Visiting Northern Cyprus in 2 days: What to See and Do

If you are planning on visiting Northern Cyprus there are a few things you need to know to make your trip even better!

Most of the world knows this island as Cyprus but to the Turks, it is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) which the Turkish Cypriot-controlled area declared itself in 1983.

We will get into a little bit of history and things you should know but know this first, Northern Cyprus is a gem and it totally is worth seeing.

It comprises a little more than a third of this small island and holds some incredible ancient sites, rich with history.

My mom and I did most of our sightseeing in the North for two days. Of course, if you want to see Southern Cyprus as well budget for a little more time.

Since I live in Turkey, coming here for a quick trip has been easy. I have been here more than 4 times since moving here in 2019. It is definitely a great option to stop over on a trip to Turkey.

Let’s jump in and see why!

About the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

In 1960 Cyprus became an independent nation, prior to which it was a part of the United Kingdom.

In 1974, however, everything changed for the island of Cyprus. That summer the Greek Army attempted a military coup d’état.

After failed attempts with the UN for international support, Turkey sent in troops to Cyprus under Article 4 of the Guarantee Treaty of 1960.

This treaty allowed Greece, the UK, and Turkey to intervene and restore democracy if multilateral support was ineffective. This is why you will also see UK and TRNC sovereign bases on the island.

Interestingly, Turkey is the only country to recognize this designation. The rest of the international world considers Northern Cyprus as a part of the Republic of Cyprus.

The northern 38% of the island is separated from the southern by a buffer zone maintained by the UN.

Is Northern Cyprus Turkish?

Many Turkish Cypriots live in Northern Cyprus and there is a strong Turkish influence in culture, language, and currency. And even though it is protected by Turkey, it is neither a province nor a part of Turkey.

It is interesting to note that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is also not a part of the EU (European Union), while Southern Cyprus is a part of the EU.

Crossing to the other side

There are a number of border crossings that you can go through.

The most common is Lefkosa, however, it is only a pedestrian crossing. If you are hiring a car and using it to cross to the south, you will have to use a different station.

Border crossings for pedestrians are at:

• Lidras/Lokmaci in the Old City
• At the former Ledra Palace Hotel close to the Pafos Gate

Border crossings for vehicles are at:

• Agios Dometios/Metehan in the western suburbs of Nicosia
• Pyla/Pergamos (Beyarmudu), handiest for Karpasia
• ‘Four Mile’ crossing within the Dhekelia British Sovereign Base Area, direct to Famagusta (Gazimagusa)
• Astromeritis-Kato Zodeia (Bostanci), near Morfou (Güzelyurt)
• Kato Pyrgos (Günebakan) on the north coast, allowing fast transit from the Polis area towards Nicosia.

Visas

Because TRNC is not a part of Turkey, you do have to get separate visas for Turkey and Cyprus.

If you’re American, you can check the most current information for Cyprus as well as any country. Turkish citizens need one to cross back and forth whereas Turkish Cypriots do not.

As an American, we didn’t need a visa either to go to Northern Cyprus or into Southern Cyprus. That being said, we didn’t venture far into the Republic of Cyprus. Most of our time was spent in the North.

Pro tip: If you ever plan to travel to Greece, make sure that you get stamped on a separate piece of paper. If you get a Norther Cyprus stamp on your passport, you might have issues when visiting Greece in the future.

Getting to and from Cyprus

If you are coming from Turkey, you can only fly into Ercan airport. Ercan, while called an international airport, only receives flights that are coming through Turkey.

From there you can rent a car, hire transport, or get a taxi.

If you are flying in from anywhere else in the world, you can fly into either of the other two airports, Paphos or Larnaca. From there it is also easy to hire a car or transport and go wherever you want.

Make sure you read the note about insurance if you’re renting a car.

Safety

Regardless of where you are, you will probably notice the military presence. In spite of that, however, Northern Cyprus is perfectly safe. Most visitors never encounter a problem.

Even though the tensions are quite high between the two sides of Cyprus, the island is not violent nor does it have high numbers of crime. Actually, the numbers are lower even than Southern Cyprus.

Of course, you should exercise the same caution as you would when you travel anywhere new and foreign. Being aware is one of the most helpful things to keep you safe.

You can read this post on safety in Turkey that would apply here as well.

Official Language

The language of the North Cyprus is Turkish. As in Turkey, you will find many people in tourist areas speak some English though it isn’t typically fluent.

I definitely recommend you learn some Turkish. You will be beloved by everyone you meet if you do.

You can check out a couple of other blog posts on Netflix Turkish TV series and Turkish basics to help you on your way.

Hire a car

This is definitely the recommended way to go while in North Cyprus.

TIP: They drive on the left side of the road. While it may seem scary, I have done it and it isn’t so bad. After just one trip, I felt much more comfortable.

It also helps that the cars are all automatic. I can’t imagine having to learn to drive on the other side of the road AND a standard on the other side all at the same time.

In addition, you should lower your standards as to the quality of cars. Cars in general, even when I have taken shuttle buses from 5-star all-inclusive resorts are not what they would be on the mainland.

Taxes, import fees, and the fact that it is an island all play into this. They simply are so incredibly expensive that they don’t replace them until they have to. So just be aware.

I used Discover Cars to get my car and it was great! They are generally helpful and often speak English. And don’t forget to get your insurance!

Pro tip: Typically a car rented in the North has to stay in the North and vice versa. If you want to cross borders, make sure you check with your rental car provider and purchase special insurance, typically purchased at the border.

Public transportation

You can of course use Dolmus but they are not nearly as reliable as say Istanbul. They will often run late or come early.

