Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia, is an island well-known for its mild climate, friendly people, cultural diversity and untouched natural beauties with almost 300 days of sunshine a year.
There are six districts in Northern Cyprus: Nicosia, Kyrenia, Famagusta, Güzelyurt, İskele and Lefke. Kyrenia is one of the most popular centers where Mediterranean history and culture are kept alive, from the dialects spoken to the food, from the flora to the seas. With the ease of life provided by all these features, Northern Cyprus offers students a unique environment for education.
Kyrenia
Kyrenia, one of the port cities of Cyprus, and its surroundings, is the tourism center of Northern Cyprus with its old port and historical buildings. To the south is the Beşparmak Mountains, and to the north is the magnificent Mediterranean. This unique city, home to many Mediterranean civilizations with its 6,000-year history, has natural beaches, a cool sea and a mild climate. ARUCAD is located in the heart of Kyrenia, in a center where the future of the city is shaped and within the natural historical texture.
Kyrenia Castle
In order to protect the city against raids, the castle, built by the Byzantines in the A.C 7th century, with its magnificent structure that has survived from the Middle Ages in the Mediterranean, takes its visitors through a time tunnel of the civilizations who lived in Kyrenia.
Bellapais Abbey
Located in the east of Kyrenia, at the foot of the Beşparmak Mountains, just above a deep cliff, the monastery is one of the unique examples of gothic art in Cyprus. It has reached its present name after the French name “Abbaye de la Paix”, meaning “Convent of Peace”, was distorted over time. The construction of the first monastery building took place between 1198 – 1205, and most of the structure that can be seen today was built by the King of France III. It was built by Hugh (1267 – 1284). After Cyprus was conquered by the Ottomans, the monastery was given to the Greek Orthodox Church. Bellapais Village is just as impressive as the monastery. Famous British writer Lawrence Durell lived in a house in Bellapais between 1953-1956 and frequently expressed his admiration for this place in his book “Bitter Lemons – Bitter Lemons of Cyprus”, in which he describes his memories of Cyprus. If you take a walk on the road that climbs up from Huzurağaç, just opposite the monastery, you can see the house of Durell, the author of the famous Alexandria Quartet.
Water sports: You can also experience water sports such as parasailing, water skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling and submarine tours in the city of Kyrenia, which is the heart of the sea and cultural tourism in Northern Cyprus with its natural beaches.
Nicosia
Nicosia, the capital of Northern Cyprus, is one of the economic, commercial and cultural centers of the island. In Nicosia, the only capital city of the world divided into two, you can explore the civilization history of Cyprus while participating in contemporary social and cultural activities. Spend time discovering the Mediterranean island culture, which is a relic of many civilizations, among the historical buildings from the Venetian, Byzantine and British periods, on the streets of shopping malls such as Dereboyu. You can wander around and enjoy some time with your friends in the streets, cafes and bars in Surlarici (Old town).
Selimiye Mosque
It is the most important of the masterpieces that the Lusignans constructed in Cyprus in pure Gothic order. The Lusignan kings were crowned here, while the nobles of the time and some kings were also buried in this cathedral. It was converted into a mosque right after Nicosia was conquered by the Ottomans on September 9, 1570.
Grand Inn
Constructed between 1572 and 1579 for the accommodation of local and foreign traders and visitors of the Old Bazaar, the Grand Inn is surrounded by shops selling traditional handicrafts, Cypriot souvenirs, an authentic Turkish coffee house, and cafes where you can listen to the stories of friendly tradesmen.
The Old Bazaar
Known as the Municipal Market today, and the “Meat and Fish Bazaar” in the Ottoman period, this Marketplace, dating from 1929, is the place where Cypriot food, beverages, spices, meat, chicken, vegetables and fruits are sold in a historical building.
Famagusta
Famagusta, another port city of Cyprus, which is a transition point between the Near East and Europe, has a great cultural richness with its historical sites and untouched buildings. Famagusta beaches are among the best known beaches in the world. Culture and art festivals are regularly held in Famagusta.
