Kyrenia Tours

Kyrenia Tours

Local Excursions in Kyrenia from the Locals!

Kyrenia Tours

Local Excursions in North Cyprus, by the Locals!

Find great adventure activities in and around Kyrenia, Famagusta, Iskele, Karpaz, Nicosia, Guzelyurt

Your North Cyprus Adventure Starts Here!

Come with us and explore North Cyprus with us! We know this island and we are keen to let you see it too!

Wear your walking boots and set off to the mountains with our experienced tour leaders. Experience a completely different Northern Cyprus.

Set sail with a private yacht or hop on the deck of a large tour boat. Enjoy your day at the Mediterranean the way you want it to be.

We offer daily boat trips in Kyrenia ranging from budget trips to luxury trips either private or shared. We also have a fabulous sun-set trips. Special birthday arrangements are available upon request.

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Adventure Activities in North Cyprus

Do you need more than boat trips and daily excursions? This is where you can access our multi-activities designed for the adventurers

Responsible Tourism

Responsible Tourism

Be responsible; make sure what you spend on your holiday contributes to the welfare of the locals

Gastronomy Tours

Gastronomy Tours

Learn to cook traditional Cypriot Cuisine

Hiking

Explore the remote mountain ranges of Cyprus

Para Gliding

Para Gliding

Tell your potential customers about the services that you provide here.

Cycling

Historical Tours

Eco & Agro Tourism

Eco & Agro Tourism

Enjoy the peace

Special Interest

Special Interest

Bird watching, Botany Excursions

Diving

Scuba Diving in North Cyprus

Fishing

Fish Like A Pro in North Cyprus

Why Book with Us

We are local; we live here and we know the island better. We contribute to the preservation of the natural and cultural values of the are that we live.

TripAdvisor Multiple Award winning company

We've received Certificate of Excellence award from TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel website.

100% Customizable

Tell us about your trip requirement. We'll work together to customize your trip to meet your exact requirement so that you have a memorable trip.

Local Experts. Middle-man Free Pricing

We're a local travel agency. When you book with us, you get best possible price, which is middle-man free.

No Hidden Charges

We don't add hidden extras cost. All trips include travel permit, lodging and fooding. There are no surprises with hidden costs.

Eco-Friendly

We care for our environment; we engage in preservation activities, we protect our natural and cultural values.

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North Cyprus Guided Tours

From a historical tour of famagusta and salamis ruins to the natural beauty of the karpaz peninsula and the unique opportunity to visit the last divided capital in the world, nicosia., guided tours, experience north cyprus with our guided tours....

Take a guided tour to the Salamis Ruins

Take a guided tour to the Salamis Ruins

Take an adventure with our North Cyprus guided tours…

Cyprus Paradise has a whole range of North Cyprus guided tours that will add extra enjoyment to your holiday. We produce the buses, provide the guides, organise the itineraries and the restaurants, so you don’t have to worry about anything. The destinations vary but we can guarantee that all the major historical sites of Northern Cyprus are on our tour schedule and to accompany you on each of the tours there will be a local guide.

Explore the beautiful nature of North Cyprus

Explore the beautiful nature of North Cyprus

The following are examples of our most popular tours: Full day tour to Salamis , the St Barnabas Monastery and the walled city of Famagusta, with lunch included. This is a tour that will encompass the bath house area, theatre and gymnasium at the ancient site of Salamis, once the most powerful city on Cyprus. A visit to the monastery of St. Barnabas, the patron saint of Cyprus, the church and ancillary buildings are now an icon and antiquities museum. A walking tour of Famagusta will take in such landmarks, as Othello’s tower the citadel that guards the harbour; the great cathedral of St. Nicholas that has been since 1571 the Lala Mustafa Pasha mosque; the remains of the palace of the Provveditore; the prison of the writer and philosopher Namik Kemal, and the church of SS Peter and Paul, now the Sinan Pasha mosque.

north cyprus day trips

North Cyprus guided tours on offer at Cyprus Paradise include:

  • Full Day Famagusta Tour including; Salamis Ruins & St Barnabas Monastery, Varosha Ghost Town with Lunch
  • Full Day Karpaz Peninsula Tour including; Iskele & Ayios Philon
  • Full Day Lefkosa (Nicosia) Tour of the world's last divided capital city
  • Full Day Kyrenia, Bellapais & St.Hilarion Tour
  • Full Day Guzelyurt Tour including; Archaeological Museum, St. Mamma’s Church and Saturday Bazaar. Depending on the season you can pick strawberry’s or go for a long swim.
  • Full Day Boat Tour from Kyrenia harbour visiting popular sandy beaches.
  • Half Day Scuba Diving Tour to Unleash your Inner Explorer
  • Full Day Jeep Safari Tour with Breathtaking Views
  • Thrilling Day at the Largest Aqua Park in North Cyprus

If you would like to book any of the guided tours of North Cyprus mentioned here, please speak to your Cyprus Paradise Representative in resort, or your Cyprus Paradise Sales Assistant when you call us to book your North Cyprus holiday.

north cyprus day trips

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A beginner’s guide to North Cyprus

Apr 27, 2015 • 5 min read

Kyrenia's old town harbour. Image by Jessica Lee / Lonely Planet

Kyrenia's old town harbour. Image by Jessica Lee / Lonely Planet

North Cyprus is a sun-dappled home to medieval castle ruins, vast archaeological sites of once mighty classical cities, and snoozy villages where old men gather on the teahouse veranda to while away the daylight hours. Most visitors come for lazy resort breaks lolling in the sunshine, but this slither of land which swoops from mountain to sea in the blink of an eye, has so much more to offer.

Kyrenia's old town harbour. Image by Jessica Lee / Lonely Planet

The old town of Kyrenia (Girne)

Wrapped around a harbour chock-a-block full of bobbing gülets (traditional Turkish yachts), the old town of Kyrenia (Girne) is a postage-stamp-sized squiggle of narrow lanes teetering into genteel decay. Stride up the honey-toned stone ramparts of Kyrenia Castle, perched on the harbour’s northern cliff. Stroll the waterfront, bordered by tall carob warehouses converted into cafes, then wander out into the alleyways to capture a thread of Kyrenia’s yesteryear.

Don’t miss: Cyprus House , in a converted carob warehouse, tells the story of Kyrenia’s once prosperous carob industry.

Famagusta’s Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, the former St Nicholas Cathedral. Image by Rosita So Image / Getty Images

Famagusta (Mağusa): a Gothic ghost town

Hemmed in by bulky walls which failed to save the once lavish Byzantine city from the Ottomans in 1571, Famagusta (Mağusa) is a shattered mirror of its medieval grandeur. An incisor chunk of half-toppled church wall makes for an incongruous traffic intersection. Roofless chapel remnants, with faintly visible scraps of fresco work, stand amid weed-filled plots. Discover scraps of golden-stone Gothic finery peeking out between scruffy modern cottage rows, then head to the walls to soak up the dilapidated decadence from above.

Don’t miss:   Lala Mustafa Paşa Camii (St Nicholas Cathedral) is a soaring example of Gothic architecture.

The fairytale outline of medieval St Hilarion Castle. Image by Steve Allen / Getty Images

Fairytale castles of St Hilarion and Buffavento

A roll-call of kings and conquerors have eyed Cyprus up as a prize to plunder and possess, and the island’s two mightiest castles are monuments to these waves of invasion. The fortifications of St Hilarion Castle wind like a trooping stone regiment up the mountain slope, punctuated by watch towers, Gothic-arched royal apartments and barracks where Byzantine soldiers once slept. At Buffavento Castle jagged tower remnants jut out over a lush pine-forested ridge. Clamber up the wonky stone steps to the top tower, where Richard the Lionheart may once have stood to survey his captured land.

Don’t miss: The abandoned Panagia Absinthiotissa Monastery is just a short drive from Buffavento Castle.

The 12th-century Bellapais Abbey. Image by Gokhan Ilgaz / Getty Images

Bellapais (Beylerbeyi): abbey ruins and a literary pilgrimage

More than a few travellers come toting a copy of Lawrence Durrell’s evocative memoir of 1950s Cyprus. The starring role in his book Bitter Lemons of Cyprus is played by the village of Bellapais (Beylerbeyi), and a yellow plaque marks the house where Durrell once lived. This hillside hamlet’s highlight is the sprawling remains of Bellapais Abbey, founded by Augustinian monks after Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem. Its ornate church, Gothic-arched cloister and vast refectory summon a vibrant picture of medieval monastery life.

Don’t miss: Thread your way up the steep village lanes to drink syrupy Turkish coffee in a converted old mill at Tarihi Değirmen Historic Mill Cafe .

Golden Beach on the Karpas (Kirpasa) Peninsula. Image by Doug Pearson / Getty Images

Off the beaten trail on the Karpas (Kırpaşa) Peninsula

The narrow tail of the Karpas (Kırpaşa) Peninsula is a time-warp region of blink-and-you-miss-them villages snuggled into the furrows of a ragged spine of cliffs and beckoning beaches of footprint-less sand. The hilltop beacon of Kantara Castle and the intricate mosaic-flooring leftover from the Basilica of Agia Triada provide historical stopovers as you drive up the coast. At the end, miles of empty sand and rustic bungalows of the Golden Beach provide unplug-and-disconnect opportunities for modern-day players at Robinson Crusoe.

Don’t miss: If it’s open (restorations are in progress), the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas is worth travelling to the peninsula’s tip for.

Büyük Han, the Ottoman caravanserai in North Nicosia (Lefkoşa). Image by Juergen Richter / LOOK-foto / Getty Images

North Nicosia (Lefkoşa): Mevlevi monuments, mosques and museums

Most visitors to North Cyprus gravitate to the coast, but ignoring the capital of North Nicosia (Lefkoşa) means missing out on a chunk of historical sights. The looping lanes of the central walled city hold a clutch of fascinating architecture. Sit down for tea in the courtyard of the Büyük Han, an Ottoman caravanserai where traders and travellers once converged. Brush up on the culture of the renowned Mevlevi religious order at the Mevlevi Shrine Museum, then head to the Selimiye Mosque, once the grand Byzantine Church of Agia Sofia.

Don’t miss: Visit the Belediye Pazarı (municipal market) for some haggling fun.

Headless statue and gymnasium ruins at ancient Salamis. Image by Matteo Allegro / Getty Images

Turning back the clock in Ancient Salamis

Ancient Salamis is a meandering site which demonstrates the ebb and flow of the island’s conquerors. Today toppled basilicas sprout weeds between mosaic-floor fragments while headless marble statues keep watch over a vast Hellenistic Gymnasium. Founded after the Trojan War, Salamis switched between Assyrian, Greek, Persian, Greek again, Roman, Byzantine and Arab rule until the harbour silted up and it was abandoned completely. The main ruins contain the mammoth Gymnasium complex with Roman baths and a partially restored theatre, but the real fun here is exploring the trails which radiate out to 4th-century basilicas and the Roman-era reservoir and Agora.

Don’t miss: There’s a swag of sights nearby; poke about royal tombs at Salamis Necropolis .

Interior of Agios Mama church in Güzelyurt (Morfou). Image by Jessica Lee / Lonely Planet

Morfou Bay: churches and archaeological sites

The long drive out west is well worth it. On a cliff edge overlooking the sea, Ancient Vouni’s mysterious ruins sit scattered across the hilltop with million-dollar views over the tumbling green hills. Nearby is the ancient city-kingdom of Ancient Soloi , with its excavated mosaic floor all that is left of the basilica in which St Mark was baptised. Travel inland via sweet-swelling citrus orchards to reach scruffy Morfou (Güzelyurt) where the Agios Mamas Orthodox Church stands in the middle of town. Inside are vibrant frescoes and St Mama’s tomb, decorated with weird ear-shaped tokens left as offerings for miraculous earache cures.

Don’t miss: Tiny Güzelyurt Museum contains a dazzling display of artefacts from Ancient Soloi.

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North Cyprus Holidays

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North Cyprus Tours

North Cyprus Daily Tours

Take one of our daily guided tours to explore historical and natural wonders of Northern Cyprus or take a boat trip to watch this tranquil island from the sea and enjoy the fun and sun on the boat. Select one of the tours you are interested in below and contact us and then we will take care of the rest.

Trips and Excursions in North Cyprus

Jeep Safari Tour

Jeep Safari Tour

The most exciting way to see the wonders of Northern Cyprus. Explore Five Finger Mountains, local life, magnificent panoramic views of coast and more on our Jeep Safari Tour.

Karpas Trips

Karpas Trips

This trip offers exploration of historical sites, as well as spectacular views from Karpas national park. Karpas tour is a must experience, and one of the most popular tours in Northern Cyprus.

Famagusta Trips

Famagusta Trips

Famagusta is packed with history and culture, and offers some of the most important sight seeing in North Cyprus. Ruins of Salamis, walled city of Famagusta and more on the way to be explored.

Nicosia Trips

Nicosia Trips

Visit the last divided capital of the world and explore what it has to offer. This tour is great for shopping addicts, as well as history lovers.

Boat Tours

Explore the shores of Kyrenia with the way of pirates under the gazing shadows of majestic Kyrenia Five Finger Mountains, soak up the sun and swim till you get tired with our boat trips.

North Cyprus Private Tours

Private Tours

Private or personalised tours of North Cyprus and Cyprus are available at affordable prices. If you are coming to North Cyprus as couple, family or group of friends, guided private tour would be perfect.

Tour Bookings

E-mail: [email protected] or Contact Us .

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17 Years of Experience

17 Years of Holidays in North Cyprus.

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North Cyprus Daily Tours

Discover North Cyprus and experience and see top attractions with our knowledgeable guides at exclusive prices.

Karpaz Peninsula tour with Golden Beach, wild donkeys and monastery visit, lunch included

Karpaz Peninsula tour with Golden Beach, wild donkeys and monastery visit, lunch included

Kyrenia boat trip on a traditional wooden boat with swimming stops and lunch included

Kyrenia boat trip on a traditional wooden boat with swimming stops and lunch included

Famagusta tour with Salamis ruins, St Barnabas tomb and old walled city, lunch included

Famagusta tour with Salamis ruins, St Barnabas tomb and old walled city, lunch included

Nicosia city walking tour including covered market, medieval cathedral, and optional border crossing

Nicosia city walking tour including covered market, medieval cathedral, and optional border crossing

Kyrenia tour with St Hilarion Castle, Bellapais Abbey and more, lunch included

Kyrenia tour with St Hilarion Castle, Bellapais Abbey and more, lunch included

Private car tours in North Cyprus

Private car tours in North Cyprus

Güzelyurt region tour with ancient Soli, a local market and more, lunch included

Güzelyurt region tour with ancient Soli, a local market and more, lunch included

Traditional Turkish bath (hammam) experience with full body scrub, Kyrenia town centre

Traditional Turkish bath (hammam) experience with full body scrub, Kyrenia town centre

Jeep safari in Kyrenia mountains, with lunch included

Jeep safari in Kyrenia mountains, with lunch included

St Hilarion Castle to Malatya Waterfall - Guided Walk with Lunch

St Hilarion Castle to Malatya Waterfall - Guided Walk with Lunch

"Try Dive" scuba diving session in the sea off North Cyprus!

"Try Dive" scuba diving session in the sea off North Cyprus!

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DISCOVER NORTH CYPRUS  PRIVATE DAY TOURS

north cyprus day trips

NORTH CYPRUS PRIVATE TOURS

DAILY SIGHTSEEING AND HISTORICAL TOURS   IN CYPRUS

WELCOME TO NORTH CYPRUS DAILY  SIGHTSEEING TOURS & HOLIDAYS

More info [email protected] 00905338405849.

    SPECIAL DEALS

PRIVATE HALF DAY KYRENIA TOUR 

Pick Up from KYRENIA

1/2 PAX €120

3/4 PAX  €160

PRIVATE FULL DAY 

KYRENIA TOUR

     & ONLY KYRENİA 

1/2 PAX €180

3/4 PAX €200

        €80 PP

Choose the right holiday

& Tours Below.

