Reeperbahn is Hamburg’s
famous area for this. Reeperbahn is known for its clubs, bars, theaters, and lively
atmosphere. Itโ€™s also where The Beatles got their start.

In conclusion, Germany has many cities that are worth visiting, and each one has a unique
atmosphere and different things to offer. I really suggest visiting the country for at least a
week and combining more than one city in the trip.

Updated post for 2024. All the information about real estate investments in Cyprus.

Roman (my husband) and I moved to the city of Limassol, in Cyprus, in May 2021 (if you are interested in the topic of moving here, I wrote a detailed post about relocation to Cyprus). We moved during the COVID-19 period and Roman recognized that there is potential here in real estate investments.

Why? The prices were low because of the coronavirus, Cyprus really started to develop (we had been to Cyprus several times in the last seven years and on each occasion we had seen more constructions and more new places), they announced that they were going to open a resort with the biggest casino in Europe, they started building a port for cruises in Limassol, and in general because of the low taxes. A lot of friends started moving here, as well. In addition, the war between Russia and Ukraine started, which caused many Russians and Ukrainians to move here. Of course, all these things also caused an increase in prices, but it further proved to us the potential that exists in real estate in Cyprus.

About the real estate investments we made here in the city of Limassol

From the moment we moved in, we started looking for good properties to invest in and went to see a lot of apartments.

One day a really good investment opportunity popped up from someone who wanted to sell her apartment quickly. The apartment needed a complete renovation to make it livable and she did not have the financial ability for that.

We purchased the apartment and brought a couple of friends who are local architects to accompany us in the renovation process. They made sure to bring a contractor and his workers with them. The renovation took about three months and at the end we got a centrally-located, two bedroom apartment that looks like new. Although the building is old, it has also been renovated in the lobby and strengthened against earthquakes.

The price we paid was very low for the market and today there are no such prices (it came out to cost us 195 thousand euros including everything – including furniture). We rent the apartment for 1600 euros.

We were very enthusiastic about the subject of apartment renovation and continued to look for properties for additional investments. After a year or so Roman, found a second-hand apartment with three bedrooms again in a central location, at a low price for the market, and in need of a complete renovation. We decided to renovate it to a really high standard because we decided to move in. We hired the couple of architects and the contractor again and after five months of renovation we moved into the apartment. We bought this apartment with a mortgage from a bank in Cyprus.

We recently purchased an area with an investor in order to build a building there. We are now in the drawing process with the architects to get initial approval for the construction of the building (a process of about six months).

As you can probably see, we really believe in the real estate market in Cyprus. Although the prices are much, much higher than they were when we moved here, the apartment prices still haven’t risen to the same level as the rental prices, and this makes it possible to purchase an apartment at a relatively low price and get a return of at least 5%, and even in really good opportunities, you can reach 8%.

Since we moved here, Iโ€™ve documented our investments on Instagram and saw that a lot of people were interested in the subject. So I decided to write you a complete guide with all the information about real estate investments in Cyprus. I contacted Itay Erez, owner of the Winest Group, a company specializing in real estate in Cyprus and relocation processes, and together we wrote this post so that you can receive as much information as possible regarding investments in Cyprus.

So, how did it all start and what does it even mean to invest in Cyprus?

Even before the legal reform and much thanks to the coronavirus, many families wanted peace of mind and decided to relocate to more comfortable places such as Thailand, Costa Rica and Cyprus. Without a shadow of a doubt, the families simply jump into the water and try their luck. For many years the local economy has benefited from funds from foreign investors, starting with the Chinese who wanted to get European citizenship and invested money to buy properties. 

This continued with the Russians and Ukrainians who came following the great escape from the war. And let’s not forget the presence of the British, who once ruled here and Cyprus was their retirement home. Thereโ€™s also the Christian Lebanese who ran away from everything that is happening with Hezbollah, and of course the Israelis, who are trying to escape from the country but are still trying to stay very close. And of course there are also Poles, Germans and other foreign investors.

So, what happened? The Cypriots announced the establishment of high-tech and financial companies in the city of Limassol, following the tax benefits for companies. They renovated the marina so that the largest cruise company in the world would arrive all summer, built the largest casino in the Middle East, and announced the construction of the new marina in Larnaca. And all this is without talking about the tourism that was already in Cyprus anyway. In 2019 there were almost 4 million tourists and there were 3.8 million tourists in 2023.

When the Israelis were looking for investments in countries around the world, the real estate market in Cyprus rose every year by dozens of percent and only in the last two years has the wave of Israelis reached the country.

When looking at real estate in Cyprus, we will probably focus on three main cities: Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos, however, there are also Ayia Napa, Protaras, Nicosia and of course the Troodos Mountains. Each of the cities has its own uniqueness that can suit the character of each investor according to their personal preferences and.

In which city should you invest in Cyprus?

Limassol

The most developed city in Cyprus that is not based only on tourism, but is also known as a place of employment for high-tech and where the “big money” is found. When you arrive in Limassol, you cannot miss the magnificent towers they built, ones that cannot be found anywhere else in Cyprus. The old town in Limassol attracts locals and tourists alike – there we can find the avenue of shops, bars and places of entertainment. 

In the real estate aspect, it seems that prices on the eastern side of the city have risen significantly and it is very difficult to find properties at cheap prices, therefore there is a very large demand on the western side of the city, in the Zakaki area. It is important to note that the Zakaki area is not developed and looks like the ‘Zone’ regional council, between Holon and Tel Aviv, where we can see factories, trucks and more. Real estate prices in the city have risen significantly – we can find apartments (in general) with two bedrooms and a living room, as cheap as โ‚ฌ220,000. Of course, there is always a bargain and you might be able to find an apartment even for 200,000 euros. In the eyes of many, Limassol has made a significant leap and there is a fear that it has reached its peak, but the real estate majors compare Limassol to Tel Aviv in Israel and predict that the increases will continue in the coming years. As long as the island is under development, the market value of Limassol will continue to rise.

Larnaca

The international airport of Cyprus is in Larnaca, which causes millions of people to pass through the city. It is located between Limassol and Ayia Napa, and at a very short distance from Nicosia, the capital city. Larnaca is a port city that is known its tourism during the warm periods of the year, however there are also travelers who come in the winter. In the last two years, the real estate industry in Larnaca has jumped by tens of percent following the changes that are being made in the city, such as the new shopping mall and the announcement of the construction of the new marina in the city. The village in Larnaca that is best known among Israelis is Livadia, which is very close to the new marina and many believe in the potential and increase in value there. We can find properties in Livadia with two bedrooms and a living room in a new complex with a pool and a gym for only 250k euro. We can also find a two-bedroom apartment and a living room for 700 euro. In my opinion, Larnaca is a destination with excellent potential, because the city is at the beginning of its development and the loans are more accessible. The biggest anticipation I have is to see what will happen to the city and the whole island when it seems that the construction of the marina is really progressing.

Paphos

An amazing city that is very suitable for people who love nature. We can see the sea from the window of almost every village in the Paphos district and it is known as an excellent summer town. We can find a complex with a pool or all-inclusive hotels at attractive prices. Recently, there has been a positive immigration to Paphos, causing an increase in population, which has resulted in Paphos not being just a summer town, but a city that operates all year round. 

Unlike Larnaca and Limassol, in Paphos we can see greenery almost everywhere, however there has been a very large development in the last two years and we can notice buildings that are under construction almost everywhere. 

As of today, the prices in Paphos are a little more expensive than those in Larnaca – we can find a complex with a pool and a gym in reputed areas such as Universal, Kato Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings for a little over a million shekels. In the eyes of veteran investors, Paphos still has a lot to expand to, but this will cause the green areas to become construction sites in the coming years.

In each of the cities we can find an excellent price, a good yield and of course very favorable taxation.

When talking about the yield, it is important to note that the real yield today in Cyprus is about 5-7%. Yes, there is still a “reality” of 8%+ but nevertheless the prices are rising. 

Until now we have talked about the real estate route in Cyprus in its three main cities, and now we will touch on taxation – one of the biggest advantages of the country.

Recommended neighborhoods for investment in the city of Limassol

In general, the central and tourist areas are under the highway. But there can still be good investments above the main road if there is quick access to it.

Mesa Geitonia area, a central area in Limassol – there are many corporate offices here, the main avenue of Makrios passes through here, and it is a sought-after area for rent.

The touristic areas that are close to the sea – especially the touristic neighborhoods of Germasogeia, Agios Tychonas, Mouttagiaka, Limassol, Neapolis.

The zoo area and the urban garden

The marina area – a very prestigious area

The Old City – mainly good for short-term rental apartments

Zakaki area – we personally connect less with this area because it is far from the center but on the other hand it is a very developing area because it is close to the resort and has the largest casino in Europe – which opened the previous summer. Because the rents in the city center are too high, many companies prefer to set up their offices there. It is an area that is considered more of a zone to buy new apartments as well and in the long run it may or may not pay off.

