Why Northern Cyprus?

The climate of Cyprus is Mediterranean in character, with warm, dry summers and rainy, mild winters. Summer begins in mid-May and continues up to the middle of September. Winter begins in November and continues up to February. In between these two periods there prevail the two other seasons of the year, autumn and spring. The average rainfall of Cyprus over the last 30 years is 503 Mm. Snowfall is not a normal phenomenon in the plains, particularly in the coastal touristic areas, whereas on the Troodos massif snow can last for about 50 days a year. The average rainfall in the coastal plains is relatively low, ranging between 340 and 500 mm, falling mainly during the winter months, with no rainfall or very negligible rainfall in the summer months. In addition to its warm idyllic Mediterranean climate, some 340 days of sunshine each year, during recent years Northern Cyprus has become a haven for discerning Tourists, especially the English. Even in the winter months, January, February and March, it is still warm enough to sit outside although the evenings can be a little cold but never less than 5 degrees centigrade. However during the day, temperatures can still reach the low twenties. Christmas and New Year is particularly pleasant and for those who do not like the heat of the long summer months, then the best times are April and September.

Scenic Beauty

Northern Cyprus has spectacular Mountains running virtually the full length of the northern coastal areas, East to West. As to beaches, mainly golden sand, there are many to be enjoyed, some of which are quite desolate especially in the Karpaz Peninsular area (sometimes called the Pan handle). Here you relax and take things easy with no noise or other disturbances and literally recharge your batteries, in other words, the perfect chill out location. Between the months of June and September, sea turtles come to lay their eggs on the solitary beaches during the twilight hours. For the younger generation there are several beaches, mainly West of Kyrenia, such as Escape, Denizkizi, and Camelot, where the water is crystal clear, warm and shallow. During the summer months, sea bathing temperatures can be as high as thirty four degrees centigrade. And of course many of the hotels in Northern Cyprus have their own private beaches which include numerous facilities. So therefore, it’s hardly surprising that visitors return year of year to enjoy such outstanding beaches, together with truly spectacular scenery.

Historic Places of Interest

What makes Cyprus a very attractive and fascinating country for the foreign visitor is its long and tempestuous history, dating back to the Neolithic times (7500 B.C.). Besides, the numerous conquerors and settlers have left their footprint on the surface of the island which currently constitutes an open-air ethnographic museum. Every span of land in Cyprus has something to reveal to the visitor, local or foreign. Steeped in history, Northern Cyprus boasts an array of Castles, Monasteries, and Museums, such as Kyrenia, Famagusta, Kantara, St.Hillarian, Buffento, and Salamis.

Location and Geographic

Cyprus is the third largest Island within the Mediterranean and has been called, the Crossroads to the Middle East with Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Israel in close proximity. Mainland Turkey is only a short distance away to the North, some 70 kilometres. The total land area covers just under 3,400 square kilometres. The area of Cyprus is characterised by considerable diversity of scenery, ranging from flat plains a few metres above sea level, to lofty mountainous areas reaching a height of 1951 metres. The natural vegetation, influenced by the island's position among three continents, is rich and varied with a number of endemic plants. Equally significant is the fauna of the island, with its unique moufflons roaming in herds in the forests of Paphos and Troodos. Moreover, millions of migratory birds use Cyprus as a stopover in their movement from the cold north-European countries to the warm countries of the African continent, and vice versa, during autumn, winter and spring. The moufflon, which has lived in the forests of Cyprus since ancient times, is a variety of wild sheep and is currently the only large wild animal on the island.