Type of Holiday You Like

Full-day daily sightseeing tour around Cyprus

Learn about Cyprus history as salamis, capital of the Roman Empire

Visit 5 top Cyprus attractions with a knowledgeable experienced and Licensed local guide

Small-group tour ensures personalized attention from a guide

HOT DEALS 

Tours + Airport Transfer + Accommodation

  1/2 PAX    €820   (€410 EACH)  

   3/4 PAX     €1280 (€320 EACH) 

* 2 Full Day private Tour with a Licensed Guide

* Ercan or Larnaca Airport Return Transfer

* 3 Nights Accomodation / boutique Hotel in kYRENIA

SPECIAL DEALS 

           Pick Up

          NICOSIA

PRIVATE HALF DAY TOUR 

1/2 PAX  €160

3/4 PAX   €200

PRIVATE FULL DAY TOUR 

1/2 PAX   €180

3/4 PAX   €22 0

     €80

Bellapais / Kyrenia Tour

ST HILARION CASTLE & BELLAPAIS (HALF  DAY TOUR)

Here I will bring you to the most amazing sites on our five finger mountains. We'll visit St. Hillarion Castle which will be like the show piece of Walt Disney's fairy film, we continue through the craggy Five Fingers (Pentadaktylos) Mountains to Bellapais Abbey, a french Gothic styled monastery spectacularly set on a mountain terrace. Discover the ruins of this 13th-century Augustinian abbey with a licensed guide, with a great wiew of the epic down over seaside Kyrenia far below.

GROUP PRICE                PRIVATE TOUR                 PICK UP

  Per Person           Up to 1-2 Pax     UP TO 3/4 

    € 70                           € 120              € 160             Kyrenia

    € 80                            € 160               €  200            Nicosia & Nicosia Borders

Experienced , licensed  Guide & Entrance fees to Historical Sites are included within the prices

   

      NICOSIA & KYRENIA FULL DAY TOUR

Here I will bring you to the most amazing sites on our five finger mountains. Bellapais Abbey, St. Hillarion Castle & kyrenia Castle. After Kyrenia, We continue visiting Cyprus' only divided capital city of Nicosia and experience both its Greek and Turkish areas on this half-day trip from Nicosia. We walk into Nicosia's walled old city to visit Büyük Han and Selimiye Mosque, once was St Sophia Cathedral. Great for history and culture  in the lively lanes and streets.

GROUP PRICE      PRIVATE TOUR            PICK UP

  Per Person          1- 2 PAX    3 /4 PAX

       € 70                    € 180         € 2 00                 Kyrenia

       €8 0                    € 20 0          € 220             Nicosia & Border       

      € 100                  € 350         €380                  Larnaca

     € 100                  € 380         €420             Protaras / Agia Napa

                                                                        Limassol

                                 € 420        €4 80                 Paphos

Kyrenia Tour

FAMAGUSTA & GHOST TOWN TOURS 

My privately guided tours offer the best of both worlds, allowing you to discover beautiful corners of North Cyprus, in the company of a guide, without having to join a group. This means that you get to set the pace and, by using local, English-speaking guides, can gain insights into the traditional ways of life.

G ROUP PRICE      PRIVATE TOUR            PICK UP

  Per Person         1- 2 Pax     3-4 Pax

        €7 0                   € 180           €200               Kyrenia

         € 80                   € 200           €22 0         Nicosia & Border 

        € 80                  €220            €280             Pyla Border 

        € 90                    € 320            € 380                   Larnaca

       € 100                  € 380           €420       Protaras/   Limassol

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FAMAGUSTA & KYRENIA A CIRCLE TOUR

We firstly drive to Famagusta Wall City and walk towards St Nicolas Cathedral, which is now known as Lala Mustafa Mosque where free time will be given for coffee break & sightseeing. Ghost town can be added to the tours as you wish! The trip continues with a visit to the ancient city-kingdom of Salamis, founded right after the Trojan War by the archer Teucer who came from the Greek Island of Salamis. Time will be given there for a guided tour around the archaeological site which includes a beautiful ancient Greek theater and marble columns, Roman baths and a Gymnasium. We continue driving towards Kyrenia via coastline.

GROUP PRICE      PRIVATE TOUR             PICK UP

  Per Person           1-2 PAX     3-4 PAX

         € 90                    € 24 0           € 280                Kyrenia

        € 100                  € 260           €300                 Nicosia

        € 100                   € 350           € 380                Larnaca

         € 100                 € 380          € 420    Protaras / Agia Napa

                                                                     Limassol

north cyprus day trips

TROODOS & LIMASSOL A CIRCLE TOUR

We firstly drive towards Troodos mountain and have a coffee break at Omodos Village. The trip continues with a visit to Limassol Port and Lefkara village to finish the tour as we circle around the village where ladies do lacework.  

GROUP PRICE      PRIVATE TOUR      PICK UP

  Per Person             1-4 People

      € 90                         € 350                      Kyrenia

       € 90                         € 350                      Nicosia

      € 100                         € 360                     Larnaca

      €100                         € 380               Protaras / Agia Napa

                                                                 Limassol

Lefkara / Limassol

NICOSIA, KYRENIA &FAMAGUSTA CIRCILAR TOURS

                            3 Cities in One Day

GROUP            PRIVATE TOUR       PICK UP

Per Person          1- 2 PAX    3-4 PAX

90 Euro               €28 0       € 34 0               Kyrenia

100 Euro            € 280      € 340             Nicosia Border 

St Hilarion Walking Tour

SELF- GUIDED OR GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Some people would rather walk independently and discover North Cyprus at their own way. Therefore, I also provide daily-guided walks as well as self-guided walks. For those of you who choose where and when you want to go, for how long and how fast the options are all yours.

  With a self-guided tour you have the freedom and ability to explore the East all the way down to West parts of North Cyprus.

For your five days walking  would transport you to the start of the trails and provide you with maps and notes to follow the way marked trails. l will then pick you up at the end of the walk. Most of the walks end in a place of interest so l will give you time to explore and pick you up at an agreed time.

GROUP            PRIVATE TOUR               PICK UP

Per Person       1- 2 PAX     2-4 PAX

40 Euro              €100           € 160         Kyrenia

45 Euro             € 120          € 180           Nicosia Border 

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north cyprus day trips

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Published @ 2008 Updated in 2024

Please check our guided tours page out

http://www.northcypruswalk.com/

Location: Girne/ Kyrenia- North Cyprus  -   [email protected] - 00905338405849

north cyprus day trips

TYPES OF TOURS

 Private Tours

Tailored Tours

 Historical & Cultural Tours

Cycling Tours

Hiking Tours

Special-interestWalking Ang Historical Tour{Mix Tours}

SPECIAL PACKAGES

3 Day Guided Tours 

4 Day Guided Tours

5 Day Guided Tours

4 Days Guided Tours

(2 Day Hiking & 2 Days Sightseeing Mixture)

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

ONEWAY Ercan to Kyrenia

ONEWAY Larnaca to Kyrenia

north cyprus day trips

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north cyprus day trips

Destinations For All

Salamis ruins, selimiye mosque, saint hilarion castle, eco tourism, seftali kebab, cumbez tree, traditional handicrafts.

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north cyprus day trips

Your Holiday

Travel Extra

North Cyprus Walks / Walking - Hiking Tours in Cyprus

Contact Me on via

0090 5338405849.

north cyprus day trips

or Viber 

UNLEASH YOUR

Spirit of adventure.

north cyprus day trips

NORTH CYPRUS WALKS

       daily walking tours and walking holidays.

                                              IN NORTHERN CYPRUS

Choose the right holiday

& Tours Below.

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SPECIAL DEALS -   3 DAYS WALKING HOLIDAY

12,13,14 April / 4 Night  BB Accommodation

Single Rm   £ 440  /   Shared Rm   £ 290 PP

BOOK BEFORE 

Get % 10 off.

Type of Holiday You Like

Rambling around the mountain, cultural adventures and historic insights?

Private tour or tour in a small group?

A daily excursion or five guided  or self guided full-day tours strolling through the beautiful nature of the mountains with their stunning views

The Cape to cape Walk; 143 Mile walking holiday starting as far west and walking the whole length of the island over around 10 days

north cyprus day trips

[email protected]

Welcome to my daily walking tours & holidays.

HOT DEALS f or 4 People As Friends or a Family

3 Day Walking Tours + Airport Transfer +5 Day Accommodation

including  Only £680 or €780  ( This price covers for all 4 people)

* 3 Day Self or Guided Walking Tour  with a Licensed Tour Guide

* Ercan or Larnaca Airport Return Transfer

* 3 Bed Luxurious apt with Swimming Pool ( 5 Days)

Please ask  for a quote if only interested in accommodation

Whether North or South Cyprus, from the Troodos to Five Finger Mountain , if you are are planning to do walks , you are looking at the right place! I will lead you to  the most spectacular walking routes in whole Cyprus  I provide not only walking tours but also culture, wildlife, scenery, historical places, a daily or a weekly tours or even exercise you are after!!  North Cyprus Walks  will provide you whatever you are after!

I can easily arrange a daily or weekly tailored walking tours as a private or a small group up to 6 people at North Cyprus walks.  A day or a week walking tours to remember a lifetime, plan your trip with North Cyprus walks & the licensed private guides in North Cyprus.

YOUR HOLIDAYS IN NORTH CYPRUS

North Cyprus Walk’s unique range of holidays feature and you will have the choice to discover them, from walking, cycling, and touring (either by hiking or joining Historical and cultural tours) to the unspoiled country side. I provide shorter walks as a half day of our most popular island if you want a short break, or family activity holidays if you are looking for something a bit different with your children. I also offer daily walks, historical touring and cape to cape walks in all around Cyprus,.

WALK AT YOUR OWN PACE

My walking tours and holidays are suitable for individuals as well as the groups, therefore, you can explore Cyprus at your own pace .

Buffavento-Bellapais Walks- the most spectacular hiking routes and walking tours in Northern Cyprus.

MY SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOURS

With over 10 self guided walking tours around Troodos & Kyrenia mountain , I have a walking holiday planned in Cyprus for you. You walk at your own pace using my detailed route notes, with a choice of hotel-to-hotel walking holidays, on which I transport your bags, between from or to the hotels.

Alternatively, I also offer escorted walking holidays in Cyprus as your own local guide.

FROM 25 GBP / 30 EURO / 35 $ Per Person

MY DAILY GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Armenian Monastery (Sourp Magar) will be organised in Alevkayası located near Five Finger Mountain. It's 8 kilometers & (3 – 4 hours) tour with moderate walk and narrow trails through forest along slopes. We will have a lunch break in picnik area and then we will continue visiting Herbarium museum.

FROM 35 GBP / 40 EURO PP

Kyrenia Mountain-taken from hiking tours

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Trekking in North cyprus

PRIVATELY GUIDED 3 DAY WALKING TOURS

My privately guided Walking holidays offer the best of both worlds, allowing you to discover beautiful corners of North Cyprus, in the company of a guide, without having to join a group. This tour includes 1 - 6 people for 3 Days Walking Tour.    

    

GROUP FROM 300 GBP / 350 EURO / 390 $

        Covering 3 day walks for upto 6 People

3/5 DAYS GUIDED WALKING TOURS

 With a guided tour you have the chance to explore the East all the way down to West parts of North Cyprus.

For your five days walking I would transport you to the start of the trails and provide you with maps and notes to follow the way marked trails. I will then pick you up at the end of the walk. Most of the walks end in a place of interest so I will give you time to explore and pick you up at an agreed time.

3 DAYS WALKING TOUR 

FROM 80 GBP / 90 EURO Per Person

5 DAYS WALKING TOUR 

FROM 120 GBP / 135 EURO Per Person

Min 3 Pax Max 6 pax

Price will be less if more than 6 Pax

Self-guided tours in Kyrenia-Northern Cyprus

North Cyprus Walks

Our Special Offers

Why North Cyprus Walk

Hiking Trails

TYPES OF WALKING

Guided  Walks 

Self Guided Walks

Special-interest  

Private Tours

Tailored Tours  

A Cape to Cape Walks

Cycling Tours

Historical Tours

Walking Ang Historical Tour

{Mix Tours}

SPECIAL PACKAGES

6 Day Hiking & Historical Tour  

5 Day only Hiking Tours

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

ONEWAY Ercan to Kyrenia

ONEWAY Larnaca to Kyrenia

SPECIAL DEALS

3 DAYS WALKS 

Daily or Weekly

£ 30   or  £80

€ 40  or  €110

$ 60  or  $160

Walking Holiday Package 

Easy to Moderate Walks with a small group 

3 Guided Walking Tours & Airport Transfer

Packed Lunch

Licensed & English speaking Guide

  £130 PP

 €140    PP

Grand Tour 3 Days Northern Cyprus

north cyprus day trips

  • Entry/Admission - Saint Mamas Church and Icon Museum
  • Entry/Admission - Soli Ruinen
  • Entry/Admission - Palace of Vouni
  • Entry/Admission - Saint Hilarion Castle
  • Entry/Admission - Bellapais Monastery
  • Entry/Admission - Kyrenia Castle
  • Entry/Admission - Ancient Shipwreck Museum
  • Entry/Admission - Famagusta
  • Entry/Admission - St Barnabas Monastery and Icon Museum
  • Ledra Palace Crossing Point, İkinci Selim Cd 37h, Lefkoşa 99010 Meeting point is at the Turkish side of Ledra Palace crossing point (not to be confused with Ledra Street).
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

north cyprus day trips

  • Danielsaesc 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great value Great tour and great guide. You have a great sightseeing of Cyprus. Delicious lunch and very professional company. Fully recommend. Read more Written March 4, 2024
  • arvincf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful experience I booked last minute and was glad to receive a response just in time. The places we visited were extraordinary but needed maintenance. The guide Sedat was very informative. Read more Written February 11, 2024
  • Anders-from-Copenhag 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The Northern part of Cyprus is a must to visit The guide was REALLY good and knew a lot. I was happy to get an overview of what the Northern part of Cyprus looked like. I am mixed about it was worth the money. As a solo traveler I paid for 2 persons and thought it was expensive. But it was the only option I had - unfortunately… Read more Written January 20, 2024
  • mmjtruesdale 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent trip and guide Sedat. Highly recommend Excellent itinerary visiting key sites from Greek and Roman period, the Venetian period, Byzantine, pre Venetian and recent history. A good cultural experience. My guide Sedat was very knowledgeable, tailored the trip specifically to focus on my interests. He drive very safely, was kind and polite. I unreservedly recommend this day trip and I was fortunate to have Sedat. Several highlights but especially Salamis and the Phoenician boat more than 2300 years old! Read more Written October 14, 2023
  • Anthony C 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Ten out of Elven There are many aspects of the Kyrenia area that seem to be over looked. For instance,the friendly way in which the visitor is accepted into the community. You never hear the words no or cant.The atmosphere there is exemplary and a feel good factor is always present. Public transport,well you must use it as its frequent and well affordable. Food wise alsohits the spot,the best restaurant in my mind is the Blue song Lapta, you must judge for yourselves on that one. All in all a wonderful experience. NORTH CYPRUS Read more Written September 30, 2023
  • 483danicar 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Sedat the storyteller If you want to visit northen Cyprus it is a must to see all of this with Sedat, our retired school teacher. He is not just your tourguide but he brings you along through the journey of his life. A better view on the Turkish side than 'being al local' is not possible. Sedat has a lot of knowledge of the rich history Cyprus has hidden. His passion is felt in every story he has got to share. It's a long day but one you will remember for a very long time. Read more Written September 30, 2023
  • Departure27308976044 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Kyrenia Cyprus Tour The driver was very knowledgeable. We had a full day and a delicious lunch in a local restaurant where Camel (our driver)knew everyone. Read more Written September 30, 2023
  • BackPacker773587 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Terribly boring The tour was boring and, of course, expensive for what it was. They charge 140 euros per person and the guide basically only wanted to stop at the cafes and bars he knew. He hardly stopped at the monuments that were on the route, in fact we had to tell him that we wanted to see them because he left without even going near them and he had no idea of the history of the buildings. Very very very very boring guide. The company Sidetour didn't even contact us to ask if the tour had gone well. I do not recommend it at all. I couldn't wait to finish the tour because the guide was really, really boring. Our recommendation is to rent a car in the Turkish area and do the tour on your own. Read more Written August 30, 2023
  • stephb37 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Famagusta & Nicosia Had a great day out with Sedat as our guide. He was a very knowledgeable and friendly guy. We really enjoyed our experience. Read more Written August 1, 2023
  • Travel00217644645 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful and memorable trip Glad to have Sebnem to be my tour guide. It was a fruitful trip where Sebnem shared a lot of information about the places visited and the history and culture of Northern Cyprus. She is such a knowledgeable and nice person to spend a whole day with, thank you Sebnem! Highly recommended this trip to all! 😄 Read more Written June 18, 2023
  • Shari M 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing amazing amazing Sedat was the most wonderful and absolutely EXCEPTIONAL tour guide! He was so experienced and knowledgeable and really made the tour 100/10 for us! The tour itself was fantastic and I would highly highly recommend if you’re going to Cyprus! Read more Written June 1, 2023
  • VoyagerVicki 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Good Overview of the Highlights of Northern Cyprus Cemal was a fabulous guide to all the main highlights of the north of Cyprus. I actually had the tour to myself as a private tour on the day I went, as there were no others that booked that day. What a treat! We saw the deserted city of Famagusta and the center of the city with the mosque-cathedral; the Roman ruins at Salamis; the cute town of Bellapais, where we had a wonderful lunch and saw the monastery; and the castle, small shipwreck museum, and harbor (that is under renovation in 2023) in Kyrenia. I skipped the northern Nicosia end of the tour, as I had already seen it a couple days earlier, but that is included too where you will see the Buyuk Han caravanserai. I highly recommend this tour as a great way to see and understand the northern part of Cyprus with a friendly and knowledgeable guide. Read more Written May 26, 2023
  • E8668PUjulied 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Unforgettable experience and a wonderful guide ! Our guide Cemal was amazing during this tour ! He has a great knowledge of everything, explaining the history of North Cyprus like no one and he was the best during our day trip ! 😊 I strongly recommend to book a tour with Sidetour ! Read more Written May 17, 2023
  • 40katrinj 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Unforgettable and highly recommendable! Incredible sights, memorable experience! Sebnem proved to be an endless source of information with special charme and wit! Thank you!!! Read more Written May 3, 2023
  • 678neishap 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Exciting day trip to North Cyprus Sedat was simply amazing! His knowledge on historic event dates was accurate. He made the whole day fun and exciting. Varosha is a must see Read more Written May 2, 2023

