Top 7 “Instagrammable” Picturesque Landmarks in Cyprus

#1: Kyrenia Antique Harbor and the Kyrenia Castle

Kyrenia Antique Harbor is the first thing that pops up when the island of Cyprus is searched online. That is for a good reason. It is the most romantic place on the whole island of Cyprus, full of history, the beautiful views of the boats, people strolling through the harbor, and the delicious smell of fresh fish grilling in the taverns. A visit to the Kyrenia harbor with the Kyrenia Castle as the backdrop is a must if you are visiting Cyprus.

The original castle was built by the Byzantines during the 7th century, later followed by additions of towers and chambers by the Venetians. Kyrenia Harbor, on the other hand, was a small fishing harbor dating back centuries. Frequented by pirates, this harbor stayed relatively a modest size until the Ottoman and British rule.

Kyrenia Harbor recently went through a renovation (2023) and is now looking all fresh, with new bars and restaurants dotted along the harbor, a very lively nightlife, and a perfect place for daytime strolls and souvenir shopping.

#2: The Great Inn, Nicosia

The Great Inn is the most picturesque landmark in the capital, Nicosia. It has a central prayer room with a dome, a nice courtyard with restaurants serving tables scattered around where you can soak in the sun, and two floors of authentic Cypriot arts, crafts, and souvenir shops. It makes up for a nice day, especially to have breakfast, spend a day at the inn, and then possibly have lunch at Sabir, whose name itself means patience as you will need to wait for the slow-cooked Sheftalia sausages, a local dish that the entire neighborhood is filled with its mouthwatering smoky smell.

The Great Inn was built during Ottoman times for the tradesmen to have overnight stays while conducting cross-continental trade. For a while in recent history, it served as a state prison, which then went through a period of vacancy before being renovated as a tourist attraction.

You can also pay a visit to Saint Sophia Cathedral while you are there, as it is very close by. It is one of the most important Gothic structures in the Eastern Mediterranean. It has a piece from every ruler in recent history who stepped foot in Cyprus. You can find gargoyles by the English, rose glasses by the Latin, gothic arches by the French, and minarets by the Ottomans blending perfectly well with one another. Cyprus has always been a strategic location for cross-continental politics, thus serving as a melting pot for many civilizations.

#3: Bellapais Abbey and Monastery, Kyrenia

Bellapais is a quaint mountain village that has Kyrenia City and the Mediterranean Sea as a breathtaking backdrop. There is a beautiful gothic monastery where daytime visits are lovely to soak up the views, but nighttime visits also hold a special place for me as the gorgeous cathedral is lit with ambient lights and mesmerizing classical and opera concerts and orchestras frequently held inside the old chapels.

The town of Bellapais also makes for a lovely stroll to see the Mediterranean homes, views, and historical landmarks. If you are up for the challenge, Bellapais hiking trail up the mountains will provide a bit more than an easy stroll. Once you are done, you will work up quite an appetite, so you can treat yourself to a fancy meal at The Abbey Bell Tower restaurant, Kybele, or Bellapais Gardens.

Bellapais is famously known in the literary world for being the choice of Lawrence Durrell to settle and base his novel Bitter Lemons on. It is definitely among the top 10 most famous books published about Cyprus.

#4: Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Walled City, Famagusta

Saint Nicholas Cathedral is a major tourist attraction in Famagusta Walled City. It is one of the three Gothic structures on the island of Cyprus and is very well-renovated. It makes up for a lovely backdrop in pictures, and I have seen many wedding shoots as such. There are many other picturesque spots in the walled city of Famagusta, and a walk around the bazaar and making a stop at Petek Patisserie is an excellent idea for a day out for me. Petek itself has shelves full of colorful pastries, candies, and deserts that will take your breath away the moment you walk into it. You can also find displays of traditional Cypriot clothing and many other things that are and were part of the Cypriot people’s lives.

The original Catholic cathedral was built in the 1300s and served many empires. Around the cathedral, you can also find Othello Castle, and Venetian Palace, both noteworthy places to pay a visit.

You can also explore the Antique Roman City of Salamis which is a short drive from Famagusta Walled City.

#5: Karpaz National Park, Karpasia

When you are checking out souvenirs, you will realize many feature donkeys. Magnets, postcards, t-shirts, hats, tote bags… All featuring smiling donkeys. That is because of the free-roaming donkey population in Karpasia National Park. A visit to Karpasia will be a long drive as it is situated at the tip of the island, but if you bring along some treats, the donkeys will pose for some very friendly pictures and will play with you.