Of course, every neighborhood has exceptions. There are certain buildings or areas in neighborhoods where immigrants/refugees live. In this case, most of the buildings will be outdated and not maintained: an elevator does not work, a smelly stairwell, etc. They usually have several roommates living in one apartment, so it is necessary to check each case individually.

Limassol is considered the most expensive city in Cyprus, so an investment in a two-bedroom apartment will be at least 220,000 euros.

On the other hand, there is also the strongest population here, so you can rent apartments at high prices and get a good return.

Recommended neighborhoods for investment in the city of Larnaca

Phenicodes

Mackenzie Mackenzie

Lividia

And even at about a 10-minute walk towards the city from Pinikouds towards the American Academy.

Recommended neighborhoods for investment in the city of Paphos 

Kato Kato

Tombs of the Kings

Universal

And recently there is a great revival in Geroskipou as well.

Of course there is Peyia, mainly for private homes.

What are the disadvantages of investing in Cyprus?

Cyprus is a developing country and you have to get used to that. We are not coming to a European country like Madrid, Athens or Brussels.

“Siga Siga” – everything works slowly and what can be postponed until tomorrow, is postponed for another two days. The pace in Cyprus works differently and this is why many people love it – there are no great mental pressures…

Reduction of options – as everywhere, there is a window of opportunity where you can invest and earn money, but the window in Cyprus is getting smaller every day.

Bank guarantee – since the crisis in 2013, contractors prefer not to take loans from the bank and therefore there are no bank guarantees. So, what are we doing? The lawyer deposits the contract in the land registry as a warning note in the register in your name and you pay in installments. The lawyer performs all the comprehensive checks to make sure that the contractor is stable.

Contractors – there are contractors who advertise themselves in all kinds of different channels, but it is important to get to know the contractor in depth and not just from the angle of the broker or investor lender. It is important to hear about past cases and make sure that the contractor will deliver the property on time, in good quality, and with a clear wording.

Relocation through the purchase of a property in Cyprus

Buying a property for 300,000 euros + VAT allows you to obtain PR (permanent residency) in Cyprus.

The conditions for obtaining a PR when purchasing a property in Cyprus

Why should I apply for Permanent Residence?

You get a residence permit in Cyprus – you can stay more than 90 days in Cyprus and you don’t have to resubmit the application every year.

You can use the state health services of Cyprus – GESY

You can apply for citizenship after five consecutive years – as of today*

The process of purchasing a property in Cyprus – accompanied by Winest Group

Once we have found a property:

The advantages of buying a property in Cyprus

The forecast for the next five years in the real estate market in Cyprus

I was at a real estate fair on July 3-4, 2024 in Limassol called the REALTY on EXPO.

During the fair there were several lectures and I went to a question panel in which five participants from the real estate sector would participate who talked about the forecast for the next five years in said market in Cyprus. I briefly summarized what was said.

Will uncertainties like the state of the war with Israel affect the market negatively here in Cyprus?

According to history, you can actually see that these situations have caused the market to develop here.

As happened in the war of Lebanon, as happened in the war of Russia-Ukraine

At first there is shock for a month or two, but then people recalculate their route and realize that they need a plan B for living and Cyprus is a very inviting and accepting island so they find refuge here.

Can something have a negative effect on the real estate market in the next five years?

I see no reason for anything to change in the coming years and I think the market will continue to develop as it is now. You have to be focused and keep doing what you are doing now. The demand is increasing and the PR program is also increasing the demand. Every year there are 4000 new apartments for sale on the island, so yes, we meet the demand.

Is there a decrease this year compared to last year?

There are those who say that there has been a decrease this year in the demand for apartment purchases, but this is not true, it is a good and normal year. Last year was crazy and unrealistic. Entrepreneurs have not kept up with the demand. It is actually encouraging that this year was a normal year and it is going to be like this for the next five years. There will continue to be a normal, steady increase every year.

What about the local market?

We are constantly looking at the foreign market, but the most sales (not investment amounts) were made by the locals, so we should not neglect the local market.

Which cities are the most worth investing in?

According to the opinion of one of the presenters on the panel, Limassol and Ranka have the most potential in the further development of real estate here. Paphos is a bit different because it attracts more retired people.

What is important to do for the continued development of real estate here?

What is most important is to continue to develop and maintain economic stability and not do this only in terms of real estate, because eventually the wars will end and what is important is to have solidity here. The education will advance very much to an international level. The university here in Nicosia is very advanced.

In order to continue growing in real estate, there must be a strategy and smart planning on the part of the real estate entrepreneurship here. There is very rapid growth here, but this causes a lack of time to invest in planning and strategy. The coronavirus was difficult but, on the other hand, it gave entrepreneurs time to stop and plan ahead, building a smart plan. Now there is accelerated growth and this can create a disadvantage in the lack of time for a correct strategy. Better infrastructures are needed and they are working on it, but we need to think about the future, and not just for the next five years, but beyond that.

What are the main challenges that developers have to face?

The changes in the construction laws on behalf of the government

The biggest bottleneck right now is the number of people in construction

There are not enough people and this causes postponements and prevents entrepreneurs from starting more projects

We are in the process of approving bringing in more foreigners for construction; if things don’t change, it will continue to be a bottleneck and we won’t be able to grow in construction.

WhatsApp group for real estate investments and relocation in Cyprus

I opened a WhatsApp group for real estate investments in Cyprus, and me and Erez will manage the group. There are short contents related to the real estate sector and relocation to Cyprus, interesting projects for investment, second-hand apartments that Roman and I are going to see at low market prices, webinars on the topic of real estate and relocation that will be done later, and more… If this is an area that interests you, you are welcome to join the group and share it with friends.

Link to WhatsApp group for real estate investments and relocation in Cyprus

In conclusion, Cyprus offers many investment opportunities and, through tax benefits and great prices, it encourages foreigners to invest in the country. Real estate prices in Cyprus have climbed in recent years and continue to climb thanks to the great demand. There are many proposals for investments throughout Cyprus, but it is important to understand what the property’s potential is and not just what the property’s price is, so what will you do with a property that costs 100,000 euros and you cannot rent it? In my opinion, location is the name of the game and it’s worth investing a little more and knowing that we can rent out the property. As well as believing in the potential for an increase in value, the island is under a lot of development. The process for buying a property in Cyprus can be very confusing, with all the different advertisements on the networks, but the process can also be very simple when you choose the right people around you.

If you are interested in investing in real estate in Cyprus and are looking for a company that will accompany you throughout the process, you are welcome to leave your details in the form and Winest Group will get back to you (free consultation).

We live in Cyprus in the city of Limassol and we really like to go on vacation just here on the island especially because we have little girls and because you can find places here at great prices if you book in advance. Weโ€™ve been in hotels in Paphos, Limassol, Protaras and Ayia Napa. You can find detailed posts with recommendations for hotels in Paphos, recommendations for hotels in Limassol and recommendations for hotels in Ayia Napa. This post is dedicated to hotel recommendations in Protaras.

Protaras is a relaxed resort town that is suitable for both families and couples.

A post with information about things to do in Protaras and Ayia Napa with children.

All my recommendations are for all-inclusive hotels because I think this is the ideal kind of vacation to go on with children. No need to bother with food at all. At any given moment there is something to eat and there is a huge selection to choose from. In addition, the children can take whatever drink they want and the adults can enjoy it while drinking coffee and alcohol.

Protaras is easily accessible from Larnaca Airport, and the most convenient way to get there is by taxi or rental car. Taking the bus is less recommended, as it requires two buses with a transfer to Larnaca city center.

If you decide to rent a car, in my opinion it is better to search for one in the search engine Paapm Paapm. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of having to go to several websites) and they have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies. I wrote an extended post on the whole subject of car rentals abroad and I recommend reading it especially if this is your first car rental.

A special benefit for blog followers: I recommend renting a car from Cosmos and I received a 10% discount coupon from the owner for ordering online. To order a rental car directly from Cosmos (don’t forget the paid coupon code: trvbox). For complete information on car rentals in Cyprus.

In addition to my recommendations, at the end of the post you will also find recommendations on three hotels from the followers of the blog. I asked for recommendations for hotels that people really liked and I received excellent feedback.

Louis Althea Beach Hotel Protaras โ€“ 4-star all-inclusive in Protaras

We have been to the Louis Althea Hotel three times and I think it is one of the most fun hotels to visit with small children.

It is near the beach and promenade of Protaras. It has excellent rooms for families: studio, bedroom and living room and two bedrooms and living room. It has two large outdoor pools and a baby pool with a tiny slide.

