NorthernCyprus.CC

North Cyprus Guide

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:21:18 GMT

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North Cyprus is a splendid holiday destination where the hot Mediterranean climate is just a bit of its many attractions. Because of the sanctions the island is not considered as a holiday destination by most people and as a result a non-commercialised, and safe destination for those who want a quiet unspoilt holiday. Still able to offer holidays with deserted beaches, remote villages, clear warm sea, mountains with breathtaking views and a variation of impressive castles and monuments to fascinate those who enjoy history and architecture. North Cyprus is still largely untouched by mass tourism.

Here, in Northern Cyprus portal, you will find answers to:

Not only facts about cultural places and events, but also detailed informaiton on leisure in North Cyprus
Driving directions from Ercan Airport to Kyrenia
How to explore North Cyprus, how to get to North Cyprus, local tours, fly & drive options, the cost of taxi, transfers from Ercan Airport to Kyrenia, North Cyprus or Book your Taxi Transfer online.
Restaurants and bars in Kyrenia, Famagusta and Nicosia
The splendid sights, and holiday activities in North Cyprus
Weather in Northern Cyprus and more
Road and City Maps of North Cyprus

Also:

You can browse the list of companies offering hotel booking in North Cyprus;
And list of Rent A Car Companies for good deals on North Cyprus Car Hire.

Getting Around

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:17:16 GMT

Public transportation in North Cyprus is very basic; far from efficient. So you are highly advised to rent a car during your vacation in North Cyprus, as getting around with taxi's can be very costly. Amazingly, cost of car rental is probbaly one of the cheapest you can find in the whole world. Car rental rates can start from GBP 12 per day, depending on the type of vehicle and the time of the year, upto GBP 35 per day being amongst the most expensive. Pre-booking your car long before your arrival is advisable; you will be entitled for pre-book discounts.

Most car rental companies deliver your rented car to Ercan airport for free; however, if you are coming through Larnaca airport, the car rental companies can arrange your transfer to North at reasonable reates as well. Ideally, you should book your transfers online as soon as you arrange your flights.

Street Map Of Iskele

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:12:09 GMT

Street Map Of Guzelyurt

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:11:57 GMT

Street Map Of Famagusta

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:11:40 GMT

Street Map Of Lefkosa

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:11:31 GMT

Street Map Of Kyrenia

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:11:24 GMT

West Kyrenia:

East Kyrenia:

Vouni Palace

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:54:25 GMT

There is less to be seen than to be felt... The ruins of the Palace of Vouni have a mystic kind of feeling to them. The views from its hilltop position over the bay of Güzelyurt and the Troodos Mountains are spectacular. Built around 480 BC by the pro-Persian king of Marion as an outpost in order to intimidate and control the pro- Athenian citizen of the city of Soli below, Vouni is the only structure of the Persian period that survives in North Cyprus.

Tip: we recommend walking from the bottom of the hill to the site on top. The view changes around each turn and you can observe interesting geological layers and features right next to the road.

Story: The palace was destroyed by fire after 80 years after being build. During the Swedish excavation of the site, an amphora blackened through the fire and filled with gold ducats, was found under one of the stairwells leading to the now none existent first floor of the building.

St. Sophia Cathedral

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:53:45 GMT

St. Sophia Cathedral was built by the Lusignans in the 13th century. It is the oldest and one of the finest examples of Gothic art in North Cyprus. Within, Lusignans Princes were crowned kings of Cyprus. When the Ottoman’s took Cyprus in 1571, they converted the cathedral and because of this, it features a unique mixture of typical medieval gothic church architecture and Muslim adaptations in form of a Mihrab (indication niche towards Mecca) and a mimber (pulpit) and a women’s gallery in the north transept amongst. The cathedral was renamed in 1954 as Selimiye Mosque (cami).

Tip: If you go around the old Cathedral and you will find a small square behind it. There you can suddenly smell fresh coffee... if you follow your nose you find a small Turkish coffee factory... Don’t miss the public market hall to the right of the Cathedral... great place for fresh vegetables, fruits, Turkish delight and much more...

