Northern Cyprus Town
and Villages on the north costline.
ALSANCAK
Alsancak is located 6miles west from the Kyrenia town center the
village has a lot to offer everyone with its spectacular mountain
and sea views, authentic village atmosphere and easy access to the
beaches and restaurants. The huge leaning monument on the coastline
marks the beach where the Turkish troops landed in 1974 to free the
Turkish Cypriots from their oppressors. Most of the popular beaches
restaurants and clups in northern cyprus are based in the village
but still has the authentic village atmosphere and lovely quite and
picturues residentila areas as favoriot spots for property buyers or
private holiday makers. There are few of wells-stocked mini markets
for all your supplies. It is approximately 6 miles west of
Kyrenia-Girene.
BASPINAR
Baspinar is knowon as a part of the lapta village Set high above the
village, well-known for its pictoruos unobstracted breathtaking
views, mountain spring, sleepy atmosphere and cooling breeze. The
ideal place to spend lazy days enjoying the views from west to north
cost line or a variety of excellent walks in the Besparmak
mountains.
BELLAPAIS
The Abbey is situated on a natural terrace overlooking the village
of Ozankoy with a good selection of restaurants offering local and
international cuisine Perched precariously on a natural terrace, the
abbey stands guard over the whole of the northern coastline, and is
considered to be one of the most beautiful and indeed most important
Gothic buildings in the Near East. It was originally occupied by a
French brotherhood, the Order of Premontre, and was known to them as
the "Abbaye de la Paix
Here, you can while away your days exploring the impressive remains
of the abbey, or simply relax with a during under the "Tree of
Idleness", an ancient mulberry made famous in Durrell's Bitter
Lemons, and let the world pass you by.
Ancient folklore suggests that those seated beneath this famous
tree, become lazy and unwilling to work! The views from the village
are superb, and from every vantage point, the plains of Kyrenia and
the azure blue Mediterranean beyond, beckon and invite.
Above the abbey lies the charming village of Bellapais. Tiny lanes
and narrow streets, cris-cross haphazardly away from the main
square, and scattered amongst the whitewashed buildings are many
excellent and surprisingly inexpensive cafes and bistros. Bellapais
is an ideal haven for those seeking a calm and relaxing opportunity
to sample the Cyprus of a bygone era.
This historic village is set approximately 3 miles east of Kyrenia
in an elevated position with wonderful views to Kyrenia and the
coast. The village is dominated by the Bellapais Abbey which was
originally founded in the 12th century by monks of the Augustinian
order and is the most impressive Gothic building in Cyprus.
The Abbey is situated on a natural terrace overlooking the village
of Ozankoy with a good selection of restaurants offering local and
international cuisine.
CATALKOY
Another popular village with its well-maintained, whitewashed
streets located approximately 5 miles east of Kyrenia. There are a
couple of shops, restaurants and sandy beaches in the near vicinity.
EDREMIT
Set in the low hills of the Girne mountains behind Karaoglanoglu
below karmi village. The lowest part of Edremit, called Çiçek
Mahallesi (the flower district) has become quite popular over recent
years with a good mixture of old and new properties and still plenty
of undeveloped land amongst the rolling hills. Edremit has a small
grocery store where daily produce may be bought, plus the popular
Hideaway Hotel with pool, bar and restaurant which is open to
non-residents. The larger village of Karaoglanoglu is approximately
1 mile down the hill with supermarkets, restaurants and sandy
beaches.Karaman being situated over 1000 feet above sea level has
outstanding panoramic views from almost every property and has been
popular with British people for many years.
KYRENIA - GIRNE
This fascinating town is situated on the northern coast of Cyprus.
Kyrenia is an easy place to while away any time of the day...
exploring shops, markets and local cafés in late morning, strolling
in the narrow cobbled alleys behind the harbour in the afternoon, or
stepping out for a brisk walk along the promenade and sea wall in
the evening. Its horseshoe shaped harbour with backdrop of the
Besparmak (or Five Finger) Mountains make Kyrenia one of the most
beautiful areas on the island. The old carob warehouses which border
the harbour have been converted into attractive cafes, restaurants,
bars and private residences with the fishing boats and yachts making
this the ideal place to while away the hours. The harbour is
overlooked by Kyrenia Castle, a truly magnificent edifice
constructed in the 9th century to ward off Arab invaders.
There are plenty of places of interest in the area for those days
when you want to do more than just laze in the sun, including the
Shipwreck Museum in the castle, Folklore Museum, Fine Arts Museum,
Monument and Museum of Freedom and Peace, Cafe Pasha Mosque,
Bellapais Abbey and St Hilarion Castle.
ILGAZ
Located above on the hill site from Alsancak village.A quiet
mountainside village with superb scenery and a mixture of Europeans,
Turkish and Cypriots. Yesiltepe (yesil tepe translates into green
hill) which has a huge ravine running up alongside the road all the
way up to the charming old village of Ilgaz. Yesiltepe and Ilgaz
boast much sought after sea and mountain views The ideal retreat for
those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern day
life, with one restaurant serving the village and many others
situated at the bottom of the hill.
KARAKUM
To the immediate East of the new Girne shipping harbour is the busy
little village of Karakum. A small village located just a mile east
of Kyrenia with its own small sandy bay. The village is conveniently
located on the bus route and has several restaurants, shops and a
large supermarket all within walking distance.
