Northern Cyprus
Tourism
A sun-drenched retreat that oozes old-world charm, far away from the hustle and bustle of your usual routine, a place where the delicious aroma of jasmine and honeysuckle floats through the air, tickling your senses with anticipation of the feasts awaiting.. Imagine swimming in the crystalline waters of secluded beaches or exploring ancient centuries of history and culture in a day. And where an abundance of nature, wildlife and warm Mediterranean hospitality make a holiday to this land of rustic beauty simply unforgettable...
About North Cyprus
North Cyprus is the Med’s best kept secret: Loved for its slow pace of life, value for money and delightful village-feel, it combines beautiful bays and enchanting sights with a sunny climate all year round, making it an ideal get-away for every season.
Located at the crossroads of three continents and just 40 miles from Turkey, North Cyprus is bursting with intriguing antiquity and a rich cultural history. The North Cyprus coastline is astonishingly beautiful with its ancient harbours where you can dine al-fresco and beaches that stretch for miles, whilst the depths of the crystal-clear azure seas offers many of the region’s best dive sites. A labyrinth of craft shops, ancient sites and family-owned restaurants await exploration in North Cyprus’ vibrant towns, whilst idyllic scenery and ancient rustic villages gently dot the countryside.
Geography | Northern Cyprus maps
Located at the cross-roads of three continents, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, situated 40 miles south of Turkey at its nearest coastal point. It is smaller than Sicily and Sardinia and larger than Corsica and Crete. North Cyprus comprises a total area of 1357 square miles, with over half of the Island’s 240 miles of coastline.
Cyprus has been divided into two autonomous states since 1974. This came about by virtue of the linguistic and cultural differences, and as a result of communal friction which lasted for 11 years. Greek Cypriots are situated in the southern and the Turkish Cypriots in the northern part of Cyprus. A boundary known as the `Green Line` runs through Lefkoşa (Nicosia), the capital of both South and North Cyprus, separating the two states. At present there are five border crossings, offering 24 hour unrestricted access for EU citizens to pass across.
The geography of North Cyprus is characterized by a unique blend of beaches, plains and mountains. The long northern coastline is backed by The Kyrenia or Beşparmak (Five Finger) mountain range, forming a startling backdrop with its wooded slopes and magnificent jagged limestone peaks, the highest of which is Mount Selvili at 3357 ft. The lower hills and lowlands are alive with lush greenery, rare species of birds and butterflies, and a natural diversity of flowers that is unmatched in the Mediterranean, with an estimated 19 endemic plant species. Sandy beaches and rocky coves await discovery along the shore.
To the east of the island, the Five Finger mountain range loses height as it extends along the narrow peninsula known as Karpaz or “Panhandle”, a spectacular finger-shaped region of rolling hills and unspoilt sandy bays which points to Syria.
To the south of the Five Finger range lie the plains of Mesaoria and the capital city Lefkoşa (Nicosia). Other major centres are Güzelyurt in the west, the resort town of Girne (Kyrenia) on the northern coast, and the second resort town of Gazimağusa (Famagusta) in the east.
Population of North Cyprus
The population of North Cyprus is approximately 264,000 (2006 census) and 55% of the population live in urban areas. The urban population is distributed as follows:
(Rounded to the nearest 1000. Census 2006)
Lefkosa (Nicosia): 73,000
Gazimagusa (Famagusta): 46,000
Girne (Kyrenia): 57,000
Guzelyurt: 20,000
Iskele: 8,000
The urban population is employed mainly in the service industry and light industries such as beverages, clothing and construction. The rural population lives in villages. There are some 195 villages in North Cyprus. People in rural areas are mainly engaged in agriculture and produce a variety of crops such as wheat, barley, olives, carobs, melon, grapes, figs, and potatoes which are grown commercially on a moderate scale. Citrus is the main export, but exports from North Cyprus in general have been greatly restricted due to the imposed trade embargo.
Although the tourism, banking and education sectors have grown in recent years, North Cyprus’ slower commercial and industrial growth has become a distinct advantage, as it is today still relatively undiscovered and untouched by mass-tourism, with minimal pollution and plenty of peace and quiet for visitors. Education has recently developed to become one of the major sources of revenue, with its five private universities offering a good standard of international education to overseas students, including many from Turkey, Africa and the Middle East.
