North Cyprus – Island of Adventure & Discovery

North Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean is a fascinating island to visit. It is reached via the Turkish mainland by air, flights coming into Ercan Airport. Upon arrival at the airport near Nicosia, North Cyprus car hire can be arranged for day trips out to some historic sites on the island. Let the magic of this place take you over!

Kyrenia and Famagusta
30kms to the North of the airport is the coastal town of Kyrenia and its 7th Century castle. Towering over its tangle of fishing boats in the quaint harbour below, Kyrenia Castle was built as a defensive structure to help protect the island against raiders from the Arab Lands. Much of the structure that you see today is the re-fortified efforts of the Venetians who occupied Cyprus during the 15th Century.

Inside the castle is a maze of steps and corridors leading off to the many rooms and towers that are fun for all the family to explore. Of special note is the Shipwreck Museum, secreted away within the old living quarters of the Castle. Here you’ll find the magnificently preserved wooden hull of a 4th Century BC trading vessel that sank in the waters just off the coast of Kyrenia. It was discovered in the late 1960s, and is now on show in the museum, along with its precious cargo.

Take the road towards the east coast of North Cyprus and you’ll reach the vibrant port town of Famagusta – a drive of some 50kms from the airport. Renowned for its medieval architecture, Famagusta offers the opportunity to immerse one’s self in some 3,300 years of history. The first settlements here date to around the 13th Century BC. You might even just find a direct link to Egypt during your Famagusta adventure – it is noted by some historians that the city was in fact founded by King Ptolemy Philadelphus of Egypt in 285 BC !