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Map of Highlights of Northern Cyprus including Cyprus

Travel to Kyrenia, Nicosia, Kormacit and Famagusta on this Northern Cyprus adventure.

The beauty of the land and hospitality of people in Northern Cyprus is undeniable and is a largely untouched gem of the Mediterranean. On your eight-day adventure, hunt for castles and monasteries, swim off the shimmering coastline, explore one of Europe’s last divided capitals and tuck into traditional fare in small villages. Despite the country remaining divided after a military coup in 1974, this Northern Cyprus adventure offers plenty of unique experiences and unforgettable memories to boot.

Start
Kyrenia, Cyprus
Finish
Famagusta, Cyprus
Destination
Cyprus
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
ERSC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Visit St Hilarion Castle, rumoured to have been used by Walt Disney as inspiration for the castle in Snow White and Seven Dwarfs.

  • Explore the village of Kormacit, one of the last inhabited villages of Maronites people, and enjoy a home-cooked feast with our Maronite host for their best specialties.

  • Discover Europe's last divided capital, known as Lefkosia to the Turkish and Nicosia to the Cypriot communities; full of interest and with an eclectic mix of cultures and architecture.

  • Stay in a traditional Cypriot village where residents have been working together to preserve local culture and heritage and join your hosts for traditional bread and cheese making.

Is this trip right for you?

  • We recommend packing light as you’ll need to carry your own luggage on and off transport and to and from hotels.

  • You’ll need your walking shoes, we will be exploring some historical sites on guided tours. But you can always wander at your own pace if you prefer.

  • You may want to explore Turkey and Northern Cyprus together on our combination trip - Discover Turkey and Northern Cyprus

St Hilarion Castle in Cyprus
St Nicholas Cathedral in Gazimagusa in Cyprus
Karpaz Peninsula in Northern Cyprus
The city of Nicosia or Lefkosa in Cyprus
The harbour in the town of Kyrenia or Girne in Cyrpus
Delicious Cypriot halloumi on a bed of salad

Itinerary
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Welcome to Kyrenia, also known as Girne in Turkish – a beautiful town that boasts an average of 320 sunny days per year. At 6 pm, begin your travels with a welcome meeting at your hotel to meet your group leader and fellow travellers. In ages past, Kyrenia's horseshoe harbour played home to carob warehouses, one of the region’s former major exports. These days, it’s lined with lively bars and shops underneath the nearby Venetian Castle that creates an interesting contrast between old and new. Considered to be the cultural and economic centre of Northern Cyprus, there’s no better place to begin your adventures on the island. After your important meeting, why not get a group of you together to explore the harbour, and to find a place for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Embark on a walking tour of Kyrenia’s Old Town in the morning. The winding alleyways reveal a quaint mix of old stone buildings with colourfully restored architecture, along with the spectacular remains of the abandoned 16th-century Chrysopolitissa Church. Take a visit to the Venetian Castle that guards the city, taking in the magnificent sea vistas from the top of the fortifications. This afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore. You may choose to partake in a sunset cruise on the water floating around the shores of Kyrenia, considered one of the best ways to experience Northern Cyprus. Watch as the rolling hillsides and towns on the coast slowly roll by while you take in the sunshine on the deck.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kyrenia - Venetian Castle
Optional Activities
  • Kyrenia - Sunset Boat Cruise - EUR40
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Depending on local weather conditions we may reverse day two and three of this itinerary.

The beautiful untouched beauty of the west of Northern Cyprus is your background today for a journey through its history. In the morning, visit Bellapais to explore its monastery, one of the few and fantastic Gothic architectural masterpieces of Cyprus, made famous by Lawrence Durrell’s book Bitter Lemons of Cyprus. Afterwards, head east towards the Five Finger Mountains, a mountain range stretching over 250 km along the northern shore of the island. You’ll have the option of joining a light hike (4 km, 1 hour) on the slopes leading to the Antiphonitis Monastery, a well-preserved byzantine church with frescoes from the 12th and 15th centuries. It is a unique location to explore the evolution of the fresco painting art through the centuries and the Latin influence on the orthodox tradition, but also the scars of art dealing on the black market. In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance for go for a dip at Alagadi Beach, a renowned spot for turtle nesting, followed by some free time in the old town of Kyrenia.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kyrenia - Bellapais Monastery
  • Kyrenia - Antiphonitis Monastery
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

