Experiencing Northern Cyprus: things to see and do

There’s plenty of sun and relaxation to be found here as well, but if you’re interested in history or want to discover a more unspoiled part of Cyprus, we’ve picked out the best things to do in Northern Cyprus.

Nicosia

The world’s last divided capital city, Nicosia is an unmissable part of any holiday in North Cyprus. And it also makes the perfect introduction to the history of the island, both modern and medieval, as you explore either side of the Green Line which splits the city.

On the northern side, step back in time to the 16th century where traders along the Silk Route would break their long journeys at Büyük Han, the Great Inn, which is the largest of the island’s roadside caravanserai. For a flavour of the goods they brought, the stalls of the spice markets are still piled high.

Nicosia

There’s more glimpses of the past within the city’s old Venetian walls, including the Arab Ahmet and Selimiye Mosques, the latter now within the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Sophia. Or head to the Dervish Pasha Mansion to visit its small museum. And on the southern side of the Green Line, the Cyprus Museum takes you on journey through centuries of Cypriot history.

Kyrenia

A contender for one of the loveliest locations in North Cyprus, Kyrenia is made for wandering through. Get lost in its narrow lanes, leading ever down to the pretty harbour where you’ll want to stop and people-watch, spotting traditional Turkish gülets bobbing on the water, and gazing up to the ruins of a 12th century castle, which is now home to a shipwreck dating from 300 BCE.

Kyrenia

Strolling through Kyrenia’s picturesque Old Town, you’ll find a string of churches as well as a 16th century mosque, along with former carob warehouse Cyprus House on the waterfront. Inside, displays tell the story of the harbour’s history as a major trading port exporting carob around Europe, alongside some displays of traditional clothing and crafts.

St Hilarion Castle

Just outside Kyrenia, the castle of St Hilarion sits on a rocky crag looking out to sea, the best-preserved of all the island’s Crusader castles. Thought to be the site of a former monastery, there are some spectacular views from its narrow arrow-slit windows and stone-clad terraces – on a clear day, you can see all the way to Turkey.

Queen's Window, St Hilarion Castle

Built as a watch tower to give warning of approaching pirates who raided the island, the highest point is Prince John’s Tower, named for the 14th century Prince of Antioch, who (according to legend) had his hired Bulgarian mercenaries thrown from the tower for treason.

Bellapais Abbey

Just outside pretty Bellapais, the 13th century Gothic monastery rose to wealth and power thanks to donations offered by crusading knights and pilgrims. Today, the impressive building has fallen into ruins but you can still see the faded remains of frescoes telling the life of Christ while you explore this tranquil spot.

Bellapais Abbey

As you wander through the cloisters, with the sun streaming through the arches, it’s not hard to imagine how the abbey got its name – translated from old French, Bellapais means ‘beautiful peace’.

Famagusta

Inside this Venetian walled city, shops selling silver and copperware line the winding streets, with historic landmarks to stumble upon as you go. Once the most important port on the island, Famagusta is an instant reminder of the different cultures which have influenced the country over the years, home to the Church of St George of the Greeks, the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque and Venetian Palace Ruins. Its wealth and importance led to countless merchants founding churches until it was said Famagusta had a church for every day of the year.

Famagusta

Saint Barnabas Monastery

The twin-domed church is dedicated to the island’s patron saint, and was once the heart of the Cyprus Orthodox Church. Today, it’s the monastery’s icon museum which is the biggest draw for most visitors, with collections dating back to Bronze Age settlements in North Cyprus, including the ancient city of Enkomi, first capital of the island which is thought to date back to 2000 BCE.

You can also see icons from the monastery’s collection, many painted by the final three monks to live in the monastery.

Soli

One of the 10 ancient kingdoms of Cyprus, the city of Soli dates back to the 6th century BCE, although most of the remains are from Roman times. Said to have been founded by Athenians returning from the Trojan wars, nearby copper mines helped the kingdom to thrive.

You can still see the Roman theatre, with seats carved out of the rocky hillside, which would have seated around 4,000 people, as well as one of the earliest Christian churches on the island, home to some later mosaics from the 6th century.

Salamis City

The ancient city of Salamis is believed to have been the capital of Cyprus in the late Bronze Age, around 1100 BCE. Legend says it was founded by the son of King Telamon, who fought against the Trojans during the Trojan War, although more prosaically, tribes from Anatolia may have been the original settlers.

Salamis

Over the centuries, the city was occupied by a series of civilisations from the Assyrians and Egyptians to the Persians and Romans, before a string of natural disasters saw it abandoned, lying hidden and preserved under sand until excavations began in the late 19th century. Today, the site stretches across one square mile, with marble columns, ancient baths and Roman theatre and gymnasium still to be found.

Güzelyurt

On the west coast of north Cyprus, Güzelyurt sits at the heart of the country’s citrus groves nicknamed the fruit garden of Cyprus. Even its name translates to ‘beautiful place’, an apt description for both the pretty town and the area, set close to the foothills of the Troodos Mountains.

Save time to visit the Church of St Mamas, patron saint of tax evaders (and people with earache). The museum has displays of Cypriot artefacts, including ornate jewellery, while the 18th century church itself has its own treasures, such as the iridescent crystal chandelier.

The Karpas Peninsula

The Karpas Peninsula (also called the Karpaz Peninsula, or panhandle) is one of the most unspoiled parts of North Cyprus, stretching towards the island’s north-eastern point and home to a string of old villages, lush forests and white sand beaches.

Pine, cypress and maquis trees carpet the hills, with the whole area rich in flora and fauna, including wild donkeys. The region is a wonderful place to spot birds too, with around 300 species stopping here on their migration.

As you explore, you’ll see fruit and olives grown (along with tobacco) in traditionally farmed plots, as well as fishing villages of Bogaz and Kumyali, where you can still see the catch brought in. There’s history to discover here too, such as the mosaics at the 5th century Basilica of Agia Triada, and the Monastery of St Andrew, one of the island’s most important religious sites.

Discover our Cyprus holidays and explore the historic sights of Northern Cyprus for yourself