Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - go and not be afraid! Another Cyprus: holiday on the “Turkish” side.
Discover the resorts of Northern Cyprus and you will understand that paradise is not only in dreams. Amazing nature the most beautiful island ready for the meeting!
This state is known throughout the world for its luxurious, clean beaches and crystal-clear sea surface. On the shore, ideal conditions have been created for vacationers. The infrastructure is at an excellent level.
On the Mediterranean island everyone will find a place to their liking. Even turtles swim to its hospitable shores to lay eggs.
The beaches of Northern Cyprus are varied: there are pebbles, and there are sand, there are those that are located within the city limits, and there are those lost in the dunes. You can get to any of them by local minibuses (“dolmushi”) for a symbolic 2-4 Turkish lira. If you rented a car, don’t get lost either. All access to the sea is concentrated along the main road. This is what Turkish Cyprus is like. Resorts are at almost every turn. Follow the signs and get to the point you need.
To prevent tourists from suddenly getting bored, there are taverns and cafes with ice cream and soft drinks near the sea, and there are water equipment rental stations. After swimming, you can rinse off in the shower with fresh water. Entrance to the paid area ranges from 5 to 20 Turkish lira.
Well now, let's take a closer look at the main resorts in the northern part of Cyprus.
Let's start from the west of the state.
Western part of Northern Cyprus
Kervansaray Beach
It is located a five-minute drive from Kyrenia (the foot of Mount Beshparmak) and is popular with both locals and vacationers. You can get there by car by driving along the main road through the Karaolanolu district, look carefully: there will be a turn sign on the right.
If you decide to soak up the clean sand for free, this is the place for you. Next to the rest area there is a cozy restaurant with a bar.
Escape or Five Mile Beach
The name is telling. This is exactly the distance you will have to overcome to get to this place from Kyrenia. “Escape” is loved by young people. Unforgettable parties are held here, where popular European DJs play.
Fans won't get bored either active rest. At your service - water skis, catamarans, canoes. There is a diving school.
However, “Five Miles” is a place where romantics will find refuge. A green area planted with palm trees and various flowers, a restaurant overlooking the sea, a stone island connected to land by a sandbank... Beauty!
Denise Kesey Beach or Golden Bay
It belongs to the hotel of the same name and is therefore considered private. In summer it is almost always full. Visitors can enjoy a fresh water swimming pool, windsurfing, rafting and water skiing.
Mosquito Beach or Green Coast
Refers to a complex of villas for rent. On the shore you will find a restaurant and comfortable showers. A huge parking lot is available to visitors.
Alsancak Municipal Beach
Previously, it was indicated on the map as the location of Turkish military bases. However, now the place is open to everyone completely free of charge. There is a good restaurant on the shore.
Mare Monte Beach
It is located 9 kilometers from Kyrenia, being a long stretch of sand. Belongs to the hotel of the same name. On the shore you will find showers, sun loungers and a working bar. Mare Monte is loved by locals, so on weekends, for example, you need to come here very early to find a free place.
Not very suitable for the elderly and children as there are stairs leading to the swimming area.
L A Beach
Belongs to the hotel of the same name in the city of Lapta. The clean and well-groomed area has everything necessary for swimming and relaxation.
Camelot Beach
Located west of Kyrenia. The small sandy area is perfect for relaxing with children. Quite shallow even far from the shore. You can let kids into the water without fear. A bar, restaurant, and toilets await you on the shore.
Güzelyali Beach
A place where there is both sand and pebbles, located in the city of Lapta. In order to get there from Kyrenia, for example, you need to travel 10 kilometers.
We continue the comparison and description of resorts in the east of the state. There are a lot of undeveloped sandy beaches, where you can relax as a savage (most are concentrated in the area of the Karpas Peninsula), but we will tell you only about those where vacationers are offered certain amenities.
Eastern part of Northern Cyprus
Municipal beach of Catalkoy
Located 7 kilometers from Kyrenia. It is considered a fairly secluded place and is suitable for lovers of romance. For those who like to dive there is a pontoon. There is a riding school nearby. An excellent alternative to renting a car is to travel around the island on horseback (with or without an instructor).
Lara Beach
Locals call it Vakiflar. Located 3 kilometers east of Vursi, a town loved by tourists from the UK. The sand on the shore is darkish, but clean.
Diana Beach
It is located just 2 kilometers east of Kyrenia. The place is called Karakum. At the entrance to the water there is sand, which quite soon gives way to pebbles.
Acapulco Beach
When talking about the best resorts, one cannot fail to mention it. The longest in the state. It occupies about a kilometer of the Mediterranean coast. Perfect sand and convenient location (20 minutes by car from Kyrenia). On the territory there are several cafes, two restaurants (a la carte and buffet), and a water park. Water sports enthusiasts will be offered water skiing, catamarans, and diving.
Vogue Beach Club
A place where young people like to relax. Disco club, cafe, restaurant, free ice cream in exchange for an entrance ticket. The famous sprawling Acapulco is a five-minute drive away.
