Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus is known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). It has been occupied by Turkey since the invasion of 1974 and is not recognised by the UK, EU or UN, or by any other country except Turkey.
Visiting Northern Cyprus
Visit the North of Cyprus and you have two alternatives.
- Fly to Turkey and then take a flight to Ercan airport in the north of the island of Cyprus.
- Fly to Larnaca or Paphos airports in the south and then travel to the border and cross the green line. Don’t forget your passport as you need it to get through the check-point.
- Once on the other side you can hire a car.
- There are many places of interest to visit and lots of excellent hotels.
- Gambling is still illegal in the south of the island but not in the north. Perfect for those who enjoy a flutter or want to try their luck at Christmas or the New Year.
Kyrenia Hotels
Kyrenia has a very pretty horse-shoe shaped harbor surrounded by cafes, bars and restaurants. The hotels in Kyrenia include the popular Dome Hotel which also includes a casino.
Features include free Wi-Fi, two swimming pools, sauna, balconies for all rooms and 24-hour room service plus satellite flat-screen TV, air conditioning and minibar.
More hotels in Northern Cyprus >>
St Hilarion Castle
Depending on how long you stay, some of the top places to visit include St Hilarion Castle and Bellapais Abbey.
Lawrence Durrell lived in Bellapais during the 50s and this is where he wrote the famous Bitter Lemons.
You can hire a car and visit the Karpas Peninsula.
It’s about a two hour drive and known locally as the pan handle of the island (the protruding piece of land pointing eastwards).
Northern Cyprus Day Trip from Paphos & Limassol
From £47.27
Full-day trip from Paphos and Limassol to the Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus.
Visit the island’s divided capital of Nicosia and cross the famous ‘Green Line’ buffer zone into the occupied north.
Explore Bellapais Abbey and Kyrenia and visit the fortress. Enjoy free time for lunch (own expense) and shopping along its charming harbor front and streets.
Highlights
Day trip (destination A to B)
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included
Informative, friendly and professional guide
The Green Line
The Green Line is a dividing line which separates the two parts of the island. The line stretches from Morphou on the west coast of the island, through Nicosia and then onto Famagusta on the east coast of the island.
- This desolute part of the island, known as the United Nations Buffer-Zone, divides Southern Cyprus from the Turkish occupied North.
- There are 5 active checkpoints which can be used for crossing the green line. They are all patrolled by United Nations troops.
- Since the loosening of restrictions you can now apply for a pass to cross the green line.
Cyprus Key Facts
Nicosia
Cyprus Travel
