Kyrenia Cyprus

The city of Kyrenia lies on the northern coast of Cyprus and was settled by Achaean travellers in the 10 century BC since then it has been the center of activity for trade and more recently tourism. The most attractive spot in Kyrenia is its old harbour just beside the ancient greco-roman castle built in the 7th century and still stands proud and intact. The primary function of the castle was to protect invasion from the arabs. The castle is accessed by a bridge and houses a museum of one of the oldest ship wrecks ever salvaged from the bottom of the sea. The castle also displays in the dungeons the tools of torture which were used over the times on the prisoners.

The old harbour can be considered the most scenic port in all of cyprus with its crescent shaped sea front full of restaurants and cafés very popular with tourists and locals alike mingling with each other on cool evenings for a drink or a meal. Kyrenia also boasts more than 200 hotels, holiday villages more than in any other city in Northern Cyprus some.

The district of Kyrenia is dispersed with many historical monuments and antiquities the castles of St Hilarion, Kantara and Buffavento all three have panoramic views of the sea and traverse the five finger mountain range they are all inline with each other and positioned in such a way that communication was possible by fire lights in order to warn if there was an enemy invasion. Also of note and worth seeing near Kyrenia are the Bellapais monastery, the folk arts museum, The Icon Museum, Sourp Magar Monastery and Antiphontis Church.

Bellapais Monastery

Bellapais Abbey would be one of the best places to visit for a relaxation when holidaying in Kyrenia. The Abbey itself is amazing the visitors with its tranquility and peace. Bellapais Monastery which is the most popular site of the Bellapais is waiting to be explored by visitors.