Cyprus is the Mediterranean’s third largest island, but its northern region is one of Europe’s least known and unspoilt. Northern Cyprus offers a landscape of rolling hills, sandy bays and peaceful villages and towns. With its traditional Mediterranean philosophy of taking life at a tranquil and relaxed pace, it offers holidaymakers and retirees an attractive lifestyle, making it an ideal location for a holiday home or investment property.

About North Cyprus

Kyrenia, (Girne) on the northern coastline of North Cyprus
Kyrenia and the surrounding area has long been considered the most beautiful landscape on Cyprus. The imposing Kyrenium Mountain range dominates the landscape and tempers the climate; in the heat of summer it is often 5 degrees cooler than the central part of the island, due to the almost constant breeze coming off the Taurus mountains in mainland Turkey.

The habitation of Kyrenia stretches from Catakoy in the east through to Karsiyaka in the west; a distance of approximately 16 miles which consists of beautiful villages set in the foothills of the Kyrenium mountain range, alongside ancient churches and mosques, monuments and picture postcard buildings such as Bellapais Abbey and St Hilarion Castle.

The main town of Kyrenia with its Byzantine castle and ancient harbour offers a charm seldom experienced in today’s modern European cities. Walking through the maze of narrow streets and alleys you with find that Turkish Cypriot warmth and hospitality awaits you in its many coffee shops, bars and restaurants.

Places to visit in Kyrenia

The Old Harbour –
Whether you want to sample traditional Turkish Cypriot cooking or relax with a coffee or local Raki, the Old Harbour at night, with the castle backdrop and traditional fishing boats, will let your mind drift back in time to the days of the Crusaders or the Ottoman Empire.

Kyrenia Castle -
With its immense ramparts dominating the ancient harbour, Kyrenium Castle dates back to the 7th Century when it was built to protect the city from Arab pirates. Shipwreck Museum – This extraordinary museum displays the wreck of a ship built in 389BC which was discovered 1.5km off the coast of Kyrenia. It was rescued from the sea bed by experts from Pennsylvania University, USA. The museum is in the grounds of Kyrenia Castle.

Shipwreck Museum
This extraordinary museum displays the wreck of a ship built in 389BC which was discovered 1.5km off the coast of Kyrenia. It was rescued from the sea bed by experts from Pennsylvania University, USA. The museum is in the grounds of Kyrenia Castle.

Bellapais Abbey
he monastery is in the village of Bellapais, a few miles to the south-east of Kyrenia. The monastery takes its name the French ‘Abbey de la Paix’ – the Abbey of Peace and was built by monks in the 13th Century.

St. Hilarion Castle
amous as the inspiration for the Walt Disney film Fantasia, St Hilarion is named after the hermit Hilarion who lived and died at the top of the mountain at the time of the fall of Jerusalem to the Arabs. This spectacular castle was built into the solid limestone rock in the 10th century as a lookout post for marauding pirates. Nowadays, it offers visitors stunning views over Kyrenia and along the coast to the Karpaz peninsula.

Famagusta
Situated on the eastern coast of North Cyprus, Iskele lays midway between the ancient walled city of Famagusta and the beginning of the Karpaz peninsula with its mile upon mile of unspoilt beaches. The old city of Famagusta, lying within its 1000 year old walls has a certain stillness and serenity about it. It is said that there were 365 churches within the confines of the city walls; one for each day of the year. Although most of the churches now lay in ruins you can spend a day just wandering around this outdoor museum; investigating dungeons, climbing the city walls, looking out across the harbour and exploring narrow cobbled streets where each corner you turn seems to take you further back in time.

“It is the richest of all cities and her citizens are the richest of men”
Rudolph von Sudhein, De Terra Sancta, 1336

Karpaz Peninsula
The Karpaz peninsula, the panhandle of Cyprus, is an area of outstanding natural beauty with unspoilt beaches and rolling hills. It can be reached by car within thirty minutes from Iskele or about a hour and a half from Kyrenia or Nicosia. From top to bottom it is about 70km long and can be visited in a day if time is tight or you can spend a few days or even a week exploring its many beaches, tiny fishing harbours, churches and ruins.

