Cheap eats, unspoilt beaches and bags of culture… Why you should holiday in North Cyprus
Head north on this Mediterranean island before everyone else does
CHEAP eats, unspoilt beaches and bags of culture...
Head north on this Mediterranean island before everyone else does, says Entertainment Writer Laura Bond.
Turkish lemonade
Inside its medieval walls, capital city Nicosia (Lefkosa in Turkish) is all winding streets and markets. Visit Selimiye Mosque, but do dress appropriately (women should cover their hair with a scarf).
Rummage at Bandabulya market and hit the Great Inn (Büyük Han), home to the Cyprus Handicrafts And Cultural Center, which boasts sculptures, silks and jewellery.
And visit Hoi Polloi cafe for the best Turkish lemonade, £2.
Fairy-tale castles
Like much of North Cyprus, Kyrenia harbour and the narrow streets behind it haven’t been touched for centuries.
Clamber up to the turrets of Kyrenia Castle and explore its dungeons and a 2,300-year-old shipwreck.
Or discover the mountain-top castles looming over the town.
Dating back to the 10th century, St Hilarion Castle is said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs.
The climb to the top is all steep pathways and steps, but it’s worth it when you reach the peak – at 732m, FYI.
Buffavento Castle is higher still at 940m, with truly incredible views.
All three castles charge around £2 entry per person.
Turtle Beach
An empty beach on the Med is a rare find, but Alagadi AKA Turtle Beach is a beautiful, quiet, sandy stretch surrounded by rugged mountains.
It’s where loggerhead and green turtles lay their eggs every year from June, which you can for a suggested donation of £10.
All the shores on the Karpaz Peninsular are just as deserted, including Golden Beach with its crystal-clear waters and endless dunes.
If you like your sand with amenities nearby, try .
North Cyprus’ beaches are all public, but this one is accessed through the resort grounds.
Posh kebabs
The north of the island is part of Turkey, so a proper kebab is a must.
You’ll struggle to beat in Kyrenia, where a Full Kebab costs £12.50.
It’s a bit like a tasting menu, so expect to feast like a king as more and more meze and freshly grilled meat is brought out.
Sabor in Nicosia, overlooking Selimiye Mosque, serves tasty grub including fillet steak for £11, while for fresh seafood head to Cafe Chimera in
Kyrenia harbour – a whole grilled sea bass plus sides costs just £8.
Donkey escapes
Filled with butterflies and gorge flowers, Karpaz National Park is also home to wild donkeys, so take some carrots to feed them.
Later, head out from Kyrenia harbour on a three-hour boat trip, £160 for up to eight people, with knowledgeable captain Ozgur Gokasan.
Sip a cold beer as the sun goes down or you can even .
Mountain retreats
True to its name, is a pretty boutique hotel tucked away under the hills of St Hilarion, with super-friendly staff and one very gorgeous pool.
Have breakfast on the terrace (choose English, continental or Turkish), while taking in the view of Kyrenia below and the sea stretching out to mainland Turkey.
Idle time
A few miles from Kyrenia is the village of Bellapais (which translates as “peace”), home of the Tree of Idleness. Legend has it, sitting under this
Robinia tree – which featured in author Lawrence Durrell’s 1957 memoir Bitter Lemons – will make you so relaxed, you won’t want to move.
Visit Bellapais Abbey, entry £2.25 – it’s beautiful and you can almost drive to the door.
Then lunch at , where cold meze for two is £7, as you look over the Med far below.