North Cyprus

What we offer you is the northern part of the island. Northern Cyprus provides a most hospitable welcome, with its friendly people, and its great natural beauty, which is un spoilt, unpolluted and un crowded.

While the island enjoys one of the healthiest and most pleasant climates in the world, the landscape varies enchantingly within short distances, from pine clad mountain to fertile plain.

There is much of historical interest to reflect nine thousands years of history, and plenty of good hotels and restaurants which provide Mediterranean and International cuisine, not to mention simpler and
crosier places where the many traditional North Cyprus dishes can be enjoyed.

It lies in the clear blue waters of the Eastern Mediterranean, just 40 miles off the coast of Turkey, 60 miles from Syria and 250 miles from Egypt.

Why buy a "villa" in Northern Cyprus?
Because it's beautiful, it's sunny and it's still relatively un spoilt.
For a holiday retreat or a retirement home, prices are still absurdly low. There's much to see and do : castles, walled cities, abbeys, Roman remains, music festivals to attend, mountain trekking, nature walks, sailing and scuba diving. North Cyprus enjoys lovely sea and mountain areas. Beautiest and cleanest beaches of Mediterranean.

North Cyprus is rightfully called the "Jewel of the Mediterranean ".

Visitors to North Cyprus fall in love with not only the beauty of North Cyprus but also the warm and caring nature of the Northern Cyprus local people.

North Cyprus is still comparatively undiscovered and has only recently started to receive the attention of overseas buyers. Advantages of buying a property in North Cyprus include the warm climate with the island enjoying an average of 340 days North Cyprus sunshine a year and the relaxed way of Northern Cyprus life.

Properties in North Cyprus are available at reasonable prices compared to other popular European destinations, making North Cyprus homes affordable to a broad array of overseas property buyers. As interest grows in North Cyprus prices of property in North Cyprus will inevitably rise making NOW the ideal time to purchase your dream home in the sun or invest in a North Cyprus property.

North Cyprus has many assets including historic castles, ancient ruins, annual music festivals, nature walks, mountain trekking, scuba diving, swimming - best beaches of the Mediterranean- and of course the North Cyprus sunshine!

The list of advantages to buying a North Cyprus Property is endless. The only disadvantage has to be which property in North Cyprus to choose from the extensive and varied selection available

Why North Cyprus ?

It is true to say that retired people and families who come to live in Northern Cyprus enjoy a much higher standard of living than their UK counterparts, with pensions having a much higher purchasing power, and with the reassuring knowledge that one is living in a safe environment.

For younger people with families, there can be no finer, safer and healthier environment in which to raise their children, and being in a position to earn one's living in Northern Cyprus can only be considered a bonus.

Those who visit North Cyprus usually return. It is a quiet place. It has not been overrun by tourists. North Cyprus is a land of beaches, mountains, castles and villages where time stood still many years ago - well, actually, sometime in the late fifties. If you are old enough there are many things here that you will recall from your childhood, including the music!
Even in Kyrenia, a major town by the standards of North Cyprus, the old harbour looks pretty much as it did in 1914, although what once were Carob warehouses are now restaurants and bars.
There is one Turkish word that visitors quickly learn : Yavash=Slowly. There is time. And there is North Cyprus time. In Cyprus, no one is in a hurry.
But, like all countries where the pace of life is slow, the people are friendly, and the Turkish Cypriot smile is as bright and as warm as the Cyprus sunshine.
About 220,000 people live in this small country, which is only 120 miles from east to west and about 15 miles from north to south. However, the topography, from the dry central plain, to the mountains, to the coast and beaches, is dramatic in its contrasts. In addition, North Cyprus has a wide variety of wild flora and fauna, and is a stopping off point for many species of migrating birds, and there is also a green turtle conservation area.
Historically, there is also much of interest. Cyprus was repeatedly invaded over the centuries, each invasion leaving a legacy that survives to this day.
So, when you visit Northern Cyprus, forget time, forget stress, forget rain and grey days, just relax in the sunshine and do your own thing.
Best time to visit?
The winter months are December, January, and February with max temperatures from 17C to 19C and rain is to be expected. Rain here is often torrential, but does not usually last long. However, even in the winter months, when the sun shines, which is more often than not, it is warm enough to eat breakfast on the patio.
At any time of the year, the sunlight is intense. When you sit outside, it is necessary to position oneself in the shade. In November, and the winter months, and to a lesser extent in October and March, day time temperatures are usually pleasant, comparable to the best early summer days of Northern Europe, but once the sun begins to set it does begin to feel chilly, and you may then need to wear a sweater. But it is often possible to eat your Christmas dinner outdoors.
March sees the beginning of the tourist season even though it can still seem (to the acclimatized!) a little chilly at nights. April, May and June are very popular months, nights are warm, and the fields are carpeted with spring flowers. This is followed by the hot, dry months of July and August. These two months are strictly for dedicated sun-worshippers. It can be very hot indeed, and there is never any rain. Then follows the 'second spring', when a little rain is to be expected. September and October are many peoples' favorite months. It is still very warm, but not unbearably so.
North Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate. No matter what time of the year, it is always warmer than northern climates. In North Cyprus gardens you will see flowers all year round.

