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

Protaras is part of Paralimni which is more familiarly referred to as “the land of windmills” maintaining the nostalgic quality of the past. Picturesque but geared for tourism, Protaras has lovely sandy white beaches, with restaurants, pubs and clubs all at arms length.