GAY GUIDE
OF TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS(TRNC)
ATTENTION!
Some
of the venues on this website are listed without the
approval of their owners and they are not all
necessarily gay or gay-friendly places. We do not guarantee the accuracy
for the information provided by website visitors,
especially. Moreover, there may be some changes with the information
given here
which we have not obtained yet, although we are trying to be
as update as possible. Please note the indicated dates in
order to understand how up to date the information is. Please use the provided information accordingly,
otherwise we do not undertake responsibility for any
problems you may encounter.
Northern Cyprus is still a socially conservative country in
terms of homosexuality. Altough not
practically applied strictly, homosexual conduct between males has been a crime
in whole of Cyprus since the island became a colony of British
Empire in 1889. Female homosexuality (lesbianism) had been
technically excluded just like in the case of British laws against
sodomy. The
laws against homosexuality have been abandoned in Greek part of
the island during European Union membership, however in the
Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus these British laws stays
theoretically valid although the authorities has been tolerant
against homosexuality in the private sphere and there has been
no application of this infamous law for many years.
Feedbacks and Comments About Gay Life in Northern Cyprus
Turkish Republic:
"Gay community invited to north of Cyprus.
Amid reports that the Turkish owned region of Cyprus will
legalize homosexuality, property experts are predicting there
has never been a better time to visit for homebuyers and
holidaymakers.
The region, only recognized as a state by Turkey, is known for
its hot balmy summers, mild winters and natural unspoiled
landscapes, leading Hillcrest Estates, the only agent in the
area to belong to the UK trade body, the Guild of Professional
Estate Agents, to recommend it as a top destination.
Hillcrest agents highlight the restaurants, attractive beaches
and modest prices plus an 18-hole golf course as ideal factors
making it a top destination.
Read More
" (Pink News - October 2006)
HELP US IMPROVE !
Have you been to Northern Cyprus before ? Do you want to share your
observations about gay-life there ?
Send your feedbacks and comments about gay
life in Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic
BARS AND CLUBS
Gay & Gay Friendly Bars and Clubs in Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus:
CAFE
ON 3 BAR(12:00 -
03:00)
Address: Semih Sancar Sokak (street), Bellapais Isiklari
(locality) Girne (Kyrenia) Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Reported via internet by their managers as
brand new gay bar of Girne, Northern Cyprus. They offer various
shows including male belly dancer (zenne) show and promise to
offer a relaxed, comfortable and good quality atmosphere."
(30/07/2009)
The harbor of Girne in
Northern Cyprus
CLUB CASABLANCAOpen 24:00-04:00 am
Address: Atilla Sokak (street) Old Harbour, Girne (Kyrenia) Reported by a website visitor as
"A Newly Opened Gay Owned Bar Located In The Old Harbor , Nice
Place"
(15/10/2008)
It has also been heard that this place is a British style pub, and
frequently patronized by the British gay men living in - or
visiting Cyprus.
Feedbacks:
"It is a mixed bar, and everyone is welcomed ! There is a
nice mixed crowd in the place; different crowd on different
nights" (11/11/2008)
CREAM BAROpen
24:00-04:00 am
Address: 56 Belediye Otopark / Kyrenia
Phone: +90 392 816 01 59 Web:
www.creamcyprus.com Reported
by a website visitor
as below:
"A gay-friendly bar & dancing which is usually busy after
midnight.
It is located on a street somewhere behind Simit Dunyasi
(traditional fast food) on the way to Girne Harbor." (August 2008)
Please note that there is not a very obvious gay-scene in this
venue.
Feedbacks:
"İ had one of the best holidays due to this bars atmosphere and
i have been to many bars around the world the staff are mad for
it, very friendly, and mixed crowd." (Deniz, UK, 27/02/2009)
Send your feedback about this venue or
report a new place
CADININ
EVI (17:00-04:00)
Address: Dereboyu district, Lefkosa (Nicosia) Northe Cyprus.
This venue was reported by a website visitor as a place not
explicitly gay friendly.
"Cadinin Evi (literally means the House of the Witch) is said to be
located in Dereboyu, which is the entertainment district of
Lefkosa. It is supposed to be welcoming a mix crowd, including
some British gay men and even by some foreign drag queens
occasionally. (05/06/2009)
General Feedbacks for Gay Bars and Clubs in Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic:
"Everyone thinks that there is no gay bar in North Cyprus
but there is two in Girne and one of them is Birdcage Bar. Its a
very pretty bar that you meet with very friendly gays at there.
