Cyprus

Tour North Cyprus in Seven Days

Days are longer, weather is warmer; the clocks hit the perfect time for a real dreamer! Come to your dreamland Cyprus and enjoy your week in the sun! Keep your magazine with you for you will find a comprehensive one-week Cyprus tour guide below...


1st DAY
As your plane descends to land in the skies of Cyprus, you may easily see the beautiful spot on the north coast of Cyprus, Kyrenia. If you look more carefully you may even point the Kyrenia Castle, with its quasi-square plan; and the ancient harbour beside. If you have a seat in the aisle or you are afraid enough to look down from your plane, never mind. For our tour is mainly centred in Kyrenia and its environs. So you can get enough of it. Kyrenia is approximately 45 minutes far from Ercan Airport. The tourism centre of Cyprus, Kyrenia houses a good number of hotels, ranging from modest taste or bungalows to luxury and elegantly furnished ones. As soon as you check in your hotel, you may swim in the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean, just in order to get rid of the dizziness of a long plane journey. Kyrenia is naturally adorned with many beaches. One of the favourite points of the locals and foreigners is the very beach where the Turkish troops landed during the Peace Operation, 1974. On this magnificent beach, you may find a restaurant and chaise-longs to sunbathe. After cooled by the waters of the Mediterranean, our next stop is Kyrenia Castle. Built in the 7th century by the Byzantines as a fortification against Arab raids, the castle today stands solid as it was 400 years ago. A museum today, Kyrenia Castle is a gate to the life-style of Byzantines and Venetians in the Middle Ages and Renaissance years. Leaving the castle, we head for the ancient harbour, situated just beside the castle. This little bay, still bearing traces from medieval times, exposes the tissue of a little Venetian town with its narrow streets. Usually there are ships anchored in the harbour and these may give you a good ride along the coastline. Many a restaurant and cafe are lined in the harbour. You may sit by the sea and sip a glass of cold beer and taste chips made from the famous Cyprus potatoes. The first day of our tour should better be not exhaustive. Therefore, we turn back to the hotel.

2nd DAY
Kyrenia was established by Achaeans in the 10th century BC. The city has the traces of a long history. Not only in Kyrenia, but all across Cyprus, the rich cultural heritage is observable. Maybe the most important of all these monuments is the Bellapais Abbey, situated on the heights of Kyrenia. The abbey exposes the elegant gothic style; pointed vaults seem like reaching heaven. The effect is doubled with the positioning of the abbey on steep hills. Refectory is the least damaged building of the abbey and today it serves as a concert hall. Bellapais is also the name for the little village, composed around the abbey. This village is famous for the air of idleness that dominates and takes hold of every new-comer. British writer Lawrence Durrell lived in this very village, of which he gives an account in his book ‘Bitter Lemons’. Departing from Bellapais Abbey, we head for St. Hilarion Castle, which holds the highest point in the mountain range lying at the back of Kyrenia. Following a short climb by car, we are welcomed by the fantastic view of the castle. Built by the Byzantines in order to observe and countervail Arap raids, the castle promises a journey into the depths of time surrounding you with its medieval tissue. Situated on a steep hill, the castle presents a complete view of the north shore, and tens of miles away into the Mediterranean. It is even possible to see as far as Turkey; the Toros mountain range on a clear day. But to be honest, the castle has a much more mystic atmosphere in winter. As clouds descend on the mountains and below, a trip to St.Hilarion offers a Tarkovskian experience of epiphany. Overwhelmed by its grandiose, we depart from St. Hillarion Castle and head for the mountain road plunging into the forests. This road is the alternative of the one laying along the coastline. You may find places to stop by and picnic. Follow Lapta signpost that will take you down to the city. The road is a feast as it winds its way through authentic Cypriot villages. It is time to live the pleasure of evening. There are a number of beaches on our way, but Camelot and MareMonte are exceptionally beautiful. We take a break to swim in the faint sunlight without getting burnt by direct sunlight.

