North Cyprus

Travel to Cyprus Nord

The island of Cyprus is divided into two nations, both considerable for the eager tourist of the sea, but also of culture, history, landscape beauties and strange places to discover. In the Turkish Republic of Cyprus Nord stand out for beauty the wonderful peninsula of Karpaz , the cities of Kyrenia and Famagusta , EI Castelli perched. Furthermore, the capital is divided Nicosia with the Republic of Cyprus, which is instead of Greek culture. On this page, after some general information, we suggest a travel itinerary to Cyprus Nord and we illustrate the main destinations.

Despite the cultural differences, for Northern Cyprus, many of the considerations made for Cyprus Greek, which is described here . Northern Cyprus is however much less visited, and, among the tourists who go to enjoy the Cypriot beaches, few are the Italians.
The Turkish Republic of Cyprus North is not an officially recognized nation: for the European Union it is about A busy territory, and the complications deriving from this status discourage some travelers. In fact, Turning North Cyprus is comfortable and people are hospitable. In a few days they can see the main beauties (Cyprus North occupies a little more than a third of the island of Cyprus, which in turn is slightly larger than Corsica).

Travel information

The best months to visit North Cyprus are May-June, so as to begin early summer, and September-October, to prolong it a little. In April there is an explosion of colorful flowers. Depending on what you want from your vacation (sea, history and/or trekking), all seasons can still go well. In general, Cyprus's climate is ideal for traveling, being quite dry with hot sunshine, although out of season sometimes they can spire fresh winds. (Yes, I admit, these lines are a copy and paste of what was written for Greek Cyprus: D).

The rental car is the most convenient method for a travel itinerary in Cyprus Nord, which does not stand out for goodness of public transport. The rented cars in the Turkish part of Cyprus cannot be brought to the Greek part. Prices are convenient and gasoline costs little. You can find the Car at the best prices here .

The prices in Northern Cyprus are low: with 10 euros, for dinner, you split with great food (below we mention the culinary specialties of the area), and if you go to the "Characteristic" premises (ie scarcagnati) spend less. The official currency is Turkish lira, but the euro is accepted everywhere (with unfavorable exchange).
The cost of hotels depends on the period and type of holiday. If you are not in the middle of the season you can go directly to the structures and spend very little, otherwise it is better that you first book online hotels:

Cyprus North is a safe and friendly nation. An example: we rented the car without a credit card and without deductible, to then return it leaving it along a road, with the keys inside ... and sooner or later someone would pass to withdraw it! In short, the Nolo agency had absolute trust that neither we nor no one else would have stolen the car.

Karpaz Peninsula

The north eastern tip of the island of Cyprus is a long and wild peninsula with spectacular beaches. The most extensive is the Golden Beach, which is often mentioned among the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean.
We were there in late April, there was almost no tourist and it was a wonder: the water was fresh, but However, the hot solder invited to dive occasionally. From the Golden Beach, with the inflatable stand up paddle (sup) that we were specifically brought, we could then admire a wonderful trait of the southern coast of the Karpaz Peninsula.

The Golden Beach is not the only beach of the Karpaz Peninsula, but it is rightly that preferred by travelers for its 10 kilometers long, with fine sand and dunes overlooking the crystal clear sea. Even turtles give you eggs.

Another notable point of the long Karpaz peninsula is the rocky chief, where the monastery of the Apostle Andrea is located. The main country is Dipkarpaz, very characteristic.

Kyrenia

The most touristic city of North Cyprus is the beautiful Kyrenia, called Girne in Turkish. Kyrenia has ancient origins, with great Venetian influences, and its narrow streets, its walls and castle frame the picturesque marina.

Absolutely to visit is Kyrenia Castle, both for its impressive structure, and for the views from its walls, ranging from the harbor to the city to the mountains. The houses overlooking the port of Kyrenia gave birth to the nickname of Portofino of North Cyprus, although it can actually remember a Saint Tropez without Superyacht, or maybe Lerici, given the castle.

Famagusta

Kyrenia is probably the most beautiful city of Cyprus North, but famagusta is the one with the most fascinating monuments. If the sea part of Famagusta is occupied by the Prosaic commercial port, in the city there are instead many poetics churches, partly collapsed. These structures have a decadent atmosphere, but also full of history.

At Famagusta there is also the Otello Castle, so called because here was probably set the Shakespeare Otello (how many writers have given fame and even names to places and buildings, as well as Shakespeare? A few true? Bravino him!). Apart from the historical charm, the Castle of Otello is less great than Kyrenia's castle, so much so that the name looks a bit like a way to bring tourists.
The most fascinating monument of Famagusta is instead the old Gothic cathedral, then Reconverted in mosque (Northern Cyprus is predominantly Muslim, while Greek Cyprus is Christian-Orthodox ... I never do too much importance to these anachronistic dualisms between invisible beings, but the effects of religion on culture are evident).

The interior of the mosque is very bare, but the exterior is really nice. In this alternation between monuments, modern houses, almost collapsed ancient buildings, ruins of houses and cars, famagiata has an incredible charm.

The castles of Cyprus Nord

As already anticipated, in Cyprus North there are several medieval castles, some of which are really scenographic. If the castle of Kyrenia is the most beautiful among those on the sea, the castle of Buffavento is the most spectacular one in terms of perching on the mountain.
A mountain range runs along the northern coast of Cyprus and the castle of Buffavento stands On one of the highest peaks, about 1000 meters of altitude, above imposing rocky walls. The castle has a long history, and the picturesque name (which knows a little lord of the rings) is Venetian origins. Buffavento can be reached by car, with a last steep staircase to walk.

Another historic building to visit in the mountains behind Kyrenia is the abbey of Bellapais, which deserves to be inserted in your travel itinerary in Cyprus even if it is very touristy.
Not too far away is the castle of St. Hilarion, perched over Kyrenia, with a splendid view. The castle of Kantara, on the other hand, is at the beginning of the Karpaz Peninsula.

Nicosia

Of the capital we have already spoken in this regard of the Republic of Cyprus , but it is in the middle under the jurisdiction of northern Cyprus who are the most beautiful monuments of Nicosia. Among the characteristic alleys of the center, full of stalls, at some point the impressive building of Buyuk Han appears, which is over 400 years old. In this impressive caravanservanion there are souvenir shops, and a couple of restaurant bars where you can drink a good tea.

Nicosia's mosque is always located in the city center, from the Turkish side, next to the bazaar. It is very impressive, while the interior is made of stripping grandeur.
of the border passages between Northern Cyprus and Cyprus Greek we have already spoken in the other article on the Republic of Cyprus, so I don't repeat if not to say that for Tourists are Ledra Street the boundary point to visit. This central pedestrian street is divided in half: on a stylish western shops, from the other coffee and stalls: for the traveler who loves the exotic, the Turkish side is certainly preferable (to live there, perhaps the speech changes) .
The other spectacular thing about Nicosia is to eat: in very nice rooms, you can snee about Kebab (ie grilled meat) and meze (vegetable appetizers and sauces and various dishes) spending little.
Good trip !!

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