St. Mamas Monastery

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:52:52 GMT

St. Mamas Monastery is the third most important place of worship for the Greek Orthodox in North Cyprus after St. Barnabas tomb at Famagusta and Apostolos Andreas Monastery at Karpaz. Most of the compound dates from the 18th century but its Iconostasis is a gorgeous sample of artful wood carving of the 16th century. A splendid crystal chandelier surprises every visitor upon entry through the side entrance and its plain outer façade gives not hint of its splendid interior.

Story: St. Mamas is shown as a relief on the outside of the church as well as on several icons in the interior of the church. Local legend has it that St. Mamas, a devout Byzantine hermit who refused to pay tax since he had no income other than alms and lived in a cave, was ordered to be arrested by the local Governor. As he was escorted into custody the group encountered a lion about to devour a lamb along the roadside. The saint commanded the lion to stop, picked up the lamb, mounted the lions back and rode on the back of the lion into town. Upon seeing this, the Governor exempted the saint from taxes thereafter; hence he became the patron saint of tax-evaders and animals.

Soli Ancient City

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:52:16 GMT

The archaeological sight of Soli is located about 1.5 hours drive to the west of Girne. Dating back to the 6. th Century BC, Soli was one of the approximately 10 city-kingdoms of Cyprus. Most of what you can see today dates back to the roman period. In particular the ruins of a very large 5.th century basilica with its splendid abstract as well as animal mosaic floors are of interest to the visitor. It is here that you will find the famous “swan mosaic” of Soli. The mostly rebuild small theatre above the basilica offers a fine view over the bay of Güzelyurt.

Story: The area surrounding the sight was and still is, rich in copper ore and has been mined since the ancient times until the outbreak of the war in 1974. You will notice the derelict remains of the abandoned American “Cyprus Mining Corperation” right next to the road when you drive towards Soli.

Nature and Archeology Museum

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:51:39 GMT

The nature and archaeology museum of Güzelyurt consists of two different sections. Most interesting is the small, first floor permanent exhibit of artefacts dating from the Neolithic to Byzantine period. It is here that your will find the statue of the fertility Goddess Artemis which was discovered in the sea, just of the ruins of Salamis at Gazimağusta.

TIP: Currently running until further notice, a very special exhibit in an extra room upstairs! “The golden leaves of Soli”. An absolute must if you are interested in archaeology and history. On display are amazing gold artefacts which were excavated from Greco/Roman tombs, discovered two years ago at Soli.

Nicosia City Walls

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:49:26 GMT

The Venetians started to build new walls in place of the old Lusignan walls ringing the city, so as to be able to defend Nicosia in 1567, just before the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottomans. A famous Venetian engineer named Guilio Savorgnano drew the plans of the walls. The walls have a circumference of three miles, eleven bastions each like a castle, and three gates. The walls consisted of earth ramparts with a stone facing. The names of the gates were: "Porta Del Proveditore - The kyrenia Gate" in the North, "Porta Guiliana - The famagusta Gate" in the East, and "Porta Domenica - The Paphos Gate" in the West. In order to build the walls, the Venetians demolished the houses, palaces, monasteries and churches outside the three-mile circumference of the city and used their stone in the construction of the walls. The bastions were named after the nobilities and other people who contributed to the construction of the walls (Rochas, Loredano, Barbaro). The Venetians were defeated by the Ottomans before they had time to finish the construction of the walls.

Mevlevi Tekke

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:48:45 GMT

Located south of the Kyrenia Gate, this Museum was constructed towards the end of the 16th century by Arap Ahmet Pasa after the conquest of the island by the Ottomans. The commander of the conquering army, Lala Mustafa Pasa, Arap Ahmet Pasa, and the first kadi and mufti of the island were members of the Mevlevi order. Inside the building, there are tombs and a semahane (dervish meeting-house for religious music and whirling). Until Ataturk banned the lodges in 1920, it served as a Mevlevi Lodge; its last sheikh - or head of the order - died in 1954. At the entrance to the lodge there is a panel and a fountain. Sixteen Mevlevi sheiks are buried in the six tombs in the building. The building which constitutes a different aesthetic sight in the city centre is now used as a museum of ethnography.