More to explore in Nicosia

north cyprus day trips

Grand Tour 3 Days Northern Cyprus provided by Sidetour

North Cyprus Travel Guide

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

  • roughguides.com
  • north-cyprus
  • Travel guide
  • Itineraries
  • Travel Advice
  • Accommodation

For many visitors, crossing into Turkish-controlled north Cyprus is akin to time travel. Gone are the busy resorts, malls and familiar international chains of the south, replaced by remote villages and a slower place of life – “the Mediterranean as it used to be” in the words of the local tourist board. This sense of suspended animation can be dated precisely to the Turkish invasion of 1974 , when the north, stripped of its Greek Cypriot population, became cut off from the rest of the world, a self-styled republic recognized by no one but Turkey itself (see the section " The state within a state ").

Around Gazimağusa

Around girne, gazimağusa (famagusta), girne (kyrenia), güzelyurt and the west, north cyprus festivals, may & june, the state within a state.

The Republic’s government has done all in its power to limit relations between north Cyprus and the outside world, and the issue of Turkish-Cypriot (and indeed Turkish) occupation of property owned by Greek Cypriots in the north continues to be a major stumbling block in any movement towards reunification. The republic’s stance on “legal” entry points and property ownership hasn’t changed, and is very clear. Nevertheless, it is now commonplace for Greek Cypriots in their thousands to cross into the north, both on day-trips and for overnight stays. This is largely due to the gradual opening up of the Green Line , the de facto dividing line between the two communities – there are now seven crossing points , and two more are under discussion. The process of entering the north from the south has been made even simpler since Mustafa Akinci became President in 2015 – one of his first acts was to get rid of irksome visa requirements. Consequently, it is perfectly feasible for travellers staying in the south to see as much of the north as they wish, with many attractions little more than half an hour’s drive away from the south’s major resorts. Others choose to spend their whole trip in the north, though this necessitates travelling via Turkey.

There is certainly plenty to draw you here. North Cyprus boasts two of the island’s best-looking towns ( Girne and Gazimağusa ), half the capital city (Lefkosia/ Lefkoşa ), three of its mightiest Crusader castles ( St Hilarion , Buffavento and Kantara ), and arguably the island’s most significant archeological site at Salamis . Its wilderness areas, particularly the Kyrenia Mountains , are a hiker’s paradise and many of its beaches remain mercifully free of high-rise resorts. Furthermore, any visit to Cyprus which includes both sides of the island offers the unique experience of two very different cultures: Orthodox, Greek Cypriot, and Muslim, Turkish Cypriot. There’s also the small matter of cost – being outside the Eurozone, the north can feel considerably cheaper than the south, and its tourist infrastructure, though inferior, is gradually improving.

As for sightseeing in the north, you might find that many museums and other places of interest seem rather neglected and old-fashioned, while its hotels and restaurants lack the sophistication of the south. You might also come across a cavalier attitude to published opening times – if something’s really important to you, try to phone ahead or check with the tourist office. Finally, if you haven’t had a chance to obtain Turkish Lira , don’t worry: euros and dollars are widely accepted.

Some 8km north of Gazimağusa , and signposted from both the coast road to Boğaz and the main road to the capital, is a group of ruins which are among the most important and impressive in all of Cyprus. By far the most famous and most photographed are the remains, largely Roman, of Ancient Salamis . But within a couple of minutes’ drive of this colossal seaside site are the Royal Tombs , the Monastery of St Barnabas , now a museum, and the prehistoric remains of Enkomi-Alasia . Allow a day for a full inspection, or half a day for edited highlights.

Ancient Salamis

One of the most significant archeological sites in the Mediterranean, Salamis is notable not only for the richness and extent of its remains but also for its agreeable beachside setting. The site itself is huge and, despite almost a century of archeological digging, has still not been completely uncovered. The approach to the site is along a road beside a huge picnic area, and the first thing you’ll see is a restaurant ( Bedi’s ) with a recently added beach bar and pier and a fine sandy beach. You can park either behind the restaurant or in one of the archeological site’s two car parks. A plan of the site at the entrance (clearly signposted from Gazimağusa) offers two walking routes , one short, one long. Luckily the most important and most comprehensively investigated buildings are very close together just beyond the entrance. If you intend to view every single part of the city, it’ll involve a lot of walking so come prepared.

Brief history

Founded around 1075 BC by Greek and Anatolian settlers and reinforced by refugees as Enkomi-Alasia was abandoned, Salamis was an important cultural centre throughout Classical Greek and Roman times, becoming the richest and most important city on the island for around 1700 years. Its kings claimed descent from its founder, the Trojan War hero Teucer, brother of Ajax and son of the King of Salamis, the island to the south of Athens (hence the name). Destroyed by earthquakes in 332 and 343 AD, the city was rebuilt by Byzantine Emperor Constantine II , who modestly renamed it Constantia. But the harbour silted up, there were further earthquakes, and the coup de grâce was delivered by the Arab raids which plagued Cyprus from the seventh century AD onwards. The inhabitants of Salamis moved south to where modern Gazimağusa now stands.

The first impressive group of remains are the Gymnasium and Baths , built originally by the Greeks and substantially modified by the Romans and Byzantines. At the heart of the building is the huge open courtyard surrounded by columns, and with the remains of a plinth in the centre. This is the palaestra , where people exercised or stood gossiping in the shade of the surrounding colonnaded stoa . Much of the tessellated marble flooring remains, with clearly legible inscriptions in places. To the west of the palaestra are the remains of a number of shops. To the east are the baths with the usual series of rooms of escalating heat – from frigidarium to caldarium . In places the floor has collapsed, revealing the hypocaust (underfloor heating system) beneath. Plunge pools stand at either side of the baths, the northern one (through which you enter the site) rectangular and surrounded by headless statues. There are also latrines, several octagonal pools and an aqueduct for bringing in the water.

Leaving the baths via the south plunge pool, a column-lined path leads to the sketchy remains of an amphitheatre/stadium. Beyond here is the much more impressive theatre , one of the highlights of the site. Built during the reign of Augustus (27 BC–14 AD), it has the standard Greco-Roman semicircular layout, though built upwards in the Roman manner rather than fitting into a hillside as the Greeks were wont to do. As you enter it from the north, the seating curves sharply to your left around the semicircular orchestra, the stage and proscenium straight ahead. Much restored (the new seating is easily distinguished from the original – it’s white instead of red/brown), it could originally accommodate 15,000 spectators in fifty rows of seats. In the orchestra was an altar to Dionysus, and the stage was backed by statues.

When you leave the theatre, the short route swings round through the second car/coach park back to the entrance. The long route continues south, past the remains of the largest basilica in Cyprus, founded by St Epiphanius in the fourth century AD – his empty marble-lined tomb can be seen at the end of the south aisle – to a large Byzantine cistern or vouta in which water, brought via an aqueduct 50km away, was stored before being distributed to the baths. Beyond this is the large Roman forum or agora (of which there’s not much left apart from a single column) and the few remains of a temple to Zeus . Returning back past the St Epiphanius basilica, then turning off towards the sea, brings you past another Byzantine building called “ The Olive Press ” on the plans, but whose original purpose is unknown – it was used to house an olive press in the Middle Ages. Beyond this is the Byzantine Basilica of Kampanopetra , a slightly later, fifth-century AD building.

St Barnabas and the Church of Cyprus

Continuing along the road west from Salamis, takes you to the Monastery of St Barnabas , once one of the most important Christian sites on the island, now an archeological and icon museum. This handsome monastery, said to have been built as the result of a divinely inspired dream, consists of the church of St Barnabas , behind which lie the monastery cloisters: a colonnade of pillars on three sides of a lush and well-tended garden. An extension – further colonnades and a campanile – though modern, fits in pretty well with the rest of the building.

The archeological museum , housed in rooms that look out into the garden, is less than impressive – a miscellany of Neolithic axe-heads, Bronze Age pottery and Ottoman artefacts; the Icon Museum, housed in the church of St Barnabas, is a somewhat perfunctory collection of icons lit by domestic light bulbs. A few bits of the Orthodox furnishings remain in place – the pulpit, a chair, the iconostasis. Look out in particular for the four frescoes to the right of the entrance which tell the story of the finding of St Barnabas’s body. Before leaving, take a look at what is said to be the tomb of the Apostle Barnabas himself, contained in a 1950s-built mausoleum. The tomb is along a short track that heads east from the car park, past excavated rock-cut tombs, to the mausoleum’s modern steps.

One of the great figures of early Christianity, St Barnabas , was a Jew, born in Salamis, who became one of the earliest converts to the new religion and founded the Cypriot church. Together with his cousin Mark the Evangelist and the pivotal St Paul , he travelled extensively in both Cyprus and Asia Minor, spreading the gospel. In fact Barnabas was so successful that the Jewish elders in Salamis had him stoned to death around 75 AD. Mark retrieved his body and buried it secretly in a cave to the west of the city. Over time, the location of the cave was forgotten.

Four hundred years later the Cypriot Church under Archbishop Anthemios was faced with a takeover bid by Antioch , the patriarch of which claimed suzerainty over the island’s Christians – a claim supported by Byzantine Emperor Zeno. In 478 AD, when all seemed lost, Anthemios was visited in a dream by the spirit of St Barnabas, who told him where his body was buried – beneath a distinctive carob tree on the western edge of Salamis. Here Anthemios discovered a skeleton along with a copy of The Gospel of Matthew written in Hebrew by St Barnabas himself. Anthemios shot off to Constantinople, donated the good book to the emperor and the Church of Cyprus was triumphantly granted autonomous or “autocephalous” status. Zeno also paid for a monastery to be built over the saint’s final resting place. The independence of the Cypriot Church was to become particularly important over a thousand years later when it was able to use its privileged position to shelter its flock from the worst excesses of Ottoman occupation.

Although there’s plenty to see in Girne, its possibilities are likely to start running out after a few days. Fortunately, its sandy coastline offers some excellent beaches while inland are some heavyweight sights including St Hilarion Castle and Bellapais village. Indeed, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Lefkoşa and Güzelyurt are also within easy reach.

Hazret Omer Tekke

On a rocky shore, 10km east of Girne, sits the Hazret Omer Tekke , built to house seven Muslim martyrs . It’s not easy to find – despite being a major attraction for both tourists and the faithful, it merits only a tiny sign left off the main road east of Girne – look out for it 1.8km after the massive Port Gratos hotel complex, and immediately before a “Tempo” supermarket. The story goes that the seven (the commander Omer and six of his men), now regarded as saints, were killed in the seventh century, and their bodies put in a cave. Centuries later, after the Ottoman conquest, their bodies were discovered, still in a miraculous state of preservation, and moved to a mosque and mausoleum specially built to receive them – their tombs are to the right as you enter. The beautifully designed mosque is in a spectacularly pretty setting, with views across a bay towards the mountains, but the effect is somewhat spoilt by the towering modern lamppost above it and intrusive modern toilet in the car park. The mosque itself, however, once rather the worse for wear, having been battered and buffeted by wind and rain each winter, has been given a face-lift.

Almost exactly halfway between St Hilarion and Buffavento is the flower-bedecked village of Bellapais , a tangle of narrow lanes and steep hills, with fine views down to Girne’s modern harbour. The village is synonymous with its medieval abbey , one of the most beautiful in the eastern Mediterranean. Yet, it’s not just the abbey that makes Bellapais so popular – one of its principal cheerleaders was English author Lawrence Durrell , who lived here in the 1950s and included detailed descriptions of the village and its inhabitants in his book Bitter Lemons . Bellapais is one of the principal tour-stops on the island, so it is often packed. Try to avoid high season and late morning/early afternoon.

Despite being such a popular attraction, Bellapais is not easy to find . Travelling east on the main road from Girne, turn right at the Bellapais-signposted “peace” roundabout (with its two figures holding olive branches), and, a few hundred metres along, take the first (unsignposted) main turning left. At the top of the hill turn left at the (unsignposted) roundabout, and continue on to the village. Or just stop and ask.

Bellapais abbey was founded by the second Lusignan ruler Aimery to house Augustinian monks expelled from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre when Jerusalem fell to Saladin in 1187. Known as the “Abbaye de la Paix” or the Abbey of Peace, most of what remains dates from the period 1267–84, with the cloisters and refectory being added in 1324–59. In its early years the monastery adopted strict Premonstratensian beliefs, but as time went on it started to earn a name for a variety of corrupt practices , where monks ate and drank to excess, took wives (sometimes two or three), had children, and would then only accept their own sons into the monastery as novices. Though it built up considerable wealth, its treasure was plundered by the Genoese in 1373. After the Ottoman Conquest in 1571 the abbey became derelict, and was raided for its dressed building stone – only the church escaped, as it continued to be used for worship by the local Greek Orthodox community. Vandalization of the monastery continued under the British, who even used the refectory as a rifle range.

Bellapais Abbey

Bellapais Abbey stands on a small square with trees, lawns, flowerbeds and park benches. Having bought tickets, you can walk through the entrance gateway whose ruins indicate that it was once heavily fortified. Nearby is the enviably sited Kybele Restaurant , which occupies the abbey’s kitchen court, and a set of steps to the abbey’s lofty medieval tower , topped by the vivid red and white of the Turkish and TRNC flags; despite signs warning that it’s not safe to climb, the tower is far too seductive a photo opportunity for most visitors. Beyond here a tree-shaded courtyard leads to the church , the most complete part of the monastery. Unlike Western monasteries it is flat roofed, with a rather dark, gloomy interior. To the north of the church are the cloisters , the most atmospheric part of the abbey, three sides of which are in reasonable condition, but the fourth (western) side is ruined. The four rather large poplar trees in the quadrangle, planted in 1940, are home to a loud flock of sparrows. To the north of the cloisters, with access through a superb doorway with dog-tooth edges and three Lusignan coats of arms, is the refectory . Some 30m long, 10m wide and 12m high, it is covered by a single-span stone vaulted roof, an architectural triumph considering that it stands right at the edge of a cliff. At the far end (the end with the small rose window) stood the Abbot’s high table, with, along the length of the north and south walls, the long tables of the ordinary monks. On the north wall is a small pulpit from where scriptures would be read to the diners silently munching below. Outside the refectory is a fountain where the monks would wash their hands before eating. If you look carefully you can make out the Roman sarcophagus into which it has been incorporated

Lawrence Durrell’s House

Lawrence Durrell lived in Bellapais from 1953–56, detailing his experience in Bitter Lemons . To find his home, walk up from the abbey square along Aci Limon Sokak which climbs past the Tatlisulu market – there is a small hand-painted sign “Bitter Lemons 400m up on left” attached to a telegraph pole and pointing skywards. Another sign further up indicates that you’re nearly there but should really visit the Gardens of Irini guest house. Durrell’s house (dated 1893) is large and yellow, with brown doors and window shutters and a wooden-fenced roof terrace. In case you were in any doubt, there’s a ceramic plaque above the door. Across the road is the public water fountain (marked “ER 1953”), which played a prominent part in the tortuous and hilarious process of buying the house – the purchase takes up a whole chapter in the book.

