Girne / Kyrenia, North Cyprus
Kyrenia Harbor is the most precious and mystical ancient port of the Mediterranean, and Girne with its adjacent castle is called the "Jewel of Cyprus".
Kyrenia harbor is now surrounded by restaurants and bars that were converted from buildings once used as Venetian living quarters and harup warehouses.
It has preserved the architectural integrity of carefully restored historical buildings. The restaurants in the harbor offer the tastes of the delicious Turkish Cypriot cuisine, mainly the daily fish caught by the fishermen.
Girne Castle is located at the entrance of the city's famous ancient Venetian harbor and stands tall like a majestic protector above the harbor. The castle, which is worth seeing, is an extraordinary historical building and is open to the public.
Kyrenia Castle is home to the "Shipwreck Museum", one of the most important and well-preserved pieces of maritime history in the world, as well as witnessing the history of Cyprus and offering extraordinary views to its visitors.
Bellapais Village and Monastery is located in the Beşparmak mountain range, about five kilometers from the Kyrenia coast. With its breathtaking landscapes, Bellapais Abbey, a rare example of Gothic architecture, small streets and old buildings around every corner, the village has changed little since it was immortalized by Lawrence Durrell in the 1950s. The author's "Bitter Lemons of Cyprus" tells of his time in Cyprus and his adventures in buying a house near Bellapais Monastery. While the monastery is definitely a 'must see' place for Bellapais visitors, the ancient crusader paths on the mountain just behind the village is an indispensable place for hikers. In addition, distinguished restaurants and village coffeehouses in the village are the most important stopping points for visitors.
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Saint Hilarion Castle is the most important of the three castles on the summits of the Beşparmak Mountains, which hosted the Knights of Cyprus in history.
The castle, said to be the inspiration of Walt Disney's "Sleeping Beauty", is one of the best preserved crusaders, mainly thanks to the work of the North Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Castle, as well as those interested in history in the days when the air is clear and clean with spectacular panoramic views of the Kyrenia coast of the mainland of Turkey is one of the highest points can be seen very clearly.
Nicosia / Nicosia , t he Cypriot capital of Nicosia is literally a tale of two halves. The southern half of Nicosia (also called Lefkosia) belongs to the Republic of Cyprus, while North Nicosia (also known as Lefkoşa) is the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Nicosia is a fantastic base for discovering historic sites and tourist attractions
The Selimiye Mosque , t he most recognizable landmark in North Nicosia, the Selimiye Mosque began life as the Church of Agia Sofia and was finished after a 78-year construction process in 1326.
It has been a mosque since the 16th century when the Ottomans took control of the island.
This merging of elaborate medieval church architecture and the simplicity of mosque design has created a fascinating space with the soaring interior of this typically Gothic structure having been whitewashed and any icon details long taken away.
The Büyük Han , This han (a caravanserai) was constructed in 1572 and is an excellently preserved example of the architecture of that period.
Hans was used as accommodation and storage places for merchants as they passed through town, often including stabling facilities for their horses (or camels) and sometimes recreation facilities such as restaurants and hamams (Turkish baths) as well.
The Büyük Han has been painstakingly restored to its former glory, with the former sleeping quarters now home to a variety of shops, cafés, and local artisan ateliers, perfect for a spot of shopping to break up your old city sightseeing.