Wildlife
North Cyprus is still relatively undiscovered so wildlife flourishes, with some 250 species of birds touching down on the island every year on the passage from East to West. There is also an abundance of lizards, wild donkeys and butterflies, including species which are unique to the region, such as the strangely-shaped festoon and Cleopatra butterflies adorned with the colours of sunshine. They are all part of a rich natural heritage on an island of contrasts that spans from the top of Mount Selvili’s 3000 feet to the gentle slopes of the coastal waters, where the famous loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
The warm climate in North Cyprus also means visitors can enjoy beautiful flowers all year-round, making it a veritable botanic haven. In the autumn and winter golden-yellow oleanders swathe the hills, whilst multi-coloured anemones and crocuses appear before Christmas. But it is in late winter and spring that the island blooms into a rhapsody of colour with the orchid family and cherry-red poppies taking centre stage.
Weather in North Cyprus
North Cyprus enjoys a very pleasant climate, with warm, dry summers and mild winters, and an average of 300 days of sunshine. In August, the hottest month, mean temperatures range from 21°C to 36°C and in the coldest months of January and February, the average temperature is around 10°C, with a winter average of 6 hours daily sunshine and only moderate rain, making it an ideal year-round destination for holidaymakers.
Culture
Language
The official language is Turkish, but English is also widely spoken as a second language.
Religion
The majority of the Turkish Cypriots are Muslim and although very few regularly attend mosque services or wear religious attire, most celebrate religious festivals.
Family Life
For Turkish Cypriots, family life is of ultimate importance and therefore a great amount of their free time is spent at family gatherings, barbeques and weddings. All towns and even some villages hold festivals many of which are in the early summer.
Cuisine
The culture of a place is always reflected in its kitchen, and Northern Cyprus is no exception. Cypriot cooking, like its people, is unique. Eating out is popular amongst locals and the choice of cuisine reflects this, combining many wonderful tastes from the Mediterranean, Turkey and the Middle East. In larger towns, a range of international restaurants also offer dishes from around the world.
Typical Turkish Cypriot restaurant meal consists of meze, kebabs (lamb or chicken) or fish, followed by fruit and coffee. Meze is a selection of hot and cold appetizers - the Turkish Cypriot equivalent of Tapas – such as kofte (meatballs), hummus dips, mint yogurt, hellim (goat’s milk cheese). A Turkish Cypriot speciality is the şeftali kebab (peach kebab), made with minced meat, chopped onion and spices, wrapped in lamb fat and grilled. Other mouth-watering dishes include marinated fish and squid - and for dessert, lokma (small doughnuts in syrup), Ekmek Kadayif with Cream (Turkish Cypriot bread pudding) or baklava, as well as freshly-picked fruit such as sweet melon, oranges and figs. Wash your meal down with a glass of rakı (alcoholic aniseed drink), or there are also many good wines, beers and spirits, including the famous brandy sour drink – a cocktail made with brandy, lemon juice and angostura bitters. If you have room, you may want to finish off with a fix of thick Turkish coffee or tea.
Cypriot home cooking is quite unique and is only found in a handful of restaurants in North Cyprus, so do look out for them. Food lovers will delight at the variety of fresh local produce. Fresh herbs such as wild thyme, fennel, oregano and sage flourish in the mountains, ready for picking in June. Traditional cuisine makes fine use of the abundant fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices – this includes a variety of vegetarian dishes such as yalancı dolma (stuffed vine leaves with rice, onions and tomatoes), stuffed peppers and tomatoes, melt in the mouth aubergine meals, sigara börek (fried white-cheese rolled in pastry), bulgur koftesi (cracked wheat balls) and home made baked beans.
Handicrafts
Lefkara embroidery is an old Cypriot tradition dating back to the Venetian period, where beautiful and intricate items such as bed covers, table cloths, doilies and head-scarves were weaved using drawn and counted thread embroidery on lace. It is said that on a visit to Cyprus, Leonardo da Vinci was so impressed by the Lefkara adaptation of Venetian embroidery that he took some of the embroidery bearing the “potamos” design back to Italy to drape on the altar in the Milan Cathedral. Today, this design is known as the “Leonardo da Vinci design”.
Carpet weaving is another age-old Cypriot tradition and is mostly found in the Gazimağusa region. Kilims (small floor rugs) with colourful designs and patterns make ideal souvenirs or gifts, whilst wicker basket weaving is another Cypriot art form that is popular with locals and tourists.
