ABOUT KYRENIA / GIRNE NORTHERN CYPRUS

KYRENIA / GIRNE

The town of Kyrenia, or Girne to use the local name, is a thriving centre of commerce and tourism and is located on the northern coastline. This has been a very popular destination for people seeking to buy property in Northern Cyprus for many years and continues to attract many newcomers and holidaymakers.

 

The town has a fascinating history and is famous for having what many believe to be the most attractive harbour in the Mediterranean. This is now surrounded by some excellent restaurants where you can sit in the warm sunshine and enjoy a meal or a drink whilst watching the activity in the harbour. A number of Turkish style gulets operate as pleasure craft and it is easy to book a day out which may well include a meal onboard as you cruise the North Cyprus coastline. The harbour is guarded by an ancient 7th century castle and the whole area is watched over by St Hilarion castle sitting proudly on the top of the mountains which run parallel to the coast.

 

Although the town is home to many expats who have happily settled here over the years, the surrounding villages within region have also become very popular due to investment in infrastructure and roads that make access to the town from some beautiful village locations very easy. Heading east along the scenic coastal road are a number of excellent locations and here we give brief descriptions of some of these. Most of our individual property pages have a description of the location but if you would like information on a place not shown please let us know.

 

 

Ozankoy to the east of Kyrenia. The village is very popular because of its position close to Kyrenia Town and the area is a delightful place in which to live or to holiday. The village provides many day to day requirements but most things can be obtained in Kyrenia Town .

 

 

Bellapais, unchanged and unhurried since its colonial days, this enchanting village has been immortalised in the book "Bitter Lemons" by Lawrence Durrell. The centre piece of the charming village and its main attraction is Bellapais Abbey.

Perched precariously on a natural terrace, the abbey stands guard over the whole of the northern coastline, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and indeed most important Gothic buildings in the Near East. The view seaward is quite stunning. A number of villas and bungalows can be found as you approach the village up the hill from Kyrenia Town which is about 4 km away.

 

Esentepe. The village of Esentepe is another spot growing in popularity in some part due to the nearby Korineum Golf Centre. The village is quite self sufficient and there are numerous beaches to choose from. Kyrenia Town is a pleasant drive to the west and new road links have opened up the way to the Karpaz Peninsula which in addition to some of the finest beaches in the world, also now boasts the Karpaz Gate Marina. For the golfer, or the yachtie, the sunbather or someone just seeking peace and quiet, Esentepe has a lot to offer.

 

Lapta just 10 kilometres west from Kyrenia is considered to be a tourist hotspot. With excellent hotels and accommodation it offers the home seeker or holidaymaker a good base in North Cyprus.  The town of Lapta is divided into two sections, the Lapta strip with a wide selection of hotels, bars and restaurants; In contrast you have the Old Town, an historical, interesting and lively part of Northern Cyprus. The picturesque sprawling village covers a number of mountain terraces overlooking the sea and its narrow winding streets are dotted with a number of pretty white washed churches.

 

Karaoğlanoğlu. Once a small sleepy village, Karaoğlanoğlu has now grown to be a sought-after suburb of Kyrenia, about 5km to the west of the town centre and harbour. The village is famous for its lemon and olive groves which sprawl the hills and the fields. In the recent years, with the popularity of the area both with locals and with tourists, several hotels and restaurants have emerged on the coastline with care taken not to overdevelop the area to the detriment of the environment.

 

 

Karsiyaka is located to the west of Kyrenia and sits at the foot of the Besparmak mountain range. Karsiyaka has flat land along the coast of which stretches 2 to 3 miles from the sea and up to the steep Kyrenia mountain range. The crystal clear Mediterranean and selection of secluded bays are just stunning and just 5 minutes’ drive from the village you will find a large and beautiful bay where it is still very possible for you to be the only person there. The village of Karsiyaka is also famous for its historical monastery that sits perched high up in the mountain. While some people who prefer to be close to town might consider Karsiyaka 'too far away' it is only a 20 minutes from central Kyrenia.

 

Karmi. The picturesque village of Karmi is situated approximately 4 miles west of Kyrenia and is 1,000 ft above sea level giving virtually every house breathtaking views along the coastline. Karmi is undoubtedly the prettiest and most well-kept village in the north as all the houses have been restored in a traditional manner often with flagged floors, beamed ceilings, stone arches and roof terraces set in an array of flowers, plants and trees. The village has a couple of restaurants, bars, pubs and a village shop.

 

These are just a few of the many delightful and magical locations awaiting the property buyer. There are lots more. Come and find out for yourselves.

Our brand new web site is now up and running and this page will re-direct you to the corresponding page there in 10 seconds. From  there you can easily reach our new search links to help find your ideal property or more find more information.  Thank you for visiting Busy Bees- Your friendly and caring North Cyprus estate agent.