Kyrenia
A coastal town that’s developing rapidly. If you love the mountains as much as the beach, this is the place to be, as the magnificent Five-Finger Mountains are located here. Local legend says these mountains got their shape after two men fell in love with the same girl in Kyrenia and settled the disagreement with a duel. One threw his opponent into a swamp who could do nothing but ask for help by outstretching his hand. When the swamp dried out, the mountains took the shape they have today. St Hilarion Castle also located on Kyrenia Mountains, is said to be Walt Disney’s inspiration for Snow White’s castle. Very close to the castle, there’s Karmi village, with picturesque white houses, pubs, restaurants, and a church right in the canter. Bellapais, another village in Kyrenia, has a beautiful 13th-century abbey right next to Kybele Restaurant, which has amazing views of the city. It’s also where the famous British author Lawrence Durrell wrote his masterpiece, “Bitter Lemons of Cyprus.” Kyrenia has great restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy the view of the Kyrenia mountains and the sea at the same time. The two most popular towns for expats in the Kyrenia area are Alsancak and Esentepe. Both have big expat communities and many facilities.
Alsancak
In Alsancak, there’s a national park with walking and running paths. It’s a great place for a relaxed morning walk. The town also has an amazing vineyard, popular among expats as well as locals, for wine tastings and tours. Winemaking has a long history in Cyprus with the traditional Cypriot wine commandaria served at the wedding of King Richard the Lionheart and Berengaria of Navarre.
Esentepe
Home to Alagadi Turtle Beach, where the endemic caretta carettas and green turtles come to hatch every year between May and October. A local organisation works for the protection of the turtles, and arranges public sessions where residents and tourists can see baby turtles hatching from their eggs and taking their first steps towards the sea. The famous Korineum Golf & Beach Resort, is also located in Esentepe.
Iskele
With sandy beaches, local taverns, and many all-inclusive hotels and resorts, Iskele is also popular among expats. Long Beach, the main beach in Iskele, is 1.5 miles long and the longest beach in Northern Cyprus. Golden Beach, the most beautiful beach on the whole island, is on the Karpaz Peninsula, connected to the Iskele area. Apostolos Andreas Monastery is on the Karpaz Peninsula as well. According to legend, during a journey to the Holy Land, St Andrew’s ship stopped here. He hit the rocks with his staff, and when water sprang out of the land, it healed the captain’s eye, who had been blind for years. Between the central area of Iskele and Karpaz Peninsula, there's Boğaz which is a stronghold of seafood restaurants. These are traditional Cypriot taverns where you can have fish and meze at very affordable prices. In Bafra there's hotels and resorts where you can indulge in spas, massages, traditional Turkish hammams, sauna, open buffet restaurants, bars, private pools, and beach clubs.
Famagusta
Famagusta is a vibrant town with a lot of history. It’s a good mix between city life and beach life, as the city centre is close to the beach. If you need a balance between both, it’s definitely the place to be. There are many cafés, restaurants, bars and patisseries in the centre. The oldest, and arguably the best, university in Northern Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean University, is also located in Famagusta and is close to the city centre - another reason the city is as lively as it is. Also here is Othello's Castle, which takes its name from Shakespeare’s “Othello.” Just like Karpaz Peninsula, Famagusta is rich in religious history. St Barnabas Monastery is here. It’s dedicated to Barnabas, the patron saint of Cyprus. There is also an iconography museum next to the monastery. The beaches in Famagusta are gorgeous, with golden sand similar to the beaches in Iskele. In the Maras area, you can find Palm Beach, a relaxed place full of palm trees. For a livelier atmosphere, there’s Bedi’s Beach, which has been completely renovated by young Cypriots to be turned into a beach bar. During summer, they organize themed music events. Bedi’s Beach is next to the ruins of Salamis, the remains of an ancient Greek city. The theatre of the Salamis Ruins is still used for concerts and cultural events. Salamis has hosted the local symphony orchestra of Northern Cyprus as well as international stars such as Lara Fabian, Julian Marley, The Wailers, and Boney M.
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