They often don’t run late into the evening so if you’re out and about, you may find yourself stranded or needing to depend on a taxi. Taxis are also an option. They are reasonably priced though remember they are taxis.

If you’re traveling solo a way to help offset costs is to share a taxi which is quite common in Northern Cyprus. There are special stands that allow for such.

Make sure that the meter is running when you get in. If for some reason the meter isn’t there, ask for the price to get where you’re going. The meter is often either in the rear-view mirror or on a separate machine on the dashboard.

with Only two days to explore

Famagusta

We started our adventures by heading to Famagusta, or Gazimağusa in Turkish. It is about 5 miles south of the Salamis ruins.

Because of its epic location on the Mediterranean, in the 13th century during the French Lusignan rule, it was one of the most prosperous cities. Later, the Venetians fortified it with massive walls like the Istanbul walls.

In 1571 the Ottoman Empire conquered the city after a long siege and it became a major turning point in history.

We walked around the city of Famagusta and discovered this incredible medieval cathedral. It was the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque but was originally called the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas—yes that St. Nick.

There is also the Othello Castle. This was built during the 14th Century and is still standing proud. It is right on the water and has some great views!

We also checked out the delightful Saint Barnabas Monastery with Barnabas’ crypt across the way. After we got done wandering around, we were able to drink freshly squeezed pomegranate and orange juice.

They had a little museum on site as well. While it wasn’t extensive, we were able to see the paintings on the inside of the cathedral and they were still so colorful and beautiful.

Salamis Ruins

Salamis holds a rich history. It is where Paul, Barnabas, and John landed after leaving Antioch as well as early archeological finds from the 11th century BC. It survived major occupations by the Assyrians, Persians, Romans, and more.

While today nearly 1 square mile has been excavated, there is still so much that has yet to be excavated as most of it happened prior to 1974. You can see ancient baths, gymnasiums, mosaics, and so much more as you walk through this ancient site.

We easily spent a few hours wandering around and taking it all in. There are even epic views of the water from certain spots.

It is open daily and the fee is low. Definitely worth a visit.

Kyrenia

Or otherwise known as Girne in Turkish, is a quaint harbor town toward the west side of the island.

Here you can wander the lovely harbor, taking in the colors and sounds while drinking a cold ale, or visit ancient Bellapais Monastery (Bellapais Abbey) and the Saint Hilarion Castle.

There is also the Kyrenia Castle with a Hellenistic shipwreck that was discovered in 1967 by a diver.

In Kyrenia, you can see traces of major cultures like Roman, Ottoman, French, and Greek tucked into the corners and cobblestone streets as you go. Though it seems small, it holds great treasure to be observed.

If you have a car here it is also worth going to the mountain range close by. There are some beautiful views of both the city and the landscape in general.

The most well-known peak is the Pentadaktylos, deriving its name from looking like 5 fingers.

Nicosia

This city is also known as Lefkoşa and is in the center. It is also the main border crossing for pedestrians. Here you will not want to miss the Büyük Han (The Great Inn) that was built by the Ottomans in 1572.

As my mom and I walked through this gorgeous building, vendors sold their handmade wares and jams. There were families drinking tea and men playing backgammon. But don’t forget to check out the building itself. It was gorgeous.

There are also other places to see as you walk around. We discovered this cool building called the Selimiye Mosque but unfortunately, it was closed for renovations.

You can also cross over to the Republic of Cyprus here. Read more about the other border crossings here.

When we crossed over to the Southern side we went into the Panagia Chrysaliniotissa Church. There was this massive golden structure inside with I assume lots of saints on the outside. So interesting. But it was also fascinating to see it so white inside with the Greek flag hanging.

We took a break for some gelato and enjoyed the amazing weather before going to a massive fabric shop where my mom was in her own little heaven.

Places to stay in North Cyprus

There are tons of places to stay for any budget. I have had the pleasure of staying at a couple of really nice places.

Concorde Luxury Resort

If you’re looking for a nice all-inclusive, I recommend Concorde Luxury Resort. We had an absolutely incredible time here.

There were pools and ocean and slides and allll the things. One of my favorites was the dock with suntanning chairs.

I went out there to read and soak up the sun and then dip straight into the water, leaving the sand behind. The food was also incredible. There were so many options it was hard to choose every time.

There are even a couple of extra a la carte restaurants that you can pay extra for.

I went to one of them and it was seriously the best cow cheek I have ever eaten. The extra fee was completely worth it!

Truly they did a great job.

Mimosa Beach Hotel

I also really enjoyed the location of the Mimosa Beach Hotel which was right on the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

While this stay wasn’t a 5-star stay, the breakfast included was delicious and our room was literally 20 steps to the beach.

We often left our sliding door open and listened to the waves whenever we were in our room. It was clean and the staff were incredibly nice. Definitely recommend this hotel if you’re on a budget.

Make sure you check the dates when certain amenities are available as not everything is open year round.

Other Options

If neither of those options suits you, you can always check out booking.com and find well-rated hotels.

Pro tip: Pick something with an 8+ rating and of course, 9+ is even better.

That rating doesn’t dictate stars but what is rated by people who have actually gone. Super helpful to hear from people who have been there.

Final thoughts on visiting Northern Cyprus

This is a destination that offers a fascinating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty especially if you are already visiting Türkiye!

From its ancient ruins and charming harbor towns to its unique political landscape and warm hospitality, there is so much to explore and experience.

Whether going for a quick getaway or a longer trip, if you visit North Cyprus it will for sure leave a lasting impression. Don’t forget to plan ahead, embrace the local culture, and enjoy the stunning landscapes of this remarkable region.

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