3rd DAY
The greenest region in Cyprus is Güzelyurt without doubt. The first stop on our way is the Cape Koruçam. You need to follow the road to Güzelyurt then take the way signposted Sadrazamköy. Cape Koruçam marks the westernmost tip of the northern coast. Do not stop as the asphalt road ends; instead follow the gravel road till the end. Cape Koruçam promises an extraordinary experience with its exceptional geographic tissue. Following the road back to Sadrazamköy, we head for Koruçam Village, alias Kormacit. This village is mainly inhabited by Catholic Arabs, namely Maronites, who speak Arabic and Greek. There is a restaurant just across the cathedral, Yorgo Kasap Restoran. Offering a wide range of mezes from authentic Cypriot cuisine, Yorgo is also famous for its delicious Kleftiko. Now having enough energy to continue our trip, we head for Güzelyurt, “the citrus garden of Cyprus”. Do not leave without visiting St.Mamas Church and the Museum of Archaeology beside. On the way from Güzelyurt to Lefke, we stop by the ruins of the ancient city of Soli. One of the nine kingdoms on Cyprus, Soli hosts one of the oldest churches ever built in Cyprus; that is a fifth century basilica still observable today. Boasting a marvellous view and a 4-thousand spectator capacity Roman theatre, Soli deserves attention. Heading forth, we arrive at Yeşilırmak. This tiny village houses the biggest vine tree of Cyprus, documented by Guinness Records. The vine tree has an 85-cm diameter and produces three tons of grapes each year. There is a beautiful and inviting beach in front of the record vine. This is perfect place to swim and relax.

4th DAY
On the fourth day we will plunge into the streets of Nicosia, the very last divided capital in the world. The capital of both states on the island, Nicosia was founded in 300 BC. Nicosia is famous for its star shape. Also called “the star-shaped city”, Nicosia bears the traces of Venetian, Lusignan, Ottoman and British reigns. Inside the walls, the streets of Nicosia are very narrow and complex, like a huge labyrinth. The centre of the ancient city is marked with Arasta Bazaar. Situated beside the Bazaar is Büyük Han, the most striking Ottoman building in the town. Made of indigenous Cypriot stone, the building comprises 68 rooms and 10 shops. Today it includes an authentic Cypriot restaurant, numerous souvenir shops featuring samples of Cypriot handicrafts, and a few cafes. Büyük Han houses concert performances in summer evenings in its courtyard. Just a few metres away from Büyük Han is Selimiye Mosque, another monument. Almost 800 years old, this building was originally built by the Lusignans as St.Sophia Cathedral. Following the Ottoman invasion, the church was converted to a mosque without any defect in its gothic structure. Only Christian components such as statues and reliefs of saints are removed and frescoes were covered with white paint. As we have said before, Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world. This division is highly felt at the park situated on Yiğitler Burcu. Here you encounter barbed wire entanglement that marks the borders of two countries. Still you can see the Greek side at a step’s distance. The streets, the people walking or the cars parking are astonishingly close. On the right-hand side of the park, you can see Hotel Ledra Palas. The symbol of country’s dividedness, the hotel is currently at UN’s disposal All along the Green Line that divides Nicosia, there are a lot of destroyed buildings still displaying the traces of the war.