Great Inn

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:48:03 GMT

The Inn or “Büyük Han” was built by the Mustafa Pasha in 1572. Its function was that of a trade station in which traders could safely store and sell their goods in the downstairs rooms, while the upstairs rooms served as overnight accommodation. The building was recently restored and after its re-opening in 2002 , its 68 rooms have become home to local artists who use these rooms in order to display their paintings, woodworks, lace and other works.

Tip: Sometimes Friday’s, sometimes Saturday’s shadow play theatre performances take place in one of the upstairs rooms. You are most welcome to watch the performance and have the figures explained to you! Look out for the small cafe downstairs – hidden in its corner, you can usually observe local women preparing local dishes the old fashion way…. always fun to watch and taste!

Dervish Pasha Mansion

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:47:19 GMT

The Mansion got its name from its previous owner Dervish Pasha, who besides being the last judge of the country also published its first Newspaper “Zaman” (Time). The Mansion was restored to its old former glory. Nowadays it harbours an ethnographical museum, displaying typical artefacts from the Ottoman period.

TIP: Being located in the Arab Ahmet Quarter of Lekoþa, you could stroll from the Dervish Paþa Mansion down the road and have a look at a recently restored section of this quarter, which features lovingly restored old houses dating back to the 18th and 19th century. What an atmosphere! In one of these restored homes you can find a very nice restaurant with a different flair to it. We recommend you visit and have a drink in their courtyard or even a meal.

Buyuk Hamam

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:46:43 GMT

The Grand Bath was built on the remains of an old Latin church. The bath still functions today. It is evident from its ornamented Gothic style arched doorway and its stone walls that it was built in the Lusignan period. The name of the building was St George of the Latins. A feature of the building is that it is 2-3 meters below road level.

Bedesten

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:46:00 GMT

The building was constructed in the 12th century as a Byzantine church (The St. Nicholas Church). It was later enlarged by some Gothic annexes built by the Lusignans. Some more changes were made in the Venetian period and the building was given to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis. With its different architectural styles it is of a hybrid nature. In the Ottoman period, it served as a depot and a market where mostly textile products were sold. The masonry on its northern entrance resembles the masonry on the entrance of the St. Sophia Cathedral.

Salamis Ruins

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:43:26 GMT

The ancient city of Salamis is a must to see in North Cyprus. The remains were first excavated in 1882 and stopped in 1974. There is still vast areas of the ancient city waiting to be discovered.

The current excavated site is about 1 kilometer long, along the coast. Salamis, once the main commercial centre of Cyprus, serves her visitors with a beautiful gymnasium, an amphithatre, roman baths, the basilica and the forum.

The Gymnasium:
With mosaics and malbe statues, was once the school and main cente rof attraction of the ancient city. The columns were reassmbled after being victims of a major earthquake in the 50's. Sadly, none of the statues have their heads in place.

The Roman Baths:
Much of the roman baths were covered with their Byzantium replacements; but some remains of Romans can still be seen beneath the Byzantium pools and steam rooms. Bases of pools are covered with mosaics, and amongst them is the famous Legend of Leda and the Swan.

The Basilicas:
Ayios Epifanios basilica was once the largest basilica in whole Cyprus. And towards the sea is Kambanopetra basilica.

The Amphitheatre:
The theatre with and original capcity of over 15,000 people and 50 rows of seats, now has 18 rows. As a typical Roman theatre, it still hosts concerts throughout the year.

Kantara Castle

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:25:08 GMT

The Castle is the most easterly of our three mountain castles. 645 m above sea level, it was built by the Byzantines to use as a watch tower in 10th century. From the so called “queens window” which is actually part of the old signal tower, a commanding view over the northern as well as southern coastal plain can be obtained. On a clear day you can see almost all the way to the end of the peninsular of Karpaz!