Another chapter of the book is devoted to the “ Tree of Idleness ” that stands opposite the abbey. Durrell was warned never to sit under it because “its shadow incapacitates one for serious work”, a belief that arose from the idle hours spent by many villagers under the tree. It is now the centrepiece of a rather good restaurant.

Buffavento Castle

Buffavento Castle is the second of the three great fortresses that are strung out along the Kyrenia mountains (the others being St Hilarion and Kantara) . Whereas St Hilarion is easily accessible, Buffavento is more remote, with the result that you may well be the only visitor – a major plus in terms of atmosphere. However, don’t expect refreshments, information leaflets or the like – there’s not even a ticket kiosk. Part of the excitement of the visit is the wild, tortured landscape of the “ five fingers ” mountain through which you pass, and the winding mountain road up to the castle, which reveals views across the whole island.

Though at 940m above sea level the highest of the three castles, Buffavento is also the smallest and worst preserved, more a romantic Gothic ruin than a sturdy fortress. The castle was much damaged by the Venetians to prevent its future use, and badly eroded over the centuries by the elements (though its name means “not yielding to winds”).

From the car park, a path and steps rise steeply towards the ruins, which you can see lining the clifftop high above. Bear in mind that it requires a fair bit of hard climbing (though there are plenty of hand rails) and there’s little shade (if you get into trouble, dial T155). As you climb, the views south are particularly impressive. As at St Hilarion, the hillside is carpeted with flowers in spring.

The road to Buffavento

Buffavento Castle is accessed from the main coast road east of Girne. Look out for the sign (“Buffavento 6km”) on the right, past Acapulco Beach. From Lefkoşa, take the main Gazimağusa road east, then take a left (signposted “Girne”) at a roundabout after 14km. Ignore earlier signs for Buffavento via Taskent – you’re better off sticking to the main roads. After the turn-off, a good road climbs for 13km up towards an impressive blade of a mountain (called Pentadaktylos because its five peaks look something like a hand) past a large quarry – you may have to overtake heavily laden lorries grinding along at barely walking speed – to the Buffavento turning.

The mountain road to the castle looks narrow and uninviting, and is easy to miss, but it’s well surfaced (not gravel as is sometimes reported) and meanders fetchingly off into the mountains. It certainly doesn’t, as some guidebooks say, require four-wheel drive. There are stretches where there are steep drops to the left and no guardrail, and in places you might have to dodge rocks that have fallen off the cliffs to the right, but it’s easy enough driving if you ignore the amazing views and keep your eyes on the road. After 6km a clear sign points up a steep hill to the castle car park.

St Hilarion Castle

Of the three magnificent castles in the Kyrenia mountains, by far the most accessible, popular and most complete is St Hilarion . Dramatically sited on a rocky crag with elegantly ruined turrets, towers and windows, it certainly fires the imagination – in writer Dame Rose Macaulay’s words it’s a “picture-book castle for elf kings” – and formed the template for both the fairy-tale castles of King Ludwig in Bavaria and Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. If possible, visit in spring when the surrounding landscape is a riot of wild flowers. The views from the snack bar are to die for.

To reach the castle from Girne you need to drive south along the Lefkoşa motorway as it climbs up into the mountains, and just before it gets to the top of the pass and begins its descent to the Mesaoria plain, follow the yellow signpost off to the right. A 3km side road snakes up through a military camp , past a large statue of a soldier in battledress at its entrance. (The firing range on the left was once the site for medieval tournaments.) Up a sharp hill, you arrive at a small car park outside the castle gate. The whole trip from Girne takes about twenty minutes. On this road bear in mind that you’re in a restricted military area, and not allowed to stop, let alone take photographs. This is a pity because it’s as you approach the castle that you get by far the best view.

St Hilarion was originally a monastery dedicated to an obscure fourth-century Syrian hermit who lived in a cave on Mount Didymus (“Twin peaks”). An ascetic of the most extreme kind, Hilarion reputedly never washed and built up a following thanks to banishing demons and performing miracles. The monastery’s strategic position, commanding the pass through the Kyrenia mountains and overlooking the northern coastal plain, was not lost on the Byzantines. Facing repeated Arab raids, they converted it into a castle, probably sometime in the eighth century AD. The Lusignans improved and strengthened it in the thirteenth century – most of what you can see today was built in 1228 by John d’Ibelin – and it became not only a military stronghold but also a palace for Lusignan royalty, nicknamed “Dieu d’Amour”, loosely translated as Cupid’s Castle. This was the castle’s heyday, an era of tournaments, knights and courtly intrigue, especially under the rule of King Peter I and Queen Eleanor of Aragon .

St Hilarion continued to be a castle of importance during the latter Lusignan period, but when the Venetians took over in 1489 it fell into disrepair and became the ruin it is now, to see action only during the mid-twentieth-century troubles, when the Turkish TMT occupied it.

Once through the castle entrance – which includes a barbican – you will find yourself in the large outer bailey originally built by the Byzantines. Follow the sign to the right for the first of many wonderful views then continue upwards along the “Main Road”. It’s a well-made path with occasional steps, and you’ll see as you climb a watchtower and, to your left, the impressive curtain wall that rises steeply to the upper parts of the castle. This outer bailey was the area into which peasants and livestock could be withdrawn when the castle was under attack.

The castle stables are now used as a small visitor centre which offers lots of sketches, and information about the Lusignans. Beyond the stables, the path winds steeply upwards to the tunnel-like gate of what is described as the “second section”, perhaps the Lower Ward . It’s a warren of alleys, buildings and rooms opening off a central tunnel, some of which were part of the original tenth-century monastery. The first structure, up to the right, is the monastery church , now open to the elements, but with a well-preserved apse. North of here is the Great Hall , now home to the Café Lusignan . Along one side of the hall is a wooden balcony hanging over a staggering view of the coast below – on a clear day you can see Turkey, some 100km away.

Beyond the hall are a group of rooms which serviced it – kitchen , buttery and privies – and a belvedere , a shaded vaulted terrace with picnic tables and arches, again with those superb views. To the left (west) of the hall are more workaday rooms and the castellan’s quarters , which contain displays with mannequins illustrating medieval life. Continuing along the path which tunnels through this clutch of lower ward rooms, you emerge into the sunlight to signs pointing one way (off to the right) to the barracks , and Royal Apartments , and the other way, onward and upward, to the third section.

You pass a very large cistern which appears to have been built rather than hewn out of the rock (it has stone buttresses), and then the path, partly steps, partly rock-strewn tracks, soars upwards. Just before you reach the top, a fork leads left to the isolated Prince John’s Tower , where several of John’s Bulgarian mercenaries were murdered. Turning right instead of following the path to Prince John’s Tower brings you to the main gate of the Upper Ward . Once through the gate, there are, in succession, a Byzantine tower, a kitchen, a cistern and a group of subsidiary buildings. Beyond them are a further set of Royal Apartments and the famous Queen’s Window at which Queen Eleanor is said to have sat. From here glorious views to the west open out, with, in the foreground, the village of Karmi. All that remains to be seen is the Western Tower and the Zirve (summit) of the mountain, marked with a sign: “732m – Congratulations! You are at the peak”.

Dastardly deeds at St Hilarion

On January 17, 1369, Peter I, King of Cyprus was stabbed to death as he slept in his palace in Nicosia, supposedly by three of his own knights. He was succeeded by his son, Peter II. Queen Eleanor – now the Queen Mother – became convinced that her husband had been killed on the orders of Peter’s brother Prince John . Despite rumours of her infidelity in the king’s absence she vowed to avenge his murder. John had taken up residence in St Hilarion Castle , which he held with a force of Bulgarian mercenaries, while Peter’s other brother James held Kyrenia. A Genoese invasion, possibly at Eleanor’s instigation, led, in 1374, to the surrender of Kyrenia, and James ended up as a prisoner in Genoa. Eleanor now turned her attention to John. Having persuaded him that all was forgiven, she warned the prince that his Bulgarian forces were planning to overthrow him. John responded by throwing several of them to their deaths from Prince John’s Tower. Eleanor’s accusations were almost certainly untrue – a Machiavellian plan aiming to both bring him closer and weaken him. The drama concluded when Eleanor invited John to dine with her and the young king in Nicosia. They ate in the very room where Peter I was murdered and, when the final dish arrived, she dramatically flung back the cloth to reveal her dead husband’s blood-stained shirt. This was the signal for retainers to appear and stab Prince John to death in his turn.

The charming city of GAZIMAĞUSA (Famagusta), is second only to Girne in the north’s tourism league table. Like Girne it boasts an atmospheric old town surrounded by crumbling Venetian walls, a legacy of its strategic position facing the Middle East. Its shops, restaurants and cafés are threaded through and between the photogenic remains of churches destroyed or damaged during the Ottoman siege of 1570–71. Immediately to the south lies the ghost town of Varosha , once the heart of Famagusta’s tourist trade, now isolated by the Turkish invasion of 1974. To the north lie a clutch of historically important sites – ancient Enkomi/Alasia , the monastery of Apostolos Varnavas , the Royal Tombs , and above all ancient Salamis – and the miles of beaches that line Gazimağusa Bay.

Confusingly, Gazimağusa is known by a host of different names. The city was renamed Gazimağusa (sometimes shortened to Mağusa ) by the Turks in 1974, having been known as Famagusta , from French (Famagouste) and Italian (Famagosta), since Lusignan/Venetian times. In Greek it is known as Ammochostos . If that wasn’t puzzling enough the name Famagusta/Ammochostos is also used by the republic for the district across the Green Line to the east, of which the city is the notional capital.

The current site of Gazimağusa was established during the Byzantine era by refugees from Salamis, after that city was destroyed by Arab raids. The new city reached its zenith under the Lusignans, especially after the Fall of Acre to the Saracens in 1291 AD brought an influx of Christian merchants and craftsmen. When the pope banned direct economic ties with the infidel, Gazimağusa became a major entrepôt for the whole of the Middle East, famous for its wealth and as a melting pot of different cultures and beliefs – hence the huge variety and number of churches (one, it was said, for every day of the year). It went into something of a decline from the late fourteenth century onwards, but was fortified under the Venetians as they tried to meet the growing threat from Ottoman expansion. As at Girne and Lefkosia, this did them little good – the city fell in 1571 after a nine-month siege , thus completing the Ottoman conquest of the island. It is said that 100,000 cannonballs crashed into the city during the siege and, since no attempt was made by the Ottomans to repair the damage, the remains still stand today. Three years after the siege, Greek residents were expelled from within the walls. Many of them resettled just to the south, creating what later became Varosha. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Varosha and its beaches were at the heart of massive tourist development, only to be frozen in time by the Turkish invasion.

Visiting Gazimağusa from the south

To get to Gazimağusa from the south , there are two convenient crossings, both in the Dekhelia Sovereign Base area. The first is the most useful if you’re staying in Larnaka, and is known variously as the Pyla/Beyarmudu/Pergamos crossing . From Larnaka, take the coast road or the A3 motorway towards Agia Napa, and follow the signs off to the left, signposted Pyla. Drive through Pyla, and up the hill on the other side. The crossing is a couple of kilometres along this main road. Once across, you’re in the village of Beyarmudu – remember the name, since you’ll need to head towards it on your return. Drive for 9km to an intersection, cross it, and continue for another 9km till you join the main Lefkoşa–Gazimağusa highway. Turn right, and you hit the dual carriageway all the way to Gazimağusa. On your return, make sure you don’t miss the turn off the highway towards Beyarmudu.

The second option, which is especially handy if you’re staying in the Agia Napa/Protaras area, is the Agios Nikolaos/Akyar/Strovilia crossing . Drive through Paralimni and head for Derynia. Continue through Derynia, heading for Frenaros along the main E305 road, then follow the signpost right to Vrysoulles. Turn right at the T-junction, and the crossing point is about 3km beyond. Once across, Gazimağusa is just 5km beyond.

The city walls

Originally built by the Lusignans, Gazimağusa’s city walls owe their present impressive dimensions and design to the Venetians, who spent half a century up to 1540 remodelling them for medieval battle; for example, building ramps up which to haul cannons, and making square towers round, so that they were proof against artillery fire. A dry moat was cut around three of the four sides – the fourth faces the sea. The northwest section of wall and the Martinengo Bastion, with a group of places of worship, were until recently a restricted area because of the presence of an army camp, but this has now been abandoned, and the whole area, and indeed the walls as a whole, are again open to visitors – British officers in the 1930s even played golf along the top of the walls.

The Land Gate and Ravelin Bastion

In the southwest corner of the walls is the Land Gate , one of the two original main gates (the other being the Sea Gate) to the old town. As you approach across the bridge, look to the right for a good view of the stretch of wall to the first “Santa Napa” bastion. Once inside you’ll find the tourist office to the left. The Ravelin Bastion (or Rivettina Bastion) in front of the gate was heavily involved in the Siege of Famagusta, and when it finally seemed bound to be taken by the attackers, the Venetians blew it up, killing, it’s said, a thousand Ottoman soldiers and a hundred of their own. This was also where the white flag of surrender was flown, prompting the victors to rename it Akkule, or “White Bastion”. The innards of the bastion, a warren of passages, rooms and flights of steps, are open to the public.

The Canbulat Bastion

As you circle the walls in an anticlockwise direction, after the Ravelin Bastion, the next major bastion – the Canbulat Bastion – is in the southeast corner. It is named after one of the Turkish heroes of the 1571 siege of Venetian Famagusta by the Ottomans, Canbulat (pronounced “Djambulat”), the Bey of Kilis. Faced with a fearsome defensive device consisting of knives attached to a rapidly rotating wheel, Canbulat rode his horse full tilt into it, killing both himself and his steed, but jamming the wheel and making it ineffective. His tomb, which is in the bastion, once had a fig tree growing out of it, whose fruit, if eaten by young women, would not only ensure conception, but also that the resulting children would be as brave as Canbulat. There’s a small museum displaying artefacts associated with the siege, ranging from costume and artillery to ship models and weapons. Look out particularly for the “memorial” tomb of Canbulat, and the reconstruction of a sixteenth-century Ottoman tent. The collection is well displayed, and a steep flight of stone steps gives access to further exhibits and views of the walls from the roof of the bastion. Just beyond the entrance to the museum, through an archway, the entrance to the port which stretches along the eastern wall of the city is marked by a large ceramic mural of the Ottoman conquest of Famagusta.

The Sea Gate

After the Canbulat Bastion, the walls swing north, parallel to the sea. Note to the left of the wall, the remains of the Hospital of St Antony , which was built using stone taken from the ruins of Salamis. Beyond them is the Sea Gate , which once provided access from the port. A squat and solid-looking fortification with a signature statue of a Venetian lion at its base, it has massive iron-clad wooden gates, Ottoman in origin, and a heavy Venetian iron portcullis (both shrouded in tarpaulin at the time of writing). The top of the Sea Gate is accessible via a steep flight of steps from inside the town at the end of Liman Yolu; the views across the town one way, and the port the other, are worth the climb. Looking north from the Sea Gate you can see a variety of ships in the harbour, many of them Turkish naval vessels (which is why the northern parts of the walls are off limits). Incidentally, a local myth says that the Venetian lion opens its mouth once a year, giving bystanders the chance to plunge their hands down its throat to retrieve treasure.

