Greek
Kirínia, Turkish Girne city, is situated along the northern
coast of Turkish Cyprus. It is a busy little town with a harbour
appreciated for its natural beauty. Founded by the Achaeans,
ancient Greek colonists, and fortified by the Byzantines, Franks,
and Venetians, the city was the administrative headquarters
of the Kyrenia district of the Republic of Cyprus until the
Turkish intervention in 1974. In its heyday it was lined with
warehouses, stored with fruits of the countryside whilst they
awaited export. The buildings are now mostly all restaurants,
all of which have tables and chairs lining the water. The castle
at the east end of the harbour is a very spectacular site and
within its walls there is a 12 century chapel showing reused
late Roman capitals.
Just 10minutes above Kyrenia is Bellapais
Abbey. Set in this fabulous location, a visit to this 14th century
Lusignan abbey is a must.
Escape
beach Club and Club Acapulco are the top two beaches in Kyrenia.
They both offer plenty of entertainment. They both have a bar,
restaurant and night club. These two beaches are perfect for
younger travelers.
Turtle beach is situated on the new coast road East of Kyrenia
driving towards Esentepe. The beach is protected during the
summer months between the hours of 9pm and 5am. This is because
rare Turtles come to lay their eggs on the beach area under
the watchful eye of conservationists. The beach by day is excellent
and used a lot by the locals. At this location is a small building
called the 'Turtle Project." You can go there to learn about
Turtles, see videos and book in to sleep on the beach at night
and watch the Turtles coming to shore to lay their eggs. They
lay their eggs around June and August is the hatching time.
You have an excellent opportunity to find pleasant
places for walking in Northern Cyprus. The Besparmak Mountains
are ideal walking areas. You can go to St. Hilarion Castle and
park your car there. Head west to take in the amazing views
of Kyrenia.
Enclosed
to the north by the sea and to the south by the greenery of
the Besparmak (Five finger) Mountain range, it offers the most
magnificent scenery on the island. It's charming and tiny harbour,
full of yachts and fishing boats, is framed by the colossal
hulk of its Crusader castle. With the backdrop of the jagged
mountains behind and the calm sparkling sea in front, the harbour
has an intoxicatingly serene atmosphere.
Overlooking the
entrance to the harbour is Kyrenia Castle. Dating
from the time of the Byzantines, its massive defenses
surround a complex mixture of building styles from
centuries before and it is likely that there was
a Roman fort here originally. Subsequently enlarged
and strengthened by the Lusignans and then the Venetians, the castle is now home to
many historical artifacts and is the current resting-place of
the world's oldest shipwreck.
Kyrenia isan easy place to be any time of
the day. There are lots of charming shops to explore in the
harbour and in the cobbled narrow alleys surrounding it.There
are markets and numerous local cafés to visit also.
As the sunsets, Kyrenia harbour again
becomes the focus of activity as the locals take their evening
stroll and the cafés and bistros that face the sea prepare for
their nightly trade. Crisp white linen and small vases of local
flowers are lovingly arranged on tabletops to welcome the evening's
guests to wine and dine in the cooling breeze.
Greek
Kirínia, Turkish Girne city, is situated along the northern
coast of Turkish Cyprus. It is a busy little town with a harbour
appreciated for its natural beauty. Founded by the Achaeans,
ancient Greek colonists, and fortified by the Byzantines, Franks,
and Venetians, the city was the administrative headquarters
of the Kyrenia district of the Republic of Cyprus until the
Turkish intervention in 1974. In its heyday it was lined with
warehouses, stored with fruits of the countryside whilst they
awaited export. The buildings are now mostly all restaurants,
all of which have tables and chairs lining the water. The castle
at the east end of the harbour is a very spectacular site and
within its walls there is a 12 century chapel showing reused
late Roman capitals. 
Escape
beach Club and Club Acapulco are the top two beaches in Kyrenia.
They both offer plenty of entertainment. They both have a bar,
restaurant and night club. These two beaches are perfect for
younger travelers. 
Enclosed
to the north by the sea and to the south by the greenery of
the Besparmak (Five finger) Mountain range, it offers the most
magnificent scenery on the island. It's charming and tiny harbour,
full of yachts and fishing boats, is framed by the colossal
hulk of its Crusader castle. With the backdrop of the jagged
mountains behind and the calm sparkling sea in front, the harbour
has an intoxicatingly serene atmosphere. 