Story: Its been said, that Richard the Lionheart, who’s fiancé had been treated like a hostage after her unfortunate emergency landing during a storm on the coast of Cyprus, imprisoned and shackled the self pronounced Byzantine king of Cyprus, Isaac Comnenos in gold chains in the dungeons of the Castle of Kantara as a punishment.

Apostolos Andreas Monastery

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:23:57 GMT

Antiphonitis Monastery was built originally in the 12 th century AD in a remote area of the Five Finger mountains. The dome of the monastery sits not on four but on 8 columns and the church walls are covered with the remains of frescos. Located only 5 km away from the village of Esentepe the building is now open to the public.

Story: The monastery takes its name –“she who answers”- from the legend in which a poor man and a rich man met at this place. The poor man ask the rich man for a loan, who retorted, “.. and who will act as a witness that I have loaned you the money?”, to which the poor man replied, “God”. As soon as he had said those words, a celestial voice was heard santifying this transaction, and the monastery grew up around the miracle.

St. Hilarion Castle

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:13:12 GMT

The best preserved of the three crusader castles, St. Hilarion possesses a fairy-tale quality that makes the visitor wonder what it must have been like to live here during the medieval period. Having been built on a double peak of 732m it provides a superb view over Girne and the costal areas to the east and west. Originally built by the Byzantines in the 7th century as a watch tower, it was enlarged into a castle during the 10th century and repeatedly modified in the following 400 years. Most of its present shape dates back to the period between the 12-14 th centuries. Story: Local legend credits the castle with having 101 rooms, of which 100 could easily be found; the last, an enchanted garden, contains a treasure. If you stumbled through the magic door into the 101st room, you would tend to wake up years later, with empty hands among bare rocks...!

Tip: in spring quite a few wild flowers can be seen alongside the path leading up to the top level! There is a handrail available for most of the way.

Karmi Nekropolis

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:12:23 GMT

Karmi is a village in which tombs in shapes of rooms which stem from the Bronze Age were discovered. There is a human effigy in the corridor of one of the tombs. It is said to be the oldest found in Cyprus so far and is also said to be the goddess of fertility. Blue beads and bowls where found in the grave, the beads were gifts for the dead, bowls were for the Minos civilization brought from Crete (Minos is the king of Crete and the son of Zeus and Europa). These items are said to have belong to sailors working on the ships in Lapithos (Lapta). This shows how the various countries interacted in the Bronze Age. The village better known for its name Karmi was a former Greek village and was damaged in a fighting in 1974 and in 1983 the whole village was taken over by the TRNC ministry of tourism. Houses in these area are only leased to foreigners with the provision that they maintain it in the same shape they met it. It has a British feel to it with streets names like Geranium lane or the Crows nest pub. The Greek orthodox village church has been turned into a museum.

Herbarium of Alevkaya

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:11:49 GMT

The Herbarium/Forest station of Alevkaya features a very traditional set up. Plants have been pressed and preserved in large folders which you are free to view. There is a wealth of information but sometimes hidden behind Latin names. Never the less you can get lots of information about the flora & fauna of Cyprus (orchids, birds, butterflies etc…) The Herbarium was built by the government to provide information to those who are interested in nature.

Tip: You can walk from here to the Ruins of the Armenian Monastery of Soup Marga (short walk) or to the ruins of the Monastery of Antiphonitis (long walk). The BBQ grounds located at the Herbarium can become very lively in the summer season – especially on weekends. If you, like the locals do... like to pack your things and have a BBQ... or just a drink and enjoy watching locals enjoy their weekend then this place if for you.

Five Finger Mountains

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:10:57 GMT

The Mountains run 80 km along the northern coastline of North Cyprus. The mountain range starts at Kayalar village in the west and ends at the Karpaz peninsula in the east. Its width varies between 8 to 12 km. The northern slopes are covered by pine trees, the southern slopes mainly with bushes. The highest point of the mountain range is the Selvili tepe being 1024 m from sea level.