Othello’s Tower

Beyond the Sea Gate stands the massive Othello’s Tower . The name is a little fanciful, bestowed by the British on the strength of the locations mentioned in Shakespeare’s play: “A seaport in Cyprus” and “a hall in the castle”. Indeed, its alternative name, “ The Citadel ”, is a better description. Above the entrance in the southwest corner is a large relief of the Lion of St Mark, the Venetian emblem. Despite its Venetian exterior, you can still make out the original Lusignan fortress beneath: the large central courtyard on the north side is the Great Hall. The views from the battlements are as good as those from the Sea Gate, and offer prospects of the citadel itself, as well as of the port, snuggled up to the eastern wall of the city. Othello’s Tower has been renovated in a combined Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot initiative, driven by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. The fabric of the building is now in good order and is open to the public, but much remains to be done – in particular, the almost liquid sand underfoot in the Great Hall can be treacherous. As you explore the tunnels and passages of the Tower, look out for the ventilation shafts designed to clear smoke from the cannons inside the tower; a few of these were filled in with rubble, prompting rumours that the Venetians had buried their gold here rather than see it fall into the hands of the Ottomans.

The Siege of Famagusta

Fresh from its victory over Nicosia and the surrender of Kyrenia, the Ottoman army approached Famagusta in confident mood in September 1570. Before them lay a small garrison of Venetians, no match it would seem for thousands of battle-hardened Turkish troops. Having blockaded the port (thus preventing relief from the Venetian navy), the Ottoman commander Mustafa Paşa ordered his artillery to pound the city while his engineers built trenches and a huge earth ramp to scale the walls. The Venetian defenders, hopelessly outnumbered, put up a gutsy resistance under the command of Marcantonio Bragadin and his lieutenant Lorenzo Tiepolo , cunningly moving soldiers about so that the invaders were tricked into thinking them a far more formidable force. The Venetians managed to hold out for ten months before the citadel was breached in July 1571. Bragadin agreed to a negotiated surrender where all civilians could leave the city and his soldiers could sail for Crete.

Things went largely to plan until during the hand-over ceremony when Mustafa Paşa, up until then courteous towards his opponent, suddenly exploded with rage, killing several Venetian officers and cutting off Bragadin’s ears and nose. A massacre of the remaining Christians in the city followed. Bragadin, after several weeks’ imprisonment, was publicly executed , his body quartered, and his skin, stuffed with straw, sent riding on an ox through the town before being sent to the sultan in Constantinople. The treatment of Bragadin so incensed the Venetians that it was said to inspire their forces at the Battle of Lepanto a couple of months later, halting Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean. Bragadin’s flailed skin was rescued from Constantinople in 1596 and returned to Venice, where it still rests in the Basilica di San Zanipolo.

The old town

Within the walls, the old town of Gazimağusa is an appealing jumble of ruined churches, odd bits of medieval masonry, cafés, restaurants and shops, tree-shaded and flower-bedecked and much of it pedestrianized. The best approach, once you’ve entered through the Land Gate and perhaps visited the tourist office, is to head up the main street Istiklal Caddesi towards the central square, Namik Kemal Meydani , perusing shops and cafés as you go. East and south of the main square is a maze of narrow streets and alleys, good for souvenir hunting, and overlooked by picturesque ruins. You can imagine a similar scene in medieval times, though with the great Gothic churches intact, rising above people’s homes.

Ecclesiastical gems – a walking tour

Dotted around the old town are numerous minor churches, often in a poor state of repair but full of interest. A good place to start is just off Namik Keymal Beydani, on Kisla Sokagi opposite the distinctive glass-dotted dome of a hamam, where, next to each other, two little fourteenth-century churches stand. They are invariably identified as the churches of the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller , the latter based on the Hospitaller coat of arms above the western door. One is now a cultural centre and art gallery, the other, surprisingly, is a bar. A short walk northwest, by the Othello Tower, is the ruined St George of the Latins , one of Gazimağusa‘s oldest churches. Based on the height off the ground of its surviving windows, and the presence of a parapet, it has been speculated that it was a fortified church predating the Lusignans. There’s little left now but a single wall with large lancet windows, precarious but undoubtedly romantic. Beyond St George of the Latins, a walk along Gengiz Topel Cad then left onto Server Somuncuoglu Sok brings you to the northwest corner of the town. Here the churches of Agia Anna and St Mary of Carmel , the Armenian Church and the converted Tanners Mosque are clustered together in the angle between the walls that meet at the Martinengo Bastion. Since this is near a military zone, access can be tricky, and photography is definitely a no-no. Back at Namik Keymal Beydani, a stroll due south brings you to St George of the Greeks which is (or was) a large Byzantine Orthodox Church (all that remains are three apses and a flying buttress at one end and the entranceway on the other) – while a little further southeast takes you to Agios Nikolaos and Agia Zoni which are small and pretty, the first a ruin, the second pretty much intact.

Varosha (Maras)

If the old town of Gazimağusa is full of ruins dating from the Ottoman siege, the “new town” of Varosha , now officially MARAS , is a sad reminder of a more recent conflict. Having been expelled from the old town in the 1570s, the Greeks established a prosperous settlement here, surrounded by orange groves. Over the years the population of the new town eclipsed that of the old and in the twentieth century its beach area, Glossa, became an upmarket resort , “The Monte Carlo of the Middle East”, visited by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman. During the 1974 invasion, the Turkish army seized Varosha in its entirety, forcing its Greek population to flee to the south. Today, sealed off by fences, barbed wire and checkpoints, it festers in the sun, its high-rise hotels crumbling, its cracked tarmac claimed by weeds and scrub.

For almost forty years the fate of Varosha has been a painful source of resentment among Greek Cypriots and a strong bargaining tool for the Turks who have deliberately avoided any development of the resort. Various proposals have been put forward to end the impasse – the latest to turn the town into a UN-administered buffer zone which would allow Greek Cypriots to return as an act of goodwill, rather than a prelude to reunification. This would, it is thought, help grease the wheels of Turkey’s accession to the EU. In August 2012 President Demetris Christofias said Varosha “can, as in the past, be a bridge of peace, hope, cooperation and cohabitation”, and it has been one of the issues mentioned in ongoing negotiations during 2015 and 2016.

GIRNE (still widely known by its Greek name Kyrenia or Keryneia ) is the most beautiful town in Cyprus, owing to its ravishing harbour , mighty Venetian castle , and a backdrop of sharp and craggy mountains. It even has a pleasant climate, courtesy of those mountains, which bring cooler air and a greener landscape than in the rest of Cyprus. Following a lengthy period of street development and road works, Girne is now an easy city to navigate – the main approach road from the motorway ends in a central roundabout which is next to the main square Belediye Meydani and a large car park. It’s also the main public transport hub. From this roundabout, the city’s two main streets head east and west. In addition to road improvements, the whole city centre and harbour area have been tidied up, with clutter removed, buildings painted and streets cobbled or block paved. Girne is a place that all visitors to the island should try to take in, for the day if not longer.

Apart from the harbour and the castle, there’s much else hidden away amongst Girne’s steep serpentine alleys. The Anglican Church, the Cafer Paşa Camii , the Ottoman Cemetery and the Chrysopolitissa Church attest to the spiritual life of the town, the tiny Folk Art Museum and Icon Museum to its cultural life, and the Bandabuliya together with a host of shops to its commercial side. Finally, Girne’s numerous cafés and restaurants offer the opportunity to eat, drink and socialize with friendly locals, or just enjoy the views and the chance to people-watch in comfort.

Girne was established in the tenth century BC by the first Greek invaders of Cyprus, the Mycenaeans , and can therefore claim to be the settlement with the longest history of continuous occupation anywhere on the island. During the time of Classical Greece it was one of the ten kingdoms of Cyprus. In the seventh century AD, Arab raids led to the building of a castle by the Byzantines , possibly on the site of an earlier Roman fort, later added to and strengthened by the Lusignans and then the Venetians . Although the castle was never taken by force of arms, it was starved into surrender by the Ottomans in 1570.

During the occupation that followed, Girne declined and stagnated, but saw something of a renaissance during the British period as the new rulers built roads and developed the harbour. It became a busy port, exporting carob pods, importing goods from Greece and Turkey, and building ships. Prosperous and with a delightful climate, it was no wonder that British civil servants, streaming back from the collapsing empire, saw it as a paradise to which they could happily retire. However, this Levantine Shangri La changed as Cyprus gained its independence in 1960, and was then riven by intercommunal friction. Girne was one of the first places to fall during the 1974 Turkish invasion. With properties being looted, and then confiscated during the early post-invasion years, British expats left in droves, their number falling from 2500 to a couple of hundred. The spaces left by them, and even more by departing Greek Cypriots, were filled by Turkish Cypriots relocating, mainly from Lemesos, and by Turks coming in from the mainland. Since then, the Brit expat community has burgeoned once more, though issues over property ownership in the north have stifled the second-homes market.

Girne Castle

Girne Castle has a confusing architectural history, having been adapted, destroyed, rebuilt and improved so many times. The Byzantines first built a castle here, perhaps on the remains of an earlier structure, in the tenth century AD. Rectangular in shape, it was reinforced and extended during the Lusignan era, with the addition of living quarters and a moat. Its present form took shape under the Venetians in the sixteenth century, with the addition of the west and south walls and the construction of three new bastions. The British used the castle as a prison and as a police academy, and, during the late 1950s, to incarcerate EOKA fighters.

Never taken by force (though it was almost destroyed by the Genoese in 1373), the castle did succumb to the Ottomans in 1570. It is said that the Venetian commander of the castle negotiated a truce with the Ottomans until it became clear how the siege of Nicosia turned out. When the Ottomans presented him with the severed head of his Nicosian counterpart, he promptly surrendered.

The harbour and around

Busy with excursion boats, laced with wooden pontoons and bristling with masts, Girne’s medieval harbour is one of the most picturesque in the Mediterranean. Almost perfectly circular, its western side is dominated by the massive Girne castle , while the harbour entrance is now protected by a long breakwater built after independence. The horseshoe-shaped quay is taken up with restaurants and small hotels, some in converted carob warehouses, others in modern buildings, with balconied upper storeys and canopied ground floors. Nearby is the Customs House , converted by the British from a medieval tower to which, during troubled times, a chain was slung from the castle to prevent access to the harbour. It is now occupied by the tourist office. There’s an even older, ancient harbour immediately to the east (you can see it from the Venetian tower of the castle) and a much newer, modern one even further east beyond that.

Visiting Girne from the south

The best place to cross over from the south if travelling to Girne is at the Agios Dometios checkpoint west of Lefkosia city centre. It’s not well signposted – drive west along Leoforos Agiou Pavlou, and when the road bears sharply to the left immediately after Nicosia Racecourse, look out for a sharp right turn. The crossing is a few metres up this side street. Once across, you’re in Metehan, and it’s no more than a well-signposted half hour’s drive to Girne. But do memorize the route after the crossing so that you can find your way back – the signposts are for Metehan , and there’s no mention of it being a crossing point.

The western part of north Cyprus is not much frequented by visitors, yet it’s easy to access following the opening of more crossing points from the south . The region’s main town, Güzelyurt , is worth a brief wander for its archeological museum and the Agios Mamas Church. But it’s the twin ancient sites of Soli and Vouni that are the real draw.

The site of the ancient city of SOLI has few equals in north Cyprus, possibly on the whole island, thanks to its instant comprehensibility and the quality of information provided. It offers a detailed picture of life in late Roman and early Byzantine times, in a city set on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean.

You’ll find the site just after leaving Gemikonaği, travelling west on the coast road. Look out for a small sign pointing to the left just after the announcement that you’re in Yedidalga (Potamos). The sign is easy to miss, but the huge roof covering part of the site isn’t.

Soli was originally settled in the eleventh century BC – its first mention in written records is as “Si-il-lu” in an Assyrian tribute list. According to legend, it was named after the Athenian philosopher Solon, who, while visiting his friend King Philocypros, suggested he built a new capital here, pointing out the excellent natural harbour and fertile soil. Soli soon flourished, though siding with the Ionians against the Persians led to it being sacked in 498 BC. Biblical scholars will also recall Soli as the site of St Mark’s baptism by St Auxibius, and it soon became an important Christian centre , particularly once the Edict of Milan (313 AD) had legalized the religion throughout the Byzantine empire. By the seventh century, however, the harbour was silting up, and a succession of Arab raids, especially the one in 653 AD, led to a gradual decline, such that by the ninth century AD Soli had been abandoned.

Soli is vast, and only part of it has been excavated. Once you’ve parked and bought your ticket (get hold of a plan) you’ll see the ruins of the third-century AD Roman town down the hill to the right – the agora, a portico, the remains of a nymphaeum – and immediately ahead the remains of the great Byzantine basilica , protected by a roof, and with wooden walkways to allow visitor access. In fact, the remains you can see are of two basilicas – Basilica A, dating from the fourth century, and Basilica B from the sixth century. Basilica A had a wooden roof supported on stone columns, and had mosaic floors, some geometrical, others with the figures of birds and dolphins. The most famous of these representations is of a swan against a blue background, with flowers, dolphins and a duck. In the apse is a dedication: “Jesus, protect those who had these mosaics made”. Basilica B was built entirely of stone, and instead of mosaics made of cuboid tesserae was floored with opus sectile tiles (larger pieces specifically shaped for the job). Though the mosaics take pride of place, other parts of the basilicas are also explained – a presbytery, an atrium, a column which still lies where it fell in the eighth century AD, and the “Mystery of Soli” – a staircase or ramp leading down to what’s thought to be a tomb dedicated to St Auxibius or even a treasure house (unfortunately sealed off).

Up the hill behind the basilica is an early third-century AD Roman theatre , extensively renovated and sometimes still used for performances. There’s very little left of the original masonry – the British pilfered most of it for use in the building of the Suez Canal and Port Said.

Ancient Soli

Soli was originally settled in the eleventh century BC – its first mention in written records is as “Si-il-lu” in an Assyrian tribute list. According to legend it was named after the Athenian philosopher Solon , who, while visiting his friend King Philocypros, suggested he built a new capital here, pointing out the excellent natural harbour and fertile soil. Soli soon flourished, though siding with the Ionians against the Persians led to it being sacked in 498 BC. Biblical scholars will also recall Soli as the site of St Mark’s baptism by St Auxibius and it soon became an important Christian centre , particularly once the Edict of Milan (313 AD) had legalized the religion throughout the Byzantine empire. By the seventh century, however, the harbour was silting up, and a succession of Arab raids, especially the one in 653 AD, led to a gradual decline, such that by the ninth century AD Soli had been abandoned.

Soli is vast, and only part of it has been excavated. Once you’ve parked and bought your ticket (get hold of a plan) you’ll see the ruins of the third-century AD Roman town down the hill to the right – the agora, a portico, the remains of a nymphaeum – and immediately ahead the remains of the great Byzantine basilica , protected by a roof, and with wooden walkways to allow visitor access. In fact, the remains you can see are of two basilicas – Basilica A, dating from the fourth century, and Basilica B from the sixth century. Basilica A had a wooden roof supported on stone columns, and had mosaic floors , some geometrical, others with the figures of birds and dolphins. The most famous of these representations is of a swan against a blue background, with flowers, dolphins and a duck. In the apse is a dedication “Jesus, protect those who had these mosaics made”. Basilica B was built entirely of stone, and instead of mosaics made of cuboid tesserae was floored with opus sectile tiles (larger pieces specifically shaped for the job). Though the mosaics take pride of place, other parts of the basilicas are also explained – a presbytery, an atrium, a column which still lies where it fell in the eighth century AD, and the “ Mystery of Soli ” – a staircase or ramp leading down to what’s thought to be a tomb dedicated to St Auxibius or even a treasure house (unfortunately sealed off).

Up the hill behind the basilica is an early third-century AD Roman theatre , extensively renovated and sometimes still used for performance. There’s very little left of the original masonry – the British pilfered most of it for use in the building of the Suez Canal and Port Said.

The Maronites of the Koruçam Peninsula

A Maronite community has existed on the Koruçam Peninsula for at least nine hundred years, though it has now shrunk to a few hundred people. Maronite Christian beliefs originated in Syria and the Lebanon, and arose from an arcane seventh-century dispute about the nature of Christ. The Maronites lost the argument, were declared heretical , and had to take to the hills. They came to Cyprus, it is said, on the coat-tails of the Crusaders: they’d helped their fellow Christians against the Muslims in the Holy Lands (though one theory postulates that they were simply joining a Maronite community which was already on the island). The Maronites congregated on the Karpaz and Koruçam peninsulas – the former disappeared through emigration and intermarriage, the latter are, just about, still there. During the troubles of the 1960s the Maronites sided with the Greeks, and following the Turkish invasion in 1974, were harassed, issued with identity cards, and refused citizenship. Most left for the south, or went abroad. Since the progressive opening up of the Green Line since 2003, however, Maronites who had made their lives in the south can now visit freely. The future of their distinctive language , a fusion of Aramaic and Arabic, is less rosy, and its demise as a living language is predicted within a few decades.

