North Cyprus remains a hidden gem of the Mediterranean, far less visited and less well known since separation in 1974. With an abundance of archaeological remains from the many civilisations that have inhabited the island over the centuries, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful and historically interesting part of the island.
The abundance of historic remains: Byzantine churches, beautiful monasteries and castles dating back to the 11th century. The mountains offer some superb walking through largely untouched areas teeming with a wide range of flowers and wildlife.
Kyrenia Castle, at the east end of the old harbour in Kyrenia is a 16th-century castle built by the Venetians over a previous Crusader fortification.
The Karpass Peninsula, also known as Karpasia or Karpas is a long, finger-like peninsula that is one of the most prominent geographical features of the island of Cyprus
The Saint Hilarion Castle lies on the Kyrenia mountain range, in Northern Cyprus near Kyrenia. This location provided the castle with command of the pass road from Kyrenia to Nicosia. It is the best preserved ruin of the three former strongholds in the Kyrenia mountains, the others being Kantara and Buffavento.
Start Kyrenia.
Five daywalks and one free day. During the week we discover places such as St Hilarion Castle; Bellapais Village and the beautiful abbey; Kyrenia Castle and the Shipwreck museum; Sourp Magyar; the Herbarium at Alevkaya; and the Karpaz Peninsula.