Food
Cyprus Specialties
If you know the food of Turkey, then you know some Cyprus food, but there are few things that you won't find in Turkey. Probably the most famous of Cypriot culinary specialties is hellim cheese. This full-fat soft cheese is made from whole goats milk, salt and a touch of mint. It is typically served with salads.
Another specialty is molohiya, a green leafy vegetable which grows only in Cyprus and on the banks of the Nile. It is usually cooked with chicken or meat and is delicious and wholesome.
Another interesting vegetable unknown outside Cyprus is kolokas, a root vegetable which when cooked (again with lamb or chicken) has the texture of potato, but a sweeter taste.

In addition to the usual Turkish kebabs, there are two which are only to be found in Cyprus. One is kup kebab, lamb or goat wrapped in foil with potatoes and herbs and cooked for hours in a clay oven. The other is sheftali kebabs, which are small, spicy and sausage-like. They are skewered and cooked over hot charcoal.

How to Come to North Cyprus ?
By Plane
There are frequent scheduled and charter flights out of England and other European Countries to North Cyprus. More than 60 flights per week arrive at North Cyprus airport Ercan during the summer. There are 15 flights from three airports of London: Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow. Most of them arrive in the evening. North Cyprus has direct air links only with Turkey, where all planes from Europe must first touch down.
From Turkey, you can choose from a number of scheduled flights from Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana and Antalya.

By Boat
There is a ferry service three times a week throughout the year between Mersin and Gazimagusa (Famagusta). Also a little ferry boat linking Tasucu and Girne (Kyrenia) during all seasons and a new boat link has been established during the peak season between Alanya, Antalya and Anamur to Girne (Kyrenia). You are advised to reserve your places before departure.

Population
The approximate population of the whole island is 900.000 of which approximately 200.000 live in Northern Cyprus.

Surface Area
Total area of Cyprus is 9251 km². The TRNC is 3242 km² and is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and Sardinia. Britain, which was the last ruler of the island gave Cyprus its independence in 1960, but before leaving, established two sovereign military bases on the island. These are Akrotiri (124 km²) and Dhekelia (132 km²) and they cover an area of 256km². 244 km² is the United Nations controlled green line (no man's land).

Language
The official language in North Cyprus is Turkish. English is commonly spoken.

Electricity
240 Volts. Plugs are in English standards.

Telephone
For international calls dial 00 90 392 followed by your number in North Cyprus. For example, to call Cyprus Island Homes Ltd. from UK you should dial (00 90 392) 822 26 61 or to call mobile from UK you should dial (00 90) 533 864 13 92.

From North Cyprus, dial 00 44 followed by the number in England.

Town Codes : Girne (Kyrenia) =81, Magosa (Famagusta)=36, Lefkosa (Nicosia)=22

Transport
Taxi prices are reasonable despite the fact that there are no meters. Ask for the price before departure. There is also a collective taxi system mainly using minibuses known as Dolmus. Bus departures are frequent between large and smaller towns during the day. Public transport services are less frequent after 5pm and during the weekends.

Climate
Climate of North Cyprus is typical Mediterranean. It has hot dry, long summers, and warm, short, light rainy winters.

Entry Requirements
A valid passport is required for entry.

Car Rental
Prices are excellent for the travelers who wish to act freely. You can hire a car with your driving licenses. We drive on the left in North Cyprus just like in England, so you will not confused. Wearing seatbelts is compulsory. All signposts are international. Click here for more information.

Currency
The New Turkish Lira (YTL) is the currency used in North Cyprus. Foreign currencies and travelers' cheques are accepted in banks and exchange offices. Most credit cards are valid in many places, but bank charges may apply in some places.

Museums
During the summer period (May-October), opening times vary. In winter times opening hours are as follows: 9am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm. Museums are closed on National holidays. For more information you can contact with the Museums and Antiquities Department.

Tourist Information in UK
North Cyprus Tourism Center, 29 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3EG, UK. Tel: 0207 631 1930.

Shopping
Popular souvenirs include: potteries, wicker baskets, copper, silver, bronze, and onyx objects, Turkish dolls, meerschaum pipes and tavla boards (backgammon), jewellery, leather cloths and the textiles can be purchased at low prices. You can find many kinds of Turkish Cypriot craft work in many places. Shop opening times are 8am-1pm and 3pm-7am. Export of antiquities is illegal.

Places to Visit
Gazimagosa

GİRNE

GÜZELYURT

İSKELE

LEFKOŞA

COMPLETE LİST

Click for CYPRUS PEOPLE AND LIFE
Click for DETAILED HISTORY OF CYPRUS
Click for CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF CYPRUS
Click for FLOWERS OF CYPRUS
Click for TOURISTIC PLACES
Click for CYPRUS PHOTO GALERY