North Cyprus

The third-largest island in the Mediterranean, with three hundred sunny days a year, a long history and an easy pace of life. A short guide for anyone thinking of moving here.

A short history

Cyprus has been ruled in turn by Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians and Persians, then from 58 BC by Rome. Richard the Lionheart took the island in 1191 during the Third Crusade; it passed to the Knights Templar and then to Guy de Lusignan, whose family held it until the Venetians arrived in 1489.

The Ottomans ruled from 1571 to 1878, when administration passed to Britain. Cyprus became independent in 1960. After the events of 1974 the island was divided, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was proclaimed in 1983.

Getting here

Flights land at Ercan Airport near Lefkoşa, usually after a short stop in Turkey. Many visitors also fly to Larnaca in the south and cross by road. By sea, sea buses and ferries connect Kyrenia and Famagusta with ports on the Turkish coast such as Taşucu and Mersin.

Food

Turkish Cypriot cooking mixes Mediterranean, Southern European and Middle Eastern traditions. A meal often starts with meze, a long run of small hot and cold dishes that can easily become dinner on its own.

• Hellim, the island’s famous cheese, grilled or fried
• Kolokas, a root vegetable brought by the Venetians, cooked with chicken or lamb
• Molehiya, a stew of jute leaves
• Yalancı dolma, vine leaves stuffed with rice
• Turkish coffee, served sade (plain), orta (medium) or şekerli (sweet)

Nature & climate

North Cyprus has more than 1,600 plant species, including many found nowhere else, and around 350 bird species, because the island lies on the migration route between Africa and Europe. The Beşparmak (Five Finger) mountains run along the north coast behind Kyrenia.

Summers are hot and dry from mid-May to mid-October. Winters, from mid-November to mid-March, are mild and bring most of the year’s rain.

Beaches & going out

The north coast has some of the cleanest water in the Mediterranean. Beach clubs around Kyrenia have loungers, showers and restaurants; quieter public beaches like Alagadi, known for its nesting turtles, have few facilities, so bring water and shade. Kyrenia also has cinemas, bars, restaurants and hotel casinos.

Practical information

Language

Turkish; English widely used

Currency

Turkish lira (TL)

Driving

On the left · max 100 km/h

Electricity

240 V · UK three-pin plugs

Time

GMT+2, with summer time

Post

Address to “Mersin 10, Turkey”

Dialling code

+90 392

Main airport

Ercan (ECN)

Seasons

Hot summers, mild winters