Regions
Nicosia
Let curiosity be your guide in this unhurried city of great character
Lefkoşa is the capital and the largest city of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which has a population of around 73,000. Home to the main government headquarters and foreign representatives, it is also the seat for the United Nations and the European Commission offices.
Lefkoşa is the last remaining divided capital city in the world, with the northern (Turkish) and southern (Greek) parts divided by the "green line" boundary. However, since 2003, there have been no restrictions on border crossings for EU citizens in Cyprus, who are free to cross and spend as much time as they wish on either side of the border by producing their ID cards or passports at crossing points which are open 24 hours a day. At present, there are four crossing points where pedestrians can cross, one of which is the Ledra Palace border gate in Lefkoşa.
The city’s ramparts were built by the Venetians in 1570 and encircle the city with 11 towers. Inside the city walls are beautiful examples of Gothic and Ottoman architectural forms, among which are the Selimiye Mosque (St. Sophia Cathedral), Bedesten (covered bazaar - St. George Cathedral), the Buyuk Han (Grand Inn), the Kumarcilar Han (Gamblers' Inn), the Sufi (Mevlana) Museum, and countless other monuments. Like the other towns of Cyprus which remained under Ottoman rule for more than 300 years, Lefkoşa too is typically Turkish in character but with the richness of its multicultural heritage and Ottoman principles of religious and cultural tolerance.
Gazimağusa (Famagusta)
Glorious sandy beaches and romantic Levantine-style harbour town that fascinates, the eastern coastal area of Gazimağusa Bay is one long, very fine beach with excellent facilities and clean, safe bathing and snorkelling. Restored and improved since 1996, the old town of Famagusta is akin to an “outdoor museum” in which it is a real delight to wander, soak up the sunshine and atmosphere and watch people go by in quaint cafes. There is also a new town, the centre of the region and an excellent hub for eating-out, shopping and recreation. Gazimağusa is also close to the vast Roman ruins of Salamis, and a day trip to its ruins and beaches is an absolute must on your holiday to North Cyprus.
Gazimağusa, an old Levantine-style harbour town in North Cyprus, is a fantastic destination for summer holidays as the bay itself is an expanse of golden sands and is also very close to the old town, an “outdoor museum” of architecture and ancient ruins. Just minutes away also lies the thriving new town which is becoming increasingly popular with locals and visitors alike as a fun-packed holiday destination.
Founded by the Egyptians, the old walled city of Gazimağusa was once the richest port in the world - and so today is steeped in intriguing antiquity. The town is centred on the main square and the impressive Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque - and is rich in historic monuments, including the famous Othello Tower. Wander leisurely through its palm-lined avenues and soak up its enticingly unique atmosphere.
Or, venture further north, to the area close to the Salamis ruins, where the stretch of sandy beach continues with clean, safe bathing and snorkelling opportunities. This region, approximately 10 kilometres north of Gazimağusa, is perfect for those seeking a relaxing holiday as most hotels are a stone’s throw from the beach – and it is also an ideal base from which to explore the Karpaz Panhandle.
Dating back to the 11th Century BC, the Salamis ruins are amongst the finest Roman ruins on the island, the highlights of which are the gymnasium and ancient amphitheatre that could once accommodate up to 15,000 spectators.
Kyrenia
Charming Venetian harbour town backed by dramatic wooded hills
The long northern coastline is backed by the Beşparmak (Five Finger) Mountains with their dramatic wooded slopes and craggy summits. Sandy beaches and rocky coves await discovery along the shore and the Venetian harbour town of Girne (Kyrenia) sits in the centre in all its considerable beauty.
One of the region’s many highlights is the picturesque port town of Girne which is famous for its historic and perfectly crescent-shaped harbour set against the dramatic backdrop of the Beşparmak Mountains. You will enjoy exploring the Venetian castle and facades, cobbled medieval streets, as well as the ancient stone-built warehouses, today transformed into a labyrinth of fascinating craft shops. The town forms the hub of activity in North Cyprus, as visitors and locals alike are drawn to its unhurried pace of life combined with a fantastic array of water-facing restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, including the newly-restored Bandabulya – a collection of craft shops, juice bars and cafes, complete with a Wireless Hotspot for its patrons. Museums are plentiful in Girne, including the museum of folk art and public arts.