It has the most charming entertainment team I have ever seen. Always keeps the kids active in the pool, in the kids’ club, and in the evening at the mini disco. The hotel is built in the style of a holiday village: there are many lawns, two-story buildings with the rooms and a main building that has the reception and other rooms.

The food there is delicious and varied. Every evening there is a different concept for the food and it is fresh. There is also a snack stand at the bar in the pool with pizzas, nuggets, Belgian waffles, fruit, and more. There are small ice creams for children all day.

The hotel is on an all-inclusive basis, so it includes non-stop food and drinks, including alcohol.

The beach is really cute and it is in a small cove. There is also a beach massage station near the hotel for those who want a massage for 20-30 minutes at an affordable price. Beyond the beach there is also a lovely promenade that is very nice to walk on with a stroller and for children on a scooter.

The only drawback is that the rooms are a bit outdated, but on the other hand, everything is clean and well maintained.

To book the hotel and other reviews

St. Louis Hotel Elias Waterpark โ€“ 4-star all-inclusive hotel in Protaras

Louis Elias Hotel is also a chain of Louis hotels that we really liked. Unfortunately, this hotel is not on the beach, but on the bright side, it is within walking distance of the amusement park in Protaras which is a great amusement park for small children.

This hotel is also all-inclusive, with excellent food. Family rooms and lovely entertainment staff.

The advantage of this hotel is that it has a small water park with several slides, for those looking for a hotel with a water park it can be suitable. It has activities throughout the day and there is a children’s club where children over the age of four can be supervised.

I think the two hotels, both Louis Althea and Louis Elias, are excellent for families. Each has its own advantages.

However, the price of Louis Elias is a little higher.

To book the hotel and other reviews

Recommendations from blog followers

Sunrise Oasis Waterpark Hotel โ€“ 4-star all-inclusive hotel, Protaras

Recommends: Elisheva Asher

We spent five nights in Portaras at the Sunrise Oasis Hotel.

This is an all-inclusive hotel with very nice food, a bit repetitive, but we always found something to eat. There is a large selection, and itโ€™s delicious.

What makes the hotel recommended for families is the small water park it has. Equal slides suitable for all ages. We are a couple plus three girls. The 14-year-old enjoyed the slides and the sunbeds by the pool. The 10-year-old middle one and the 5-year-old youngest really enjoyed the pool and slides. There is a pool for the little ones, a pool only for adults, and a pool for everyone. There is a pampering bar and buffet in the pool with a full selection and everything is included; you don’t need to pay extra and there is also free ice cream all day.

The feeling is that everything is in the hotel, and you don’t have to leave it. The children’s club is also lovely – my little one really enjoyed it, made a lot of creations. In addition there is a small gymboree. What helped us was that I could stay with her (I realized that there are hotels that don’t let parents stay). She doesn’t speak English, so they let me stay with her every time; once we even stayed for three hours in a kids club.

What’s even better is the location of the hotel – next to the LIDL supermarket, and really close to the amusement park. It is also close to the main street with all the shops and restaurants and relatively close to the sea โ€“ a 10-minute walk.

Another lovely place that the girls loved: the candy store Han’s and Gretel, which is near the hotel.

To book the hotel and other reviews

Maya Feder also recommended the Sunrise Oasis Hotel and this is what she wrote:

The hotel is perfect for families. Large and spacious rooms with a kitchenette. Three pools (main one, one for toddlers and one for adults), a water park with a variety of slides, a golf course, a children’s playground, varied activities throughout the day, and abundant and very varied food, all including alcohol. Those who stay for more than a week are given the opportunity to choose three different restaurants from the variety of restaurants of the hotel chain.

The location of the hotel is 5 minutes from the boardwalk and 10 minutes from the sea and there is a Super Lidl near the hotel if you want to buy something and a small amusement park.

Capo Bay Hotel โ€“ 5-star hotel, Protaras

Recommends: Natalie Ben Aaron

We were at the Capo Bay Hotel twice as a couple.

This is not an all-inclusive hotel. You can book on a half board basis.

I liked that you are assigned a sunbed that is yours throughout the entire vacation. You don’t have to run and catch one every morning. The bed and umbrella are registered in your name. There is an amazing beach. There is an excellent sushi restaurant. Great breakfast. The rooms are super pampering. The pools are not particularly impressive. The sea is rare. But the beach is urban, so the beds are well paid for.

To book the hotel and other reviews

All-Inclusive Family Hotels in Protaras

Adults-Only Hotels

In summary, Protaras offers excellent hotels, including all-inclusive resorts, 5-star and 4-star options, as well as accommodations suitable for children, families, and couples. If you’re looking for a fun vacation filled with relaxation and exciting attractions, Protaras is the perfect destination.

Looking for more information about Cyprus? I have more posts about Cyprus on my blog.

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I flew to Lisbon alone during the COVID-19 period and the experience had advantages as well as disadvantages. On the one hand, there were no queues anywhere that is usually very touristy. On the other hand, the city felt very โ€œasleepโ€ without many people on the streets, so I didn’t get to experience Lisbon properly but I still had an amazing trip.

Tips before travelling to Lisbon

SIM card

I personally recommend using an ESIM, which is an electronic SIM, and recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of taking a SIM card abroad and also about other options such as buying a local SIM card.

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM โ€“ to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How can you know if your device supports the electronic card? Very simple: go to this link and you can see. Link to which devices support ESIM.

Attractions in Lisbon

You can get ideas for other cool things you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price). The first attraction tiqets the second is Viator and the third is Get your guide.

How do you get from the airport to the hotel?

I arranged with a driver named Paolo (+702 427 966 351) – the most charming driver I have ever met!! -, who later drove me both to the Ministry of the Interior and for a COVID-19 test. He is super nice and super professional and I highly recommend him. He charges very fair prices and the cost of traveling from the airport to the hotel was 15 euros.

A recommended hotel in Lisbon

I booked the Alegria Boutique Hotel – a centrally-located place in the old part of Lisbon. The hotel is colorful, with an excellent a la carte breakfast (from the menu) and insanely luxurious and spacious rooms, with an extremely courteous service. The cost of the hotel was very cheap, about 350 euro for 5 nights. But from what I understood, these were very cheap prices because of the coronavirus, and in a normal situation the cost should be more expensive. Search for more hotels in Lisbon.

How do you get around in Lisbon?

Getting around in Lisbon is very convenient. There is a variety of public transportation – metro, buses and trams (Lisbon’s iconic train), train and taxis. I received the Lisboa card from the Ministry of Tourism, which allows free travel on public transport (including a train to Sintra), free entry to some sites, and a discount on some sites. This is a great option for those who come for a few days and want to explore Lisbon. There is a ticket for 24 hours or 48 or 72.

A food tour

I really like to do food tours in new destinations and the truth is that this was the only thing I had already decided on from Israel. I did the tour with Felipa from Taste of Lisboa. I met her with Roman at a tourism conference in Israel and she invited us to join her on a food tour when we arrive in Lisbon. So although I didn’t arrive with something new, I wanted to take advantage of Felipe’s invitation and go on a tour with her. Again, because of the situation, I was the only one there, but it didn’t detract from the fun of the tour.

Felipa is really cute and explains everything in a very clear and simple way. She told me a lot of stories about Lisbon and took me to the most local and familiar places available. We tasted a lot of delicious things during the tour (I don’t want to tell you what exactly so that you will have a surprise if you go with her). The tour I did is called Lisbon Routes and it is in the lower part of the city. Of course the whole excursion was also accompanied by alcohol and I really enjoyed it. The time of the tour is approximately 3 and a half – 4 hours and it is recommended to go with comfortable shoes.

Felipa’s phone number +908 601 915 351

Amazing viewpoints

One thing that is both an advantage and disadvantage in Lisbon is that there are many hills and valleys – so you have to be in shape and walk around with comfortable shoes. But the good thing about these elevations is that there are amazing vantage points in the city. I had the chance to visit several viewpoints and really liked Portas do sol (directions) and the highest viewpoint in the city Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (directions).

The ancient Roman Theater

It is an ancient theater from the Roman period that could hold up to 4000 people. Today there is a small part of it left but it has an impressive museum. One thing I really liked is that if you go straight down the path and turn left to the door, youโ€™ll see there is a special observation point that looks very picturesque (directions).

The ancient cathedral of Lisbon Sรฉ de Lisboa

A cathedral that has both a museum and small balconies with a view of the river and Lisbon. Entrance there costs 3 euros. It is forbidden to take pictures inside the museum, but you can take pictures of the cathedral and the view as well ๐Ÿ˜Š (directions).

