Cyprus Attractions - Northern Cyprus Vacation Villa Rentals

Walking / Trekking

Hiking tours for people of all ages and physical disposition are organized by a number of centers in the Kyrenia area generally conducted in the Girne mountain range. One particular party - "Mountain Climbing Sport Association", meets every Sunday between October and the end of April and twice a month (again on Sundays) between the summer months from May to the end of September. During the winter, the tour programmer is published at the beginning of every month explaining the route and where to meet etc. All walks, as well as being good exercise, endeavour to show walkers interesting natural and historical features like native cypress trees, historical ruins, etc. The tours generally start at 7.30 am and finish between 10 and 11 am. It is essential that you wear proper grooved walking shoes. You should take your own water and a hiking stick is advisable.

Tel: +9 0542 851 18 00 ( Mr. Mustafa Cemal - Chief of The Association ) - People on holiday or vacation are most welcome to participate.

Scuba Diving

North Cyprus offers you one of the longest scuba diving seasons in the Mediterranean so why not take advantage during your holiday or vacation to keep those skills sharp. Crystal-clear, unpolluted water where the marine life is still undisturbed and underwater visibility can be more than 30 meters. In the deep and warm blue you will meet sting rays, amber jacks, scorpions, bream, grouper, cuckoo, wrasse, and now and then a sea turtle. The under water terrain is an ideal place for octopus and moray eel, colorful sponges and corals, as well as treasures from ancient times. You can choose from about twenty scuba diving sites east and west of Kyrenia as well as safaris to scuba dive other places along the coast. There are sites that will give the experienced diver thrills and the warm, crystal-clear water and limited depth provide perfect learning conditions for beginners. You can experience wreck diving including the site where in the 1960's one of the oldest shipwrecks was found - 2,300 years old, dating from the time of Alexander the Great. The excavated hull of the ship, together with its cargo is housed in a special museum in Kyrenia Castle. Scuba Diving along the coast of North Cyprus is not allowed on your own. And it is illegal to move or touch any historical artifacts. More Scuba Diving Information.

Golf

The Esentepe Golf and Country Club (also known as the Korineum Golf & Country Club) is now fully opened with all eighteen holes ready for you to take up the challenge. A very comfortable and convenient Cyprus golf villa for your holiday as Esentepe Seaside Villa is conveniently located within an easy 5 minute drive to the golf course. Complete with pro shop, driving range, restaurant, and all amenities you would expect from a professional facility. For those that have been waiting it will certainly prove to have been worthwhile. Tourists and vacationers on holiday or vacation to the island are most welcome by paying daily green fees at the club.

Tel: +90 392 600 1500 or Fax: +90 392 600 1515 Korineum Golf & Country Club

Historical Exploration

North Cyprus is steeped in history and has its share of rich archaeological sites and medieval castles. Kyrenia was founded in the 10th century B.C., by Achaean settlers and was for many centuries one of the ten kingdoms of Cyprus. In the 7th century it was fortified by the Byzantines who built the original Kyrenia castle - later expanded by the Lusignans and then by the Venetians. The town remained a minor port under Ottoman rule. Under British rule, the harbour and quay were built,as the town was used as a resting place for officers, captains and their families due to its beautiful harbour and leisurely, romantic atmosphere. The town retains its original character, with many historic sites worth visiting. These include the Kyrenia Castle, Shipwreck Museum,St. Hilarion Castle believed to have been the inspiration for Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle,and the Village and Abbey at Bellapais immortalised in Laurence Durrell's book Bitter Lemons. The horseshoe shaped harbour is the focal point of the town, with its colourful fishing boats and yachts, The impressive Kyrenia Castle, at the eastern end of the harbour, was built in the 7th century by the Byzantines in order to protect the city against Arab raids, with additional fortification and enlargement carried out later during the Lusignan and Venetian periods. Now hosting plays and concerts, the castle is also the home to the Shipwreck museum, which displays the oldest shipwreck ever discovered believed to date from 300 B.C.

Just behind the harbour, you can find the Agha Cafer Pasha mosque, constructed in 1580 during the Ottoman period. The mosque, named after the Turkish landowner who founded its construction, has a rectangular main building housing a three roomed main hall, and has a single minaret. Beside the mosque lies the Hasan Kavizade Huseyin Efendi fountain, built in 1841. The three arched design is typical of fountains from that era. Go North Cyprus

Waterparks

What better way to escape the peak heat of the summer while on holiday in Northern Cyprus than to plunge into one of the many child friendly waterparks!