The harbour is also home to many local fishing boats so after a day of sights you will relish a mouth-watering feast of fresh seafood, grilled meat and kebab dishes or traditional cuisine which makes fine use of the abundant local fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices.
Nearby, castles, ruins and religious relics adorn the Beşparmak Mountains, whilst the lower hills and lowlands are alive with lush greenery, rare species of birds and butterflies, and a natural diversity of flowers that is unmatched in the Mediterranean, including 19 endemic orchid and plant species. Nestled on the Beşparmak Mountains is the delightful Bellapais village and Monastery which are just a short drive from the town of Girne. Here you will encounter true Mediterranean hospitality and fantastic walking and hiking opportunities.
Now is also an exciting time to visit the Girne region as facilities are being developed to add variety to life, such as the 2007 opening of Korineum, the first professional 18-hole golf course in North Cyprus and an array of new boutique and luxury hotels.
Güzelyurt
Meaning `beautiful country' in Turkish, Güzelyurt is famed for its fragrant citrus groves and fresh markets selling an array of local produce. Located in the West of North Cyprus, this market town is no ordinary tourist destination, as you can enjoy a wonderfully slow pace of life in beautiful rustic surroundings. Güzelyurt is also famous for its annual Orange Festival, a major event lasting two weeks.
Surrounded by fragrant citrus groves and famous for being the ‘fruit-bowl’ of North Cyprus , the region of Güzelyurt and its capital (also Güzelyurt) make the ideal destination for a day trip from Girne or a longer rural break . As one of the island’s greenest and richest agricultural areas, you will enjoy sampling the region’s deliciously juicy strawberries and citrus fruits (orange, lemon, and grapefruit) from the local covered market. Most of the region’s citrus fruits are exported, with the remaining made into fruit juice and canned for export and local consumption.
Saturday is a good day to visit Güzelyurt, as that is when the weekly market stretches across the whole town, with people coming from nearby towns and villages to buy and sell – creating a fantastic atmosphere. You will enjoy browsing, as you can find a whole array of wares on sale, from locally hand-made carpets to an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables which are all grown locally - and many organically.
Güzelyurt is also home to the picturesque town of Lefke (the site of the island’s now defunct copper mines), the Roman ruins at Soli, and the hilltop palace of Vouni. Other attractions include a curious circular British storehouse in Lefke, one of the many churches in the country dedicated to St. Mamas, a fascinating history and archaeology museum housing a collection ranging from the prehistoric age of Cyprus to the Byzantine period with primitive tools and Bronze Age pottery, as well as an array of stunning Orthodox churches.
Iskele / Karpaz
Karpaz peninsula (or the panhandle) is the easternmost part of the island of Cyprus, where the land tapers into a thin strip which stretches out towards Turkey. The area is rich in subterranean water reservoirs and thus crops such as tobacco are grown in abundance. Another main source of income in the region is fishing. Boğaz and Kumyalı are the fishing centres in the Karpaz.
As well as numerous Byzantine churches, the most notably the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas, the area boasts some of the finest countryside in the countryside. The Karpaz peninsula has been called the nature reserve of Cyprus for birds, wild flowers, and sea fossils are to be found everywhere.
Moreover, numerous picturesque beaches, both sandy and rocky, are said to be the best in the whole island. With pine and cypress covered hills reaching an altitude of about 1,000 metres, the Karpaz region almost a perfect natural reserve site of the whole island.
The Karpaz peninsula is also almost totally free from heavy concentration of industry and people, and is one of the least polluted regions in the European periphery. Escaping the last ice age, the island of Cyprus has managed to retain a substantial amount of biological diversity with a significant amount of endemic species - plant species number about 1,600 (22 endemic); bird species about 350 (7 endemic); and 26 reptile and amphibian species for most of which the Karpaz is the natural home.
Being also on one of the main migration routes of birds between Eastern Europe and Africa, each year approximately 300 species amounting to millions of birds use this route in early spring and late summer.
Moreover, about 46 sandy beaches in the Karpaz comprise the main nestling ground for the endangered Chelonian Mydas and Caretta Caretta sea turtles in the Eastern Mediterranean. In 1992, about 1,500 rare female turtles laid eggs on the shores of North Cyprus.
The last colony of European Audouin seagulls nest on the small Klidhes (Kilit) isles at the tip of the Karpaz Peninsula in North Cyprus. |