While you are on this side of the island, you can also check out the most famous beach on the island the Golden Beach, and the Apostolos Andreas monastery, that is believed to have healing powers. If you come in season, you must try the freshly caught calamari at the Sea Bird restaurant. I don’t think I had such a melting calamari anywhere else in my life. Delish!

#6: Karmi British Village, Kyrenia

Karmi was originally a British village nestled on the western mountainside of Kyrenia. Karmi is still famously a British-resident village maintaining it’s origins, and you will find the British culture celebrated here blended in with the shared history of the Cyprus colonial era. Similar to Bellapais, Karmi is a beautiful village that makes up for a very nice walk with some drinks or desserts to follow. The most popular spots in Karmi to take a shot are the red phone booth, the white & blue church, and the gorgeous homes, where architectural genius’s talents are on full display in all their glory.

Check out some of the pictures to see for yourself, but for the full experience, you must pay a visit in person. Treasure Restaurant here offers marvelous views and tasty meals if you wish to have dinner. However, my personal favorite in Karmi has always been Levant Restaurant, which recently went through an ownership change, and thus closed last season. I am so looking forward to it this summer.   No wonder this town was where the first Hollywood movie in Cyprus was set, featuring Raquel Welch and all its unique beauty. I find both Bellapais and Karmi very charming and romantic. They are absolutely my favorites for a date night.

#7: Diving with Turtles

Our island is home to many wildlife species, including Green Turtles, and Caretta Caretta turtles. These majestic creatures call our shores their home every year, coming to lay their eggs in summertime. By majestic I mean adults weigh between 240 and 420 pounds (110 – 190 kg). Some species are endangered around the globe, so there are conservation organizations around the island working passionately to tackle the issue. When I was a teenager, I used to volunteer with the society SPOT which is working in collaboration with Exeter (UK) University to protect these beautiful creatures and facilitate their number’s increase.

Most of them are chipped and tracked. Watch for signs for closing times of key beaches, mind the protective cages for nests, and do not bring your pets during the turtle breeding season. During September visitors can book a guided tour from SPOT to watch the little turtles hatch their eggs and find their way back to the water. Makes for a beautiful show to watch their first-ever steps into their new lives.

SPOT Conservation team can be reached through this link. https://www.facebook.com/cyprusturtles/

However, if you want to swim with them, you must schedule a diving session with a diving school. These huge turtles can be found all around the island’s shores, but they frequent the Alagadi, Karpasia, and Akdeniz beaches.

Bonus Suggestion

I am sure there are many other picturesque locations around the country that are popular, like the Varosha Ghost Town, Saint Hilarion Castle, and the Ancient Roman City of Salamis, but my bonus feature will be on the private estates. I wanted to focus on not just picturesque landmarks but also destinations that can offer more than just a pretty picture in hopes of making your day-trip worthwhile. Thus, I believe these private estates are worth mentioning.

• Vineyard Estate in the West of Kyrenia with their guided wine-tasting sessions. The vineyard-filled valleys, and the mountains are breathtaking here.

• The Golf Resort in Eastern Kyrenia has golf, tennis, a spa, and a country club restaurant. The restaurant terrace offers views of the grayish-blue mountains, bright blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, luscious green forest, and the golf course in a single shot.

• Marina resorts in Les Ambassadors, Kyrenia, and Karpasia offer a variety of leisurely services. They also come with lavish restaurants accompanied by calming live performers on the piano.

• Casinos, and entertainment resorts offering a luxurious experience in all senses—Concorde, Limak, and Merits, are all worth mentioning. You can expect A-Z service here while on the premises. Beaches, spa centers, casinos, clubs, all kinds of restaurants, ballrooms, you name it, they have it. I personally do not like to be constantly waited on but their clubs offer a fun night out with friends like no other. The clubs often have a dress code, and you will likely need a reservation to get in. The fun will start after midnight, and partying here is usually so much fun.

Enjoy your trip to North Cyprus, and take as many beautiful pictures as you like to remember your fun times.

Sincerely,

Director of Mediterranean Condos | Investment, and Residency Expert Broker in Cyprus Real Estate

Voted Forbes Best Buy | Formerly associated with Live and Invest Overseas, Forbes Global Properties, & Expat Exchange

Email: 📧 cyprus@mediterranean.condos

Phone: ☎️ +90 533 864 1652