A tuktuk tour

I discovered the places I mentioned above with a tuktuk driver (or rather an open car). I found him by chance because I only asked him to drive me to the castle and he then told me he could give me a tour of some historical sites and lookouts, as well. He ended up providing a one-hour tour. The vehicle has room for 6 people and usually he does the tour for groups at a cost of 70 euros. But because of the coronavirus, there were almost no tourists in general, and I was the only one on his tour, so he offered to do it for 30 euros and of course I agreed.

The driver’s name is Vinicius and he is from the company Your Face Tour. He was really nice and took pictures of me and told me about the historical background of a place we visited. Warmly recommended.

Belem area

The day before my flight back home, I considered resting in a hotel because I felt exhausted from all the rounds in the city but then when I was in a cafe I asked the waitress for tips and she said I had to visit the Belem area. She showed me where I should go and of course instead of a day of rest I ended up having a day full of activities.

The Belem area is an excellent zone for families because there is a stunning promenade, a bike path and a large park. In addition, there are many restaurants and food and drink stalls.

Places you must visit in Belem

The promenade itself is magical, with many food and drink stalls along it and restaurants. What’s nice about the stalls is that they also put tables and chairs so you can sit there and watch the river and the fishermen and enjoy food and drinks while doing so.

The Belem Tower is a stunning tower – it looks like a castle and you can climb it to the top for an observation point, but because of the coronavirus, the entrance was closed, so I didnโ€™t have the chance to check it out.

Buy tickets online to Belem tower

memorial statue Padrรฃo dos Descobrimentos

At a 10-minute walk from the tower, however, there is the memorial statue Padrรฃo dos Descobrimentos, where there is also an observation point that was open. Normally there is a long line, but luckily when I arrived, there was no one else. The entrance costs 6 euros for an adult and it is definitely worth going up because the view from there is amazing.

In front of the statue there is a stunning Jerรณnimos Monastery with beautiful gardens.

Buy tickets online to Jerรณnimos Monastery

Close to the monastery there is a CCB museum that the waitress recommended but I didn’t have time to see it.

And, in addition, there is a large park with many restaurants next to it and a bakery known for the national pastry Pastรฉis de Belรฉm. Usually there is a queue of hours there but luckily there was only a really short one when I arrived.

A Thai massage

The journey to Lisbon was long because there were no direct flights so I had to go through France. The good thing was that Air France has Wi-Fi on the plane. 

Because my whole body ached from the 15-hour journey, the first thing I did on the plane was to send an email to a Thai massage place to book an appointment for a massage for the same day. I ordered a traditional one at Siam Thai massage and was blown away!!! It was among the best Thai massages I’ve had (and I was in Thailand for three months). If you are into Thai massages, this is the place to go. Clean, quiet and with a massage of the highest quality.

An ancient elevator to an observation point

Unfortunately, I couldn’t take the elevator because it was closed (due to the coronavirus, as mentioned), but it looked really cool to me and I saw a recommendation for it in several places. The lift is called Santa Justa lift (directions).

Tram ride

I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of the tram in Lisbon, it’s considered an icon in the city that’s been operating for 150 years so of course you can’t go there without riding it. Although the ride itself is no different from any other electric train, it is so beautiful and special, you must experience it.

Shopping

I usually don’t go shopping abroad because since I started the blog I got used to flying a lot and usually with a small trolley, so Iโ€™ve found less time and space for shopping. However, this time I only travelled with a trolley but since I hadn’t flown for a year-and-a-half, I felt like buying clothes, especially when I saw that there are lots of shops there that I like. My best surprise was the Springfield store in the Amoreiras Mall (a luxury mall that reminds of the TLV Mall for those who like the concept) but the Springfield store has great prices with a lot of deals and I really liked their style.

In addition, there is a whole boulevard of brand stores such as Mango and Zara Rua da Prata and in general there are many areas of clothing stores in Lisbon.

Botanical gardens

I have been to many botanical gardens in the world. It always feels like an escape from the big city to me. The ones in Lisbon were not among the most impressive I’ve been to, but they are beautiful and reminded me of a relaxed walking trail in nature. If you are in the area, I think it can definitely be a great place to visit, especially if you come with children because there is a large space where they can run. Entrance costs 3 euros per adult and the gardens are open from 10 am (directions).

A small food market and a cute garden

I came to this place by chance while walking to the botanical gardens. It is a three-minute walk from the gardens and on Thursdays and Fridays there are several food and souvenir stalls as well as a really beautiful garden with a coffee stand. It is definitely worth combining the gardens with this area on Thursdays or Fridays. Jardim Franca Borges (directions).

A town from the legends – Sintra

Fourty minutes from Lisbon by train there is a town that should not be missed – Sintra. It is a very famous town because of its crazy castles. Unfortunately, though at the same time happily, due to the coronavirus there were almost no people there, therefore there were no queues for the castles, so I was able to take a picture without people in the background. Normally there are supposed to be thousands of people per day, so I recommend getting there early. The truth is that I think it’s worth going there for two or three days because you can’t do everything in a single day. I managed to go to two castles, Catsel o dos Mourus, an amazing castle with a crazy view, the entrance there costs 8 euros per person, and the second place was a palace from the legends – Pena Pena Palace; words cannot describe its beauty, so look at some pictures, and the cost to get there is 14 euros.

I got around there on the hop and off bus that runs every half hour and costs 7 euros for the whole day to these two castles and the historic area of โ€‹โ€‹the town. After the two castles I continued with the bus to the historical area for lunch and sangria in a restaurant and then returned by train to Lisbon.

Link to a detailed post about Sintra

Eat pastel de nata

I’m not a big fan of pastries but by chance when I went on my first night in Lisbon I decided to try a small pastry that I thought would be nice. I didn’t expect it to be the flagship bakery of Lisbon and that it would be so delicious!!! It’s crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside and it’s not too sweet. From that moment I was addicted to it and found three great places to buy it.

The first is the famous bakery in Belem that I wrote about in the previous section and the other two places are Nataria Nacional (directions) and the second is Manteigaria (directions). Both are great bakeries to buy Pastel de Nata.

Recommended cafes

I love cafes and every time I’m abroad, I look for good cafes. This time I found three great places that you shouldn’t miss. All three are modern, with good food and good coffee.

Zenith Cafe

A chic and modern cafe with lots of seating inside and a varied menu of healthy, light and decadent foods.

I went there for a light lunch because that day I also had a food tour and I didn’t want to get too full.I chose a berry yogurt bowl with fresh fruit and granola and a cappuccino to finish.

Nicolau cafรฉ

On the second day in Lisbon I wanted to go to a cafe and was debating where, then, out of nowhere, one of my followers on Instagram sent me a message with a recommendation for a cafe that she really liked. So of course I immediately went there and was enthusiastic about the recommendation. Itโ€™s a cafe with an excellent atmosphere and outdoor and indoor seating. I ordered a carrot cake with cream and strawberries and cappuccino, and I really liked both the cake and the place.

Frutaria cafรฉ

A cafe I came to when nearly closing after my day trip in Sintra. I really wanted coffee and something tasty with it so I chose an iced coffee and caramelized banana cake. The cafe is designed in a really cool way and the waiters there are super nice. The waitress was the one that recommended me the Belem area and even though they were about to close, she was extremely patient and gave me lots of recommendations for about fifteen minutes. ๐Ÿ˜Š In short, both great service and great food and drinks.

Recommended restaurants

When I travel with Roman, the restaurant side of our trips is very strong because we really like to share food and try many dishes in different restaurants. This time, because I was traveling alone, I felt less like sitting in restaurants, but I got to do so in two restaurants that are highly recommended. 

One is a local Portuguese restaurant with seafood and meats that was recommended to me by the tuktuk driver I was traveling with. The restaurant is called Maria Catita and I had an excellent octopus dish and had a refreshing drink called Porto Tonic (I recommend you try it, you won’t regret it).

The other place I tried is an excellent Asian restaurant!! I was really upset that Roman was not with me so we could share many dishes. I decided to only order a Pad Thai dish, which was amazing. The restaurant is called Boa Bao. Its dishes are not cheap but at reasonable prices and the level there is very high.

Another place I really liked that I didn’t sit in, but did order a dish from as a takeaway is Hawaii Poke-In. If you’re looking for a light, tasty, satisfying meal at a great price (about 8 euros) then you really should come to this place. It was close to my hotel and I really enjoyed the salmon dish (mixed with mango) and you can choose any toppings you want.

In conclusion, Lisbon is an amazing and fun city. It has everything from everything. Super nice people and delicious food and fine wine. I’m already waiting for the next time I travel there.

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Athens is a large city with many fun neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm and character.
Every neighborhood feels a little different, so the experience really depends on where you choose to stay.

Personally, my favorite area to stay in was Plaka, during a trip to Greece with my siblings. Plaka is a charming and historic neighborhood located right below the Acropolis. Its narrow, stone-paved streets are lined with small restaurants, cafรฉs, and souvenir shops. Itโ€™s the kind of area where you can feel comfortable whether you’re traveling as a couple, with family, or solo.

