Kyrenia is a charming town on the northern coast of Cyprus, noted for its picturesque horseshoe-shaped harbour, with a dramatic backdrop of the magnificent Besparmak ‘Fivefinger’ Mountains. With its 6,000 year long history, miles of natural beaches, unique remains of countless civilisations, calm sea, and mild climate Kyrenia is an idyllic Mediterranean town.
The town’s tiny harbour is full of yachts and fishing boats bobbing on the sparkling sea. The harbour is lined with the grand warehouses, once used to store carob beans, now home to bustling restaurants and buzzing bars. The impressive fortress of Kyrenia Castle guards the entrance to the harbour as it has done since Byzantine times.
Kyrenia is a place full of history and if you look up from the town you can spot St. Hilarion Castle perched precariously on the rock high above. Rumoured to be the original inspiration for Walt Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’, it is one of the most – visited sites in Northern Cyprus.
The coast around Kyrenia has great beaches. If you want the excitement of water-sports, such as windsurfing or jet skiing you will find them at beach clubs dotted along this part of the coast. Or perhaps you are an adrenaline -junky…if so why not try out sports like paragliding, parasailing and scuba diving which are well catered for in this area.
One of the best ways to explore the beautiful coastline around Kyrenia is to take a boat trip for the day on one of the boats leaving from the picturesque harbour. Cruise the crystal- clear waters of the Med, enjoy a rustic lunch on board, discover hidden coves and dive off the boat into the deep blue sea.