Visiting Güzelyurt from the south

There are two crossing points in the Güzelyurt region. The Astromeritis/Zodia crossing , opened in August 2005, is one of the better-signposted and is also one of the quietest crossing points. Astromeritis is a fast 30km west on the A9/B9 motorway/dual carriageway from the outskirts of Lefkosia. Once across into Zodia, it’s only 3km to Güzelyurt. The Yeşilirmak/Limnitis/Kato Pyrgos crossing is the most recent, built jointly by the north and south and opened with great fanfare in October 2010. Again, it is easy to find – a ten-minute drive east from Kato Pyrgos brings you to the crossing point, after which it’s a scenic 32km drive to Güzelyurt. This makes possible a number of enjoyable routes through the north. Lefkosia–Girne–Güzelyurt–Kato Pyrgos, for example, is certainly feasible in a day, in either direction, or try Astromeritis–Güzelyurt–Kato Pyrgos.

Whatever the festivals are called, in North Cyprus they usually include a wide variety of activities and events , not all directly relating to the subject contained in the title. So the tulip festival includes a pinball competition, an olive festival a darts competition. And many also throw in a beauty contest for good measure.

Tepebasi Tulip Festival (mid-March) Walks and displays to celebrate the Cyprus tulip ( Tulipa Cypria ) and a wide range of activities – including bicycle tours, dancing and a pinball competition, in villages near Lapta.

International Famagusta Art and Culture Festival (May) Huge music, theatre, ballet, visual arts festival held at various venues in Gazimağusa.

International Bellapais Music Festival (end of May/early June) A festival of chamber and choral music and dance in one of North Cyprus’s most beautiful settings – Bellapais Abbey.

Girne Living Culture and Art Festival (whole of June) Turkish and Cypriot drama and music festival held in Girne’s amphitheatre.

Lapta Tourist Festival (June) Huge range of competitions aimed at and put on by the expat community – pool, table tennis, remote-controlled boats – there’s even an “alcohol-drinking competition” (details at wcyprusscene.com).

Lefke Walnut Festival (June) Festival of walnut-based sweets in the village in the western part of north Cyprus.

Iskele International Folk Dance Festival (end of June) Week-long festival where folk dancing groups from all over the world take part, staging a series of nightly performances.

Gecitkale Hellim (Halloumi) Festival A variety of events and demonstrations revolving around the Cypriot cheese halloumi – cooking, photography (not just photographs of cheese), beauty and fashion competitions.

International Girne Olive Festival Dance and drama, music, food (with an olive theme) and drink, shooting and darts competitions. Starts in Kyrenia Castle, then moves to the village of Zeytinlik.

The Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC), as it has called itself since 1983, is still in many ways a pariah state, and this lack of international recognition continues to starve it of investment. Global chains such as McDonald’s and Starbucks are conspicuous by their absence and its tourist industry is still dwarfed by that of the south. In part this is self-inflicted: the shabbiness of many of its museums and attractions contrast markedly with the magnificence of its totalitarian-style military monuments and the regular sight of Turkish troops and bases, often incongruously close to tourist attractions, can be a jolt to the senses. The empty shells of Orthodox churches and monasteries that dot some parts of the landscape are also an uncomfortable reminder of the wonton destruction that followed the invasion or “intervention” as the Turks put it. While the north remains in political limbo, its future seems to hang on demographics – with Turkish settlers now outnumbering Turkish Cypriots, north Cyprus increasingly feels like an offshore province of Turkey rather than the independent state that it claims to be.

Discover more places in Cyprus

  • Lefkoşa (North Nicosia)
  • The Karpaz Peninsula

The Rough Guides to Cyprus and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

The Rough Guide to Cyprus (Travel Guide with Free eBook)

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Andy Turner

written by Andy Turner

updated 16.02.2024

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Out of Your Comfort Zone

The art of backpacking & adventures to get out of your comfort zone – tips and advice, road trip in cyprus – 5, 7 & 10 day cyprus itinerary (with northern cyprus).

Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by Talita

If you’re from Europe , then you probably picture Cyprus as a potential destination for your next beach holiday.

And if you’re from outside of Europe, then you might not know much about this lovely, strangely-divided island at all!

And yet, there’s much more to Cyprus than meets the eye.

Yes, Cyprus is home to pristine beaches, turquoise-emerald waters, and a gorgeous rocky coastline.

But beyond that? A visit to Cyprus also gives you the chance to….

  • Explore ruins from ancient Greece or one of the many imposing “crusader” castles and forts scattered throughout the country
  • Transition from laying on the beach to hiking a mountain in a single day
  • See the blend of Greek & Turkish cultures as you visit both halves of the island and stroll through the world’s last “divided” capital, Nicosia

In other words, there’s a lot of things to do in Cyprus ! So, we put together this guide to tell you all you need to know before you visit and give you a few sample itineraries to help plan out your trip.

Famagusta Gazimagusa city center ruins

Photo courtesy of Krzysztof Belczyński

Note before we begin: unfortunately, most of the pictures we took in Cyprus were lost (it’s a long story). So, the pictures we had left and put in this article don’t quite reflect the island’s beauty as much as they should. That said, we did occasionally include pictures from other sources to compensate.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Cyprus Fast Facts
  • 2 How to Get to Cyprus
  • 3 How long to stay in Cyprus
  • 4 When to visit Cyprus
  • 5 Where to stay in Cyprus (Cyprus accommodation)
  • 6 What to do in Cyprus (our roadtrip itinerary for 5/7/10 days in Cyprus by car)
  • 7 5-Day Cyprus Itinerary by Car
  • 8 7-Day Cyprus Itinerary/10-Day Cyprus Itinerary by Car
  • 9 Other tours, activities and attractions in Cyprus
  • 10 Planning your next trip?

Cyprus Fast Facts

1.1 Where and what is Cyprus?

Cyprus is an island located in the Mediterranean. Although it’s technically a part of Europe (in fact, it’s a member of the European Union ), it’s geographically closer to the Middle East.

Where is cyprus map location

Map courtesy of TravelQuaz.com

1.2 What’s the difference between north and south Cyprus?

In the interest of avoiding politics here, here are simply the basic facts about each side.

South Cyprus (The Republic of Cyprus)

  • Considered to be the “Greek” side of the island (since they speak Greek and are culturally/ethnically Greek)
  • Recognizes the entire island (including Northern Cyprus) as their territory, calling the island as a whole “The Republic of Cyprus”
  • Is a part of the European Union

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

  • Considered to be the “Turkish” side of the island (since the people who live here are usually Turkish, this side receives a lot of financial aid from Turkey, and has a strong presence from the Turkish military)
  • Doesn’t recognize the entire island as their territory, but does consider the northern part to be an independent country called the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” TRNC (Turkey is currently the only country in the world that recognizes this status)
  • Fun fact: alcohol is much cheaper and gambling is legal so many Turks come from the mainland to Northern Cyprus to party

1.3 Why is Cyprus divided in two?

This situation is complex and the answer will vary significantly based on who you ask. Even when we were there and while trying to do research before, we found it hard to get a straight, unbiased answer about what actually happened.

That said, these two articles below should give you a better overview than I can.

Cyprus: Why One of the World’s Most Intractable Conflicts Continues – The New York Times

Searching for Cyprus: Cyprus has been divided in 2  for 40 years, do its  people still have anything in common? – Slate

1.4 Can I visit both north and south Cyprus as a tourist?

Yes, absolutely and easily!

Just a few years ago, it wasn’t possible since you weren’t able to cross the border as a tourist. It’s always been easy to get a flight to the south, but to get to the north, you would have needed to fly or get a ferry from mainland Turkey.

But today, it’s possible and very easy to visit both sides on the same trip (you can even cross the border by foot). Just make sure you read my “how to get to Cyprus” section below for more details.

1.5 Why do all the cities in Cyprus have two names?

Most of the cities in Cyprus have a Greek name and a Turkish name. When I give place names below, I’ll designate which it is by (Gr) or (Tk).

This should be common sense…but when you’re in the south, make a point to use the Greek names. And when you’re in the north, make a point to use the Turkish.   

1.6 Is it safe to visit Northern Cyprus?

Again, yes. Both sides of the island are very safe and you should have no problems.

Cyprus food

How to Get to Cyprus

Since Cyprus is a member of the European Union and has very close ties to Europe, you can quite easily get cheap flights to Cyprus from all over Europe.

As you’ll see in the “how to get to Northern Cyprus” section just below, you’ll probably want to begin your trip by flying into Larnaca International Airport on the south side of the island.

To find your cheap flight to Cyprus, check out our article with 16 tips to find cheap flights .

2.1 How to get to Northern Cyprus

It’s also quite easy to get to Northern Cyprus, but there are still some things you should know.

Perhaps the most important thing to know is that if you fly into Northern Cyprus, you won’t be able to cross into the south side since the south won’t recognize you as having come into the country through a legal border of entry. There have been stories of foreigners being deported when entering in the north and trying to cross to the south, so keep this in mind.

Luckily, if you fly into southern Cyprus (via the Larnaca airport), there’s no problem if you cross into the north and then cross back to the south for your flight home.

Nicosia cyprus attractions city center

See below for different options to cross from south to north Cyprus.

2.2 How to get to Northern Cyprus by bus

As of now, there are no buses that cross the south/north Cyprus border. So if you want to go by bus, you’ll have to take a bus from one side to the border, walk across the border, then take a bus on the other side.

There are no legal issues with doing this, but it can be tricky making sure the bus times match and don’t leave you stranded.

For this reason, we highly recommend you rent a car for your trip in Cyprus. Then, you can simply drive across the border with no problems.

2.3 How to get to Northern Cyprus by rental car

Can I drive a rental car from south Cyprus to Northern Cyprus?

Technically, no.

But in reality? This happens all the time and the rental car companies know this.

Of course, we aren’t saying 100% that you should do this – especially if you don’t feel comfortable with the risks . For example, although it’s not illegal, if your car breaks down or anything like that in Northern Cyprus, your rental car company will definitely not come and help you.

We just want to let you know that is an option that we personally chose with no issues.

If you’d rather, you could try to rent a car on the south side and then rent again on the north. But if you do, you will need to find alternative transportation to the border which isn’t always that easy.

If you want to rent a car to drive from south to north Cyprus, then make sure you read our next 2 sections below for some important tips.

2.4 How to rent a car in Cyprus

Like I said above, since you’ll want to fly into south Cyprus (Larnaca airport), you’ll want to rent your car in the south and then drive it to the north (while returning to the south when you fly home).

It’s usually easier if you rent your car directly from Larnaca International Airport when you arrive.

All the major car rental companies are right there at the airport, and you can rent a car quite cheaply .

To begin your search for car rentals in Cyprus, head to our article with the 5 Best Websites to Find Cheap Rental Cars in Cyprus .

2.5 How to cross the south/north Cyprus border by rental car

There are 7 border crossings in Cyprus and 5 of those can be passed by car.

For all our itineraries below, we recommend you cross south to north on the Strovilia/Akyar crossing and then north to south on the Agios Dometios crossing (near Nicosia).

The border crossing is easy – just show your passport on the south side, drive through the border, show it again on the north side, and you’ll be on your way.

Same deal when going north to south (although in our case, the Greek authorities didn’t even stop us to look at our passports). We have heard that officials on the Greek side occasionally stop tourists and give them a hard time about why they were visiting Northern Cyprus, but we haven’t been able to personally verify any of these stories.

Important note about crossing south/north Cyprus border by rental car: the insurance you have for your rental car from the south will NOT be valid in the north.

So, when you cross the border, you are required to get a car insurance that works in the north. The cost of the insurance is 30€ for 7 days (which is the shortest “plan” you can choose). You can buy it right from a stand right at the border crossing.

We aren’t 100% sure if this is true, but some places have said that these insurance offices at the border close at 5 PM (even though the border is open 24 hours a day). So, when we crossed from south to north Cyprus, we made a point to drive through early enough that this wasn’t a problem. Just in case, you may want to do the same.

2.6 How to cross the south/north Cyprus border in Nicosia/Lefkoşa by foot

Nicosia (GR)/Lefkoşa (TK), as the capital of both south & north Cyprus, is the only divided capital in the world. And, with just your passport in hand, you can simply walk across the pedestrian border in the city center. It’s located at the end of Ledra Street, and you really can’t miss it.

north south cyprus pedestrian border nicosia ledra street

One thing to keep in mind: if you’re following our itineraries below and you want to walk across the border, you’ll need to do it from south to north (and can walk back to the south to pick up your car later).

As we found out the hard way, if you entered Northern Cyprus by car, then you also have to leave by car and thus can’t take the pedestrian crossing.

2.7 How to get around in Cyprus

For our itineraries below, all transportation will be done either via rental car or by foot.

A similar itinerary may be done by public transportation , but it will take quite a bit longer and some areas of the island are quite hard (or impossible) to get to by public buses .

How long to stay in Cyprus

Well, there really is a lot to do here! Especially if you want to visit both sides of the island.

A week or more is best if you can, but we personally only had 5 full days and were still able to get around quite well (although we were certainly a bit tired by the end!).

When to visit Cyprus

Cyprus, particularly south Cyprus, can get quite busy during the European summer with European holidaymakers. So, if you want to avoid the crowds, then you probably want to skip the summer.

Otherwise, any other time of the year is good since the weather is pleasant all year round.

Where to stay in Cyprus (Cyprus accommodation)

Since our itineraries below are roadtrip style , you’ll likely be staying somewhere different each night rather than having a base.

We usually stayed in Airbnbs or guesthouses, although a few hostels in the main tourist areas and plenty of nicer hotels also exist.

In the itineraries below, we’ll make specific accommodation recommendations for each stop.

What to do in Cyprus (our roadtrip itinerary for 5/7/10 days in Cyprus by car)

A few notes about these itineraries before I begin…

#1) You’ll see 2 names for all cities in Northern Cyprus – 1 is in Greek, the other is in Turkish. I’ll designate which is which with (GR) and (TK). Take care to use the right one based on the side you are on.

#2) Since we are outdoorsy people and love to hike, our itinerary is quite active. If this isn’t really your style, we’ll also offer lots of alternatives in the 7 and 10-day itineraries which you can substitute in.

#3) All of the places in this itinerary are labeled on the map below . You can click on the map to zoom in and then check/uncheck options to see things on the left.

cyprus itinerary what to do map

5-Day Cyprus Itinerary by Car

Day 1: Arrive in Larnaca, visit Larnaca, stop in Ayia Napa, drive to Northern Cyprus city of Famagusta (GR)/Gazimağusa (TK), explore Gazimagusa city walls & old town by night

What to do in Larnaca

We arrived quite late in Cyprus (as do many flights coming from Europe), so we decided to stay somewhere near the airport in Larnaca.

The next day, we took advantage of this to walk through Larnaca in the morning before heading out. Honestly, there’s not too much to do in Larnaca, but there is a nice pedestrian path that goes along the coast to an old fort.

larnaca cyprus main plaza

Otherwise, if you’re feeling adventurous , there is also a nice wreck dive you can do nearby called Zenobia. Rodrigo did it and enjoyed it, but he regretted doing it on just 2 hours of sleep!

Driving from Larnaca to Famagusta/Gazimagusa with a stop in Ayia Napa

We left Larnaca around noon for the 2-hour drive across the border to the northern Cypriot city of Gazimagusa.

We took the road along the coast hoping there would be some views, but unfortunately, there wasn’t much of interest.

If you get an earlier start than us, you may want to drive up the peninsula before crossing the border to have a stop in the beach town of Ayia Napa and then the nearby sea caves .

Since we were a bit worried about the insurance stand at the border closing (see the section on renting a car above) and left a bit late in the morning since we didn’t get to sleep until 5 AM the night before, we didn’t have time to make this stop. It does look to be quite nice if you have time, though!

Crossing the border between South Cyprus and Northern  Cyprus

See section above for more details on this.