When I visited Athens with my husband, Roman, we stayed in Kolonaki. Itโ€™s a more upscale neighborhood with wide streets, well-kept buildings, and a slightly more elegant atmosphere. Youโ€™ll find designer stores, art galleries, bars, and cafรฉs that cater more to locals than tourists. Itโ€™s a good option if youโ€™re looking for something quiet and clean, while still being relatively close to the center. We felt very comfortable there, especially in the evenings after a walk or dinner out.

We also stayed in the Psiri neighborhood, which is younger and more colorful. Thereโ€™s lots of street art, second-hand shops, casual bars, and restaurants. During the day, the area is lively and full of things to see. In the evening, especially around the food market area, I felt a bit less safe walking alone. Nothing bad happened, but itโ€™s something to keep in mind if you’re traveling solo or with young children.

Overall, each neighborhood has its pros and cons. Plaka is great if you’re looking for a classic and convenient Greek experience. Kolonaki suits those who prefer a quieter and more refined setting. Psiri is ideal for travelers looking for a young, urban vibe. Itโ€™s worth thinking about what matters most to youโ€”proximity to sites, a quiet atmosphere, or access to nightlifeโ€”when choosing where to stay.

In addition to my own experiences, I reached out to several travel bloggers from around the world to hear their personal hotel recommendations in Athens. Thatโ€™s how this post came together, with nine recommended hotels across the city.

Sweet Home Hotel โ€“ A boutique stay in Plaka

Sweet Home Hotel is a small and pleasant boutique hotel located in the heart of Plaka, Athens. I stayed there in May 2025. The hotelโ€™s biggest advantage is its locationโ€”right in the center of Plaka and within walking distance to all the major attractions in the city: the Acropolis, Monastiraki Market, museums, restaurants, cafรฉs, and shops.

Even though itโ€™s in the middle of a lively and busy area, the hotel itself feels quiet and calm. It offers a sense of peace within the city. The staff is friendly, available, and offers warm, personal service, which adds to the overall comfort of the stay.

The rooms are relatively small, which is typical for boutique hotels, but theyโ€™re clean and well maintained. Some rooms offer partial views of the Acropolis. The design features a retro style with floral touches, giving the place a cozy, informal feel.

Breakfast is varied and includes vegetables, fruit, cheese, breads, pancakes, and other simple but satisfying options.

I stayed there for two nightsโ€”one night with my siblings and one night on my own. As a solo female traveler, I felt very safe and at ease there. Itโ€™s definitely a good option for those traveling alone.

Another benefit is the parking lot located right across from the hotel. Since we arrived in Athens by car after a trip through the Peloponnese region, this was a very practical solution. Parking in Athens can be tricky, so having a lot nearby made things much easier.

For more reviews and to book the hotel

Coco-Mat Hotel, Kolonaki – A 5-star boutique hotel

Coco Mat Hotel is located in the Kolonaki area. In a 15-20 minute walk from the hotel you reach the Plaka area (the central area).

I really liked this area. It is full of modern cafes, boutique shops, and classy restaurants. The prices of the restaurants and cafes are a little more expensive, though not by much, because the area is considered one of the most sought-after and prestigious shopping streets in Athens. Its atmosphere is romantic and magical, and the hotel fits exactly that tone.

The entrance to the hotel is actually to the Coco Mat store, which is a chain of beds of the highest quality, and these are the beds that are in the hotel’s rooms.

The reception is on the floor below the store and when we arrived at 12:00 our room was already ready. The reception is also next to the dining room, which is also the lobby. The design is extremely relaxing and gives a homely feeling. Another really nice thing that the hotel offers is pillows of a really high quality, and there is even a pillow menu where you can change to another option if you want.

The breakfast selection is not too big, but that’s how things are in boutique hotels. There is a more limited selection but at a higher level. On the last floor of the hotel there is a lovely balcony.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

P.S. For those looking for a boutique hotel with a pool, Coco Mat has another hotel in Athens called Coco-mat BC, which also has a pool.

Athens Square Hotel – A 3-star hotel in a central location

The second hotel we stayed in was the Athens Square Hotel, a centrally-located hotel in the Psiri area, adjacent to a local food market.

The hotel has a roof terrace with sunbeds and tables with chairs. We went up to the balcony at sunset with coffee and enjoyed the view of the Acropolis. While we were doing that, some local photographers came to take pictures of the sunset from the balcony, because it’s really beautiful there.

Breakfast is a varied buffet with a selection of cheeses, sausages, breads, pastries, desserts, fruits and more. There is an area of gluten-free food that includes breads and crackers, and there is a coffee machine.

For those looking for a hotel at a good price and in a central location, this one will be suitable.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Green Suites Boutique Hotel – A 5-star boutique hotel 

Recommended by Tamara Williams at My Elated Odyssey

If youโ€™re looking for an excellent boutique hotel in Athens, book a stay at Green Suites Boutique Hotel! This 5-star hotel offers the perfect blend of luxury and an eco-friendly environment.

Green Suites Boutique Hotel is in the Ano Patisia neighborhood. The best way to reach the hotel by public transportation is using the metro, as itโ€™s close to the Agios Eleftherios station. 

If you have a rental car, the hotel offers paid parking. However, the parking garage is cramped and narrow, so you must be cautious. You can also reach and travel from the hotel by taxi and order them with the Uber or FreeNow apps.

This hotel is an excellent choice in Athens for travelers traveling solo, with family, or with friends. If traveling with children, those under 12 are not permitted.

One of the hotel’s best features is its rooftop area, which has an outdoor pool, bar, and a panoramic view of the Acropolis. When you arrive, they will treat you with a welcome drink at the rooftop bar. 

Other amenities include a spa, sauna, and small gym. A delicious, complimentary breakfast buffet features Greek and other international cuisine and is available daily.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Wyndham Athens Residence – A 5-star hotel 

Recommended by Ossama Alnuwaiser At Awesome Travelers

Wyndham Athens Residence is suitable for family retreat. It offers some luxurious and comfortable accommodation. What I like about it is that the hotel is very convenient because it is close to many eateries and attractions. You can enjoy some espresso at the rooftop bar and eat at nearby restaurants. 

There are many legendary attractions that are at a walking distance from the hotel, such as Parthenon, Acropolis, and National Archaeological Museum. Once it gets dark, you can also enjoy the night life as it is close to Athens downtown, which is filled with bars, restaurants, and theaters. 

Located in the central of the historic city, the Wyndham Grand Athens Residence is near the Metaxourgio Metro station, so you can get to it by taking a bus from any part of Athens, and then walk to the hotel. The hotel is also close to Athens International Airport (ATH), so you can easily rent a car or take a taxi to the hotel.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Brown Acropol (member of Brown hotels) – A 4-star hotel

Recommended by Lizet Wesselman at A wander food world

I randomly stumbled upon the Brown Hotel and booked it before I even knew all the details. As a solo traveller, a hotel already wins when it offers decently priced solo rooms! I knew it has a wellness and a rooftop with jaccuzi’s with an Acropolis view, but I didn’t realize it’s all free. Making it the best โ‚ฌ 80 I ever spent on a hotel room.

I only had one night and made the most of it. You can pre-book the wellness to have a sauna and steam room to yourself for a full hour. Afterwards, I settled on the rooftop terrace with a (bit pricey) glass of wine and a good book. After enjoying the sunset over the Akropolis, the staff kindly offered me a reading light so I could continue my book. The staff took this hotel to the next level, with small details like this.

The rooms are great, modern but with a 70’s vibe. It’s centrally located, only one minute away from the subway station Omonia, where you can take two subway lines. It’s two minutes to the city centre and Akropolis or a 15-minute walk. The area also offers plenty of restaurants and shops, mostly more local and unique than you’d find in the centre.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Plaka Hotel – A 3-star hotel in a central location  

Recommended by Dr Charlotte Russell at The Travel Psychologist

Hotel Plaka is a 3-star hotel located in central Athens, in the historical Plaka district, and counts with an amazing choice of restaurants, cobblestone streets, and shops. The real โ€˜icing on the cakeโ€™ with this hotel is the incredible view of the Acropolis from the rooftop terrace.

This hotel is always my first choice in Athens due to its close proximity to Monastiraki Square, around 200 meters away. Not only is this a bustling place to visit, the square has a metro station with direct lines both to the airport and Piraeus port, making the Plaka Hotel super convenient for waking up in the early hours and boarding a ferry to one of your favorite places in Greece.

