Super compact Northern Cyprus in 3 days

On the way to the north coast of Kyrenia, we will drive up to the Five Finger Mountains and visit the crusader castle Saint Hilarion which is situated at an altitude of 700m. The castles in Cyprus played a fundamental role in defence against threats from outside throughout history. This fairytale castle is the best preserved of all these mountain castles. Here you will enjoy the breathtaking views of the northern coastline and the mountain range.

The impressive Kyrenia Castle, home to many civilisations, is a must-see. This seaside castle hosts the well-preserved 4th-century shipwreck of Kyrenia and offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Cyprus. This ancient merchant ship, sunk 2300 years ago, reveals information about the Mediterranean trade during the Alexander the Great era. Learn about the unexpected challenge of raising and preserv¬ing such an ancient vessel that underwater archaeology faced in the late 1960s.

The picturesque seaside town of Kyrenia, known as the ‘jewel’, owes its reputation to its unique location between the sea and the mountains, stunning views, nature and history. The horseshoe-shaped old harbour of Kyrenia is one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean and is one of the tour’s highlights. After you visit the castle, you can relax at one of the bars or restaurants at the charming Byzantine-Venetian harbour enjoying the Mediterranean flair.

Walking in the footsteps of crusaders, you will discover the unique architecture of the Bellapais Abbey, which is located 220m above sea level in a small village in the mountains. Built by Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre who fled Jerusalem in the 12th century, Bellapais Abbey is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic monastic architecture in the Mediterranean. The abbey offers a spectacular view of the city.

The picturesque Bellapais Village is also very well known for its many kinds of flowers and fruit trees, such as almonds, mulberries, pomegranates, and loquat trees that transform the village into a colourful flower garden in springtime. This small village at the foot of the Five Finger Mountains became famous through the book Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, written by the English writer Lawrence Durrell in the 1950s. After you visit the monastery, you can sit under the Tree of Idleness which became the village’s symbol and enjoy your fresh juice or traditional Cypriot brandy sour.

The City of Nicosia, with its crooked and narrow streets, gothic cathedrals, mosques, courtyard houses and caravanserais, is surrounded by 16th-century walls. This circle-shaped city wall, with its eleven heart-shaped bastions and three gates, became the symbol of Nicosia, the last divided capital city in Europe. Porta del Providotore, known as the Kyrenia Gate, was one of the three entrance gates to the Walled City of Nicosia until the British Period. The Venetians designed the eleven-pointed star-shaped city according to the ideal city of the renaissance.

Located right next to the Kyrenia Gate, the 17th-century monastery Mevlevi Tekkesi was one of the most important religious buildings and places on the island and was house to the Mevlevi Order, the followers of Sufi mystic and İslamic theologian Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi. Mevlevis are also known as whirling dervishes.

Situated not far from the Kyrenia Gate, this small neighbourhood consisted of 72 tiny courtyard houses and was the first Social Housing Project in Cyprus. All houses were built using traditional building materials according to the traditional Nicosia-House plan. This charming neighbourhood, with its long narrow streets full of flowers and sleepy cats today, reflects Nicosia's way of life at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Arabahmet Mosque is situated in the Arabahmet Quarter, one of the historic and prestigious neighbourhoods within the walls. This quarter in the western part of the city of Nicosia used to be the centre of culture and business during the Ottoman and British eras. The residential buildings here reflect the architecture and tradition of those times. Apart from the mosque, this quarter is now famous for its modern coffee houses, bars and restaurants on top of the city walls.

Bandabulia was the first covered market built in 1932 during the British Period. Located right in the city’s old core, on today’s Green Line, Bandabuliya is the local market in the north part of Nicosia where you can find fresh fruits and vegetables and a wide range of goods, such as books, records, traditional sweets and souvenirs.

Selimiye Mosque, built in the 13th century as the Saint Sophia Cathedral, lay in the heart of Nicosia and was once the coronation cathedral of the Lusignan kings. This cathedral, converted into a mosque in the late 16 th century, is considered one of the island’s most beautiful examples of Gothic sacral architecture. The cathedral/mosque is closed for renovation at the moment. We will see it from outside.

The Büyük Han (Great Inn) used to be the biggest caravansarai in Cyprus and is one of the most impressive monuments reflecting 16th-century Ottoman architecture. At the end of the tour, you can visit the artist workshops in Büyük Han and enjoy the traditional food or drinks here.

