Kyrenia and the Harbour

Kyrenia, known locally as Girne, stands on the northern coastline of north Cyprus and is an excellent place for a holiday in the region. The old harbour in Kyrenia is well-known and is one of the most popular tourist spots in all of Northern Cyprus, indeed, it was once described in the Daily Mail as 'one of the most beautiful places in the world'. The ancient buildings surrounding the harbour were once in use as warehouses for the shipping trade, mainly storing carob for export. Today, they are mostly all restaurants and cafes. With the ancient Kyrenia Castle towering over the harbour entrance, this really is a wonderful spot to enjoy an evening meal, a coffee and a snack in the daytime, or just somewhere to sit and relax while the world goes by. Beautiful though it is, there is much more to see around Kyrenia than just the harbour. The Old Town is a real maze of tiny alleys and walkways and wherever you go, you will turn a corner to a new surprise. The back streets are dotted with shops, full of unusual treasures and these areas are also home to some superb restaurants.

Kyrenia Castle is well worth a visit when you are near. Dating from Roman times, it's massive ramparts have been altered and re-built throughout the history of the island of Cyprus. As it stands today, most of the visible construction dates back to the Venetian rule of Cyprus, but inner parts and buildings go back to the Lusignan and Byzantine periods. Nearly all of the castle is open to the public daily and the entrance fee is small. The castle also houses its own shipwreck museum. In here, you will find the remains of the world's oldest recovered wreck, lifted years ago from the northern shores of the Mediterranean. The enormous room housing the wreck is kept at a constant temperature and humidity top preserve the ship, so this is also a very pleasant place to linger a while on a hot summer's day!

The central parts of the castle are accessed via steps and a long ramp, inside which there are various monuments and tombs, including one of an Ottoman admiral. Once inside the parade ground of the castle, steps take you past a superb chapel, almost built-over by later works, and up to the battlements. The views from the top are truly stunning.

The main streets of Kyrenia offer plenty of shopping opportunities. Jewelry from the bigger stores can be excellent value and the craftsmanship of many of the pieces on offer is of the highest order. There are plenty of shops offering antiques and curios, although the better of these are to be found in the smaller alleys around the Old Town. Take your prescription with you when you visit Northern Cyprus too, as opticians here are remarkably good value and often stock known, designer frames. You will find plenty of designer items all around the town, but be careful. Virtually all of them are copies, even though most are exceptionally good ones.

When it comes to eating out, Kyrenia offers a dazzling choice. At least one evening meal by the harbour is worth it. Food is generally extremely good, though prices do tend to be higher here than in the quieter parts of the town. Certainly, take time to wander around the alleyways and back streets in search of delightful places to eat. Most will amaze you with their atmosphere and quality.