Alagadi Beach
Turtle place. That's right, sea turtles come to this public beach from June to October. During these periods, reptiles lay eggs. Anyone can look at this. There are always a lot of people willing.
The place is located 20 kilometers from Kyrenia and is well suited for families with children, as it is considered shallow.
Karaach Beach
Reading reviews about the resorts of Northern Cyprus, you will probably come across a mention of Karaach. This is a historical place. The village once served as a pier for ships. Ships came here from different corners Sveta. It’s impossible to describe the views from here. Indescribable beauty. For this it is worth going down the mountain and walking along the rocky path to the sea. You won't be disappointed.
The next stop is in the Famagusta area. This port is located in the southeast. And it also has other names - Ammo?hostos, Magus and Gazimagus. Famagusta stands on the shores of the Mediterranean bay of the same name.
Where will we swim?
Beaches of the Famagusta region
Glapsides Municipal Beach
Many vacationers recognize it as one of the best resort towns in the state. Located near the city of Salamis. The clean and calm sea is ideal for families with children. Ideal for young people too. During the summer, beach parties are held here almost every night, where the best DJs play.
Many locals set up campsites on the shore and spend weekends here.
Silver Beach
Another place near Salamis. If you have a map with resorts on your hands, make a note. Now you will understand why. After a swim in the clear Mediterranean waters, don't miss the chance to touch history. Salamis (or Salamis) has many ruins with a thousand-year history. The town was built after the famous Trojan War and keeps many secrets.
Bafra Beach
Gaining popularity in recent years. good road and large hotels contribute to this. A clean sandy place by the sea is located just north of Famagusta. Your point of reference will be the small village of Cayirova.
The lack of entertainment facilities and pristine beauty make this place a pilgrimage for lovers of a relaxing holiday.
Bediz Beach
Another quiet place. There are always few people. You can get here from Famagusta in a couple of minutes by car. There are many wonderful trails for a relaxing stroll or a family picnic.
Nagomi Beach
One of the contenders for the title of beautiful beach in the country. Located on the Karpas Peninsula. Snow-white sand dunes visually divide the territory into two equal parts. The shape of this place by the sea can be compared to a crescent.
Long Beach
Another place that is often included in the “best resorts in the Turkish part of Cyprus” category. It amazes with its impressive area and amazing views. Sea turtles swim here, as in Alagadi. Many tourists come here to admire the charming reptiles.
Nearby hotels in the form of bungalows provide an opportunity to get even more pleasure from the local beauty.
A large island in the Mediterranean Sea - Cyprus - has a long and dramatic history. Today it is a real Mecca for vacationers. The resorts of Northern Cyprus, the description of which we present, differ significantly from the southern shores. There is a different government, customs, recreational features - the region is worthy of talking about it in detail, and even more worthy of visiting.
Geography
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Geographically, it belongs to Asia, although for many people it is an integral part of the history of Europe. It is separated from the nearest shores by 75 km from Turkey, 100 km from Syria and 350 km from Egypt. The area of the island is 9250 square meters. km. Cyprus is of volcanic origin and most of it is occupied by mountain ranges. Today the island is divided between three states: more than half belongs to the Republic of Cyprus, just under 4% of the territory is controlled by the UN (a buffer zone between states is located here), and just under 3% is given to Great Britain (its military bases are located here). The remaining 36% of the island is controlled by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a partially recognized state in the world. It is the latter who owns the resorts of Northern Cyprus.
Climate
The Northern Republic, which is located in the Mediterranean climate zone, can offer tourists almost ideal conditions for recreation. There are long hot summers and short mild winters. The beach season begins on the island at the end of March and ends in mid-November. The island position of the Republic creates excellent living conditions: the sea softens the heat in summer and does not allow temperatures to drop significantly in winter. The average annual temperature is 23 degrees Celsius. In summer, the thermometer usually stays around 30 degrees during the day; in winter it drops to 16 degrees Celsius. Unlike sushi, you feel much more comfortable here weather dependent people and patients with hypertension. The main precipitation falls between November and February, and summers are usually very dry. On average, there are 310-330 sunny days a year in Northern Cyprus.
Story
The first settlers in Cyprus appeared in the Neolithic era. But the cold snap led to the population leaving this territory for for a long time. Today, archaeologists find in Cyprus numerous remains of the Philia culture, which existed here in the 2nd millennium BC and was founded by settlers from Anatolia. From that time on, the island was never empty. A unique culture is formed here, which absorbs Achaean and Cretan traditions.
Later, the Phoenicians came to Cyprus and founded 10 independent city-states. During the time of Alexander the Great, the island became part of the Hellenic state, and later became a Roman province. After the fall of Rome, Cyprus came under Byzantine rule. During this period, the Cyprus Empire developed here. Orthodox Church. In the 12th century, the island was captured by the troops of Richard the Lionheart. Cyprus later comes under the influence of the King of Jerusalem. At the end of the 15th century, the island became part of this territory. This territory was very advantageous from a strategic point of view, so Cyprus was repeatedly attacked by the troops of the Ottoman Empire.