There are many interesting place to stay; The 5 Star Artemis Hotel at Bafra, built in the likeness of a an ancient temple; The Arch Houses at Kipkarpaz when you can relax with locals in renovated stone houses; wooden beach houses built on stilts or bungalows with all modern amenities.

A must see when visiting the Karpaz is the Apostolos Andreas Monastery and the open market at the tip of the panhandle on Cape Zafer. The Monastery which is sacred to both Turkish and Greek Cypriots was founded by Apostolos Andreas who was originally a follower of St John the Baptist.

Just before arriving at the Monastery you will catch panoramic views of Golden Beach which has to be the most photographed beach in Cyprus. Ayios Philon church, built in 5th century BC, is the sole remnant of the ancient Phoenician city of Karpasia which used to be a market place used by travellers between Salamis and Anatolia on the mainland. Nowadays, it’s a great place to stop for lunch and there is a fantastic beach with crystal clear water where you can swim or snorkel in the ruins of the ancient Roman Harbour.

It’s reported that North Cyprus property prices are currently half the price of the South and less than a third of the price of Spain and that they are predicted to double over the next 3 years. As part of our strict due diligence procedure all the properties we sell are carefully vetted and as such our North Cyprus property investments are sold with clear freehold titles guaranteed by the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, making it a completely safe investment.”

Nicosia (Lefkosa)
The divided city of Nicosia is the administrative capital of both the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) and the Republic of Cyprus. It can be reached by car in around 30 minutes from Begonvillia Court development at Iskele and in about 25 minutes from the centre of Kyrenia. There are two foot crossings and one vehicle crossing between the north and south in Nicosia, the most recent foot crossing opened in April 2008 at Ledra Street as a direct result of the reunification talks.

There are two foot crossings and one vehicle crossing between the north and south in Nicosia, the most recent foot crossing opened in April 2008 at Ledra Street as a direct result of the reunification talks.

In the centre of Nicosia is the old walled city where you can safely wander around a maze of streets and alleys. Here, you will find an array of shops and stalls, where you will be able to buy clothes and shoes at knock-down prices, local produce, jewellery, Turkish Delight and all kinds of knick-knacks. The air is filled with the smell of kebab shops and exotic spices.

Why Buy In North Cyprus

North Cyprus is showing all the signs of being a number one location over the next few years for overseas property investment. It has very similar characteristics to the early days of the overseas investment property bonanza in Spain and for those who get in early; the rewards could be even greater. If you are thinking of an overseas property investment in North Cyprus, here are some reasons why you shouldn't delay:

• As of 2009, property prices are around a third of those in the south of the island.
• Demand for North Cyprus investment property is strong.
• Major corporate money from the USA, UK and Middle Eastern countries is pouring into the development of hotels, golf courses and residential complexes.
• At current estimates, the value of off-plan property investments can be expected to rise by 50% from start of build to completion - a period of approximately two years.
• Rental returns on completed properties are in the region of 6%-10% annually, with particularly high levels of demand.  Begonvillia Court (link to Begonvilla Court) development is ideally situated to take advantage of this opportunity.
• Our Cyprus property investments are sold with clear freehold titles guaranteed by the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus.
• Our properties are bought and sold in GBP (sterling)

Property in North Cyprus

North Cyprus offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a holiday home, somewhere for your retirement; or a successful property investment, you can find it in this beautiful and unspoilt corner of the Mediterranean.

Among the property for sale in North Cyprus, you will find:

• Excellent investments with unique characteristics
• Fantastic value for money
• Good and guaranteed rental returns for the large university population
• Property situated in carefully chosen locations.
• Property situated less than an hour’s drive from Larnaca and Ercan airports
• Golf courses will be within 15 minutes drive

Click to view our properties in North Cyprus Inspection trips available – contact us to find out more

Location and getting there

North Cyprus is serviced directly by one international airport called Ercan Airport; it’s located close to the capital of Nicosia (Lefkosia) and just a half hour’s drive from the centre of Kyrenia.

Direct flights are not widely available to Northern Cyprus from anywhere other than Turkey, although now can now fly with Pegasus and CTA from Stansted to Ercan at very good prices and soon be able to fly from Heathrow and Manchester too.

Alternatively, there are regular flights to Cyprus from the UK to either Larnaca or Paphos airports and you can hire a car or get a taxi to Northern Cyprus.