The picturesque port town of Girne (Kyrenia) North Cyprus, is a long stretch of northern coastline backed by the Besparmak (Five Finger) Mountains with their dramatic wooded slopes and craggy summits. Sandy beaches and rocky coves await discovery along the shore and the Venetian harbour town of Kyrenia sits in the centre in all its considerable beauty.

The peace and tranquility of Kyrenia Harbour can be felt even before it is seen. As you stroll along the sea front towards it, there is an atmosphere of calm and serenity. Turning into the harbour itself, your eyes will behold a veritable feast, as tiny whitewashed buildings and colourful fishing boats nestle protectively between the massive Byzantine castle at one end and the colonial customs house at the other. All at once you will understand why this tiny harbour has been called `one of the most beautiful sights in the world` mail on Sunday `you` magazine.

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The harbour is home to many local fishing boats - you will relish a mouth-watering feast overlooking the harbour, with an abundance of fresh seafood, grilled meat and kebab dishes or traditional cuisine which makes fine use of the delicious local fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices.

Standing formidably at the entrance to the harbour and commanding excellent views of the harbour entrance and surrounding seas is Kyrenia Castle, dating back to the 1500s. The castle has weathered several architectural transformations throughout the Roman, Byzantine, Lusignan and most recently, the Venetian period, to which it owes its current appearance.

Nearby, castles, ruins and religious relics adorn the Besparmak Mountains, whilst the lower hills and lowlands are alive with lush greenery, rare species of birds and butterflies, and a natural diversity of flowers that is unmatched in the Mediterranean, including 19 endemic orchid and plant species. Nestled on the Besparmak Mountains is also the delightful Bellapais village and Monastery which are just a short drive from the town of Girne. Here you will encounter true Mediterranean hospitality and fantastic walking and hiking opportunities.

Now is also an exciting time to book a holiday in Kyrenia / Girne region as facilities are being developed to add variety to life, such as the 2007 opening of Korineum, the first professional 18-hole golf course in North Cyprus - as well as an array of new boutique and luxury hotels.

Taken from North Cyprus CC

The beauty of Northern Cyprus with its dramatic scenery and historical sites is a must to explore, but with limited public transport, renting a car in North Cyprus is essential and will allow you to drive up into the stunning Kyrenia Mountains or visit areas that are steeped in history but inaccesible to the infrequent local buses.

Kyrenia Beaches

Kyrenia is home to some fabulous unspoilt beaches including Acapulco Beach, Escape Beach, and Alagadi Beach.

Acapulco beach is a very popular tourist beach and provides most facilities including sun loungers and a bar. There is however, an undertow and children that are swimming should be supervised at all times. Windsurfing is very popular at Acapulco Beach so be sure to enquire. This beautiful beach boasts 1km of sand and shallow crystal clear waters.

Escape beach is located just 5km from Kyrenia city and is one of the most beautiful beaches in Northern Cyprus. With fine golden sand and clear waters, Escape beach is the perfect spot to soak up the sun. For those who enjoy a more lively day, there are a number of different water sports including deep sea diving, Jet Ski, banana boats, canoeing, and pedal boating. There is also a new beach club and a restaurant and bar.

Alagadi Beach also known as turtle beach is located approximately 10 miles east of Kyrenia. This sandy beach is full of large sweeping dunes and the clear water is also shallow. There is a beach bar open during summer months to serve refreshments and there are also toilets. Alagadi beach is famous for its loggerhead turtles which lay their eggs here during the summer.

Some other popular beaches in Kyrenia include, Sunset Beach which is a sandy beach that is ideal for small children, Deniz Kizi beach, a sheltered bay perfect for water sports including windsurfing, water skiing, and much more. There is also Kervansaray Beach with is the most famous beach in Kyrenia with plenty to do including restaurants and bars.

Taken from All About Kyrenia