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Interesting places – what is definitely worth visiting in North Cyprus?

“There is some kind of magical attraction in the very word “island”. Living on an island, you lose touch with the world. The island is a world in its own right.”

The English writer Agatha Christie correctly noted that the island is an attractive force. Cyprus is a place where you want to live, or where you always want to return. When choosing the Northern or Southern part of the island, listen to your inner world. Where to live? It should be your own decision – the call of your heart. And we, according to tradition, will discuss Northern Cyprus with its diversity, color and interesting places. North Cyprus Interesting Places… Go! Let’s go… 🙂 🙂 🙂

North Cyprus Places of Interest

If you are tired of the Egyptian pyramids, the Louvre in Paris and a cup of coffee in noisy Manhattan – Northern Cyprus will become a second home for you. Your own house at the foot of the mountains or on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. You can choose, and at all, the “noisy” town of Famagusta or Kyrenia. Or take it and go to the Karpas to stay alone… Northern Cyprus is so different and different for everyone. Let’s list the most famous places in Northern Cyprus:

  • Kyrenia Castle
  • Bellapais Abbey
  • Ghost town of Varosha
  • Ancient City of Salamis
  • Famagusta Castle
  • Citadel of Castello
  • Othello Tower
  • Medieval Monastery of Antiphonidis
  • Büyük Han Caravanserai
  • Bandabulya Market in Lefkoşa
  • Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (now Sinan Pasha Mosque)
  • St. Nicholas Cathedral (now Lal Mustafa Pasha Mosque)
  • Selimiye Mosque (St. Sophia Cathedral)
  • Surb Magar Armenian Monastery
  • Ancient City of Soli
  • Buffavento Castle
  • Kantara Castle
  • Karpas Peninsula
North Cyprus Points of Interest - Karpas Peninsula
Karpas Peninsula (photo for the article “North Cyprus: Interesting Places”)
  • Vouni Palace
  • Five Fingers Mountain (Beşparmak)
  • Basilica of the Holy Trinity
  • Jambulat Bastion and Museum
  • Ibrahim Karaolanolu Museum
  • Church of Chrysopolitissa
  • Martinengo Bastion
  • Church and Cave of Agios Fanouris
  • Monastery of the Apostolos Andrew
  • Church of St. George of the Latins
  • Monastery of St. Mamas
  • Greek Church of St. George
  • Monastery of St. Barnabas the Apostle
  • Incirle Cave
  • Castle of St. Hilarion
Observation deck near the Castle of St. Hilarion
Observation deck near the Castle of St. Hilarion

I think there are many more attractions that can be added to the list. But these interesting places have always attracted millions of tourists every year 🙂

Where is North Cyprus (TRNC) located

Cyprus, an island in the Eastern Mediterranean, is the third largest island after Sicily and Sardinia. It is bordered by Turkey 80 km to the north, Syria 100 km to the east, Egypt 370 km to the south, Greece 950 km to the northwest, and Lebanon and Israel 170 km to the southeast. The area of the island of Cyprus is 9.251 square kilometers. The area of Northern Cyprus is 3.355 square kilometers, and the southern part of the island is 5.896 square kilometers.

How to get there

There are only direct flights from Turkey to the TRNC. Ercan International Airport is recognized only in Turkey. In 1974, South Cyprus announced that the ports of the TRNC were closed to all aircraft in the world. Turkey did not recognize this announcement and opened its directions to the island. There is also a regular ferry service that operates from the ports of Taşuku and Alanya. You can also go by car ferries or cargo ships.

When to go

All seasons are suitable for a trip to North Cyprus. For example, July and August are very hot months and the sea temperature is also quite high. For this reason, those who want to relax comfortably by the sea go to Northern Cyprus mainly in May-June or September.