Octopus Aqua Park

Besparmak Caddesi, Catalkoy
Tel.: +9 0392 853 96 74
Open: 8 am – 5 pm daily during summer
Wet and dry apparatus with slides, pool bar and restaurant.

Acapulco Holiday Resort
Address:Catalkoy, Kyrenia via Mersin 10 Turkey
Tel: + 9 0392 824 44 10/11
Large swimming pool with 3 slides, child pool, beach and other facilities like catering, changing rooms and sport facilities. Daily fee applicable.
Website: Acapulco Holiday Resort

Riverside Holiday Village
Alsancak,Kyrenia, via Mersin 10 Turkey
Tel.:+ 90 392 821 8906, + 90 392 821 2211
The complex comprises both indoor and outdoor swimming pool with 4 slides and water chutes that guarantee lots of splashing for children and adults.

Sea Turtles

The beaches of North Cyprus are amongst the last in the Mediterranean to be selected by the turtles which lay their eggs toward the end of June/beginning of July. Hatching occurs during August/early September. Two protected species, Caretta-Carette and the Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) immigrate by the hundreds every year. They dig holes as deep as one meter during the night and 7 to 8 weeks later the little babies hatch and appear. North Cyprus can be considered as the home for about 25% of the Green Turtles of the Mediterranean. Groups of ecologists and students have been observing and protecting these rare animals from extinction for a number of years now. It is a sad fact that only one in a thousand survive. Even less would survive if it was not for the special conversation project taking place here in North Cyprus concerning this endangered species. We feel it is our responsibility to help these creatures to survive and to be able to continue, without threat to their nesting grounds, to visit our island. This has been their home much longer than it has been ours.

Bird Watching

It is possible to watch 347 different species of bird in Cyprus. However, only 46 of these are native of Cyprus, and 7 of these are the endemic sub-species (that is only found in Cyprus). 119 out of the 347 birds that can be observed on the island are of winter-migrant breeder type, and 90 of these migrate to Cyprus regularly every winter-time. 29 of these winter-migrants migrate to the island less regularly than others. Together with the native Cypriot birds 27 of then immigrate to Cyprus for breeding purposes. Apart from these, there are 220 other species of birds that use Cyprus as transit while migrating to other lands. 200 of these 220 species regularly pass as transit from Cyprus during their migration season. These are mostly the birds breeding in Europe, and migrating to Middle East and Africa. There are also birds that occasionally come to Cyprus by mistake, when they lose their groups, or their ways. There have so far 51 of this latter type recorded. Cyprus is on a north-south migration route and there are many birds in transit, some in vast flocks, and some in small clusters. These migrating birds may only rest for a few days to a week. March to May is the period of north-ward migration and August to October the southward.

Floral / Herbarium

Northern Cyprus has more to offer than its sun and sea, natural beauties and historic sites. One surprising attraction is the North Cyprus herbarium, which charms lovers of our wildflowers as well as providing a research center for botanists. Most people can confidently name the more showy blooms in the countryside; shepherds and foresters know dozens more. Local Cypress and pine trees also prove to be a favourite of naturalists and there are many trail hikes to enjoy the native habitat of the evergreen trees. A collection of pressed and labeled examples of nearly all the 1250 native plants species can be found in the ALEVKAYA Forest Station on the mountain ridge between Esentepe and Degirmenlik. It can be approached either by mountain road or by a lower tarmac road or by coastal road through Karaagac or Esentepe. Via the mountain road coming from Girne, drive past the Besparmak mountain and on top of the hill make a left turn to ALEVKAYA past the quarry. This is a roughly 9 km. drive along a narrow road but the views make this route worthwhile. The other route takes the road, further down the hill,signposted to ALEVKAYA. You can also reach the Herbarium via the northern coastal road by turning south either at Karaasaç or Esentepe. Learn more at the Esentepe North Cyprus Herbarium Web: Esentepe Herbarium

Fishing / Boating Trips

Fishing trips, private charter & daily sailings can be organized from the harbor in Kyrenia. Sailings are available for groups and families wishing to explore the coastline or just relax on the open sea. The season lasts from mid March until the end of November. Fishing trips are provided by a day ticket, with the experience and technical equipment to give anglers the chance to fish at great deep sea. A holiday in North Cyprus would simply not be complete without enjoying the sea breeze on board one of the many available vessels from the historic Kyrenia harbour. Whether to scuba dive, sight see or to simply relax at sea these trips are well worth the modest cost.

Sailing

The very good news you may not know about Esentepe is that construction is due to begin on Port Cyprium Marina in Kucuk Erenkoy (very near Esentepe) in 2008 ! While solid plans for the marina have been in place since 2005 it has taken time to get all of the legal and legislative issues through government.