5th DAY
One of the most important stops of our one-week Cyprus tour is Famagusta. This ancient harbour city served as the last stop before Jerusalem during the Crusades. Famagusta is encircled by fascinating walls, which bears fingerprints of Leonarda da Vinci. The ancient city of Famagusta, still in walls today, is home to many monuments. You may climb the Othello Tower and remember that this city is the exact place where Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Othello takes place. You may travel back in time by visiting the twin churches, a Templar church. Although little remains, the Venetian Palace deserves a visit. Famagusta is astonishingly packed with churches, one after another. St.George of the Latins and St.Nicholas Cathedral are the most important of all. Converted into a mosque following Ottoman invasion, St.Nicholas Cathedral was built taking Reims Cathedral model. The minarets are carefully annexed to the main building without any defect in its French gothic character. Famagusta comprises many Ottoman buildings as well. Kertikli Baths and Famagusta Bazaar are the most important of them. Famagusta Bazaar comprises a number of cafes, restaurants and bars for those who wish to enjoy authentic Cypriot atmosphere. If you pass under the remaining arches of Venetian Palace, just across the Cathedral/Mosque, you can see the dungeon where the Turkish poet Namık Kemal spent his last years. Departing from Famagusta city centre, we drive towards Salamis Ruins. An 8-km far from the city centre, Salamis ruins are worth visiting. You may also see the Royal Tombs and Monastery of St. Barnabas, once the centre of Cypriot Orthodox Church. Harbouring many icons today, the Monastery of St. Barnabas is a museum with a rich collection of archaeological findings gathered across Cyprus.

6th DAY
On our 6th day our destination will be the Karpas Peninsula, which deserves to be seen most for its historical importance and natural beauty. With its natural virginity and beautiful beaches, this peninsula has always been the favourite place that people chose to run away from the rush of the modern world with a willingness of monkery. This is the reason why it is the region which has the most monasteries regarding its size. We will give a break in one of these, Panaghia Kanakaria. After visiting this church, which is dressed with icons and mosaics, we head for Dipkarpaz over Yenierenkoy. Basically follow the signposts that read Apostolos Andreas Monastery. A special local kind of donkey lives in freedom in this untouched virgin nature. This means do not be surprised if suddenly one of them approaches towards you. The road winds its way through fragranced herbs. As we get farther the road becomes narrower. The road reaches the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas at one point. One of the centres of pilgrimage for the Orthodox world, the Monastery is considered holy by both the Turkish and the Greek. We drink from the holy water of the Monastery and continue our way. A few kilometres after, the asphalt road comes to an end. We continue further following the gravel path. This time we arrive at the easternmost tip of the northern coast. At this point you may feel the excitement of standing at a distinctive place in the map. This spot features a fascinating view. We depart from Zafer Cape and start our return journey. On the way we are dazzled by the breathtaking view of Golden Beach. Seen from above, this long beach is twinkling with its blue waters and golden sand. Golden Beach is the usual destination of Caretta Caretta sea-turtles to lay their eggs. Swimming in these waters is an exceptional delight. We take our time in this marvellous beach and then we depart.

7th DAY
This is the last day of our one-week vacation. Today, we will spend our time in the Besparmak Mountain Range. First we stop by Buffavento Castle on our way. Buffavento means “standing before the wind”. The castle is built on steep hills of 950 metres high. You can see both Nicosia and Kyrenia from the castle. After exploring the castle we head for the Beşparmak Mountain. Beşparmak means “five fingers”, and if you look carefully this hill has the shape of a fist. This is a beautiful way that winds amongst the pine trees that provide a cool shelter from the heat of the sun. At some point we come across a picnic place situated on top of a hill that overlooks the eastern shores of the Kyrenia. This area is very crowded with people who come here to picnic. A way plunges into the forests winding downward. If you follow this road, you arrive at an old Armenian Monastery: Sourp Magar. Once the spot of Armenian pilgrims on their road to Jerusalem, the monastery serves as a guesthouse today. On the way back, we return the road we have come and reach the mountain road again. This mountain road will take us to Esentepe, a lovely Cypriot village. Esentepe is on the foot on the mountains and traversing the village we arrive at the coastline. Time to go back to the hotel and pack up for departure!
Of course there is a lot more to be seen in this beautiful island. What we have covered in a week’s time was to make you have a quick taste; sort of a “prologue”. Waiting with open arms among the blue waters of the Mediterranean, Cyprus is always ready to re-accommodate you...