What to do in Famagusta/Gazimagusa day 1: city walls and old town by night

There was still a bit of light by the time we arrived in the city, so took a wander through the old town center, walked the walls (which happen to be an old Venetian fortification from the 1500s), and saw the city ruins by dusk. The center is small and can be visited on foot.

Famagusta Gazimagusa mosque church city center ruins

Half mosque half church in Famagusta/Gazimagusa – photo courtesy of János Korom Dr.

Famagusta Gazimagusa city center ruins

Venetian Palace – photo courtesy of Amanda Slater

These websites here and here  have a bit more about the history of the city and what to see as you’re walking through.

Where to stay in Famagusta/Gazimagusa

Budget option

Budget Accommodation Famagusta/Gazimagusa

Mid-range option

Accommodation Larnaca

Day 2: Re-visit Famagusta/Gazimagusa during the day, explore Varosha Ghost Town & Salamis Ancient City, drive to Kyrenia (GR)/Girne (TK)

What to do in Famagusta/Gazimagusa day 2

We had already seen most of the old town center the previous night but decided to do a quick stop here again to see things in the daylight. See links under “Gazimagusa day 1” for specific things to visit here.

Famagusta Gazimagusa city center ruins

Ruins in Famagusta – photo courtesy of Fiore Silvestro Barbato

From here, we head out for the two stops I was really excited for: Varosha Ghost Town and Salamis Ancient City.

How to visit Varosha Ghost Town, Famagusta/Gazimagusa 

From Famagusta/Gazimagusa, we drove a few kilometers to the north part of the city to see Varosha Ghost Town: a huge stretch of beach resorts that were once frequented by celebrities and an entire city that have been abandoned since 1974.

varosha ghost town beach famagusta gazimagusa cyprus

As you might imagine, the history behind this area and why it’s abandoned is messy and not something I want to get into. We also found it quite difficult to get an unbiased account of what happened from the perspective of both sides. But although they might be a bit dated, this article here  and this one here  seem to be a good place to start to learn more. But basically, during the Turkish assault in 1974, the Greek Cypriots living in that area were expelled and no one has lived in the area since.

To see the ghost town for yourself, begin by driving to “Arkin Palm Beach Hotel” (you can put it right into Google maps ) and park in one of the parking lots nearby. From there, you can walk along the beach (the part that is still in use, that is), to the “viewpoint” of the massive stretch of abandoned resorts, blocked off by a chain-link fence.

varosha ghost town beach famagusta gazimagusa cyprus

Technically, you’re not supposed to take pictures (and there are Turkish military keeping guard to make sure you don’t do just that). But as long as you’re not super obvious, they don’t seem to care that much.

varosha ghost town beach famagusta gazimagusa cyprus

Turkish military guardpost

From there, we went back to our car and went on an “adventure” to drive along the “border” fence for as long as we could. It was incredible to see that the fenced-off city literally went on for miles and miles, revealing completely abandoned churches, high-rise apartments, homes, and schools, and more being reclaimed by the land.

varosha ghost town abandoned buildings famagusta gazimagusa cyprus

Abandoned high-rise hotel (complete with a destroyed elevator shaft)

varosha ghost town abandoned buildings famagusta gazimagusa cyprus

Abandoned Greek Orthodox church

Eventually, we hit a military checkpoint and had to turn back. But otherwise, it’s quite easy to drive on the outskirts – just continue following the original fence you saw from the beach.

varosha ghost town abandoned buildings famagusta gazimagusa cyprus

How to visit Salamis Ancient City

About 20 minutes north, you’ll find a wonderfully-preserved complex of ruins (that once made up a Greek city-state and the old capital of Cyprus!) called Salamis Ancient City.

Beyond the ruins, your visit offers great coastal views. And perhaps best of all, the complex is big enough (and there are few enough visitors) that you can feel like you have the place all to yourself.

Salamis Ancient City Famagusta Gazimagusa cyprus

Photo courtesy of Mike McBey

Get a map at the entrance gate and give yourself a few hours to explore. It’s a bit of a long walk away from the main entrance ruins, but make sure you visit the remnants of the Kampanopetra Basilica for a view of some impressive ruins and mosaics, the sea, and a modern city in the background all at once.

Salamis Ancient City Famagusta Gazimagusa cyprus

Drive from Famagusta/Gazimagusa to Kyrenia/Girne

You’ll end your day with a 1-hour drive from Famagusta/Gazimagusa to Kyrenia/Girne, your 2nd city in Northern Cyprus.

By this point, you’ve already had a long day and will likely arrive quite late. Meaning you’ll probably just want to get some dinner and perhaps take a short walk through the harbor area (since it’s quite lovely at night).

girne kyrenia cyprus harbor town center

Girne/Kyrenia harbor by night

One thing to keep in mind: the drive between the two cities is actually quite nice since it goes through the mountains and along the coast. So you may want to try to do it during the daylight if you have time.

Where to stay in Girne/Kyrenia:

Budget Accommodation Girne/Kyrenia

Day 3: Walk through Kyrenia/Girne Harbor, climb up Hilarion Castle, drive from Kyrenia/Girne to Nicosia, wander through Nicosia, drive to Troodos Mountains

As you can tell by the description, this was a long day!

If you have more time, we’d highly recommend spending the night in Nicosia to break it up a bit.

What to do in Kyrenia/Girne

Frankly, Kyrenia/Girne is quite small and there’s not much to do (we only stayed for an hour or so in the morning before heading out). That said, it’s still worth a visit since it is quite picturesque and is very close to the capital city of Nicosia.

As for things to do, I recommend a morning stroll through the small, pleasant old town followed by a stroll along the coast to the harbor and the fortress.

girne kyrenia cyprus harbor town center

Girne/Kyrenia harbor

girne kyrenia cyprus harbor town center

After your morning walk, you’ll begin the short (just 30 minutes!) drive to Nicosia, the divided capital city shared between south & north Cyprus. But first, a stop at the impressive Saint Hilarion Castle.

Cyprus food

Don’t forget to start off your morning walk with the most delicious Turkish breakfast!

girne kyrenia cyprus harbor town center

And then perhaps an “authentic” 40 € Rolex on your way out of town

How to visit Saint Hilarion Castle

Luckily, the Saint Hilarion Castle  is exactly on your way to Nicosia. I’ve marked it on the map at the start of the itinerary , but you’ll also see signs along the way and really can’t miss it.

Saint Hilarion Castle Cyprus

The castle from below

So, if you have a bit of time and don’t mind the uphill climb, it’s certainly worth going to for the impressive views!

Saint Hilarion Castle Cyprus

Beyond Saint Hilarion Castle, there’s also quite a few other castles and fortresses dotting the mountains in the area. So if you have more time, you may want to add them to your itinerary as well.

We probably spent about 2 hours or so at the castle, so we were still able to arrive in Nicosia early in the afternoon and have the rest of the day to explore.

What do to do in Nicosia

Since we were already on the north Turkish side and also wanted to save some time on the drive, we began by exploring the Turkish side of the capital.

Nicosia cyprus attractions city center

Our plan was to then walk across the border from the north to the south side, explore the south side of the city, then walk back across the border again to pick up our car and continue our trip.

But when we tried to cross, Northern Cyprus officials told us (very nicely!) that we couldn’t cross the pedestrian border since we entered Northern Cyprus by car and thus had to leave by car. So, we then had to go back and pick up our car, drive to the south side, then explore from there.

So if you’re set on doing the pedestrian border crossing, then you may want to begin by parking your car on the south side.

Frankly, there are already a lot of articles out there about visiting Nicosia and what to do on both sides of their border, so I’ll refer you to them. Here is a good write up of what you can do on the south side of Nicosia , and here is a good write up of what you can do on the north side of Nicosia .

Both centers are very small and compact and can be visited on foot.

Personally, what we found most interesting was following the infamous “green line” through the city center: AKA the north/south border and the buffer zone that is currently only inhabited by UN peacekeepers.

north south cyprus border nicosia UN buffer zone

It was quite clear that the border wall was made haphazardly with whatever materials were around – sandbags, old barrels, chairs, random fences, etc. – which gives it quite a unique contrast to the otherwise-lovely city center.

north south cyprus border nicosia UN buffer zone

If you’re interested in this as well, make sure to visit the Sınır Parkı (Yiğitler Burcu Parkı) on the north side for a look at the “no go” area and to spot an abandoned UN watchtower. 

north south cyprus border UN buffer zone nicosia

Drive to Troodos Mountains/Paphos Forest

I told you this was a long day! We ultimately decided not to spend a night in Nicosia because we wanted to do some hiking the next day and preferred to wake up in the mountains.

If we had another day, we probably would have preferred to spend the night.

That said, we head off for the Troodos Mountains in the Paphos Forest, home of the famed “Mount Olympus”!

Where to stay in the Troodos Mountains/Paphos Forest

Budget Accommodation Troodos Mountains

Day 4: Roadtrip through the Troodos Mountains and the Paphos Forest, hike in Akamas Peninsula National Park, drive to Paphos

What do see/do in the Troodos Mountains

Although the Troodos mountains are peppered with numerous painted monasteries and small villages, we, unfortunately, didn’t have the time to stop and see many of them beyond a driveby. However, the mountain drive did have some wonderful views!

troodos mountains village cyprus

If you’re not interested in hiking, then it makes sense to instead spend your day here exploring these UNESCO-claimed monasteries. You can learn more about the monasteries and see their locations here.

Our real destination, however, was the Akamas Peninsula, where we wanted to do some hiking along the rocky coastal mountains.

How to hike in the Akamas Peninsula

The Akamas Peninsula is simply stunning and there are quite a few different paths you can do. We chose the Aphrodite Trail and I think it may just be one of the best hiking trails in all of Cyprus (or at least the best trail in the Akamas Peninsula National Park!)

aphrodite trail akamas peninsula hike map

The Aphrodite Trail, Akamas Peninsula National Park – photos courtesy of ChooseYourCyprus

Here’s a satellite map of the trail .

The hike itself isn’t that long nor that strenuous (2 hours or so?), so it gives you the chance to take your time when driving through the mountains that morning or to stop and take a swim at any of the nearby beaches.

No matter what trail you choose, you’ll likely begin at the parking lot by the Baths of Aphrodite.

aphrodite trail akamas peninsula hike map

Map courtesy of ChooseYourCyprus – more details here

Drive from Akamas Peninsula to Paphos

After the hike, we drove to the beach town of Paphos about 45 minutes away.

What to do in Paphos: day 1

We arrived in Paphos quite late, so we just took it easy with a walk along the lively waterfront where some of the best restaurants in Paphos are. 

Where to stay in Paphos

Budget Accommodation Paphos

Day 5: Wander through Paphos, visit Avakas Gorge, drive to Larnaca (with a stop in Limassol)

What to do in Paphos day 2

Very well known as a party destination, the beaches in Paphos are quite famous and beautiful. And, if anyone has heard anything about Cyprus, they probably know this city by name.

Beyond that, Paphos also has a lot of historical and cultural attractions like the Tomb of the Kings and the Paphos Castle.

paphos promenade coastal walk cyprus

Paphos coastal walk – photo courtesy of Steve Parker

But frankly, we weren’t all that interested in beach things nor seeing some more ruins (especially since we had already seen such impressive ruins in Salamis a few days before), so we made a last-minute decision to visit the Avakas Gorge and its wild coastline.

How to visit Avakas Gorge

The gorge, just 40 minutes from Paphos, was a major unexpected treasure. Between the imposing walls of the gorge itself and the drive there along the incredible, isolated coastline, we were really glad we decided to make a visit.

Unfortunately, we had to backtrack towards the Akamas Peninsula to visit the gorge. So if we did things differently, we may have tried to sleep somewhere closer to the Akamas Peninsula (where we hiked the day before), then visited the gorge on our way to wherever was next.

The gorge itself is quite easy to get to. Just put the name into your GPS…and you’re there! Upon arrival, just drive down the dirt road into the park until you hit the little parking lot.

Akamas gorge cyprus hike

And luckily, since it’s a gorge, you really can’t get lost while you’re out walking.

If you have the time, be sure to drive for a bit along the dirt roads hugging the coast nearby. The coastline and the waves are pretty awe-inspiring.

north cyprus day trips

From the gorge, we began our drive back to Larnaca, where we’d be catching our flight the next morning. But before then: a quick stop in Limassol, Cyprus’s 2nd biggest city.

What to do in Limassol

Unfortunately, by the time we arrived in Limassol, we didn’t have many hours of daylight left. However, we did spend some time walking along the city’s coastal “Molo promenade,” the new marina, and then the old town.

You can read more about things to do in Limassol here .

It really did seem like a nice city and we would have considered a night here if we had more time.

limassol cyprus promenade coastal walk

Limassol’s coastal promenade – photo courtesy of daevon29

Drive to Larnaca

Since you’ll be flying out of Larnaca the next day, you’ll probably want to play it safe and spend the night somewhere in the city.

Where to stay in Larnaca

Budget Accommodation Larnaca

7-Day Cyprus Itinerary/10-Day Cyprus Itinerary by Car

For the longer itineraries, begin with the 5-day itinerary above as a base. Then, do a mix-and-match of the different stops which you could easily sub in or remove based on your interests and how much time you have.

On the map given above ( and right here ), these alternatives will be marked in green.

Option #1: City of Ayia Napa & the Sea Caves (add to day #1 in the 5-day itinerary)

Between Larnaca and the north Turkish town of Famagusta/Gazimagusa, you’ll find Ayia Napa.

The city is known as Cyprus’ premier nightlife destination, and is also famous for its beaches and sea caves.

ayia napa sea caves cyprus

Ayia Napa Sea Caves – photo courtesy of Tobias Van Der Elst

You can learn more about the stop and what to do in Ayia Napa here .

Option #2: Painted monasteries in Troodos Mountains & Mountain Olympus (add to day #3 in the 5-day itinerary)

As I mentioned in day #3 of the itineraries above, the Troodos Mountains are full of monasteries and local villages to visit. Plus, you can also drive (well, almost drive) to the highest point on the island: Mount Olympus.

The mountains are located quite centrally, so you can easily visit between Nicosia, Paphos, and many other south Cyprus destinations.

Kykkos painted monastery troodos mountains cyprus

Kykkos Painted Monastery in the Troodos Mountains – photo courtesy of Glen Bowman

You can learn more about the stop and what to do in the Troodos Mountains here .

Option #3: Karpaz Peninsula in Northern Cyprus (add to day #2 in the 5-day itinerary)

If you’d like to add another stop in Northern Cyprus between Famagusta/Gazimagusa and Kyrenia/Girne, then this is your best bet.

This isolated peninsula is famed for its flora and fauna (including the unexpected wild donkeys!) and its unspoiled nature and beaches.

Karpaz Peninsula north cyprus beach

Karpaz Peninsula – photo courtesy of sebastienfauconnet

Learn more about the stop and what to do in the Karpaz Peninsula here .

Option #4: The Great Crusader Castles in the Kyrenia Mountain Range (add to day #3 in the 5-day itinerary)

As I mentioned on day #3 when visiting Hilarion Castle, there are many additional castles and fortresses you can visit in the area.

So if you have some extra time, you could spend an extra night in Kyrenia and spend more time exploring the surrounding mountains.

The most famous of these are, beyond the Saint Hilarion Castle, the Kantara Castle and Buffavento Castle.

buffavento castle cyprus

Buffavento Castle – photo courtesy of muffinn

Learn more about Buffavento Castle here and Kantara Castle here.

Option #5: Zenobia wreck diving in Larnaca (add to day #1 in the 5-day itinerary)

The Zenobia is said to be one of the best wreck dives in the world. Rodrigo did this dive and really enjoy it (minus the night of not sleeping before). Remember to not leave diving for the last day since you shouldn’t fly just after diving.

Zenobia wreck dive cyprus

Rodrigo’s Zenobia wreck dive

Option #6: Beach day (add to any day you like)

And, of course, if you have some extra time you can also visit what Cyprus is famous for: the beach.

You can find a list of  the best beaches in Cyprus here .

Other tours, activities and attractions in Cyprus

GetYourGuide and Civitatis are tools to search for tours that I use a lot. There you can find tours from the cheapest to the most luxurious as well as excursions of a few hours and even a few days. Before embarking on your trip, take a look at the tours that are available:

GetYourGuide

Best attractions

And that’s it!

Planning your next trip?

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 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes .

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 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

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And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.