In 1571, the power of the Sultan was finally established here. A large Turkish population comes to the island, new rules are established. At the same time, the Greek and Turkish residents got along well with each other. In the first half of the 19th century, active uprisings began in Greece against the rule of the Ottoman Empire, and this trend also came to Cyprus. But Cyprus cannot achieve independence. In 1869, the dominance of the British Empire was established here.
After the Second World War, in which the Cypriots sided with Britain, there has been a growing movement for independence and a return to historical roots. The struggle continued for several decades. In 1960, Cyprus was recognized as an independent territory and divided into two parts along ethnic lines. But the tension between these two areas did not decrease, and it led to armed conflicts. In 1974, Greek troops began to build up their military presence on the island, to which Turkey responded by landing its troops in the north of the island. In 1983, these lands declared independence.
This is how the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with a predominantly Turkish population appeared. However, neither the UN nor global community We weren't in a hurry. Turkish territory is formally considered part of Cyprus, but in fact it is ruled by Ankara. The resorts of Northern Cyprus were given over to the Turkish diaspora, but today there is a rapprochement between parts of the island. The wall separating ethnic areas was destroyed. Free movement is established between them. Such a long and rich history is preserved on the territory of Cyprus in the form of various interesting attractions.
Administrative division
The Republic of Turkey establishes in its part of the island own management. Five are highlighted here administrative districts. The list is as follows: Levkosha, Gazimagusa, Girne, Guzelyurt, Iskele. The main resorts of Northern Cyprus are the centers of the main provinces of the Turkish part of the island. Each of them has Turkish and since the Republic of Cyprus continues to consider these lands as its own. Therefore, sometimes there may be confusion in the names of cities. Pairs of names look like this: Lefkosa - Nicosia, Magosa - Famagusta (Amochostos), Girne - Kyrenia, Guzelyurt - Morphou, Iskele - Trikomo.
Features of the holiday
Picturesque nature, a large number of attractions, low prices for accommodation and food - all this is provided by the resorts of Northern Cyprus. Comparison and description of the south and north speak of clear advantage Turkish part of the island. The nature here is much more diverse and beautiful than in the south. In addition, it is preserved in a more original form. Due to the fact that industrialization has not taken over this part of the island, here you can admire landscapes that are not disfigured by human presence. There are far fewer tourists in this region, so the beaches are cleaner and prices are lower.
The locals are very friendly and good-natured people. These are not Turks, a mixture of Greek and Turkish blood flows in their veins, Cypriots even have facial features different from the inhabitants of the Turkish shores.
Beaches are the main attraction for tourists; in the north there are free and private paid areas. Most of The beaches are sandy, although there are also pebbly ones. The cleanliness of these places is evidenced by the fact that in some areas they still continue to lay eggs. Almost all beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag for their exceptional cleanliness. Prices in the region are quite low; payments here are made in euros, although you can also pay in euros. Northern Cyprus famous for its natural products, here you can taste the freshest fruits and vegetables, as well as freshly caught fish and marine life.
Capital of the region
In the ancient city of Nicosia, Southern and Northern Cyprus united. Resorts, hotels, attractions lie on both sides of the Green Line - the border between the two states. To date, Nicosia remains the last city divided between the two countries. The Greek part is famous for its historical monuments and museums, the eastern one is beautiful with its color: noisy bazaars, mosques, cozy gardens. The Turkish side is more colorful and lively; tourists can move from one part to another through a checkpoint. Many ancient monuments have been preserved in Nicosia, among them you must see the bastions and walls of the Venetian fortress, the authentic quarter of the Old Town of Laiki Getonia, the ancient Kyrenia Gate, and the Archbishop's Palace. The city is very cozy, and you can just walk around it, enjoying the atmosphere.
Famagusta
An ancient city founded by the king of Egypt almost 5 thousand years ago, which saw Richard the Lionheart, Venetian merchants and Ottoman troops, Famagusta is a real pearl of the Republic of Northern Cyprus. Resorts, reviews of which are replete with epithets, pale in comparison to this ancient settlement. Here are combined magnificent historical monuments, colorful life of the eastern city and excellent beach holiday. Tourists will be interested to see Old city with its many ancient buildings, the Othello Tower, St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque in one building.
Salamis
The small ancient city, located near Famagusta, is attractive for its history. Here you can see the remains of the city of Enkomi (11th century BC) with baths, the Gymnasius building, and a public swimming pool. The city is famous for its magnificent sea views. You can go here for 1 day from Famagusta to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of antiquity.
Kyrenia
If we compare the resorts of Northern Cyprus, Kyrenia wins in many respects. There are magnificent beaches for every taste: from luxurious, well-equipped areas with cafes, playgrounds, entertainment, to clean and secluded areas for a romantic pastime. In addition, the city is very rich in attractions, among the most important: Kyrenia harbor with its majestic fortress, the temple of the Archangel Michael, the castle of St. Hilarion.