Salamis Ancient City
Salamis was believed to be the capital of Cyprus until the end of the Bronze Age. The first ruins of Salamis Ruins, which resemble Ephesus in general, are thought to belong to the 11th century. There is a Gymnasium, Theatre, a Roman Villa, a Kampanometra Basilica, a Hagia Epiphanios Basilica, a Water Tank, a Stone Forum and a Temple of Zeus in the ancient city.
Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque
Built during the Lusignan period, between 1298 and 1312, it is one of the most beautiful Gothic structures in the entire Mediterranean. The historical sycamore tree in front of the building is a tropical fig species that is rarely found in the north of the island. (Ficus Sycomorus). It is said that this tree was planted when construction began and is as old as the cathedral.
Otello Castle
It was built in the 14th century by the Lusignans to protect the port. This castle, with a deep moat around it, was one of the two main entrances to the city surrounded by walls, together with the Land and Sea gates it protected. The fortress consists of towers and corridors ending with artillery batteries. On the marble relief just above the castle entrance, St. Mark’s winged lion and, in the inscription below, is the name of captain Nicolo Foscarini, who gave the castle this state. It is said that Leonardo da Vinci, who visited Cyprus in 1481, advised the Venetians about the defense system of the city. The castle takes its name after the tragedy written by Shakespeare. Some of the scenes in which Othello, the protagonist of the play, takes place in a port city in Cyprus.
Climate
Cyprus has a typical Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and semi-arid, and winters are mild and rainy. The flora is unique maquis. The weather in Northern Cyprus is sunny and clear at least 300 days of the year. Average temperatures vary between 20-30 °C in summer and 5-15 °C in winter.
Language
The official language of Northern Cyprus is Turkish. However, Cypriot dialect is spoken by the local people.
Cuisine
Since Cyprus has been home to many civilizations throughout its history, it has also borrowed and developed the cuisine of these civilizations and cultures. Halloumi, Şeftali kebab, molehiya, kolakas, tarhana, fırın makarnası (pasta) and sini katmer are the specialties of Cypriot cuisine.
Public Transport
The most reasonable means of travel between all the cities of the TRNC is by bus. You can travel between Famagusta, Kyrenia, Güzelyurt and Nicosia by taking the buses that stop at the bus stops every half hour between 06:30 in the morning and 21:00 in the evening.
Although the cost of the tickets, which is provided by various private companies, varies according to the bus company you prefer, the average is 15 Turkish Liras. Kombos is the most preferred bus company for trips between Girne and Nicosia;
İtimat is the most preferred company between Nicosia and Famagusta and Çimen is the most preferred company between Nicosia and Güzelyurt. You can browse the websites of these companies and reserve your tickets. The most frequently used means of transportation within the cities is minibuses. You can take the buses or minibuses at the terminals closest to you or at the bus stops on the bus routes.
Electricity
Electricity in Northern Cyprus is 220/240V A/C 50Hz, as in Turkey, and three-input sockets are used. Adapters that convert double sockets to triple sockets can be easily obtained at affordable prices in all markets so that you can use your electronic equipment easily.TrafficIn Northern Cyprus, traffic flows in the left lane. Therefore, you should take this into consideration and be careful when driving or walking. TimeThe TRNC uses UTC +2 in summer and UTC +2 in winter. TelephoneTRNC telephone codes are +90 or 0090. +392 code is used for land lines. The most popular operators are KKTCell and Telsim.
Hospitals
Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital – Nicosia 0392 228 54 41-223 24 41
Dr. Akçiçek State Hospital – Kyrenia 0392 815 22 66
Famagusta State Hospital – Famagusta 0392 366 28 76-366 53 28
Cengiz Topel State Hospital – Lefke 0392 723 63 29-723 63 51
Emergency Numbers
Police 155
Ambulance 112
Fire Brigade 199
Forest Fire 177
Post Code
For mail coming from abroad, ‘99010’ zip code should be added to the end of the address. For example: “Phone Number, Name-Surname, street name, house number, district name, Nicosia, TRNC, 99010. Mersin 10, Turkey.”
Currency
The official currency of the TRNC is the Turkish lira. The second most used currency is the Euro. It is possible to shop easily with both Turkish lira and Euro at the shops and markets.