In the morning, travel to the picturesque St Hilarion Castle. With walls and towers that sprout out of the rocks almost randomly, it’s rumoured that Walt Disney used the castle as inspiration for The Queen’s Castle in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The highest point stands at a towering 730 metres (2395 feet) above sea level, offering a marvellous view of the land below. Then, travel onwards to Nicosia. Known as Lefkosia to the Turks and Nicosia to the Greeks, the city is full of surprises thanks to a mix of cultures and architecture. The Selimiye Mosque is one of the Turkish side’s highlights, previously known as the Cathedral of Saint Sophia before the Ottomans added minarets in 1571. Marvel upon the interior’s whitewashed walls and examine traces of Gothic architecture lying in the architecture despite the Islamic refurbishment of the building. Afterwards, take a walking tour passing through both sides of the country’s green line. Your passport will be required for the checkpoints at the border and the intriguing contrasts between the divided city will become apparent as you enter the Greek side of the island. Later in the afternoon, loop back into the Turkish side with a trip to Kormacit village, one of the last inhabited villages of Maronites, a catholic community originally from Lebanon, which settled in Cyprus with the Crusaders.
Accommodation
  • Guest house (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kyrenia- St. Hilarion Castle
  • Nicosia - Selimiye Mosque (St. Sofia Cathedral)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that you will need your passport with you today at the checkpoints as you'll cross into the Greek side of the island.

Start your morning in Kormacit with a tour of the village. Visit the 14th-century St George Chapel, the 19th-century St George Cathedral as well as the ethnographic museum. The Maronites speak a dialect of Old Arabic, very similar to the Syriac dialect that Jesus Christ is said to have spoken. From Kormacit, explore Morphou, Soli and Lefke, discovering Roman mosaics in Christian basilicas, Gothic architecture in Orthodox churches and fine examples of Armenian and Christian traditional homes with ornate balconies. Back in Kormacit, enjoy a traditional dinner in the backyard of Ema, one of the village’s few remaining Maronites, and taste Maronite specialties (rabbit, bulguri, Anari cheese, etc.) and even get involved in the dinner prep.
Accommodation
  • Guest house (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kormacit - Village walking tour
  • Omorphou - St Mamas monastery
  • Lefke - Soli Ruins
  • Kormacit - home-cooked dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

This morning, head off to Komi Kebir (Buyukkonuk), a traditional Cyprus village where residents have been working together to preserve local culture and heritage. Meet with your hosts Lois and Ismail before joining in some traditional bread and cheese making and with a sneaky tasting afterwards. Then perhaps take a wander through the local fields to the remains of the Auxendios church. The Karpaz Peninsula is dotted with abandoned churches, many of which have been left for years and have since been re-purposed as shelters for farm animals or simply left to fall in favour of new mosques. Enjoy a traditional village vegetarian meal for lunch, using local produce such as carob pekmez and zivania – a local firewater made from grape skins. Tonight, you’ll spend the night in a local guesthouse.
Accommodation
  • Guest house (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Buyukkonuk - Bread & Cheese making
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

This morning, travel towards Famagusta, first stopping for a tour of the ancient city of Salamis. Once a thriving port city, Salamis served many dominant groups over the course of history including the Assyrians, Persians, Egyptians and Romans. Continue on to St Barnabas’ monastery, dedicated to St Paul’s good Cypriot friend Varnavas (Barnabas) who carried out missionary work on the island. Our next stop is Varosha, the ghost town trapped in the buffer zone. You’ll have free time this afternoon. Ask your leader for some insider tips on where to go for a swim, or enjoy some time in the Old Town of Famagusta. In the evening, be sure to get together with your group for dinner to share your Northern Cyprus stories.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Famagusta - Church of Apostolos Barnabas
  • Famagusta- Salamis Ruins
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. As there are no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Transport

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Guest House (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Kyrenia - Venetian Castle
  • Kyrenia - Bellapais Monastery
  • Kyrenia - Antiphonitis Monastery
  • Kyrenia- St. Hilarion Castle
  • Nicosia - Selimiye Mosque (St. Sofia Cathedral)
  • Kormacit - Village walking tour
  • Omorphou - St Mamas monastery
  • Lefke - Soli Ruins
  • Kormacit - home-cooked dinner
  • Buyukkonuk - Bread & Cheese making
  • Famagusta - Church of Apostolos Barnabas
  • Famagusta- Salamis Ruins

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Highlights of Northern Cyprus trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip. Please consult your agent for further information.
2. Please check the visa information before booking flights. You may want to consider entering and exiting from the same airport.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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