Photo: Michal Klajban · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
North Cyprus · 2026
Castles above the sea, Gothic abbeys and wild beaches
The northern third of Cyprus: Kyrenia harbour, Bellapais Abbey, three clifftop castles, ancient Salamis, Famagusta behind Venetian walls and Karpaz with its wild donkeys. The essentials, with routes and honest tips.
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Five parts of North Cyprus
Only here
Things you won’t find anywhere else
What you can only find in North Cyprus — checked facts only; legends are labelled as legends.
Nicosia is split by the UN buffer zone; via Ledra Street you are on the other side in five minutes.
Kyrenia Castle houses a 4th-century BC merchant ship with its hull preserved.
Legend says St Hilarion inspired Walt Disney.
Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia — coronation church of the kings of Cyprus.
In Famagusta the Lusignans were crowned kings of Jerusalem.
Varosha, closed since 1974, partly walkable since 2020.
Top places
All places →
Kyrenia and the northKyrenia Old HarbourA horseshoe harbour below the castle: old carob warehouses, fishing boats, seafood tavernas and the best sunset on the north coast.
Kyrenia and the northKyrenia Castle and Shipwreck MuseumA Byzantine, Lusignan and Venetian fortress holding one of the oldest merchant ships ever found, from the 4th century BC.
Kyrenia and the northBellapais AbbeyA 13th-century Gothic abbey high above the sea — one of the finest medieval buildings in the eastern Mediterranean.
Kyrenia and the northSt Hilarion CastleA fairy-tale castle on crags over 700 metres up — local legend says it inspired Disney’s Snow White castle.
Kyrenia and the northAlagadi Turtle BeachTwo hotel-free sandy beaches where loggerhead and rare green turtles nest every summer.
NicosiaSelimiye Mosque (St Sophia Cathedral)The Gothic cathedral where Cyprus’s kings were crowned, a mosque with two minarets since 1570.
Famagusta and the eastFamagusta Old Town and Lala Mustafa Pasha MosqueA fortress town behind Venetian walls: the Gothic St Nicholas Cathedral, ruins of dozens of churches and quiet lanes.
Famagusta and the eastAncient SalamisThe largest ancient city in Cyprus: marble columns of the gymnasium, a theatre, Roman baths and basilicas right by the sea.
KarpazGolden Beach, KarpazKilometres of wild sand and dunes at the tip of the island: no hotels, just sea, turtles and wild donkeys.Everything for your trip
Services
We arrange vetted local providers. Current offers, prices and dates on request.
Couples, families and groups: transfers, tours, car and accommodation in one enquiry.
Corporate trips, conferences and incentives: hotels in Kyrenia and İskele, yachts, gala dinners.
Routes
All routes →2 daysKyrenia in 2 daysHarbour, castles and abbey — the best of the north coast without long drives.4 daysNorth Cyprus classic: 4 daysKyrenia, Nicosia, Famagusta and Salamis — the essentials for a first trip.
1 dayKarpaz in one dayA long day, but the island’s best: a castle above two seas, wild donkeys and Golden Beach.
1 dayThree castles in one daySt Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara — the whole chain of mountain castles.
1 dayThe west: Soli and VouniOrange groves, an ancient theatre and a palace above the sea — the quiet west.Everything on one map
North Cyprus on one map
Tap a dot to open the place. Filter by area above the map. The dashed line is the Green Line to the south.
When and where
Seasons
Orchids and poppies, 20–27 °C — best for castles, mountains and Karpaz.
Up to 40 °C, sea up to 28 °C. Beach in the morning and evening.
Warm sea, gentle sun — the best swimming season.
15–18 °C by day, rain, green hills, low prices.
Weather and sea by month
Air Sea
- 17°17°Jan
- 17°16°Feb
- 19°17°Mar
- 23°18°Apr
- 27°21°May
- 31°24°Jun
- 33°27°Jul
- 34°28°Aug
- 31°27°Sep
- 28°25°Oct
- 22°22°Nov
- 18°19°Dec
Approximate averages for the north coast: daytime high and sea temperature.
What’s happening
North Cyprus news
Fresh headlines load from the server. Meanwhile you can read them here: North Cyprus on Google News →
Headlines and links from open news feeds (Google News) — travel, weather and island life only, no politics. Articles belong to the publishers.
How North Cyprus works
Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus in the south is an EU member; the north is run by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognised only by Turkey. Between them lie the UN buffer zone and crossing points that visitors use freely. For your trip this means separate flights, Turkish lira, Turkish mobile networks and some quirks with insurance and buying property. We explain it without politics — just what travellers need.
Before you go
- Option 1: via Turkey to Ercan. Ercan airport (ECN) is 40–50 minutes from Kyrenia and Famagusta. Flights operate only from Turkish cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and others); from the UK and Europe with a change or technical stop in Turkey.
- Option 2: via Larnaca or Paphos. Larnaca (LCA) has direct flights from across Europe. Kyrenia is about 1 h 15 min by car via the Nicosia crossing (Agios Dometios/Metehan) or via Pergamos/Beyarmudu towards Famagusta.
- Ferry from Turkey. Ferries and fast boats run from Taşucu and Mersin to Kyrenia, also with cars. Seasonal timetables — check with the operator.
- Documents. EU and UK citizens and many other nationalities enter without a visa. Check official sources and your government’s travel advice before you go.
FAQ
How do I get to North Cyprus from the UK or Europe?
Fly to Ercan with a change in Turkey, or fly to Larnaca and drive across a crossing point (about 1 h 15 min to Kyrenia).
Can I go from the north to the south?
Yes, through the crossing points with a passport (EU: ID card too). Non-EU nationals who arrived via Ercan may be refused.
Do I need a visa?
EU and UK citizens do not. Check the rules before travelling.
What currency is used?
Turkish lira; many prices are quoted in pounds or euros.
Does EU roaming work?
No — buy a local SIM or eSIM.
How many days do I need?
At least 3 days, ideally 5–7.
About
Who is behind this
North Cyprus Vista is an independent guide to North Cyprus, run by Igor Titkov (Herford, Germany) — the same author as Canarias Vista, Almaty Vista and Kaliningrad Vista. We collect checked information, write honestly about the downsides and arrange services on request.
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Partners and sponsors
Guides, hotels, restaurants, car hire, yachts, estate agents and lawyers in North Cyprus — we feature you for free and pass on guest enquiries. You only pay commission on results.
Let us help with your trip
Tell us when and with whom you are travelling — we will suggest a route, accommodation, a transfer from Ercan or Larnaca and tours. Property questions too, with an honest look at the risks.