Morfu
The northern part of Cyprus, whose resorts can compete in the historical heritage and beauty of the landscapes not only with the south, but also with Greece, is rightfully proud of the cozy town of Morphou. It is located in a charming bay Mediterranean Sea and in Turkish it is called “Beautiful Garden”. Indeed, there are a huge number of flowers, fruit trees, and orange orchards. The beaches of Morphou are very clean and cozy, and the local population welcomes guests with great hospitality. The city is an excellent place for a romantic getaway and spending time with children. Among the attractions here it is worth seeing the excavations of the city of Soli from ancient times, the monastery of St. Mamas, and the ruins of the ancient palace of Vouni.
Policy
The ancient town of Polis in the north-west of the island is so cozy and authentic that you completely forget about time and modern megacities. Northern Cyprus, resorts whose photos can easily be confused with views of Greece, are famous for their preservation of the ancient atmosphere. And this despite the fact that all the benefits of civilization are available here. In Polis you should definitely see a natural monument - the baths of Aphrodite, look into national park Akamas, visit the Archaeological Museum.
Practical information
You can get to Northern Cyprus, whose resorts are becoming increasingly popular among tourists, in two ways: through the Greek, southern part(planes fly to Larnaca from many cities in Russia and the world), and from Turkey by plane or catamaran. To travel from south to north you only need a passport, and back - a Schengen visa. The territory of Northern Cyprus has a good network highways and excellent bus service between cities, so exploring the entire island is not difficult. Cyprus is famous for its safety, there is an extremely low crime rate, and the water flowing from the tap is drinkable.
A major accident occurred on the Antalya-Kemer highway: it overturned tourist bus, in which there were 11 Russians, of whom four adults and one child were hospitalized. In addition, the Coxsackie virus continues to rage in the Turkish region; yesterday it became known that five children from Samara were infected. Despite this, travel agencies they are in no hurry to return money to clients who, fearing for their safety and health, want to refuse trips to Turkey. 400 Russians have already complained to Rospotrebnadzor about this.
In Turkey in recent years, it’s true that they can only distract vacationers, and will only appeal to fans of unhealthy extreme sports. However, due to habit or economy Russian tourists continue to come to the Turkish coast and only after their vacation complain about low quality service or unsafe stay. The MIR 24 correspondent found an equivalent especially for those who love Turkey, European quality, light extreme sports and adventure without fear for their lives - the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
ALL ALSO ALMOST WITHOUT VISA
Today, Cyprus formally consists of two parts - Greek and Turkish, complemented by two English villages with military bases. The Republic of Cyprus was created in 1960, when the Greek and Turkish communities received the same rights. However, in 1974 there was a coup d'etat and the subsequent Turkish military invasion, which led to the division of the island into two parts. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not recognized and despite the fact that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots do not like each other, they live peacefully and do not start conflicts. That is, there is no point in tourists worrying about unrest.
To get to Northern Cyprus, as well as to Southern Cyprus, you do not need a Schengen visa. More precisely, if it exists, it can be used. And if not, a national pro-visa is enough, which can be issued online in a few hours. All you need to do is fill out the form, send it by email to the visa center and wait for it to be sent. electronic version. After that, print it out and show it at the border.
Since the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not a recognized state, then local airport deprived of international status, so it is best to fly through Larnaca. Once in Larnaca, you need to take a taxi, or you can take a bus (which costs only 6-9 euros) and get to the capital of Cyprus - Nicosia, where there is border control that separates the Turkish and Greek parts.
The most interesting thing for me began here. If you, like me, are staying on the territory of Greek Cyprus and decide to visit the Turkish half while traveling around the island, then when going here, do not forget to take a foreign passport. I didn’t know that passports were checked here, so I had to return to Nicosia twice. Meanwhile, when leaving Greek territory, the local officer did not notice that I had crossed the border, so I learned about the passport check directly at the Turkish checkpoint. The Turkish border guard sent me back with the words to take my passport and come back tomorrow.
On the way back, a Greek officer appeared, who was surprised that he did not notice me crossing the border without a passport and did not want to let me back. Thus, I found myself in a Dead Zone, from which I had to somehow get out.
UN GREEN LINE
The policeman asks questions: where am I from, why did I come, where am I staying, whether I definitely did not cross the Turkish border and, as a result, allows me to go back to the Greek side without a passport. However, thanks to this incident, I got the opportunity to look at part of the Green Line that separates the two parts of the island. Only later did I find out that the checkpoint I had chosen was usually not visited by tourists, but mainly by local residents. It is not located on the main street, but a five-minute drive from the intercity bus stop, so it is hardly possible to find it on your own for the first time. But if you ask a taxi driver to take you to the checkpoint, he would rather earn five euros and take you straight here than explain how to walk to the main street.
