About northern Cyprus

As the third largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus has been fought over by a succession of civilisations over the past 2,000 years.  Although technically the former British colony is now part of the EU, it remains divided - the north allied to Turkey and the south to Greece.

Being the mythical birthplace of gods - Aphrodite emerged from the sea in the south - and at the crossroads of empires since the dawn of time, it's little wonder the whole island is steeped in history.

While southern Cyprus has been attracting many millions of tourists every year for decades, the north has only more recently begun to market itself to foreign visitors, so remains unspolit and much quieter.

Combining a Muslim-lite culture, a British and other European heritage with a wonderful climate and geography, northern Cyprus is a delightful holiday destination for families, couples and groups.

There are only about 100 hotels in the whole of the north, with more than half near the coastal town of Kyrenia, whose charming and tiny harbour, full of yachts and fishing boats, with many restaurants and charm, is boardered by it's vast and imposing Crusader castle.

As well as the wonderful unspolit sandy beaches, there is plenty to see and do (if you need too!), including the sites of ancient Cyprus, such as the Roman port of Salamis, the Persian palace of Vouni and Greek Souli, as well as three majestic Crusader castles, a Venetian castle picturesquely situated at the end of a harbour, and the pretty ruins of the Abbey of Bellapais.