Iโ€™ve stayed several times and it has always been a comfortable and quiet stay, despite being in a busy area. Iโ€™ve found the buffet breakfast to be very good, with a wide selection and nice quality food and coffee.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Adams Hotel – A budget-friendly hotel

Recommended by Aimee at Snap Happy Travel

Adams Hotel is a fantastic budget-friendly choice for travelers to Athens and the best thing about it is that the shared rooftop terrace (and some rooms) offer spectacular views of the Acropolis.

This 2-star hotel has a 24-hour front desk and on-site snack bar. And the rooms are comfortable and spacious – as I said, some offer views out to the Acropolis. It’s also conveniently located just a two minute walk from Hadrianโ€™s Arch. 

I stayed here for 4 nights during my 6 week tour of Greece and I was delighted to be upgraded to their terrace room, which boasts a huge terrace.

I would recommend this hotel to couples or solo travelers. Families may not enjoy it as much, due to the lack of facilities such as a swimming pool or on-site restaurant.

In saying that, Adams Hotel is close to many excellent restaurants including Electra Roof Garden and 7 Food Sins.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Downtown Athens Lofts – The Acropolis Observatory

Recommended by Michelle Jensen at Travel HerStory

Downtown Athens Lofts is less than a mile away from the famous Acropolis of Athens, hence its nickname, The Acropolis Observatory. This aparthotel is great for friends and families as its rooms are spacious enough for multiple people to spread out and relax. Those with mobility issues will also appreciate the elevator at this accommodation.

With seven rooms available, each equipped with a sofa, work desk, kitchen, washing machine, TV, luggage storage, and dining area, Downtown Athens Lofts offers a comfortable and convenient stay. What truly sets this hotel apart is its proximity to Athensโ€™ main attractions and the breathtaking view of the Acropolis from its rooftop terrace and some loft rooms. 

To get to Downtown Athens Lofts, the closest bus stop is Klavthmonos, which is a 10-minute walk. It is also a 5-minute walk to the Thisseio metro stop.

While the ground-level loft we initially stayed in wasn’t as soundproof as they claimed, the staff were quick to address our concerns and moved us to a loft higher up, where the noise was significantly reduced. This proactive approach to guest comfort, coupled with the comfy beds, clean rooms, and pleasant staff, made our overall experience positive.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them there or write to me on the blogโ€™s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Athens? I have more posts about Athens and more posts about Greece on my blog.

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Protaras is a quiet and charming resort town with beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and excellent hotels, making it an ideal destination for families. If you’re planning a family vacation in Cyprus, Protaras offers the perfect combination of relaxation, convenience, and plenty of activities for children.

Why Choose Protaras for a Family Vacation?

One of the biggest advantages of a family holiday in Protaras is the selection of excellent all-inclusive hotels. These resorts allow parents to relax while kids enjoy pools, water slides, entertainment programs, and animation teams that keep them engaged all day. Weโ€™ve had vacations where we hardly left the hotel, making the most of everything it had to offerโ€”from beautiful pools to excellent restaurants catering to all ages.

However, if you’re looking for more action and variety, plenty of attractions and activities outside the hotel will elevate your family vacation. Child-friendly beaches with shallow, calm watersโ€”such as Fig Tree Bay, Green Bay Beach, and Kalamies Beachโ€”are perfect for a day of sand play and snorkeling.

Additionally, water sports centers offer a range of fun experiences for the whole family, including kayaking, inflatable tubes, banana boats, snorkeling, and diving in stunning locations. You can also take a family glass-bottom boat tour, allowing you to observe marine life without getting wet.

If you’d like to explore beyond Protaras, Ayia Napa is just a 20-minute drive away and offers a variety of family-friendly activities. The WaterWorld water park, an amusement park with rides for all ages, and an impressive aquarium are just some of the attractions available.

Where to Stay in Protaras?

Still undecided about accommodation? Iโ€™ve written a detailed post about recommended hotels in Protaras, which can help you find the perfect place for your next holiday.

Protaras with kids - Traveling outside the box

Louis Althea
Louis Althea
Louis Althea

Cruise with mermaids to the Blue Lagoon

A 3-decker yacht cruise departing from Protaras and arriving at the Blue Lagoon in Ayia Napa. The cruise starts with a story time with a fairy and a pirate and when you reach the blue lagoon you meet two mermaids. You swim with them in the water and after that you can talk to them, take pictures with them and hug them on the deck of the yacht. There is also face painting and a mini disco. The cruise’s Facebook page.

Book the Cruise online

The Protaras Promenade

The promenade of Protaras is a perfect place for a relaxing walk by the sea. It stretches along the coastline, with paved paths, benches, and scenic viewpoints. Along the way, youโ€™ll find a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars where you can stop for a nice meal or a cold drink with a sea view. Whether youโ€™re looking for a delicious breakfast, ice cream for the kids, or a cocktail for the parents at sunset โ€“ thereโ€™s something for everyone.

We always bring the girlsโ€™ scooters with us so they can have fun and burn off energy while we enjoy the stroll. The wide and convenient paths make it a safe experience for children, even for bike riders or strollers.

We loved that the exit from the Louis Althea hotel led directly to the beach and promenade, and in fact, there are many hotels along the promenade.

Agioi Saranta Cave Church in Protaras

It was featured in MailOnline UK’s Travel News section as one of the strangest churches to visit in the world. Arrival instructions. We went there together with Maya and Sophie and we really enjoyed the place. It’s a really quiet place at about a ten-minute drive from the hotel. There is a short climb up the stairs to the church. Maya really enjoyed exploring the church inside the mountain and the view there was lovely. There is a bench outside the cave that is just nice to sit on and enjoy the peace and beauty that can be seen from it. After that we liked taking a little walk outside the cave. I think this is a nice activity for children and adults.

Snorkeling and Diving in Protaras

Protaras is known for its crystal-clear waters, making it a perfect destination for snorkeling and diving, even with children. There are several ideal beaches for this experience, such as Fig Tree and Green Bay, where you can swim among colorful fish and enjoy stunning underwater views. There are also diving centers that offer guided experiences, including introductory dives for children aged 8 and up.

Recommended Family Beaches in Protaras

One of the most popular family-friendly beaches is Fig Tree Beach, which offers shallow, clear water, lifeguard services, and convenient amenities like sunbeds and nearby restaurants. Another beach perfect for families is Vrissiana Beach, located near the central promenade, with easy access, calm water, and plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. For those who prefer a quieter beach, Pernera Beach is a great option with calm waters and opportunities for fun water activities. Kalamies Beach, located near a small fishing harbor, is an intimate and peaceful beach with exceptionally calm waters and an excellent restaurant nearby. If youโ€™re looking for a beach suitable for snorkeling with kids, Green Bay Beach is a perfect choice, with clear waters and the chance to see colorful fish even at shallow depths. All these beaches offer an ideal beach experience for families, with safe conditions, a pleasant atmosphere, and leisure options suitable for all ages.

Dancing fountains in Protaras

Fountain show with lights and music at 21:00 in Protaras. The show also combines a laser and fire show.
If the day is windy, it is recommended not to sit with small children in rows 1-3 because the water may splash on you. You should arrive about half an hour before the start of the show.

Buying tickets for the dancing fountains in Protaras

Luna Park in Protaras

This Luna Park is really cute and though it is smaller than the amusement park in Ayia Napa, I think it has enough facilities for the children. If you have children aged 2-7, then it is completely enough to just go to the amusement park in Protaras and you don’t need to go to Ayia Napa. But for ages 7+, Ayia Napa is better.

The amusement park has a giant wheel, roller coasters for children and adults, a horse carousel, a trampoline for high jumping, and more. Each facility costs between 2-4 tokens. 12 tokens cost 10 euros. We spent an average of 30 euros on the two girls (Maya four-and-a-half-years-old and Sophie almost two). There are several food and drink stalls there. Directions.

A restaurant in Protaras that is suitable for children

The truth is that this is a section where I have almost no recommendations because we have always stayed at all-inclusive hotels that have excellent food, so weโ€™ve only wanted to eat at the hotel. The only restaurant we have been to is the Doma restaurant, which was a three-minute drive from Louis Elias Hotel and it turned out to be an excellent choice.

Iโ€™ll start with the fact that there is a small playground there, which is already excellent for those who come to the restaurant with children. In addition to this, the service was one of the best weโ€™ve received in Cyprus. A fast and kind service and Maya was given a free ice cream and watermelon dessert.

We ordered a mussel dish and an avocado shrimp salad, which were really delicious. In short, a restaurant with good food and great service, so I definitely recommend it warmly.

In conclusion, Protaras is an excellent destination for a family vacation, as well as for couples. It is beautiful and calm, with stunning beaches and good hotels. And it is just a short drive from the livelier Ayia Napa, so those who want a little more action can easily combine the two destinations.

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them there or write to me on the blogโ€™s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Protaras? I have more posts about Protaras and posts about Cyprus on my blog.

