Paralimni-Deryneia Municipality is pressing ahead with more than €55 million in development projects aimed at transforming the town into a modern urban, commercial and cultural hub for the free Famagusta district, Mayor Giorgos Nikolettos has said.
The programme spans infrastructure upgrades, public space regeneration, cultural facilities, road improvements and tourism investment, covering all municipal districts. Among the headline projects is a coastal promenade extension that, once complete, would stretch 17 kilometres from Kapparis to Konnos Beach — which Nikolettos described as the longest coastal promenade in Europe.
“The goal is to create a modern, functional and humane city that meets the needs of residents, strengthens everyday life and creates conditions for sustainable development for future generations,” Nikolettos told Phileleftheros. The plan also aims to strengthen Protaras and the wider municipality’s position as an international tourism destination, he said.
Projects planned for Paralimni
Central square regeneration — €3m Planning permission has been secured and a building permit application is expected to be submitted by August. The project will include an events space, park, monument area and extensive tree planting. A central focal point will frame views of the area’s three churches, and a water feature will create a visual link between the square, Paralimni lake and the sea.
Town centre regeneration — €9m Both planning and building permits are in place and amended applications have been submitted. The project covers pedestrianisation, road surface replacement, new public squares, additional green space and new car parking.
Multi-storey car park — €6.7m Under construction next to the Paralimni Municipal Hall and expected to be completed by the end of the year. It will provide 296 parking spaces, including 17 for people with disabilities and three for electric vehicles.
Protaras coastal promenade extension — €17m The fourth phase (€10m), expected to begin in 2027, is currently at the planning permission stage. The fifth phase (€7m) is at design stage, with a planning application to be submitted shortly. Once both phases are complete, the promenade will run 17 kilometres from Kapparis to Konnos Beach.
Multipurpose conference centre — €10m At the consultant evaluation stage. The facility will include a Technology Museum, a 1,000-seat events and conference hall, 1,500 sq m of exhibition space, an art gallery, outdoor exhibition and events areas with 300 seats, a research laboratory, library and reading room, as well as seminar rooms and spaces for cultural workshops, dance, music and fashion shows.
Vrysoudion Avenue and Pinias Street upgrade — €7m Recently classified as a town planning project. The regulatory plan has been approved and the Public Works Department has authorised the municipality to prepare construction drawings. The project covers a full road network upgrade. Work is also advancing on a primary road from the Agios Panteleimonas roundabout to the Protaras Avenue junction (Link 5), and the upgrade of Giorki Papadopoulos Avenue is expected to go out to tender within 2026.
Linaion cinema restoration — €3m The listed building is at the tender preparation stage for finding design consultants. The municipality will restore the structure and convert it into a multipurpose cultural venue hosting events, exhibitions and other activities.
Alternative sports centre (Palais de sport) A multipurpose facility planned on state land in Pernera, next to the Toxotis hotel. The municipality is awaiting a land lease from the Land Registry Department before submitting permit applications.
Youth park and dog park To be built near Paralimni lake, co-funded by the National Betting Authority and the municipality. It will include a multi-theme youth park, the first dog park in the area, green-material pathways, an outdoor gym and calisthenics area, and a small picnic space.
Care home for the elderly The municipality holds state land allocated for this purpose. The municipal council has approved it as a priority project and a design consultant tender is being prepared.
Smaller projects in the pipeline
A landmark installation titled “Europe’s First Sunrise” is planned for the coastal promenade, to be completed by mid-June. The project reflects Cyprus’s position as the south-easternmost point of Europe, offering visitors a spot to watch the continent’s first sunrise.
A viewing point is also planned at Profitis Ilias hill, with a lift to be installed for accessibility. A new 76-space car park is planned at the end of Amfitritis Street, with construction drawings ready and planning permission secured.
The municipality is also planning a windmill park, pending a land lease from the Land Registry Department, and the municipal council has approved a dancing-fountains landmark at the Windmill roundabout in Paralimni.