The Green Line or Attila Line was established by the UN in 1974 after the Turkish invasion, called Operation Attila. It stretches for 180 km and represents abandoned, destroyed missions left over from the time of the Turkish invasion. It is prohibited here to change anything, erect new buildings, organize excursions for tourists, or even take photographs. But just between the checkpoints there is an opportunity to see several buildings from the inside.
Foreign investors today want to turn one of these buildings into a leisure center. Furniture and interior items remained in the two-story house: a bed, tables, a fireplace, and candlesticks. You walk from room to room and feel the history. A bed blocks the door of one of the rooms; it seems that the inhabitants of the house once tried to barricade themselves from the Turks. Even the bathroom and toilet have been preserved.
There are a couple more buildings here, but they have no roof, so the interior items have hardly been preserved because of this. This is a truly unique place that cannot be visited on any excursion.
FAMAGUSTA
Let us immediately note that only tourists call the city this way. The Greeks call him Ammochostas, and the Turks call him Magosa or Gazimagusa.
In the 70s, before the Turkish invasion, Famagusta was the most tourist city in Cyprus. To get there you can take a bus on the Turkish part of Nicosia for 2.5 euros (10 liras). You can use a taxi, but it will be more expensive and you will miss all the national flavor. And there is a lot to see here, for example, a huge white mosque and small Turkish settlements, beautiful nature - in general, the romance of the high road.
The main attraction of Famagusta is the Old Town. It is surrounded by light stone wall 3.5 km long, and today it is equipped as a tourist attraction. Shops, cafes and restaurants are open.
The main attraction of the Old City is the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, which was previously the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. The church has been preserved since 1300. Today the mosque can be visited by tourists: there is both a main zone - men's and women's. You must remove your shoes before visiting. If you are wearing a short dress or shorts, you can wear a long skirt inside.
Two hundred meters from the mosque is the Church of Peter and Paul, which was built in 1358. At first it was a mosque, then the British turned it into a warehouse, and today it is a public library.
If you walk along the street with shops, you will come across another attraction - the Sea Gate. There is a staircase here that you can climb to the very top and look at the city from above.
By the way, a fragment of Shakespeare’s play “Othello” is associated with Famagusta. According to legend, this is the place where the governor of Cyprus, Cristoforo Moro, suspected his wife of treason, killed her and threw her from the fortress.
But the most interesting point of Famagusta is the Varosha district.
VAROSH
Because of Varosha, Famagusta was called a ghost town. Varosha was once the most popular place among tourists: many expensive hotels, a bar street, restaurants. Among the stars who vacationed here: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Raquel Welch and Brigitte Bardot. When the Turkish army invaded Cyprus, people fled from Voroshi, leaving all their belongings behind, so not only interior items were left inside, but also jewelry, letters and other personal items. Today it is also a buffer zone, surrounded by barbed wire, entry into which is strictly prohibited, as is photography.
To take a few photos, in the backyard of one of the houses I take a chair, with which I walk along the barbed wire. After 20 minutes, a motorcycle comes after me, it turns out that this is the owner of the house, from whom I took this very chair: “When you finish your work, please return the chair back. And be careful, if the military guards see you taking pictures, they will take the camera away,” he warns.
The buildings in Varosha are being destroyed more and more with each city, which is accompanied by natural phenomena: scorching sun, rain, lack of people and restoration. Even plants suffer, for example, ficus trees become moldy. If you look at Varosha for a long time, it seems that one of the residents is about to come out from around the corner, feed the cat, complain about the heat and return to their house, but this does not happen.
Dozens of buildings will most likely never find their owners again. You can take a look at Varosha on your own, despite the prohibitions. Firstly, the panorama of the city opens from the active beach. This is a very unusual contrast: here people are swimming in the sea, drinking cocktails, having fun, and a few hundred meters away there is a dead city. After looking at the panorama, walk along the fence. There are a lot of holes and cracks in it through which you can look at Varosha.
PRICES ARE LOWER THAN IN EUROPE
Since this is Turkish territory, the official currency is not the euro, as on the Greek part of the island, but the Turkish lira. One Turkish lira costs 16.80 rubles. Accordingly, thanks to this, prices here are several times lower than in the Greek part of Cyprus and no higher than in Turkey itself.
Therefore, if you want to buy some things, leather or fur, then it’s better to go here. It is worth noting that bank cards They are not accepted everywhere, and the Turks here hardly speak English, so it’s better to worry about cash in advance. But you don’t have to worry about the exchange. Rubles, euros and dollars can be easily exchanged at local banks.
Ekaterina Degtereva
Northern Cyprus or Turkish Cyprus- a young country with ancient historical roots located in the northeastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Proximity to Asia Minor and North Africa, the island is located 105 km from the Syrian, 108 km from the Lebanese, 380 km from the Egyptian and only 65 km from the Turkish coast - determines its geographical affiliation with Western Asia and the Middle East. Some call Northern Cyprus a “hidden paradise” - one of the last untouched corners of the Mediterranean, it is less known and explored. This part of the island is famous for its pristine natural beauty against the backdrop of a unique historical heritage, pristine beaches and mountains of amazing beauty. Unique eco-villages carefully preserve the traditions of Cypriots.