Information: you may notice an abundance of fire brakers running alongside the mountain slopes. These were established after the big forest fire in 1996, which continued for a period of three days and destroyed a large part of the Girne forest. Reforestation efforts can be seen everywhere alongside the road.

Buffavento Castle

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:09:54 GMT

Buffavento Castle is one of the three Crusader castles originally built by the Byzantines in the 10th century. Located on a 950 m high mountain ridge, the castle does offer a superb view over the northern coastline of Girne. The castles main purpose was that of a look out and prison. Given its location, the steep ascent to the top of the castle should not come as a surprise. The views from the top provide ample reward to the visitor who prevails to climb up the steeper path (in parts a handrail is provided). In the middle of the 15th century Buffavento castle was slowly dismantled by the Venetians and its large stones used for the construction and fortification of other defence structures.

TIP: not recommended in the height of summer since you are almost non-stop exposed to the sun! Highly recommended: proper shoes, sun protection, water and some snack so you can enjoy your time once you have made it to the top!

Antiphonitis Monastery

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:08:58 GMT

Antiphonitis Monastery was built originally in the 12 th century AD in a remote area of the Five Finger mountains. The dome of the monastery sits not on four but on 8 columns and the church walls are covered with the remains of frescos. Located only 5 km away from the village of Esentepe the building is now open to the public.

Story: The monastery takes its name –“she who answers”- from the legend in which a poor man and a rich man met at this place. The poor men ask the rich man for a loan, who retorted, “... and who will act as a witness that I have loaned you the money?” to which the poor man replied, “God”. As soon as he had said those words, a celestial voice was heard sanctifying this transaction, and the monastery grew up around the miracle.

Shipwreck Museum

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:07:49 GMT

The Girne Shipwreck Museum, located inside the Girne Castle, houses the remains of the oldest wreck ship known to the world dating back to the 3rd century BC. She sank in open waters less than one mile from the anchorage of Kyrenia, the evidence pointing to her being sunken by rough seas around 300 B.C.

Story: In 1967 a local sponge diver discovered the remains during a dive in over 30 m depth. During the summers of 1968 – 1969 Micheal Katzev from the University of Pennsylvania, Museums Department, directed a survey team using the help of 50 underwater archaeology students and technicians, who employed stereo – photography and other developed techniques to record the position of each object before it was raised. The objects displayed in the museum are the original ones, that where use by the crew of four or were part of the cargo that she carried on her last voyage about 2300 years ago!

Venetian Harbour

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:06:03 GMT

The romantic old, horseshoe shaped Girne harbour is located directly next to the Girne Castle. Originally built by the roman’s to protect the city of Girne from sea raids it now caters to the needs of friendlier visitors. The harbour section closest to the Girne Castle still provides anchorage for small fishing boats while the rest of the old harbour accommodates locals as well as visiting tourists alike with its cafes, restaurants and tour boats.

Tip: It is a great place for “people watching”! It can become quite lively (especially Saturday nights)... so maybe you could try a quiet Sunday morning when all you see and meet are fishermen, sleepy cafe personnel and one of the many harbour cats?

Kyrenia Castle

info@northerncyprus.cc (Northern Cyprus) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:04:44 GMT

The origin of the Girne Castle goes back to the roman period during which there was a harbour on the eastern side of the castle. The fortifications were built by the Romans in the 3rd century in order to protect the city of Girne and its harbour from pirates. Throughout its period of use, the castle was modified a number of time, which is quite evident when you walk through the two different entrance gates (the first one dating back to the Venetian period and after climbing up a steep passageway, the second one dating back to the Lusignans period). The square outer castle shape of today dates back to the Venetian period.

Tip: Inside the castle grounds you can find the amazing ship wreck museum! Housed in a specially acclimatised room are the remains of the oldest ship wreck found, dating back to 300 BC! From on top of the outer castle walls you can take terrific pictures of the old harbour or Girne.