Kyrenia: The Jewel of the North Coast
Known as Girne in Turkish, Kyrenia offers ancient harbours, mountain trails, and turquoise coves, all within easy reach of your villa.
Explore the Region
Things to Do
Kyrenia Harbour & Castle
A horseshoe-shaped harbour framed by a 16th-century castle, waterfront restaurants, and bobbing fishing boats. The jewel of the north coast.
St Hilarion Castle
A fairytale Crusader castle clinging to the Five Finger Mountains. Said to have inspired Disney's Snow White. Three wards climb the ridge to sweeping views over Kyrenia and the Med.
Five Finger Mountains
The iconic Besparmak range offers hiking trails with sweeping views of the Mediterranean, from gentle walks to challenging ridge routes.
Beaches & Coves
From the golden sands of Alagadi to hidden coves along the coast, the crystal-clear waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and sea turtles.
Local Cuisine
Fresh-caught sea bass, slow-cooked lamb kleftiko, village salads with halloumi, and meze spreads by the harbour. Food as the locals eat it.
Water Sports
Jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, and diving among ancient shipwrecks. The calm Mediterranean waters are ideal for every level.
Travel
How to Get Here
Two airport options, both well within easy reach of the villa in Karsiyaka.
Fly into Ercan (ECN)
North Cyprus's own airport, Ercan International (ECN), reopened in 2023 with a brand-new terminal and runway. It's the easiest way in: just 45 minutes by car from the villa.
Most international visitors connect through Istanbul. The flight from Istanbul Airport (IST) takes around 1 hour 40 minutes, with multiple daily departures operated by Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and AJet (around 19 flights per week between IST and ECN). Pegasus and AJet also fly direct from Istanbul Sabiha (SAW).
- Distance to villa: 45 min by car
- Flight time from IST: ~1h 40min
- Daily options: 2-3 direct flights
Fly into Larnaca (LCA)
If you can enter Greek Cyprus, Larnaca International (LCA) is served by every major European carrier with frequent direct flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dubai, and dozens of others.
From Larnaca it's a straightforward 1.5-hour drive across the island and through the border crossing into North Cyprus, ending at the villa in Karsiyaka. Most visitors collect a rental car at LCA arrivals.
- Distance to villa: ~1h 30min by car
- Border crossing: at Metehan or Pergamos
- Best for: visitors with direct LCA flights from home
Getting Around
Distances from the Villa
Kyrenia Harbour
20 min
by car
Nearest Beach
10 min
walk
Ercan Airport
45 min
by car
Larnaca Airport
90 min
via border crossing