Local Information
If you are both fit and brave you could climb to the heights of St Hilarion Castle, a mountain fortification that predates the Holy Wars and Richard the Lionheart. The view from the top is truly amazing and well worth the effort, but definately not for the faint hearted!
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The old harbour in Kyrenia is one of the most beautiful and enchanting you will find anywhere in the Mediterranean. A wealth of restaurants, both traditional and modern, have utilised the ancient quayside warehouses to offer the perfect setting in which to enjoy a meal beside the many yachts that
are moored under the protection of the towering castle
ramparts.
are moored under the protection of the towering castle
ramparts.
Just 5 - 10 minutes away from the villa by car is yet another enchanting location, Bellapais Abbey. This is a 14th century Lusignan monastery set in the beautiful and tranquil village of Bellapais where author Lawrence Durrell, the writer of Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, made his home.
Despite its indescribable beauty, an evening meal in one of the open fronted restaurants overlooking the romantically lit Gothic architecture of the Abbey costs very little. Alternatively you could take a day-time trip around the Abbey and then languish in the shade of the famous Tree of Idleness that stands nearby.
Despite its indescribable beauty, an evening meal in one of the open fronted restaurants overlooking the romantically lit Gothic architecture of the Abbey costs very little. Alternatively you could take a day-time trip around the Abbey and then languish in the shade of the famous Tree of Idleness that stands nearby.
View from St Hilarion
St Hilarion Castle
These are just a few of the many attractions within easy reach of the villa. There are many others, such as the Octopus Water Park which is 8km from Kyrenia and has a range of pools and water slides for the kids. If sand and sea is more to your liking, there are many quiet beaches to explore and the boat day trips that leave from the harbour offer a great opportunity to see the island from a different perspective and have great fun at the same time.
Getting around North Cyprus doesn't have to involve hiring a car. Taxis are reasonably priced and there are regular mini bus services between 6.30am and 6.30pm. This service is known as the Dolmush and is extremely cheap, although by no means luxurious, but it is good fun and very convenient. The buses will stop for you anywhere, all you have to do is hold out your arm when you see one approaching.
