Northern Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean with 3355 square miles of natural beauty and only 40 kilometres away from Turkey. With fantastic coastlines, fresh food and the genuine hospitality and politeness of the Turkish Cypriots makes North Cyprus a place worth visiting over and over again!
History has a large presence in Northern Cyprus which dates back to 7000BC when the first settlers arrived on this island of beauty.
With the long summers and short mild winters, North Cyprus is one of the healthiest places to live.
Climate
The reason why people choose North Cyprus as a perfect place to invest is because of its warm long summers which last from May until October and the very mild winters which last between December and February. The sea temperature is rarely lower than 16 degrees Celsius.
Main Towns & Places of Interest
Kyrenia – This beautiful town was founded in the 10th Century BC. Kyrenia has become a town of importance to tourists. There is the British built harbour which is full of bars and restaurants and has become the heart of Kyrenia for both locals and tourists. Kyrenia Castle is located on the Eastern corner of the Harbour. There is the shipwreck museum which is located inside the castle and holds the oldest recovered shipwreck in history.
Kyrenia has many interesting places to visit such as Saint Hilarion Castle, Bellapias Monastery, Buffavento Castle, the Icon Museum and the Folks Arts Museum
Nicosia – The capital of Cyprus. Nicosia is currently the biggest and most populated city in Cyprus. All the main government buildings are located here as well as more interesting historical sights, such as the Selimiye Mosque and the Mevlevi Museum. Why not visit the covered Bazaar and purchase many of the fresh foods available and not forgetting Turkish delight and of course, plenty of souvenirs.
Famagusta – The old city of Famagusta is where the country’s principle port is. This is where all the major imports and exports are processed. Famagusta has a beautiful coastline of unspoilt beaches which seem to go on forever. More historical places of interest include the Salamis Ruins and Othello Tower. Definitely worth a visit!
Güzelyurt - The translation of this town means “Beautiful Town” and that is exactly what it is. Güzelyurt is famous for growing citrus fruits and strawberries due to its very fertile soil and the abundance of water running down the mountains of Troodos from the South.
Banks
There are several major local and international banks here in Northern Cyprus, such as HSBC and Turkish Bank, where they also have branches in the UK. This can prove to be very helpful for transferring money between countries.
The currency is Turkish Lira (YTL) yet most shops, restaurants and bars accept most foreign currency and credit cards.
Language
Turkish is the official language; however, English is widely spoken.
Car Hire
Why not hire a car and explore the island for yourselves! Car hire rates are very reasonable with prices starting from £15 pounds per day. For information regarding car hire, please do not hesitate to contact us so we can help you with your arrangements.
We recommend that you do hire a car as the public transport system is provided between the main cities only within certain hours (8am-6pm). North Cyprus Public Transport consists of Mini Buses and Dolmus. The only transport running for 24 hours is the taxi services.
Electricity
240 volts / 50 Hz. Plugs are 3-pin English standard
Getting here
To reach Northern Cyprus, travelling by air is the easiest route. Ercan International Airport is the only airport of the TRNC serving international flights. Because there are no direct flights to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, planes must first touch down in Turkey before proceeding to Northern Cyprus. Flight time from the UK is around 6 hours, including touch down.
The main airline carrier to North Cyprus is Cyprus Turkish Airlines.
The alternative air route is via Larnaca airport where we can arrange transfers to your destination in Northern Cyprus.
For more inquiries, reservations and flights please feel free to contact us.
Accommodation
There are many different types of accommodations in Northern Cyprus. Most hotels are around the Kyrenia Region and Famagusta Region and these range between 3 stars and 5 stars. Some people prefer to rent out accommodation, whether it’s a beautiful villa with a private swimming pool and fantastic mountain views or a spacious apartment near the bars and clubs.
Most hotels can arrange tours and day trips.
Traffic
All road signs are international and driving is on the left. Cars, private and rental are all right hand drive.
Passports & Visas
A valid passport is necessary for entry and visa is granted at entry point to Northern Cyprus.
Citizenship
When you arrive in North Cyprus, your passport will be stamped with a three month visa. During that time, you must register with the police department in order to apply for a temporary residency. Once all this has been done, you must have a medical examination for TB and Aids. If your tests prove negative, you will be able to reside here for one year. You must renew your residency every year, after 5 years, you may then apply for permanent residency; however, laws are subject to change.
Medical Healthcare
There are a number of high quality health facilities here in Northern Cyprus. The costs of treatments are low compared to the UK depending on what type of treatments you require. There are many GP’s whom have had UK experience. There are also a number of private hospitals, which are a little bit more expensive than the government hospitals.
Dental treatment is of high standard and charges are less compared to UK prices.
Time
2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Restaurants
There is a wide selection of restaurants to choose from, whether it is traditional local cuisine or international cuisine. The local cuisine consists mainly of kebabs, fish and of course, Meze.
Education system
- Pre-School Education: Créches and nurseries for ages 4-6
- Primary Education: Elementary School – Ages 7-12 (5 years)
Secondary School – Ages 13-15 (3 years)
Primary Education is compulsory.
- High School Education
- University
(One of the leading sectors in Northern Cyprus)
There are six universities with international educational standards.
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