Minia Cyprus Open-Air Museum, located on the island's panhandle, gives visitors insight into the history and architecture of different eras on the island. At this Open-Air Museum, miniature models of Cyprus's most important historical buildings are shown in a beautiful green setting.

We will stop on the north shore of the Karpaz peninsula at Karpaz Gate Marina for a short photo break. Karpaz Gate Marina offers berthing and leisure facilities for visiting sailors.

Afterwards, we will head northeast to Karpas Peninsula and take a break in Rizokarpazo, the last village on the panhandle. In this small mixed village where two communities live side by side.

One of the highlights of this trip is doubtlessly the beautiful Golden Beach which is the nestling ground for endangered sea turtles. Renowned for its miles of sandy beaches, wild donkeys and Caretta-Caretta, Karpaz Peninsula is an important wildlife sanctuary. We have a photo stop here.

This monastery, situated at the far edge of the panhandle, is known as the Lourdes of Cyprus, and it used to be a place of pilgrimage for all Cypriots. The Monastery has been a landmark of the island for ages.

Located on the east coast of the island, Salamis was one of the ten city-kingdoms in ancient Cyprus. This city-state, founded after the Trojan War in the 12th century BC, was the island's main port and ancient Cyprus's capital for ages. The ruins of Salamis today are one of the most important places to visit in Famagusta. While walking through the Roman baths, the gymnasium, and the theatre, you will travel back to ancient times.

The old city of Famagusta, known as the city of churches, is a vast open-air museum. Here, you will walk along the impressive Venetian City Walls, visit the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where the last queen of Cyprus was crowned, see the dungeon where the Turkish writer Namık Kemal was imprisoned at Venetian Palace and learn more about the Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice.

Varosha Quarter, a military zone since the war in 1974, is called the Ghost City today. This district in Famagusta was once a booming, glamorous quarter, well known for its beautiful sandy beaches, luxury hotels, villas, and expensive shopping streets. The city was a tourist hub until 1974 but afterwards not accessible. Since 2020 one part of the city has been open to the public. You will end this day walking through the streets of the Ghost-City Varosha. In Varosha, you will dive into the recent history of Cyprus.

Soloi was one of the city kingdoms in ancient Cyprus, and the Soli Ruins today are situated in the western Morpou region in the gulf of Morfou, also called the beautiful Wild West. This region is well known for its lush green landscapes and is home to many endemic flowers and historical sites. Soloi was one of the ancient Greek city-states in Cyprus. The 4th-6th century mosaic floor of the Soloi Basilica attracts many visitors. The beautiful swan mosaic has become an icon for this region.

Vouni Palace was built on a cliff top during the Persian period at 267 m above sea level to watch the ancient city of Soloi nearby. The palace dates back to the late 6th century BC and offers spectacular views of the Troodos Mountains and the island’s coastline. From the Temple of Athena on the site’s highest terrace, you will experience a 360-degree view.

Once home to copper mining, the Citta-slow town Lefka today is the green heart of the West. This region is well known for its citrus fruits, vegetables, grapefruits, pomegranates, strawberries, and melons. You will enjoy the tranquillity of the beautiful landscape in this romantic town with its orange gardens, dates, and walnut trees.

18thcentury Saint Mamas Monastery is in the centre of the Morfou District. You will be stunned by the tomb of Saint Mammas, the iconostasis from the Venetian period and the fantastic icons. The special exhibition Golden Leaves of Soli at the Archeological Museum is worth a visit. In your free time, you can enjoy fresh orange juice in the beautiful garden of the monastery.

Our last stop, the Maronite village of Kormakitis, is inhabited by the Christian Maronite community of Cyprus. We visit the impressive Church of Saint George and end our day in the village coffee shop chit-chatting with the locals and drinking our Cypriot coffees.

After Kormakitis, we will continue to the north, pass by the small village of Kayalar and drive back to Nicosia via the beautiful coastal road.

Gecitkoy Dam is a part of the Turkey -North Cyprus Water Pipeline Project. It is an international water diversion project transporting water from Turkey to North Cyprus via a pipeline under the Mediterranean Sea. As such, the project is unique in the world.