Sightseeing in Kyrenia - what to see. Complete travel guide

The magnificent city of Kyrenia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern Cyprus. Surrounded by the mountains, this port city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea has everything needed for a comfortable stay. The resort city has a calm atmosphere. There are no high-rise buildings here because all houses must have five stores or less according to the local law. Numerous tourists arrive in Kyrenia every year for the sake of clean beaches with soft sand and tender sea. The most active tourists not only indulge themselves in beachside recreation but also visit local attractions.

First inhabitants on the site of the modern resort appeared almost six thousand years BC. It is believed that Cepheus from Arcadia was the founder of Kyrenia. The first mentions of the town in official documents date back to the period of Ramesses III. At that time, Kyrenia was the main center of sea trade between Asia Minor and Greece. During the Roman Empire period, which Kyrenia was a part of, the town kept its position of an important trading stop. In 395, the Cyprian town came under the Byzantine Empire. Kyrenia not only maintained its importance but also turned into a major political center.

The city was developing over the years and got protective fortresses and strongholds, but even they failed to protect the territory from the attacks of Ottomans who invaded Cyprus in 1571. The well-protected settlement was captured. Local people were forced to leave their houses and move to neighbor areas. In the second half of the 19th century, the territory of Kyrenia was managed by the British. This is the time when the region got new roads, schools, several hospitals, clubs, and even first hotels. When the war between the Greeks and Turks started, the city lost its importance as a center of trade. Since that time, tourism has been the main source of income for Kyrenia and its residents. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The best beaches in Kyrenia are located in its neighborhoods. They are perfect for groups of tourists and family vacations with children. The first beach, which is located approximately fifteen kilometers from the city, has an interesting name – Alagadi. This coastal area is perfectly suitable for everyone who wants to relax away from the urban noise and stress. The sea is clean here, and the water is always very warm. The beach is quite a wide and long coastal area covered with soft sand. The sea bottom also has a layer of soft sand.

The coastal area usually works until 8 pm. There is a reason for this. Sea turtles lay their eggs on this beach to give birth to tiny baby turtles. This happens mostly at night, and volunteers guard this beach to make sure that vacationers do not disturb this natural process. Tourists might also notice several restricted areas that have turtle nests. This is the reason why Alagadi is often referred to as Turtle Beach.

Kervansaray is one more popular coastal area. This beach is situated five kilometers from Kyrenia. Both locals and tourists enjoy visiting Kervansaray, so the beach is always crowded and noisy. The Mediterranean Sea coast is always clean and tidy here, and soft golden sand covers the entire beach. To the service of visitors, there are sun loungers and umbrellas for rent. There are quality restaurants and bars not far from the beach. They are great not only for having a snack or drinking cold beverages but also for enjoying a family dinner.

It is worth mentioning one more beach in the vicinities of Kyrenia. This is Diana. Frankly speaking, Diana is a small bay with a pebble sea bottom. A row of olive trees separates the beach area from the road. The sea is quite shallow near the coast, making this beach suitable for families with children. The sea is always calm and warm in the bay, and there are no high waves here almost all the time. There are sun loungers and umbrellas available for rent. The infrastructure of Diana Beach also includes toilets, dressing cabins, and showers. Rescue teams make sure that everyone is safe all day long.

When it comes to sightseeing in Kyrenia, tourists usually enjoy visiting the same name castle in the old haven. Venetians built this castle in the sixteenth century in order to protect the city from the attacks of the Arabs. A global reconstruction started in the castle in 1208. It lasted for almost three years. This restoration expanded the territory of the castle complex and added new details to the building such as new towers and the upgraded entrance. The residence for royal guests was the main upgrade of the building. When Cyprus became independent, the Kyrenia Castle became open for visitors.

There are many roads to Kyrenia from other cities in Northern Cyprus. Daily buses connect this city to Famagusta and Nicosia. Ercan International Airport is the closest to Kyrenia, but it serves flights from Turkey only. The flight lasts one hour. Upon arrival, tourists need to change to the bus that will take them to Kyrenia within forty minutes. It is also possible to get to the treasure of North Cyprus by ferry from Alanya.