The purest golden beaches and lagoons, stunningly beautiful nature and unique Mediterranean culture, long summers, crystal clear air will make your vacation unforgettable.
A distinctive feature of Northern Cyprus is increased level safety, friendliness and hospitality of the local population.
Northern Cyprus is a country with visa-free entry - the visa stamp is placed on a separate form directly at the airport. And you can fly here in transit through Turkey.
Territory - 3355 sq. km., coastline length 648 km.
The highest point of Mount Olympus is 1952 m.
The island is dominated by two mountain ranges and one central plain.
Capital
Lefkosa (old French name also used - Nicosia)
Large cities: Gazi Magusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt and Lefke.
Population
Northern Cyprus, according to 2008 data, amounted to 260 thousand people, this is only the local population, and with emigrants from other countries who also live in Northern Cyprus, the number exceeded 450 thousand people.
The indigenous population is Turkish Cypriots.
Religion
Most Turkish Cypriots are Muslim. And, although very few people regularly attend a mosque or wear religious clothing, holidays of a religious nature are always welcomed and celebrated with pleasure. Christian worship is permitted, which is why more and more Europeans are coming to Northern Cyprus for wedding ceremonies. To carry out this important event many choose the beautiful old church of St. Andrews, which is located next to the Kyrenia harbor, which has remained there since colonial times.
Language
The official language of the northern part of the island is Turkish, but English language widely spoken as a second language. On road signs The inscriptions are always written in two languages, which makes it easy to navigate along the route.
Transport connections from Turkey
By plane: There are direct flights to Ercan Airport from Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana and Antalya. They are performed regularly Turkish airlines AtlasJet, Turkish Airlines, Onur Air, Pegasus and Sky Airlines. Travel time is about one hour. All flights to and from Northern Cyprus must land at a Turkish airport.
By sea: Catamarans and ferries depart from Alanya and Tasucu. The final destination is the port of Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus. The crossing will take about four hours.
Visa regime
Northern Cyprus visa is free. No prior visa is required. Tourists receive a visa upon entering the country at passport control. You just need to show your return ticket and fill out a separate insert form (indicate your first name, last name and other necessary data). It should be remembered that the Northern Cyprus stamp affixed to the passport may create problems for obtaining a visa and entry into Greece and Southern Cyprus.
Customs regulations
The following items are allowed for unhindered transport to Northern Cyprus: photo and video cameras, personal jewelry, and sports equipment. The maximum allowed amount for import and export is 10 thousand US dollars or its equivalent in another currency. To avoid misunderstandings, you should know that according to the laws of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the export of archaeological finds is strictly prohibited. This applies to both whole things and fragments, of which there are countless quantities in the ruins of Salamis and Karpasia.
The import of animals (dogs and cats) into the country is not prohibited, but they must undergo a three-month quarantine in special veterinary hospitals. So it is better to refrain from traveling with your pets.
You can import 400 cigarettes or 0.5 kg of tobacco, 1 liter of any alcoholic beverages without paying a duty.
Time
It lags behind Moscow by 1 hour.
Transport
Transport in Northern Cyprus plays an important role. Typically, routes public transport in Northern Cyprus they run along the main highways, and then you need to get to your destination on foot. Public transport operating hours are from 07.00 to 17.00. But the most convenient way is to use a taxi or rent a car. It is worth considering that to rent a car minimum age— 25 years old, driving experience — from 3 years, Russian driver’s license can be used. Car rental in Northern Cyprus is available at any time and for any period of time, just show your driver's license Russian model. If you rent a car, take into account that in Northern Cyprus it is customary to drive the car to the client “on a light bulb”, so that there is only enough gasoline to get to the nearest gas station. The rental price depends on the time of year (higher in summer from $25 per day, lower in winter from $19 per day) and the model of the rented car.
Taxis are exclusively Mercedes brands with a “Taxi” badge on the roof; they can only be found in parking lots, since they do not drive around the streets in search of clients. There are a lot of taxi ranks, but the main ones are:
- in the city of Kyrenia - near all hotels, in the central square of the city and in the old harbor,
- in the city of Nicosia (Lefkosa) - parking at the gates of the old city and at the bus station,
- in the city of Famagusta (Gazi Magusa) near the Venetian palace and at the bus station,
- in the city of Guzelyurt - at the bus station.
You can call a taxi in any hotel, store or restaurant in any city in Northern Cyprus. All local residents of Turkish Cyprus are particularly friendly and are always ready to help anyone who turns to them.
Driving on the island of Cyprus is on the left.
