North Cyprus Towns

Kyrenia (Girne): is the most famous and popular town in North Cyprus, it’s also where all visitors to the island are naturally drawn. The town is built around the pretty horseshoe shaped harbour along which you’ll find many bars and restaurants. Framed by the imposing Crusader castle, with the sparkling Mediterranean to the front and the stunning mountains as a backdrop this is a most picturesque town. The harbour side cafes and bars are great places for whiling away sunny hours and the visitor is afforded a great view of the small fishing vessels, tourist boats and occasional yachts that vie for position on the overcrowded quays.

The old town is located behind the harbour and if you wander along the rambling narrow streets you’ll come to small secret shops, cafes and restaurants some with tiny courtyards all tucked away in the shade of the buildings.

Alsancak: The established area of Alsancak is located just west of Kyrenia, and has something to offer everyone with its spectacular sea and mountain views. The village is located at the foothills of the Besparmak Mountains. It has a good selection of quality restaurants within easy walking distance. Its closeness to Escape and Camelot beaches, beach clubs with a number of facilities including water sports, makes Alsancak one of the most popular holiday destinations.

Bellapais: Unchanged and unhurried since its colonial days, tiny narrow streets crisscross haphazardly away from the main square, and scattered amongst the whitewashed buildings are many excellent and inexpensive cafes and bistros. Bellapais is an ideal haven for those seeking a calm and relaxing opportunity to sample the Cyprus of a bygone era.The centre piece of the charming village and its main attraction is Bellapais Abbey.

Bellapais Abbey: is perched precariously on a natural terrace, and stands guard over the whole of the Northern coastline, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful and indeed most important Gothic buildings in the Near East.

Bogaz: Is a beautiful fishing village on the southern edge of the Karpaz peninsula. Fishing boats sail in and out of the harbour all day and the day's catch is sold on the quay side to the local restaurant owners and locals hence there are several good fish tavernas from which to choose between. There are also several bars, supermarket and shops. Bogaz is well situated to explore the area as it is only a few miles north of Iskele and 25km north of Famagusta and is on the edge of the Karpaz.

Çatalköy: The quaint village of Çatalköy maintains its own private beach for residents which is five minutes from the village. The retired locals refer to the Mountain and Meadows as “The Lake District without the lakes”. It is a walker’s paradise with many colourful species of wild orchids and flowers dotting the landscape.

Doganköy: A small sleepy hillside village just east of Kyrenia neighbouring Bellapais. Magnificent views of the sea and the Besparmak Mountain range. Picturesque properties are dotted along the mountainside. Only five minutes from all the amenities available in Kyrenia as well as being close to the new harbour.

Esentepe: is just one of the many charming Mediterranean villages of Northern Cyprus. It has grown over the past few years to become a village of some note because many visitors to the area have sought to establish their own homes in Esentepe. This does not detract from the idyllic coastal retreat that nestles at the foot of the Kyrenia mountain range; rather the development that has come to Esentepe has raised its profile and desirability instead of taking away its rural charm.As you drive up the winding road into the village you will be struck by the stunning views the residents enjoy. Before them is the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea, fringed by the lovely sandy Esentepe beach, and behind them are the pine covered foothills of the Kyrenia mountain range. With Esentepe as your base you can swim in the sea, laze on the beach, enjoy lunch at one of the village restaurants or wander up the meandering paths into the forests and hills behind the village.

Famagusta: If Kyrenia is the tourist capital of North Cyprus then Famagusta is the historical capital.This walled town lies south of the ancient city of Salamis (now Salamis ruins) other places of interest include Othello's Tower, the Bronze Age ruins of Alasia and Engomi, the Monastery of St. Barnabas and the Kantara Castle.

Güzelyurt: Which means `beautiful country' in Turkish, is aptly named. This market town located west of North Cyprus,is not a typical tourist destination but is interesting to those who want see parts of Northern Cyprus not in the least affected by tourism. Güzelyurt houses a history and archaeology museum, a collection ranging from the prehistoric age of Cyprus to the Byzantine period.“Don’t miss the fine pink steam engine” the only surviving relic of the railways of Cyprus. There is a covered market and some rather beautiful Orthodox churches.It is one of the richest agricultural areas in Cyprus, famous particularly for its Citrus fruit (Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit) and strawberries, which thrive in its fertile red soil.

Karaoglanoglu: About 5km to the west of Kyrenia, this Once small village famous for its lemon and olive groves, has grown to be a sought after suburb of Kyrenia, popular with both locals and tourists.

Karsiyaka: The picturesque area of Karsiyaka affords stunning views of the highest mountain in the Besparmak Range. It is an up and coming area with a quantity of shops and good quality fish restaurants close to the waters edge.

The mountains in Karsiyaka provide ramblers with a choice of spectacular trails. As well as stunning views this area also benefits from a number of unspoilt sandy coves.

Lapta: Is located about 10 kilometres west of Kyrenia; it is a popular resort and has some excellent hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes. You have casinos, water sports and easy access to some beautiful beaches. Lapta manages to represent the best in coastal towns and mountain villages and it offers some of the best scenery on the island with stunning mountain views from the old town and beautiful and peaceful Mediterranean views from the coast.

Ozankoy: Situated just 3 miles East of Kyrenia, this mountainside village is home to a small but truly multi national population! If you visit Ozankoy be sure to spend time wandering around the pretty, narrow and ancient streets of the village. There are a number of cafes, bars and restaurants in the village affording stunning views of the North Cyprus coastline.The village of Özanköy neighbours the villages of Çatalköy and Doganköy

Tatlisu: When translated into English Tatlisu means sweet water which describes perfectly this unspoilt region. A number of quiet sandy coves dot the coastline, with its crystal clear turquoise aqua marine sea; it is the perfect location to unwind, and for the more energetic it is a diving and snorkeling paradise.