Detached Villa with Private Swimming Pool in Northern Cyprus

Things To Do & See

There are a number of places of historical interest within easy reach of Villa Royale, Alsancak, Kyrenia. Plus there are beautiful walks, scuba diving in clear waters, sailing, water skiing, turtles, bird watching, orchids, great beaches, and much more.

Kyrenia Harbour

Whether you're sitting in the shade with a beer during a blistering summer's day, enjoying a meal in the evening, or taking a brisk walk during a winter's day, the beauty of the place will charm you. It's still used as a working harbour, although most of what were once merchants' warehouses are now restaurants and bars.

The harbour is the main departure point for boat trips in the morning, the core of the local fishing industry, a great place to escape the summer sun at midday, and it forms the centre of Kyrenia's night-life. It retains an old-fashioned atmosphere and is one of the most enchanting sites in the Eastern Mediterranean.

St. Hilarion Castle

St. Hilarion Castle, which is perched 2,000 feet above Kyrenia in the Five Finger mountains, providing the visitor with a panoramic view of most of the northern coastline stretching from the ‘Pan Handle’ to Lapta.

Kyrenia Castle

The 7th Century Byzantine Kyrenia castle built to defend the town from attacks by the Arabs dominates the landscape. Housed within the walls of the castle is the shipwreck museum, which exhibits one of the oldest commercial ships in the world, which belonged to Alexander the Great.

Bellapais Abbey

Bellapais Abbey

The well-preserved 12th century Bellapais Abbey and village.

Walking

North Cyprus is exceptionally unspoilt and offers any walker a wonderful opportunity to get back in touch with nature and enjoy a breathtaking sense of freedom. The air is fresh and clean, the sun will be shining, and from the top of the Besparmak Mountains the Mediterranean Sea and valleys lie invitingly before you. While walking in winter can be especially pleasurable, some form of lightweight anorak would be advisable.

During the Spring there are many organised treks in the mountains and flower and orchid walks, these are often advertised in the Green Jacket Bookshop in Kyrenia or the local English language newspaper Cyprus Today which comes out on Saturdays. Green Jacket Bookshop is also an excellent place to pick up Cyprus history books and maps and even a North Cyprus restaurant guide or a walking tour book as well.

Beaches

The beaches of Northern Cyprus are among the cleanest and safest in the Mediterranean. Virtually the whole length of the Northern coast provides beaches. To the east of Wild Olive Villa and Kyrenia, along the coast road, most of the beaches are beautiful deserted stretches of sand and rock. Long stretches of sandy beach also line the Eastern Coast, North of Famagusta.

Water Parks

Octopus Aqua Park is 8 km from Kyrenia and open 8 am – 5 pm daily during summer.
There are water and dry apparatus with slides, pool bar and restaurant.
Address: Octopus Aqua Park, Besparmak Caddesi, Catalkoy
Tel.: 853 96 74

Karting

The ZET International Karting Circuit, which exceeds the highest European standards and has one of the best racing surfaces in the region, has become a frequent stop for the fans of the sport since its opening on the 20th of May 2000. This remarkable structure which is un-matched even in Europe and is expected to contribute immensely to the Karting sport, provides drivers with 5 different racing distances, namely 300, 600, 900, 1100 and 1200 meters. The asphalt platform is 7 meters wide and has sand and earth barriers. Zet Karting & Leisure Centre Ltd. Tel:(+90 533) 866 6173)

Scuba Diving

The fascinating and unique underwater world of North Cyprus, where you can enjoy one of the longest diving seasons in the Mediterranean. You will find crystal-clear, unpolluted water where the marine life is still undisturbed. Underwater visibility can be more than 30 meters.

You can choose from about twenty diving sites east and west of Kyrenia. These are sites that will give the experienced diver thrills and the warm, crystal-clear water and limited depth provide perfect learning condition for beginner.

You can experience wreck diving including the site where in the 1960's one of the world's oldest shipwreck was found dating from the time of Alexander the Great. The excavated hull of the ship, together with its cargo of amphorae and millstones is hosed in a special museum in Kyrenia Castle.

You will be accompanied by professional drivers who will do everything to give you an unforgettable diving holiday. We also want to inform you that Scuba Diving along the coast of North Cyprus is not allowed on your own. And it is illegal to move or touch any historical artifacts.

Turtles

North Cyprus is the primary nesting site of the Caretta-caretta sea turtle where there are some 65 beaches known to be nesting sites. The best times to observe the nesting is at the end of June and beginning of July. To observe the hatching is the best during end of August and beginning of September.

Orchids
Because of their rarity and beauty, orchids hold a special fascination for all naturalists. At North Cyprus, the orchid flora consists of 32 confirmed species, subspecies and varieties and a further three or five which presence needs verifying. Some species will be familiar to botanists from north-western Europe, such as pyramidal orchid and autumn lady's tresses, but there are also more exotic species including violet limodore, tongue-flowered serapias, naked man orchid and more. No doubt more observant botanists will find these and other orchid species more frequently but we think it s true to say that they are localised and hence always a delight when stumbled upon.

Salamis

Ancient city on the east coast of Cyprus, the capital under the early Ptolemies until its harbour silted up about 200 BC, when it was succeeded by Paphos in the south-west.

Cimemas

There are local cinemas in Kyrenia showing films in English with Turkish subtitles.

Girne Lemar Cineplex (Kyrenia), Tel: 822 35 65

Girne Galleria Cinema Club (Kyrenia), Tel: 815 94 33

Markets

Kyrenia Municipal Market : Right behind the Kyrenia bus terminal or inside, open every Wednesday.

Bazaar in North Nicosia: If you follow Girne Caddesi (Kyrenia Street) from Sarayonu towards the Green Line, you come across the pedestrianized Arasta Sokagi, the heart of north Nicosia’s main shopping district. The visitors purchase cloth and clothing.

The Belediye Pazari, or municipal covered market is popularly known as “Bandabulya” It was the main marketplace of the city during the Ottomans and still remains a pleasant local market for fresh vegetable and meat, as well as Turkish delights and souvenirs.

Location: Arasta Sokagi, North Nicosia
Open from: Monday - Friday 6 am - 3pm, Saturday 6 am - 1pm

Contact: Chris Graham
cg@kyreniacyprus.co.uk