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When we were on vacation in the Golden Sands, we visited the city of Varna twice. Varna is a really cute city that is stomach-friendly and has a broad offer of restaurants, cafes, shops and various attractions.

If you are looking for all-inclusive resorts or family hotels, then it would be better for you to stay in the Golden Sands area, which is about half an hour’s drive from Orna. Later in the post I will also provide details about hotels in the Golden Sands, but if you are actually looking for boutique hotels and more of an urban experience, then the accommodations in the city of Varna will suit you better.

Another advantage of staying in Varna itself is that you can visit it all year round, in contrast to the Golden Sands, which is an area that is only suitable from May to September.

I wrote a post with recommendations for things to do in Varna (in the post you will also get ideas for day trips outside of Varna) in addition to recommended restaurants there.

I decided to write you a post about the recommended hotels in Varna and the Golden Sands based on research I did from guest reviews and recommendations from friends.

Graphite Gallery Design Hotel โ€“ 5-star hotel

The Graphite Gallery Hotel is a modern 5-star hotel located 400 m from the beach.
There you will find an indoor pool with panoramic windows, a gym and a sauna.

It has a restaurant that serves Bulgarian and international cuisine as well as a cafe (where in the evening you can sit and enjoy alcohol as well).

Outside the hotel there is a bus stop from where you can take a bus directly to the Golden Sands.

To book the hotel and more details

Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel Varna โ€“ 4-star hotel

Rosslyn Hotel is a 4-star hotel located 1 km from the center of Varna and about 500 m from the beach.

There you will find a spa center with a heated indoor pool in the summer, a sauna, a gym and a relaxation area. There is a restaurant with a changing international menu. The advantage of this hotel is that it has underground parking. So those who rent a car will be comfortable staying in this hotel.

To book the hotel and more details

Panorama Hotel โ€“ 4-star hotel

The Panorama Hotel is a 4-star hotel located near the beach in the center of the popular Primorsky Boulevard.

There you will find a bar, a spa and a sauna. In a 3-minute walk you will reach the main shopping street.

The central location of the hotel makes it especially attractive for both couples and families. In addition, there is a parking lot for charging electric cars, which is excellent for those who plan to rent one of these.

Right outside the hotel there is a bus stop with a direct bus to the Varna Airport.

To book the hotel and more details

Bizarre Boutique Hotel

Bizarre Boutique Hotel is in a central location and a kilometer away from Varna Beach. A new and modern hotel that is mainly suitable for couples. Parking is available for an additional fee.

According to the reviews, they have a charming and kind staff and large rooms with comfortable beds. The hotel is within walking distance of the central train station in Varna.

To book the hotel and more details

Reverence Boutique Hotel

Reverence Boutique Hotel is located in the center of Varna, 400 m from the beach.

A modern hotel and some of the rooms have a balcony. In addition, the hotel has a spa area with a sauna and Jacuzzi. Outside the hotel there is a bus stop with a direct line to the airport and the Golden Sands.

According to the reviews, the place is really nicely decorated, the staff is lovely, and the rooms are comfortable and very clean.

To book the hotel and more details

Modus Hotel

Modus Boutique Hotel is a modern and contemporary-style hotel. It is 200 m from the beach and offers free bicycles to its guests. It is a minute’s walk from restaurants, cafes and shops. The hotel provides a very high-end experience with bathrobes in the rooms and a Nespresso machine and goose down blankets in the suites.

In the hotel you will also find a gym and a sauna. And it has an underground parking garage. Outside the hotel there is a bus stop with a direct bus to the airport and to the Golden Sands.

This establishment has a very high score in the guest reviews and everyone says that it is in a great location with a great staff and a special design.

To book the hotel and more details

Recommended hotels in the Golden Sands

If you are looking for an area with all-inclusive resorts, a boardwalk full of attractions for children and adults, and restaurants and bars, then the Golden Sands area will suit you perfectly. I wrote an extended post about things to do in the Golden Sands.

HVD Viva club all-inclusive hotel

Viva Club Hotel is the hotel Roman and I stayed at. A 4-star hotel with a free shuttle to the hotel’s beach. The hotel has an outdoor and indoor pool.

You can book the hotel on an all-inclusive basis, which includes three meals a day, snacks in between, and free drinks, including alcohol. The hotel also has two restaurants for dinner for an additional fee (not included in the price): an Italian restaurant and a barbeque one.

The hotel has a gym (small and not ventilated so we went to work out in a gym on the boardwalk).

The staff is very kind and helpful. The hotel has an excellent entertainment team. During the day there are many sessions for children and adults and every evening there is something different. While we were there, they had a bingo night, an Oktoberfest night, and there are more themed events.

I wrote an extended post about the hotel and our opinion.

To book the hotel and more details

International Hotel Casino & Tower Suites โ€“ 5-star hotel

The International Casino Hotel, as its name suggests, is a hotel that also has a casino with live games, poker tables, and slot machines. Its location is excellent, right on the boardwalk in the center of Golden Sands.ย 

It features a Skyfall infinity pool, with bar 21 open from June to September, as well as two ร  la carte restaurants serving fine cuisine, one open all year round and one seasonal.

It has a new kosher restaurant called “Tahina”.In the hotel you will find a spa center with an indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and gym. It has covered parking and a shopping area within the hotel itself.

To book the hotel and more details

Melia Grand Hermitage 5-star all-inclusive hotel

The Malia Hotel is a 5-star all-inclusive hotel located on a small hill 100 meters from the beach.

It is considered a luxury hotel with a spa area spanning two floors with an indoor and outdoor pool. Turkish bath and gym. Jacuzzi and sauna.

The hotel has a private beach and a view of the pool and the sea from the rooms. It boasts a total of 5 restaurants and 5 pools.

According to the reviews, the service at the hotel is excellent, the rooms are comfortable, and it is very suitable for those visiting with children.

To book the hotel and more details

GRIFID Vistamar Hotel โ€“ 4-star all-inclusive

GRIFID Hotel is a 4-star all-inclusive hotel with a private beach.

It has an infinity pool and is just a few minutes’ walk to the private beach.

The view from the rooms is to the sea or to the park. There is a spa center with a gym and sauna. The hotel has additional restaurants beyond the all-inclusive buffet that is open for those staying at the hotel for more than four nights.

Guests can also enjoy free access to GRIFID Aqua Park.

There is an entertainment team that does activities throughout the day for both children and adults. The establishment has a very high score among guest reviews.

To book the hotel and more details

In conclusion, in Varna you can find excellent hotels, though these are mainly boutique ones. The accommodation in Varna is mostly suitable for those who are looking for an urban experience combined with a backpack, for those who are looking to explore the area and make trips, and for those who plan to visit during the off-season, in the months of October-April.

I hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Bulgaria? I have more posts about Bulgaria on my blog.

In this post, you wonโ€™t find the usual tourist recommendations for Milan, like the Duomo or Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Instead, Iโ€™ll share unique and different experiences that are definitely worth trying in the city. Iโ€™m always looking for special activities that turn a trip into something extraordinary, and Iโ€™m here to share them with you! Iโ€™d love to hear in the comments if you enjoyed these recommendations and which places in Milan you loved the most.

I arrived in Milan with my siblings after four magical days at Lake Maggiore. We had gotten used to a peaceful trip in a small lakeside village, and suddenly, we found ourselves in the heart of a big, lively, and bustling city. At first, it felt a bit overwhelming, but within an hour, I realized I had fallen in love with Milan. The city offers the perfect blend of history, culture, fashion, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. I know Iโ€™ll be back to explore it even more, but in the meantimeโ€”here are some unique attractions you wonโ€™t want to miss!

Unique things to do in Milan - Traveling outside the box

Summary of our trip in Milan

Who? Four adults
When? End of May, beginning of June 2024
How long? Two days
Where did we stay? MagVille Boutique Hotel. A lovely boutique hotel in a quiet location but close to decent cafes and good restaurants.
Mobility? We rented an electric car through Hertz from the Malpensa Airport. Equivalent prices can be found through Papam Papam, the search engine for car rentals. There is no need for a car in the city itself, but because we had also gone to Lake Maggiore, we already had one we had rented at the airport. In the city we parked in the parking lot next to the hotel at a cost of 18 euros per day.

Secrets of Milan Tour

I will actually start with something I did on my second day in Milan, because in my opinion it is a really special tour. On this day, which was the last day of the whole trip, my siblings had to leave in the morning for their flight and I had a few hours alone in the city. Because I really like tours, I booked one to hidden places in Milan the day before through the Airbnb experiences website. Link to the tour.