Road signs and rules are international. The speed in cities does not exceed 60 km/h, on the highway - 100 km/h. The traffic police are numerous and vigilant. Speed measuring radars are placed in cities and on highways; in case of violation, a fine for speeding will be charged to tourists when leaving the country. You should be especially vigilant on the mountain roads of Northern Cyprus and when driving at dusk.
Entry and even stopping in military camp areas is prohibited. You can recognize them by signs placed near the territory of military units, indicated by a red rectangular sign with the figure of a machine gunner.
Climate
This island gives its visitors an average of 340 sunny days a year. It can be argued that there are only two seasons in Northern Cyprus - spring, which lasts from late December to May, and summer, which lasts until November.
Northern Cyprus has a favorable Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, which usually last no more than 2 months. And it’s difficult to call it winter - during the day in January and February the temperature is + 14-16, and at night it rarely drops below +6-8 degrees Celsius. In winter there is an average of about 6 hours of sunshine per day, and the rain is short-lived. The plains and mountains are covered with fresh greenery, and numerous flowers bloom.
At the end of April - beginning of May, when the temperature rises to +25°C and then gradually begins to rise to the level of the hottest month of the year - August, with average temperature from +28°C to +36°C (but low humidity and high atmospheric pressure make this heat not only easily bearable, but even pleasant!). At night, the temperature can drop to a comfortable +21-23 C degrees, at which it is very comfortable to sleep.
The weather in Northern Cyprus is amazing because even in October the daytime temperature can reach +26 degrees, so during the autumn holidays at school you will still have time to get a dose of sunshine and warmth with the whole family. It is not until mid-November that temperatures in Northern Cyprus will begin to drop to their lowest levels, before starting to rise again in mid-March.
Considering that the sea helps equalize annual temperatures - in summer the coast is a little cooler, and in winter - a little warmer than on the plain, this feature makes the climate of the coast of Northern Cyprus mild and healing for people suffering from high blood pressure and pulmonary diseases. Such a comfortable climate makes Northern Cyprus an ideal place for year-round holidays.
Kitchen
Local culture always manifests itself in traditional cuisine, and Northern Cyprus is no exception. Restaurants and numerous cafes, popular among locals and tourists, always offer a combination of a variety of Mediterranean dishes, as well as dishes with shades of Turkish cuisine and the Middle East - meze, kebabs, dolma, fish and seafood, stuffed vegetables, cheese dishes. Along with this, European cuisine, which is familiar to all of us, is quite widespread.
First of all, the traditional Turkish Cypriot cuisine makes extensive use of olive oil, sheep's milk cheese and fresh fish, lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. Special place Dessert will be on the table - melon, baklava, as well as fresh fruits such as sweet melon, oranges, figs.
Beverages
The water in Northern Cyprus is of good quality and can be drunk from the tap. The most popular drink is lemonade made from freshly squeezed lemons and Orange juice; alcoholic drinks— crayfish and Turkish beer Effes.
Purchases
Shops in Northern Cyprus are open from 8.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 20.00. Markets are only open until lunchtime. As a rule, discussing prices and haggling is not accepted.
Voltage
Sockets - English, three-pin - 220 V. Adapters are available from local stores or are available from hotels upon request.
Currency
The currency used in Northern Cyprus is the Turkish Lira (YTL), the exchange rate of which against the dollar is 1.5 liras per 1 dollar. However, all shops and restaurants accept dollars, euros, British and Cypriot pounds sterling as payment. In this case, the exchange rate is looked at in the latest issues of newspapers.
Banks
Except for national holidays:
Summer: Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 12.00.
In winter: Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00.
Phones
Northern Cyprus dialing code +90 392
Main city codes:
Nicosia/Lefkosa: 22
Kyrenia/Girne: 81
Famagusta/Gazimagusa: 36
Guzelyurt: 71
From Cyprus you can easily call 206 countries globe. Phone cards can be purchased at any post office, kiosks, and souvenir shops.
Emergency call:
Ambulance: 112
Police: 155
Fire department: 199
Forest Fire Alert: 177
mobile connection
In Northern Cyprus there are two telecom operators KKTCell (TurkCell) and KKTC Telsim supporting GSM standards.
- A SIM card from a local telecom operator costs 15 Turkish lira.
- 100 units will be automatically credited to your account.
- 100 units cost 6.00 Turkish lira, approximately 120 rubles.
- A SIM card can be purchased at any supermarket, and you can also top up your account.
- All incoming calls, including those from Russia, are free.
- The cost of an outgoing call to a local mobile number will be 6 units/min.
Minute telephone conversation when calling to a Russian mobile it will cost 33-40 units/min.
Attention! A call to Russia from a mobile to a landline costs much less than calls from a mobile to a mobile phone. Calls to Russia from mobile to landline phone KKTCell operators cost only 11 units/minute.
While in Northern Cyprus, you are automatically connected to the KKTCell operator. You can change it to another operator using the “Available Networks” section of your phone’s menu.