KARAOGLANOGLU
Approximately 3 miles west of Kyrenia is the unpronounceable village
of Karaoglanoglu! .Its up and coming village with supermarkets and
comertial shops these days. There are a few bars,pups some excellent
restaurants and picturesque beaches and coves, in particular,
Kervansaray Beach which affords some of the most stunning sunsets
due to its westerly outlook.
KARMI / KARAMAN
The picturesque village of Karmi is situated approximately 4 miles
west of Kyrenia above from the karaman village and is 1,000 ft above
sea level giving virtually every house breathtaking views along the
coastline.Its knowing from the locals as an english village
Overlooked by the Gothic St. Hilarion Castle and set deep in the
mountainside is the picturesque village of Karmi inhabited mostly by
British and German expatriates. Cooled in summer by a light breeze,
this lovingly restored village is a refuge of peace and genuine
charm. With lovely views of the northern coastline from every
corner, the relaxed and informal style of Karmi will not fail to
enchant the visitor. With its own village pub, a small selection of
local bistros, and a nearby handicraft shop, this region will appeal
to anyone seeking tranquillity.
Karaman village, situated up on the mountains, to the west of
Kyrenia, was abandoned by its Greek-Cypriot inhabitants during the
war in 1974. In time the old houses became derelict and the whole
village turned to be a ghost one.
In 1979, the Council of Ministers decided to put in action an
innovative project which would rejuvenate this small village of
amazing scenic beauty that had appealed to foreigners for long. The
main aim was to renovate the old village while developing resident
tourism.
The Ministry of Interior and Housing started to lease the tumbledown
buildings to foreigners at nominal prices for long terms. In 1983,
the whole village was transferred to the Ministry of Tourism. Soon
infrastructural works were undertaken by the Ministry and roads,
pathways, and parking places were built and improved. A telephone
box was installed and street lighting and water connections were
modernized. Within seven years time the whole village developed and
150 houses were all renovated under the control of the Ministry. The
cost of renovation and maintenance is paid by the tenants and they
are obliged to use local architects and contractors. In this way,
jobs were created for the local people.
Great importance was shown to keep the character of the village
untouched while catering for the needs of modern accommodations.
Traditional way of construction is kept alive. For example, wooden
rafters and rush mats are used for ceilings, solar heaters are not
permitted to be placed on the roofs; and height of water tanks is
limited to 60 cm above roof level in order not to spoil the village
atmosphere.
The village has 150 renovated houses, 4 restaurant-pubs, and a
grocery shop. The inhabitants of the village are mainly from U.K.,
Germany, France, Austria, and U.S.A
Karmi is undoubtedly the prettiest and most well-kept village in the
north as nearly all the houses have been restored in a traditional
manner often with flagged floors, beamed ceilings, stone arches and
roof terraces set in an array of flowers, plants and trees. The
village has a couple of restaurants, bar, pub and village shop.
KARSIYAKA
Located west of Kyrenia and approximately 20 minutes by car the area
affords stunning best views of the highest mountain in the Besparmak
mountain range in nortrhern cyprus. Karsiyaka has a couple of shops
and some good fish restaurants located close to the waters edge.
Karsiyaka has become increasingly popular over recent years as
buyers move further from Girne-kyrenia and the touristic areas
seeking the peace and tranquility of ‘old Cyprus’ A large sandy bay
is a 5 minute drive away and there is many more sandy beaches
between Karsiyaka and Kyrenia.
LAPTA
Lapta knowing as the biggest village in north Cyprus. Renowned for
its fresh water springs and laid back way of life, Lapta is a
sprawling village approximately9 miles west of Kyrenia. The main
town is located behind the tourist strip along the beach and is
popular for its beautiful views, a selection of good restaurants and
its cool leafy ambience. It was saved from the forest fires that
ravaged parts of the island back in the 1990s and so it remains not
only physically intact, but its spirit and history have been
untouched for generations.
Lapta manages to represent the best in coastal towns and mountain
villages and it offers some of the best scenery on the island with
stunning mountain views from the old town and beautiful and peaceful
Mediterranean views from the coast in north cyprus.
It is backed by the Besparmak Mountains and offers spectacular views
of both sea and mountains. The village has much to offer in the way
of restaurants and has easy access to some good beaches.
OZANKOY
The poets village’ named in honour of a famed Turkish Cypriot poet
who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. A popular village with
Europeans and Cypriots alike, conveniently located approximately 2
miles east of Kyrenia, the village has excellent views to Bellapais,
the mountains and the Mediterranean and a good selection of
restaurants.You will find the olive trees every where you go in the
village.
YESILTEPE
Located between Alsancak and Karaoglanoglu on the lower slopes of
the mountain range is the area of Yesiltepe. It is conveniently
located close to several sandy beaches, restaurants, bars, hotels
and shops and is not far from the main coastal road.
ZEYTINLIK
Olive grove village.Within easy access of Kyrenia yet set in a
tranquil, rural position amongst olive groves and overlooked by the
spectacular St Hilarion Castle. The name translates into ‘olive
grove’, originally a small village on the outskirts of Girne, now
virtually enveloped by the harbour town and just a short drive to
the centre. Zeytinlik tends to be flatter which makes the much
sought after sea views harder to find but this is countered by its
convenient close proximity to the shops and amenities of Girne.
There is an annual Olive Festival held in Zeytinlik; a huge
celebration lasting a whole week with games, folk dancing and of
course, a huge selection of local foods for sale made with olives or
olive oil.You can find the oldest olive trees of north cyprus in
this village.
