Kyrenia
With its 6,000 year long history, unique remains of countless civilisations, miles of natural beaches, calm sea, and mild climate is the idyllic Mediterranean town of Kyrenia. Bounded to the north by the sea and to the south by the greenery of the Besparmak (Five-finger) Mountain range, it offers the most magnificent scenery on the island. With the backdrop of the jagged mountains behind and the calm sparkling sea in front, the harbour has an intoxicatingly serene atmosphere.
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.
As the sun sets, Kyrenia harbour again becomes the focus of activity as the cafés and bistros that face the sea prepare for their nightly trade. Crisp white linen and small vases of local flowers are lovingly arranged on tabletops to welcome the evening's guests to wine and dine in the cooling breeze.
The promenade has been turned into a pedestrian zone, and chic pavement cafes and restaurants conceal their kitchens behind elegant Venetian façades. Memorable evenings can be enjoyed in the restaurants and cafes, with the candlelight reflecting softly on the water and the gentle strumming of guitar music wafting out across the harbour. Why not try Turkish coffee at a local coffee-house over a chat with the locals. There are several mosques and churches to see in the town, well worth a visit.
Bellapais
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.
Karpaz
Karpas peninsula (or the panhandle) is the easternmost part of the island of Cyprus, where the land tapers into a thin strip which stretches out towards Turkey. The Karpas peninsula is also almost totally free from heavy concentration of industry and people, and is one of the least polluted regions in the European periphery. It has been called the nature reserve of Cyprus for birds, wild flowers and sea fossils are to be found everywhere. Moreover, numerous picturesque beaches, both sandy and rocky, are said to be the best in the whole island. With also pine, cypress and maquis covered hills reaching an altitude of about 1,000 metres makes the Karpas region almost a perfect natural reserve site of the whole island.
BEACHES
There is some beautiful coastline in the Kyrenia area and many different beaches to choose from. There are sandy beaches with many facilities or quieter more secluded beaches for those of you who want to be alone. Most beaches provide excellent conditions for swimming and snorkelling
Acapulco Beach
Acapulco Beach lies about 6 miles to the west of Turtle Bay Village towards Kyrenia. This is a popular tourist beach offering most facilities, and there is use of the hotel's outdoor pool which is the largest in the region. There are also water slides and poolside restaurant. Windsurfing is available.
Aligadi Beach
Alagadi Turtle Beach lies only a short drive from Turtle Bay Village on the coast road towards Kyrenia. Alagadi is a sandy beach and the water is shallow. It is common that visitors coming to this beach take their own sun shade, or refreshment. The facilities are limited but there is Green Turtles Beach Bar which is open during summer and you will find toilets there. Please avoid leaving litter for it is on this beach where the green and loggerhead turtles come and lay their eggs in the summer. During the egg-laying season the beach area for sitting on is marked out with red painted stakes
Escape Beach
Escape beach is west of Kyrenia and to enter you will have to pay a small charge. Among the water sports that can be practiced here are jet skiing, banana ride, canoes, pedal boats or scuba diving. This sandy beach is equipped with volleyball area, restaurant and bar, and is indeed a busy summer holiday beach. Especially popular with young people, as there are open air night parties with club music by European DJ's held every summer.
Golf
The Esentepe Golf and Country Club is now fully opened with all eighteen holes ready for you to take up the challenge. This is one of the most exciting developments to come to Northern Cyprus being the first 18 hole par 72 international golf course in the north of the island.
This spectacular course is the 16th course to be designed by Mr Van Amerongen at a total cost of £7,250,000.00. Boasting a total of 21 holes, eighteen to play on and three dedicated training holes this spectacular new development is built on 800 donums of land sweeping from the mountains towards the sea.
The total distance spans 6,232 metres with sculptured greens and landscaped with nearly 400 olive trees. Pipe work stretching 72 km, a network of 148 km of cables and 1,400 sprinklers operated through a satellite controlled watering system have been installed. The grounds are irrigated from two desalination units with a total capacity of 1,500 cbm per day. The desalinated water is stored in two artificial lakes, one holds up to 5,000 cbm and the larger has a volume of 25,000 cbm. The newly seeded grass imported from the USA, called Seashore Paspalum, is genetically engineered to survive on small amounts of water. Highly recommended.