The trip to Cyprus had not yet begun, and Luciano and I were already tormented by the question: is it worth visiting the turkish side and could it cause problems?
There are many interesting sights in Northern Cyprus (the ancient city of Salamis, Othello Castle, the Kyrenia Fortress, Cape Andreas - the very edge of the Cypriot “tail”...), so I wanted to go, but without unnecessary risks and subsequent difficulties with documents.
At the end of the 20th century, the main population of the island were Greeks and a slightly less dominant population were Turks. For many years, Greek Cypriots lived under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, dreaming of getting rid of it and joining Greece. The Turks were replaced by the British, and when they realized that the patience of the Cypriots was running out, they left, but with the condition that the rights of the national minority were respected, i.e. that Cyprus will remain a sovereign state.
| Greek Cyprus (southern) and Turkish Cyprus (northern) |
What do locals say about traveling to Northern Cyprus?
In Larnaca, we asked a consultant at the local tourist center about trips to Northern Cyprus. He replied that it is not worth traveling to the Turkish part of Cyprus, this will cause difficulties not only with entering Cyprus in the future, but also with leaving. Allegedly, a stamp indicating a visit to Northern Cyprus is placed in the passport, after which you can only leave through northern airport, and this is illegal. I thought it was a joke, because there are reviews on the Internet about trips to Turkish Cyprus, but no. Museum curators and just random interlocutors said the same thing - if you go to Northern Cyprus, you will never be able to visit the southern one again.Then the following happened. On the bus to Ayia Napa, Luciano asked the driver what his final stop was, he replied: “Famagusta, Turkish side. You can come with me if necessary.” We were going to Cavo Greco, so we refused, and the likelihood of receiving unwanted stamps in our passport was scary. However, strong doubts crept in that the tourist center told us the truth.
What is it really like visiting Northern Cyprus?
The truth about stamps about visiting Northern Cyprus was revealed in Nicosia. As soon as we entered the historical part of the city, we immediately came across a grid separating it from the Turkish one with a sign saying “entry is prohibited,” but the store clerk nearby told us that we just had to go through the checkpoint. There you show your passport, fill out a form and walk around Turkish Nicosia as much as you want. “We ourselves go there all the time, and they come to us.”At the checkpoint on Ledras Street they really only looked at our passport, they didn’t put any stamps on us. We didn't fill out any paperwork either. There is constant movement between the two parts of Nicosia and there is no visible conflict. The only evidence of political tension is the zealous display of flags. Ordinary residents don't seem to care. Although there are certainly ardent patriots on both sides who care deeply about the idea. Both Turkish and Greek Cyprus subtly brainwash anyone who will listen. The Greeks say that the Turks occupied Cyprus, but the Turks say that it’s nothing, and that they have long wanted to unite, but the Greeks are against it.
My personal impression: the Greek side is keeping silent about the military coup, and the Turkish side is forcibly expelling the Greeks from the north of the country (allegedly people moved “due to circumstances”). I suspect that the latter was painful for the Greeks, which may be why they answer questions about Northern Cyprus this way. After all, you never know - perhaps a person or his family suffered from the conflict, one of his friends lost his home. There is a feeling that in the south-eastern part the conflict is more acute, but in Nicosia it is easier.
There is nothing dangerous or criminal about getting to Northern Cyprus, and it will not cause any problems in the future. As for language and money, in both southern and northern Cyprus, most people speak English well (in everyday life, Greek Cypriots communicate in Greek, and Turkish Cypriots in Turkish), and in both places you can use the euro (although in general In Northern Cyprus the official currency is Turkish Lira, but they accept Euros).
Where to stay to travel around Northern Cyprus?
If you are planning a trip to Northern Cyprus, it is best to stay in Nicosia, because there you can walk to the checkpoint, and its Turkish part is well connected to the cities of Northern Cyprus.We thought about trying to go to Famagusta (the main tourist city of Northern Cyprus) from Larnaca, but we still took the advice of a local woman we talked to at the bus stop. She said that only some buses from Larnaca - Ayia Napa - Protaras go to Famagusta, you need to ask the driver. Then, not all drivers get to the city, some only go to the checkpoint, and from there it’s another 3-4 km on foot. You have to return by a certain time, around five in the evening, otherwise you will stay there overnight. Considering that transport to Larnaca from the other side is not guaranteed, this does not sound very good.
Travel through ports and airport of Northern Cyprus
The only thing that may cause problems is entry or exit through the airport/ports of Northern Cyprus and a border crossing stamp. After this, you can forget about southern Cyprus until the country unites again (which, by the way, may well happen soon, there are plans). Also, after this you should not count on Schengen for Greece, because it does not recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (as does the rest of the world, with the exception of Turkey). It is generally better not to pronounce this name in southern Cyprus, because... there this is not a republic at all, but an illegal seizure of territory.In fact, Northern Cyprus really lives almost like a separate state. It has its own government and its own airport - Ercan.
 |
| Ercan Airport, Northern Cyprus |