Northern Cyprus

North Cyprus covers 3,355 square kilometres and includes the most beautiful white sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. The Kyrenia mountain backdrops especially the five fingers range are absolutely stunning . As far east as the Karpaz, more commonly known as the Pan Handle and as far west as the village of North Cyprus Yeşilırmak, the scenery is breathtaking.
Northern Cyprus boasts orchards of Olive, Almonds and Citrus fruits.

Visitors fall in love with the warm weather with guaranteed sunshine for more than 300 days a year. The North Cyprus lifestyle is very laidback and the crime rate is extremely low.

The cost of living is far cheaper than our Mediterranean neighbours,  add this together with the other factors mentioned, makes North Cyprus one of the Mediterranean hotspots for property purchasing and investing.

North Cyprus Time

Local Northern Cyprus time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Major Towns in North Cyprus

The capital of Northern Cyprus is Lefkoşa, which is the only divided city in the world shared with Southern Cyprus (Nicosia). The other major towns are Gazi Mağusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia) and Güzelyurt (Morphou).

Castles of Northern Cyprus 

There are three historical Castles in Northern Cyprus
St. Hilarion
Buffavento
Kantara

St Hilarion takes its name from a monk who had fled from persecution in the Holy land and was living in a cave on the mountain. St Hilarion, originally built as a watch tower to give warning of approaching Arab pirates around the 7th Century. Tourists every year climb to the highest point and enjoy the feeling of being on top of the world

Language spoken in North Cyprus

The Official language is Turkish although English is widely used.

Flying to North Cyprus

Although there are no direct flights to North Cyprus from countries other than Turkey, travelling to North Cyprus is not a problem.
Cyprus Turkish Airlines (Kibris Türk Hava Yollari), Turkish Airlines, fly scheduled flights to the TRNC from all international airports worldwide via Turkey.

Flights  to North Cyprus touch down in Turkey usually making a brief stop in the airports of Izmir, Istanbul, Ankara, Adana or Antalya. Normally the stopover lasts for an hour and passengers remain in the aircraft (Cyprus Turkish Airlines and Onur Air). On some occassions the airline company may change the aircraft (for example, Turkish Airlines). In this case passengers are required to wait in the transit lounge and obtain a boarding pass of their ongoing flight to Northern Cyprus.

If travelling from Turkey, you may choose from a number of scheduled flights from Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana and Antalya.

From Turkey's main airports to North Cyprus takes sixty to ninety minutes.

Your arrival in Northern Cyprus will be into Erçan Airport (situated near Nicosia).  To get details on timetable, prices and flight booking contact airline offices or visit their web sites. You may also contact travel agencies for more information.

Driving in North Cyprus

Car insurance is obligatory.

Third Party or Fully Comprehensive.

Third Party does not give fire or theft cover and are very limited on 3rd party vehicle damage. BE SURE TO CHECK LIMITS OBTAINED.

In the TRNC, traffic circulates on the left and traffic signs are international. Speed limits and drink drive regulations are enforced, as are parking restrictions.

Fines in North Cyprus are not nearly as expensive as in the U.K. but can be "on the spot".

A valid British driving licence is recognised in the TRNC for a limited period, as is an International Driving Licence.  Anyone owning a car in North Cyprus is required within three months to have, a TRNC driving licence.  If this is not obtained and an accident occurs, car insurance becomes null and void.

A Driving Licence can be obtained on presentation of a temporary or permanent Residency Permit  and your original British driving licence, together with a photocopy of both sides and 2 passport sized photographs. Forms are available from the Taxation Office in Kyrenia. There is a fee for the driving licence; a 1,2,3,5 or 10 year licence may be purchased.