Summer & Sea 2021
Mediterranean Sea

Culture of Northern Cyprus

One of the most important things to know about North Cyprus is that traffic is on the left, unlike in Turkey. Like in the UK and Japan. Due to the hot climate, many places may be closed in the afternoon. Even in government agencies, you may not find people with whom you can talk about paying utility bills, etc. Most gas stations are closed late in the evening and until 06:00 in the morning. Everyone has their own way of life, which is respected by everyone in the area. Many strangers on the street can say hello to you – that’s okay. Incidents such as theft or kidnapping are very rare. Cars and houses are rarely locked here. Locals and tourists prefer cafes, restaurants or large hotels/casinos in the form of entertainment. The sea, the mountains whisper to all visitors: “Stay here. Stay with us” 🙂 🙂 🙂

Cuisine of Northern Cyprus

The cuisine of North Cyprus has been influenced by many cultures throughout history. Now the bulk of the dishes are Turkish, Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine. Coffee and only coffee 🙂 Turks love to serve coffee and a glass of clean water… It’s customary here! There are such dishes as peach kebab, pilaf, fried potatoes, goat cheese halloumi (Hellim), jams and pastes, which can be called candied fruits. The most famous appetizers are chachik, hummus, fava, pickles, salads and olives. Cypriot halloumi cheese is usually grilled or pan-fried without oil. It is also an important export product.

Hellim cheese
Halloumi cheese (Hellim)

Another Cypriot dish is molechia. This plant, which grows only in Cyprus and on the banks of the Nile, has the smell of mint and the appearance of basil. It is added for juiciness to dishes with lamb or chicken. Another interesting vegetable is the bell. Kolokas , a traditional winter dish, is a potato plant that is sweeter than potatoes and looks like celery. The root of this plant develops and forms koloka. Kolokas is prepared with a large number of lemon and celery stalks. Küp Kebap, a unique type of stew in Cyprus, is prepared by cooking lamb for a long time with a variety of vegetables in a clay pot. For this reason, it is also called kuyu kebab. Lalangi is another traditional dish of Cyprus. The dish, which can be eaten hot or cold, consists of rabbit meat poured into yeast dough cooked in rabbit broth. Pastries are also very popular in Cyprus. In general, they love a lot of sweet dishes here.

Turkish Sweets
Turkish Sweets

In Cyprus, by the way, they are very fond of sweet pasta. Among them, pumpkin paste, watermelon paste, nut paste, eggplant paste, date paste and orange paste stand out. What is not here: shish kebab, adana kebab, pirzola and many, many meat dishes. There is even a local Cypriot Viagra 🙂 Pekmez is an extract from the fruits of carob, grapes and mulberries.

Economy of the island

Since Northern Cyprus is not recognized in the international arena, it receives subsidies from Turkey. The Turkish lira is in circulation, and cars and real estate are sold in pounds sterling. In stores, you can easily pay with both euros and dollars. Almost all of the country’s imports and exports are carried out through Turkey. The biggest sources of income are casinos, tourism, and education. If at the beginning of the 00s, the per capita income in Northern Cyprus was 2-3 thousand dollars, then in 2021 this figure is already 6,000-10,000 dollars per year per person. The minimum minimum wage is 4,324 liras/month on hand, as of October 29, 2021.

Real estate

The island is unique. And each property is individual in its own way. The only disadvantage in the secondary market, in my opinion, is the lack of central heating. Yes, the country is hot, but there is eternal summer here. But in winter, it is quite chilly in the apartments. You go outside during the day, and there is a babble of +18 +20 ° C. And at home it is much cooler. Now construction companies are already solving this issue by using heating or underfloor heating in new houses. So when choosing real estate, take this fact into account. Or, you will simply have to heat yourself by buying a gas stove, or use an air conditioner. Personally, I love this island from head to toe. He’s mine, he’s so dear… 🙂 With its streets and small houses… With its unparalleled beauty and originality… I came here many years ago, but I still can’t stop admiring the beauty and comfort. He’s mine…
Love at first sight! Northern Cyprus 🙂 🙂 🙂 Source: Veles Enterprises Article prepared by: Valerii Veles Ask your question directly to the experts at Veles.

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