Skylap Construction | North Cyprus

North Cyprus

Although a small Mediterranean island, unlike its size, Cyprus has a wide historical past. Due to its geopolitical location, Cyprus has been stopping point for many civilizations. You can see the marks of its historical past in every part of it.

Lefkoşa / Nicosia, the capital, is one of the places full of history. The old walled city of Nicosia should definitely be explored. Completely walled with Venetian fortifications, it contains an impressive collection of Crusader, Gothic, and Turkish Ottoman relics. The Arab Ahmet region, the Bazaar, Buyuk Han, and the Selemiye Mosque are all worth seeing.

Girne / Kyrenia, with a horseshoe-shaped harbour and backdrop of the Besparmak (Five Finger) Mountains, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas of the island. The old carob warehouses which border the harbour have been converted into attractive cafes, restaurants, bars & private residences with the fishing boats & yachts making this the ideal place to while away the hours. Set in the mountains just 10 minutes above Kyrenia, the charming village of Bellapais is dominated by the majestic 12th-century Crusader abbey, which was originally founded by monks of the Augustinian Order. It is the most impressive Gothic building in Cyprus and from here one can overlook the whole Kyrenian coastline. The village itself is imbued with a sense of tranquillity and peace as if everyone that passes through it is affected by the "Tree of Idleness" (an old mulberry tree at the entrance of the Abbey)!

Another place that is worth seeing in Girne, and where most of the foreigners buy homes and settle, is the Karmi / Karaman village. It is a charming village, set deep into the mountainside 1,000 ft above sea level approximately 4 miles west of Kyrenia, and overlooked by St. Hilarion Castle. Cooled in summer by a light breeze and by the abundant water sources which keep the village wonderfully green and fresh, and with stunning views of the northern coastline, Karaman is a genuine refuge of peace and charm. The houses have been lovingly 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. With its own village shop and pub, a small selection of local bistros, and a nearby handicraft shop, Karmi will not fail to enchant the visitor.

The old town of Mağusa / Famagusta is also worth visiting. It was once one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean and is currently being slowly revived thanks to a UNDP program to restore the public space intra-muros after many years of neglect. The beaches around Famagusta are legendary, with long stretches of white sand and little development in the way of hotels to distract the eye. A nearby curiosity is the town of Maraş (Varosha), which used to be the Monte Carlo of Cyprus and has been deserted since 1974.

If you have been to Mağusa but not visited Salamis Ruins, you haven’t seen much history of the city. The Greco-Roman ruins of Salamis are a 20-minute drive north of Famagusta and consist of an impressive amphitheatre, gymnasium and old harbour. You can still smell the Roman Empire there!

Another place which is connected to Mağusa and has some of the best beaches in the world, is the Karpaz Peninsula. This is an area of tranquil, unspoilt natural beauty, sandy beaches & private coves, crystal-clear turquoise water, donkeys & turtles! Most of the beaches in this area are the homes of Caretta-Caretta Turtles; they come to these beaches to lay their eggs every year. Visit this paradise before it's too late!