There were five people on the tour (me and two other couples) and our guide’s name was Daniel. He and his partner are tourism journalists and they travel all over the world when they are not in Milan (about five months a year). They conduct these tours for fun and the truth is that I fell for Daniel. He is funny and full of interesting stories and aside from that, he really knows special places in Milan and gave us a lot of worthwhile tips. During the tour we visited a church that had been closed since World War II and was only reopened in 2017.

What is special about this church is that there is an entire area behind it that was only intended for nuns and is now also open to the general public. One of the artists who painted there did not think that these paintings would ever be revealed to anyone other than the nuns, so he felt free to also paint strange things, for example in the painting of Noah’s Ark, he added unicorns:) And there are also three dogs instead of two because one of the dogs is actually the dog that belonged to him. Daniel told many more funny and witty stories in this church.

After that, Daniel took us to the oldest coffee shop in the world, which it turns out the Ferda company bought a few years ago but left it as it is. We had a coffee there called Marocino, which is a cappuccino with some foamed milk and cocoa powder on top.

We also went to a statue that, when you see it, it’s hard not to smile and wonder how there is such a statue in Milan. Itโ€™s a sculpture of a triangular finger built by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan 11 years ago during the design and art week in Milan. The statue was built in front of the stock exchange and the artist created it as a symbol against fascism.

Of course, we went to other places and there were many more stories, so I really recommend joining their tour if it is available when you visit Milan.

The tour lasted about two hours, suitable even for those who are not in good shape because they don’t walk much.
The cost of the tour was 35 euros per person.
The tour starts at 11 am.

The coolest street there is

I only discovered this street thanks to the guide, Daniel, on the walking tour I recommended above. When he showed pictures of this street, I knew I had to take a taxi to it immediately after the tour.

The art on the houses was painted by the artist Maurizio Cattelan, who also built the statue of the triangular finger in front of the stock exchange. (Arrival instructions).

On this street is the Toilet Paper Magazine store, where you can buy magazines created by Cattelan.

Unfortunately, I was alone on the street and without a tripod, so the photos didn’t turn out well enough, but this is definitely an excellent spot for worthwhile Instagram photos. I also didn’t have time to enter the store itself, which I’m sure is really cool. I only got to jump to this street very briefly because I had to make it to my flight, but I’m sure I’ll return to it for a return visit.

Thai spa that is especially worth it

I’ve been to a lot of Thai massage places, but I’ve never been to a spa with such a design that really feels like a Thai palace. This spa is called One Season. Arrival instructions.

In addition to the fact that the design of the place is amazing, there were a few other advantages:

In short, if you are looking for a treat after all the walking in Italy, this is the place I recommend for a massage.

Matching tattoo

After years of planning between me and my siblings, the idea for a joint tattoo finally came to fruition. This is an idea that my sister came up with five years ago and on our previous trips we hadnโ€™t managed to do it, but this time it finally happened. Two weeks before our arrival, I looked for a tattoo parlor for us to coordinate our date. I found the institute IL CIRCO NERO TATTOO Milano (their Instagram). I contacted them on Instagram and there was a quick and professional response. We decided to arrive at 4 o’clock and they prepared the sketches we requested in advance. The place was sterile and the girl there gave us one tattoo after another, quickly and professionally. The cost of the tattoo was 120 euros per person.

If you are taking a trip as a couple or as a family and you want to do something a little crazy, then here is an idea that will leave you with a lifetime souvenir ๐Ÿ™‚

A perfect cafe

Wow, wow, what an excellent cafe. A must-visit if you are in Milan. This is a cafe with such delicious pastries and such good coffee that you simply cannot miss it. We went there twice and if I had stayed in Milan for a few more days, there is no doubt that every day I would have gone there again. Cafe Loste directions. This cafe has fresh pastries that are baked on the premises and excellent coffee. We tried the chocolate pastry, the cinnamon pastry, bread pudding, and a cherry tomato savory pastry and everything was great. Keep in mind that there is a queue on Saturday morning.

An unforgettable restaurant

For our last evening of the trip we wanted a special restaurant that would have Italian food but something more modern and lighter, and my brother found us the Remulass restaurant just for this. Directions. Itโ€™s a modern bistro with a limited and precise menu. We booked a place for four people for half past seven in the evening. The menu had four starters, four first courses, three main courses, and two desserts. 

How many dishes do you think we ordered? We ordered the whole menu, so I can tell you for sure that everything there is delicious. Every dish was flavorful and surprising. There were special combinations of different raw materials and the wine was also great. 

In short, if you are looking for a good restaurant, this is definitely the recommendation for you. In addition, the prices were not too expensive and we ended up with a bill of 170 euros for four people for the whole menu including a glass of wine per person. 

It is recommended to reserve a place in advance because there are not many tables and the restaurant is in demand. Link to book a place.

Both the restaurant and the Loste cafe were a few minutes’ walk from the hotel where the MagVille boutique hotel was located.

Questions and answers about Milan

How do you get from the Malpensa Airport to the city?

There are several options either to rent a car or take a taxi (around 120 euros for a taxi to the city center) or a train. If you are going as a group, then the taxi or car option is excellent; if you are just a couple or alone, then the train option is definitely the most convenient. 

On the way back, I returned alone, so I chose to return by train. I took a taxi from the hotel to the central train station for 15 euros and from there I took a train to the airport (get off at a five-minute walk to terminal 1 or 2 – check in advance which terminal you need). Make sure to check which airport you need. I needed to go to the Malpensa Airport. You can purchase tickets in advance online or at a machine at a train station or at the ticket office of the train company. The cost of a one-way trip is 13 euros per person. Buying tickets online for the train to the Malpensa Airport.

How are taxis in Milan?

From what we got to experience, there is not a high availability of taxis in Milan, so you have to take into account that it may take a little longer to get from one place to another. We used the Uber app several times, and in central places there are taxi signs. Even if there is no taxi at those locations, go stand there and a taxi will arrive relatively quickly. Taxis are required to accept credit cards, but it is recommended to say in advance if you want to pay with this method.

Where is it recommended to stay in Milan?

The central area of โ€‹โ€‹Milan is the area of the โ€‹โ€‹Milan Cathedral (Directions). This is a lively area of โ€‹โ€‹bars, restaurants and shops. We stayed at the MagVille boutique hotel in a quieter but charming area at a 35-minutes’ walk from the central area (you can also get there by metro, bus and taxi). There is a beautiful park a quarter of an hour’s walk away. A delicious breakfast is served in the hotel itself and if you happen to have nice weather, it is recommended to sit and have breakfast outside. The rooms are spacious and clean, with a comfortable bed and a coffee machine.

Where is it recommended to shop in Milan?

If you are into luxury brands, you can find all the brand stores such as Freda, Chanel, Versace and more, on Via Sant’Andrea MI street.

If you are looking for brand stores at more popular prices, then close to the cathedral you will find Zara, Bershka, H&M and more… Directions

In addition there is an impressive children’s play store called Hamleys ? Directions

How do you know if the ice cream is of high quality in an ice cream parlor in Milan?

Our guide on the trip explained that there are two ways to see that the ice cream is of high quality ๐Ÿ™‚

According to the color of the pistachio flavor, if it is green, it means that it is not a good ice cream; the color of pistachio ice cream should be more of a brown tone.

If the ice cream looks like a high hill, it is also a bad sign. This shows that the ice cream has chemicals and is not of high quality; good ice cream should be concave and low.

Other recommended attractions in Milan

I saw a recommendation on Gal Zuta’s Instagram for an attraction that looks especially worth visiting, and next time I plan to go there:
QC Termemilano, a luxury spa complex in the heart of Milan, is located within a historic building surrounded by ancient Spanish walls. The place offers outdoor thermal pools, various saunas, steam rooms, waterfalls, and hydrotherapy paths for complete relaxation. In addition, you can enjoy stylish relaxation rooms, indulgent massages, and the “Aperiterme” experience, which includes Italian snacks and drinks. Itโ€™s recommended to book in advance and visit in the afternoon to experience the magical atmosphere of the place at night.

The guide for the tour I was on strongly recommended going up to the roof of the Duomo di Milano cathedral and watching the view there

Buying tickets to the roof of the cathedral without entering the cathedral itself
Buying tickets for a guided tour of the cathedral and going up to the roof of the cathedral

A hop-on-off bus is an excellent way to explore a big city for 24/48/72 hours

Buying tickets for a hop-on-off bus

Additional walking tours

Buying tickets for a two-hour evening walking tour
Buying tickets for a walking tour of the city including the cathedral
Buying tickets for a city tour on an electric bike

In conclusion, Milan is a city of fashion, architecture, excellent restaurants, shopping, nightlife and a lot of beauty, and in addition to all this, it can be a combination of a trip between an urban experience and an experience in nature by combining it with lakes such as Lake Como or Lake Maggiore.

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them there or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Italy? I have more posts about Italy on my blog.

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