Cyprus guide
Our Cyprus travel guide leads you to the archaeological sites, Blue Flag beaches and mountain viewpoints rarely glimpsed by the bucket and spade brigade...
BEST TIME TO GO TO NORTHERN CYPRUS
Consider visiting Northern Cyprus in winter, when local restaurants remain open in Kyrenia and Bellapais whilst archaeological sites, such as Salamis, are all but deserted.
Spring starts early with mild weather encouraging walkers and cyclists to visit in Feb regardless of occasional showers. Evenings will be cold, however, and spring is probably too chilly to attempt a sea swim. Mar-Apr are a lot brighter, with bougainvillea appearing in villages whilst wild buttercups, poppies and orchids create colour along the Besparmak Trail. May-Jun is the best time to go to Northern Cyprus for sunshine without the intensity of Jul-Aug. Sep-Oct is another great season, with festivals celebrating the carob and olive harvest. Weather conditions are a lot less wet for walkers now, in comparison to spring.
Our Northern Cyprus Holidays
North Cyprus walking holiday
Varied walks amid rugged scenery and superb archaeology
From
£729 to £1029
8 days
inc UK flights
Northern Cyprus walking holiday
Introductory walking holiday Northern Cyprus
From
£785 to £1095
8 days
inc UK flights
Northern Cyprus small group tour
Travel to Kyrenia, Nicosia, Rizokarpaso and Famagusta
From
£740 to £780
-
ex flights
Cyprus hike and bike holiday, self-guided
Explore village life, nature, seaside paths while keeping fit
From
€324 to €534
8 days
ex flights
Besparmak trail walking holiday Cyprus
Self-guided walking while enjoying rich flora & views
From
€515 to €535
8 days
ex flights
North Cyprus hiking holiday
Moderate hikes enjoying flora, historical places and seaviews
From
€395 to €428
5 days
ex flights
Northern CYPRUS Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
8
17
80
FEB
8
17
64
MAR
9
19
34
APR
11
21
19
MAY
15
24
5
JUN
18
28
2
JUL
20
30
0
AUG
21
30
0
SEP
19
29
4
OCT
16
27
18
NOV
13
22
66
DEC
10
19
94
NORTHERN CYPRUS, MONTH BY MONTH
Our top Northern Cyprus Holiday
North Cyprus walking holiday
Varied walks amid rugged scenery and superb archaeology
From
£729 to £1029
8 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2018: 22 Dec
2019: 9 Feb, 9 Mar, 6 Apr, 4 May, 28 Sep, 12 Oct, 9 Nov, 21 Dec
2018: 22 Dec
2019: 9 Feb, 9 Mar, 6 Apr, 4 May, 28 Sep, 12 Oct, 9 Nov, 21 Dec
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Northern Cyprus or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN CYPRUS
Things to do in Northern Cyprus…
Things not to do in Northern Cyprus…
NORTHERN CYPRUS HOLIDAYS ADVICE
HISTORIC HOT SPOTS
Historic hot spots
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier, Exodus, provides a few tips for visitors to Northern Cyprus:
“If you're interested in history and archaeology I'd recommend a visit to the Maritime Museum in Kyrenia which is home to one of the oldest shipwrecks. It's located in the crusader castle which is an amazing location. It's also well worth going over the border in Nicosia and heading to the archaeology museum for the afternoon; crossing the border from North to South is very easy. Also, the best collection of Cypriot pottery is at St Barnabas’s Church, just outside Famagusta.”
NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL
Naturally beautiful
“Some of the locations on the Karpas Peninsula are astounding; places like Ayios Philon with its ancient harbour and secluded coastline which is a major area for green turtle nesting. Also the nearby village of Ayios Trias is really worthwhile alongside visits to Kantara Castle and the ruined Agia Triada Basilica.”
SUMMER TIME BLUES
Summer time blues
“Kyrenia does get very busy in July and August and far too hot for walking holidays. I'd avoid these months.”
RECOMMENDED READING
Recommended reading
“A couple of books that I'd recommend for first-time visitors to Northern Cyprus would be, Northern Cyprus: A Traveller's Guide by Eileen Davey and Where to Watch Birds in Northern Cyprus by Stephen R. Cale.”
HOW TO GET TO NORTHERN CYPRUS
How to get to Northern Cyprus
Marina, from our supplier Kaleidoskop Turizm, offers advice for travellers in Northern Cyprus:
“There are daily connections from all major cities in Britain and Europe via Turkey but it is also possible for EU passport holders to fly into Larnaca airport in southern Cyprus before crossing the border into the North. This means you avoid having to make a stop in Turkey. The best place to cross the border is at Ledra Street, Nicosia. You can cross on foot or by taxi. It's no problem for travellers to cross the border back from North to South if they've flown into Larnaca.”
NORTHERN EXPOSURE
Northern exposure
“The northern half of Nicosia is much more impressive than the south, with many medieval and Ottoman sites including St Sophia Cathedral (now Selimiye Mosque), Büyük Han and Kumarcilar Han kervansaray (ancient roadside inns) and the Aga Cafer Mosque.”
FESTIVAL FUN
Festival fun
“There are some lovely villages in Northern Cyprus such as Bellapais and Çatalköy, east of Kyrenia, and Dipkarpaz in the Karpas Mountains. Spring and autumn are certainly the best time to visit these sorts of villages as you'll find lots of seasonal festivals taking place. Our favourites include the Bellapais Music Festival held at Bellapais Abbey; the Famagusta Culture and Art Festival held in the ancient outdoor theatre at Salamis; and the October Olive and Folk Festival in Zeytinlik.”
Tips from our holiday reviews
TIPS
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Northern Cyprus holidays travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.
The night sky was lovely and the walks very enjoyable.
– Helen Turley on a small group walking holiday in Northern Cyprus
“I loved the village setting and the quiet hotel. The night sky was lovely and the walks very enjoyable. I found my lightweight binoculars very useful. Bring a light towel and swimsuit if you want to swim. If you need snacks then it is a good idea to pack a few things like nuts and energy bars. We used local transport and frequented the local bars and cafés. The hotel used local produce too. We also shopped at the village bakery.” – Helen Turley on a small group walking holiday in Northern Cyprus
“The walks were really good, easy terrain but hilly and some longish days, some beautiful views. Wonderful to find an infinity pool at our hotel in Drouchia at the end of long hot walk.” – Julie Khan on a self-guided walking holiday in Northern Cyprus
More about Northern Cyprus
Discover the lesser visited side of Cyprus as you step back in time and enjoy the warmth and hospitality of Turkish-Cypriots living in the North.
If you only listen to one side of an argument, you might not get all the facts.
More relevant guides
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: George M. Groutas] [Best time to go: Muammerokumus]
[Things to do: Dickelbers]
[Historic hot spots: Yeowatzup]
[Naturally beautiful: Dickelbers]
[Summer time blues: Graeme Churchard]
[Recommended reading: Artur Malinowski]
[How to get there: Martin Alvarez Espinar]
[Northern exposure: Hermann Junghans]
[Festival fun: Josef Moser]
[Bellapais town: Paul Lakin]
[Beach at dusk: Franco Pecchio]
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