Port Cyprium Marina is the brain child of Altan Houssein, a highly skilled engineering and construction contracts and project manager with over twenty years high level professional experience. Altan is also a keen sailor and diver who has had a long term dream to realise the construction of a Marina on the North Cyprus coast. Altan began examining whether the construction of such a facility was tenable many years ago and quickly discovered that there aren’t actually enough safe havens offering full facilities to sailors in the Eastern Mediterranean and that of the 22 marinas on the southern Turkish coastline offering decent facilities each and every one is already full.

Administrative hurdles have long been overcome as Altan, his team of expert advisers and backers have steadfastly held their course and received approval from the government Council of Ministers Session dated 22.06.2005 unanimously passing Resolution Number S-470-2005 for the marina to go ahead. A further breakthrough was reached this year when Rod Heikell featured Port Cyprium Marina in the 7th edition of his internationally acclaimed book ‘Turkish Waters Pilot & Cyprus’ which is a sailor’s must have guide to the coasts of Turkey from Bosphorus to the Syrian Border and Cyprus.

The marina will offer safe mooring with 542 berths and it will also feature numerous leisure facilities for yacht owners and nearby residents. There will be bars, restaurants, shops, a leisure club, dive and sailing centre that will offer full training and also pleasure boat excursions as well and there will be an onsite guest house as well for those sailors who want a few nights on dry land!

The realisation of Port Cyprium Marina in Esentepe is fantastic and exciting news for North Cyprus and a welcome development.

Horse Riding

Situated in Karaoglanoglu, Kyrenia. With 42 horses it gives certificated courses to both locals and tourists. During these courses, one can learn how to ride a horse (paddock) and to wander around with horse. The club also arranges guided tours with picnic. To wear a helmet is obligatory during the courses. Esentepe Seaside Villa is also proximate to some local stables at the village and we invite the experienced rider to enquire for reservations in advance of their holiday as we can likely create a private excursion tailored to trails in the Esentepe area.

Tel: + 9 0392 822 23 93 / +9 0392 822 28 68

Karting

The ZET International Karting Circuit, which exceeds the highest European standards and has one of the best racing surfaces in the region, has become a frequent stop for the fans of the sport since its opening on the 20th of May 2000. This remarkable structure provides drivers with 5 different racing distances, namely 300, 600, 900, 1100 and 1200 meters. The asphalt platform is 7 meters wide and has sand and earth barriers. Tel: +9 0533 866 6173

Cemsa represents another competitive karting option with a nicely sized track, bridge and is on the road towards the near east university campus. Tel: +90 392 223 6235 or +90 392 223 6584

Casinos

There are over 25 casinos in North Cyprus and some play host to established cabaret acts and singers from Turkey and Europe to add to the glamour and entertainment on offer. Some of the more popular and easier to find casinos are shown below:

Colony Hotel - +9 0392 815 1518 +90 392 815 1518 (Kyrenia main traffic circle)

Acapulco Resort - +9 0392 824 4110 (on the road to Esentepe)

Rocks Casino - +9 0392 815 2379 (Kyrenia Harbour area)

Nightclubs & Night Life

From season to season the physical and economic landscape of Northern Cyprus changes as companies are established, houses are constructed and more people move to enjoy the fantastic quality of life in North Cyprus. The latest addition to the evening entertainment scene is Neo Bar which is located in the old NightJar premises and which is already heating up to become the ultimate destination of distinction in the whole of Northern Cyprus.

Located in the heart of Kyrenia, Neo Bar has to be seen to be believed - the bar has been completely transformed into a modern and stylish haven for those seeking the ultimate fusion of sophisticated company, a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, stunning surroundings and fantastic entertainment.

The bar is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Mike Armstrong and he has left his indelible and inimitable style on Neo Bar meaning that the bar will become the centre of North Cyprus night life without a doubt. Seeking to entertain a broad range of clientele Mike will be bringing a great entertainment lineup to Neo Bar every night of the week apart from Sundays, his line up will include international DJ's, comedians, solo singers and bands as well as showcasing brand new talent.

An old favourite that has recently seen an increase in attention is Escape Beach Club where party goers are to be found every weekend dancing late into the night and enjoying the stunning sunrises over the Mediterranean. New additions to the club scene include Bar Code, 5 Mile and Ice all of which are located to the West of Kyrenia in and around the town of Alsancak.

The night scene in Cyprus is dynamic and ever evolving, but you are certain to find just the right spot during your holiday.
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