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Day Trips from Larnaca without a Car

Last modified on June 14th, 2023 at 06:19

Cyprus is an island steeped in history and mythology. Known for being the legendary birthplace of the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite, the ‘Island of Love’ is home to sun-kissed shores and a rugged mountainous interior.

Cyprus is a country with natural beauty and cultural richness that is wholly disproportionate to its size. The country’s tumultuous and multilayered past has left ancient riches strewn across this island. Remnants of these archeological relics can still be seen today—littering wildflower-splashed mountainsides and overlooking azure seas.

During my six day Cyprus vacation, I took day trips from Larnaca to the far reaches of the island, packing my itinerary with some of the most beautiful destinations in the Mediterranean. My comprehensive six day Cyprus itinerary included many of the historical, natural and cultural gems that make the island a unique all-in-one destination.

DAY TRIPS AROUND CYPRUS

While I used Larnaca as my home base, I spent the majority of my Cyprus itinerary exploring the country’s archeological sites and national parks. For an island its size, Cyprus has a remarkable number of places to see. The island features everything from verdant mountainous scenery to glistening sandy beaches.

Instead of spending my holiday on Larnaca’s beaches, I chose to use the city as a base and fill my week in Cyprus with five distinct day trips from Larnaca; one to Turkish-influenced North Cyprus and four to the southern half of the island.

The Kourion Ruins on the southern coast of Cyprus

Most tourism in Cyprus centers around beach-lounging and partying. As a result, traveling the island as a budget backpacker can be an unexpected challenge. In Cyprus, public transportation between smaller towns and cities is virtually nonexistent. And while buses connect the island’s largest towns, some of the country’s top attractions can be difficult to visit without a car or organized tour.

Since I was traveling Cyprus without a car, I relied on a combination of public buses and local tours. For day trips to Paphos, Kourion and Cape Greco, I depended on the country’s public transportation network. For day trips to the Troodos Mountains and North Cyprus, however, I joined organized excursions with Eman Travel.

Though I spent five nights in Larnaca, I dedicated little time to the city itself. Instead, I used Larnaca as a base for exploring Cyprus—partly because of its proximity to the island’s largest international airport, and partly because of its central location.

There are surprisingly few accommodation options for those looking to travel Cyprus independently and on the cheap. While in Larnaca, I stayed at the Katka Hostel . Though the hostel was poorly signposted and difficult to find, it proved to be an inexpensive and convenient base from which to explore the island.

Larnaca’s lack of hole-in-the-wall eateries surprised me, too. Most of the restaurants in downtown Larnaca are pricey chains that cater to Americanized palettes. Notable exceptions are the cheap and tasty Souvlaki.gr near St Lazarus Cathedral, and the Cyprus Taverna on Lordou Vyronos Street.

The beautiful St Lazarus Cathedral located near the waterfront in downtown Larnaca

Though Larnaca lacks big-name tourist attractions and must-see sites, the city has a pleasant restaurant-lined waterfront and a handful of interesting places to see—including a small beachside castle, a palm-lined promenade and the beautiful St Lazarus Cathedral.

CAPE GRECO NATIONAL PARK DAY TRIP

Following a fantastic day trip to North Cyprus , I decided to spend the following day on a self-guided day tour to Cape Greco National Park.

The Cape Greco Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in Cyprus. The park lies near Ayia Napa, in the country’s southeastern corner. The area is somewhat reminiscent to Comino Island , with its cave-punctured cliffs, rugged hillsides and captivating shades of blue.

Cape Greco Caves

Multiple buses a day make the journey between Larnaca and Ayia Napa. The buses leave from the Larnaca waterfront and travel along the island’s southern coast to downtown Ayia Napa.

From Ayia Napa, bus 101 travels to the Cape Greco Visitor Center. Ayia Napa is also the gateway to Nissi Beach—one of the most beautiful family-friendly beaches in the Middle East .

Since the Cape Greco Visitor’s Center was closed during my visit, I picked a path and began to wander. The walk along the eastern side of Cape Greco is beautiful. The shadeless path weaves through brush and passes by a blue and white church, a delicate stone arch and numerous sweeping views of the sea. After walking along the eastern side of the peninsula and stopping every few feet to take photos, I followed a sign for the Cape Greco Sea Caves.

When I reached the caves at the water’s edge, the beauty of the water stopped me in my tracks.

Cape Greco Sea Caves

The area around the sea caves is home to some of the most mesmerizing shades of blue I’ve ever seen. Before visiting Cape Greco, I never knew so many shades of blue existed in nature. The water’s colors ranged from indigo to sapphire and from cobalt to turquoise.

I was totally and utterly in awe.

PAPHOS DAY TRIP FROM LARNACA

The following day, I hopped on another bus and headed westward, toward Paphos . I’d read somewhere that Paphos is one of the top places to see in Cyprus. I’d also read that the city is vastly underwhelming and doesn’t live up to its status as the 2017 European Capital of Culture. Since Paphos constitutes a convenient day trip from Larnaca using public transport, I decided to make a trip out west to see for myself.

Paphos is one of Cyprus’ most historically rich cities. Home to two large archeological sites (the Paphos Archeological Park and the Tombs of the Kings) it is a treasure chest for history buffs and lovers of antiquities.

Wildflowers in Paphos, Cyprus

When I arrived in Paphos, I immediately hit the ground running. I strolled along the waterfront and snapped a few photos of the Paphos Fort. Then, I made my way to the Paphos Archeological Park in order to see some of the most beautiful mosaics in the eastern Mediterranean.

PAPHOS ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

There is something indescribably beautiful about the Paphos ruins. The ancient city sits tucked up against the ocean, its remnants strewn among rippling grasses that are dotted with poppies and yellow daisies.

I meant to spend an hour at the Paphos Archeological Park. On the bus ride, I’d meticulously planned out my day—mapping out the amount of time to spend at the various attractions in order to make it back to the bus stop in time for my return trip to Larnaca.

Mosaics in Paphos, Cyprus

But somehow, while admiring the exquisite mosaic floors of the House of Dionysius, two and a half hours sped by and I found myself rushing toward the exit as fast as my legs could carry me.

THE TOMB OF THE KINGS

After visiting the archeological park, I still hoped to make it to the Tombs of the Kings. I walked along the oceanfront promenade as quickly as I could, hoping to somehow shave a few minutes off the maps.me estimate.

I made it to the Tombs of the Kings far later than I had originally planned. And, breathless and gasping for air, I paid the €2,50 entrance fee and began exploring.

The Tombs of the Kings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that lies 2km north of the Paphos Harbor. The tombs, many of which date back to the 4th century BC, never actually housed any kings. Instead, the rock-hewn chambers are thought to have accommodated Paphos’ aristocrats and high-level officials.

Like the Paphos Archeological Park, the Tombs of the Kings overlooks the cobalt Mediterranean waters. While listening to a soundtrack of crashing waves, I sped around the area’s pathways–climbing up and down stairs, peeking into small chambers and squeezing through passageways.

Tomb of the Kings in Paphos, Cyprus

I found the tombs to be impressive, in large part because I wasn’t really sure what to expect.

Had I had more time, I would have loved to spend a few hours meandering about the tombs and soaking in the views of the sea.

Yet since I was traveling to Paphos as a day trip from Larnaca, I had to turn back prematurely to ensure I would have enough time to make the last return bus.

LIMASSOL AND KOURION FROM LARNACA

I had such a wonderful time meandering through the archeological wonders of Paphos, that I decided to spend my next day in Kourion–another of Cyprus’ top historical sites. Kourion sits atop a steep hill that overlooks the ocean. It is a popular day trip from Larnaca, and accessible using public transport.

To travel between Larnaca and Kourion, I had to change buses in Limassol. A direct bus from Larnaca to Limassol leaves every few hours (7 euros roundtrip). From Limassol,  bus #16 travels the remainder of the way to Kourion.

Kourion is a spectacular place to visit. Built in the 2nd century BC, the ancient ruins were once part of an important city state in southwestern Cyprus. The ruins sit perched on a hillside, with sweeping views of the precipitous cliffs.

Kourion Cliffs

I spent a few hours at the archeological site, admiring the historical relics and the Mediterranean Sea. A walk around the ruins brought me to a well-preserved Greco-Roman amphitheater and various mosaic-laden rooms and chambers. Some, including the House of Achilles and the House of Gladiators, had mosaics that rivaled those in Paphos.

After soaking in the spectacular views of Kourion, I caught the bus back to Limassol and ate a fabulous traditional Cypriot meal at the Kipriakon Restaurant. Once I filled my stomach with delicious home-style comfort food, I spent the remainder of my day trip strolling along Limassol’s pleasant promenade.

Waterfront Promenade in Limassol, Cyprus

DAY TRIP TO NICOSIA AND THE TROODOS MOUNTAINS

I spent the last day of my Cyprus itinerary exploring the island’s mountainous interior. Since the interior of Cyprus is poorly connected by public transport, I chose to join an organized tour for a whirlwind adventure through Nicosia and the Troodos Mountains.

north cyprus day trips

NICOSIA: A DIVIDED CITY

My day tour to the Troodos Mountains included a brief visit to Nicosia. During the visit, I spent about an hour meandering the streets of the old town and peeking into the Turkish-controlled areas of North Cyprus .

In contrast to the day trip I took to the northern towns of Kyrenia and Famagusta , my day trip to Nicosia and the Troodos felt slightly rushed. Both Larnaca and the Troodos would have been better suited for a full day of exploration.

KAKOPETRIA VILLAGE, TROODOS MOUNTAINS

From Nicosia, my day tour continued with a pit-stop in Kakopetria Village. The rustic Kakopetria village is amongst the most beautiful in Cyprus. Nestled in the Solea Valley, amid verdant trees and alongside bubbling rivers, the town is an ideal place for a quiet retreat.

north cyprus day trips

After allocating about an hour to Kakopetria, our tour proceed to the village of Troodos, high in the mountains. There, we ate lunch at the Troodos Hotel , before continuing toward Omodos.

Omodos is an attractive village near Cyprus’ wine region. Despite a proliferation of souvenir shops and boutique hotels, the village’s backstreets have a timeless cobbled charm. As I wove through the city’s narrow alleyways and peeked into its courtyards overflowing with orange trees, I had the sensation of stepping back in time.

north cyprus day trips

Though touristy, the small village of Omodos is worlds away from the high-rise resort towns and beach clubs that characterize much of southern Cyprus’ coastline.

Surrounded by the vineyard-carpeted slopes of Cyprus’ krashoria , the sleepy town of Omodos is the perfect place to sit back, sip a glass of wine, and soak in the beauty of Aphrodite’s homeland.

Cyprus is nicknamed the ‘Isle of Love.’ And there is a lot to love about the enchanting island.

My six day Cyprus itinerary gave me a varied sampling of the island’s offerings. Throughout Cyprus, mountaintop castles and Byzantine churches lay sprinkled about—revealing ancient tombs, intricate mosaics and sites dripping with historical significance. From flower-speckled mountainsides to water so blue it matched the sky, my excursions around Cyprus revealed the country’s beauty, introduced me to its ancient history, and allowed me to understand a bit more about its complicated political present.

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Day Trips around Cyprus from Larnaca

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  3. Northern Cyprus Day Trip from Paphos and Limassol

    Spend a day exploring northern Cyprus on this day trip from Paphos and Limassol. Travel through Nicosia, the island's divided capital city, and cross over the 'Green Line' buffer zone from the Greek south to the Turkish-occupied north. Visit the tumbledown Bellapais Abbey and enjoy a mixture of guided and free time in the mountain-backed town of Kyrenia.

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    We firstly drive towards Troodos mountain and have a coffee break at Omodos Village. The trip continues with a visit to Limassol Port and Lefkara village to finish the tour as we circle around the village where ladies do lacework. GROUP PRICE PRIVATE TOUR PICK UP. Per Person 1-4 People. €90 €350 Kyrenia.

  11. Visit NCY ǀ Official North Cyprus Tourism Guide

    History & Religion. A solitary island in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has had a rich history of being visited by seafaring travellers from neighbouring countries and empires. From the Assyrians to the Egyptians, the Persians to the Romans, Cyprus has seen hordes of visitors disembark on her shores over the centuries - each leaving their ...

  12. Northern Cyprus Private Day Tour from Nicosia 2024

    Private Day Tour in Nicosia and Kyrenia (Nicosia/ Kyrenia Hotels) 3. from $367.78. Per group. Nicosia, Cyprus. Explore the Instaworthy Spots of Nicosia with a Local. from $88.04. Price varies by group size. Nicosia, Cyprus.

  13. The Best Places to Visit in Northern Cyprus

    Northern Cyprus is quite small so you can choose one base and see the main attractions by taking day trips. The mountain range in North Cyprus is one of the best places to see in northern Cyprus and should be part of your north Cyprus road trip! Need to know. Population: 313,000. Currency: Turkish Lira (Euro widely accepted)

  14. Intriguing Places to Visit in North Cyprus

    I visited North Cyprus as part of an organized day trip from Larnaca. My day tour of North Cyprus did not include a visit to Nicosia, but I traveled to the divided city nonetheless, during a tour to the Troodos Mountians a few days later. Nicosia is one of the top places to visit in Cyprus because—despite simultaneously being a part of two ...

  15. North Cyprus Walking

    North Cyprus Walks will provide you whatever you are after! I can easily arrange a daily or weekly tailored walking tours as a private or a small group up to 6 people at North Cyprus walks. A day or a week walking tours to remember a lifetime, plan your trip with North Cyprus walks & the licensed private guides in North Cyprus.

  16. THE 10 BEST Kyrenia Tours & Excursions (from £28)

    NORTHERN CYPRUS ALL-IN-ONE Private Day Trip from Nicosia. 30. Historical Tours. 9-10 hours. Take the opportunity to explore tree major cities (Famagusta, Kyrenia, Nicosia) in the northern part of Cyprus with this… Recommended by 96% of travellers. 96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher. from. £135 ...

  17. 2024 Grand Tour 3 Days Northern Cyprus provided by Sidetour

    About. This is the only tour you can see all of Northern Cyprus in only 3 days! There is no better way to get to know a country than travelling with a private local guide. Ages 18-99. Duration: 3 days. Start time: Check availability. Mobile ticket. Live guide: English. More.

  18. Visiting Northern Cyprus? All you need to know for a great trip (2023)

    The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, also known as North Cyprus, has some well kept secret treasures. Learn all about them and how to plan a great trip there. ... CITY TOURS & DAY TRIPS: You can browse GetYourGuide's website to find just the tour you're looking for! Post Tags: # International # Planning a trip. Kimberly McCauley.

  19. North Cyprus Travel Guide

    Around Gazimağusa. Some 8km north of Gazimağusa, and signposted from both the coast road to Boğaz and the main road to the capital, is a group of ruins which are among the most important and impressive in all of Cyprus. By far the most famous and most photographed are the remains, largely Roman, of Ancient Salamis.But within a couple of minutes' drive of this colossal seaside site are the ...

  20. NORTHERN CYPRUS ALL-IN-ONE Private Day Trip from Nicosia

    per group (up to 4) Private Day Tour in Nicosia and Kyrenia (Nicosia/ Kyrenia Hotels) 1. 4WD Tours. from. £261.69. per group (up to 4) Exclusive Private Guided Tour through the Architecture of Nicosia with a Local. 1.

  21. Northern Cyprus Day Trip from Paphos and Limassol

    Product code: 6716PAPNORTH. Spend a day exploring northern Cyprus on this day trip from Paphos and Limassol. Travel through Nicosia, the island's divided capital city, and cross over the 'Green Line' buffer zone from the Greek south to the Turkish-occupied north. Visit the tumbledown Bellapais Abbey and enjoy a mixture of guided and free ...

  22. Road Trip in Cyprus

    Option #1: City of Ayia Napa & the Sea Caves (add to day #1 in the 5-day itinerary) Between Larnaca and the north Turkish town of Famagusta/Gazimagusa, you'll find Ayia Napa. The city is known as Cyprus' premier nightlife destination, and is also famous for its beaches and sea caves.

  23. Day Trips from Larnaca without a Car

    Since I was traveling Cyprus without a car, I relied on a combination of public buses and local tours. For day trips to Paphos, Kourion and Cape Greco, I depended on the country's public transportation network. For day trips to the Troodos Mountains and North Cyprus, however, I joined organized excursions with Eman Travel. LARNACA