Located in Girne Yacht Liman near to mosque: See this link:
www.geocities.com/birdcage_girne" (May 2004)
"Since the demise of gay bars in Girne, life has become
quieter. In my humble opinion it wasn't exactly brilliant before
but with Shakers and Selavie, things have hit rock bottom"
(Dec 04, 2005)
Send your feedbacks or report a new place Nightlife and Other Popular
Non-Gay Bars and Clubs: Bars and Clubs in North Cyprus are full of
action, beat and
spirit. Many of the bars have live music on regular basis, with
various bands playing music from pop to rock, blues and Jazz.
Any old times you can find satisfying music in and around the
island for all emotions.
Girne (Kyrenia) is probably the most famous town in North Cyprus
because of its picturesque harbour area and the imposing castle
overlooking it, which also
has the most
colorful nightlife in the Turkish part of the Island. There are
many lively bars in Girne lining the beautiful harbour. If you
like going out at night, you may go to one of the discothèques. Discos
in Cyprus are usually combined with bars, or have special VIP
sections away from the dance floor, where you can reserve a
table for your friends to enjoy the music and dance away in VIP
style. Although usually the music in discos is played by great
DJs, some clubs may invite local live-bands to play on special
occasions. The gambling casinos of the big hotels are open until
morning, and many rich Turks from the mainland Turkey, where gambling is forbidden
also visit North Cyprus for the sake of
these Casinos.
Here are some of the popular regular (non-gay) bars and clubs in Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus.
Shakers Bar & Disco - Girne
Address: Girne town center, (opposite of Beyti Restaurant) Girne
(Kyrenia) Northern Cyprus.
There used to be a gay bar in place of Shakers. It is a regular
bar now but occasionally gay men can still be around. They have
karaoke night on Fridays.
Ice Club - Girne
Address: Above Cikarma Plaji (beach) Alsancak (quarter), Girne,
Northern Cyprus.
Girne Ice Club is one of the most popular night life venue (bar
& discotheque) in Northern Cyprus, hosting many international
guest DJ's (Including the famous Global DJ's in August 2008)
Cadi Kazani - Lefkosa
Cadi Kazani is a cosy bar set in the heart of historical
North Lefkosa's, in the Arabahmet area. You will
always feel at home as the comfort and hospitality provides just
that and more. Cadi Kazani is open both in winter and summer as
it has a cozy outdoor setting.
Zephyr Bar - Lefkosa
Zephyr Bar in North Lefkosa off the road going to Metehan Border-Crossing has been a popular choice amongst the locals. It has
live Turkish Pop music performances on weekends. On other nights
they play soft rock. Reasonable sound-level is suitable for socializing
too. There is no entrance fee to this bar as it has a
traditional pub atmosphere and all are welcome.
Lions Garden - Gazi Magosa
Lions Garden is the biggest entertainment place in Northern
Cyprus. Lions Garden Disco organize concerts, parties and
international shows. Lions Garden calls itself a
disco but its much more like an entertainment complex, with a
state of the art-club and a popular restaurant. The Lions Garden
disco itself boast a fantastic sound and light system, creating
an amazing atmosphere. The disco alone covers some 3500 square
meters, so theres plenty of room for everyone to have fun.
Entry to the disco costs around 10 Euro and drinks cost around 2
Euros each.
Gay or Gay-Friendly Restaurants
and Cafe Shops in Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic:
Buyuk Han (Grand Inn) is one
of the most important Ottoman period buildings built in
Lefkosa, Northern Cyprus
LORENZA
CAFE & BAR
Address: Lefke
Hani, No:5, Sur Ici, Lefkosa. Located in the area of Asma-Alti just behind
Buyuk Han (see picture on the right hand side)
A gay-friendly cafe reported by a website visitor as
below:
"Open Monday to Saturday during
day and some late nights. Lorenza Coffee is a cafe/bar with
lovely decor and excellent food choice.
Offering home cooked pastries/salads and regularly holding
masquerades" (May 2008)
Opening Hours: Monday to Thu 9am to 9pm Fri and Sat 10 am to
till late (depending on the clientele)
Send your feedback about this venue or
report a new place
Other Popular Non-Gay
Restaurants and Cafe Shops in
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus:
Niazi's Restaurant - Girne Address: Kordonboyu Street, Opposite of Dome Hotel, Girne
(Kyrenia) Northern Cyprus.
Web:
www.niazis.com Famous restaurant & bar known for its specialty called "full
kebab", a concept of charcoal grilled kebab with accompanying
"meze" appetizers.It has become so popular that the
owners opened 3 other
branches in Northern Cyprus.
Jashan Restaurant - Girne Address: Karaoglanoglu district, (Aghios Georgios) Girne,
Northern Cyprus.
Web:
www.jashanrestaurant.com
Jashan celebrates Indian Cuisine! Jashan has developed a
reputation for its high quality of cuisine, attentive service,
and an all over excellent dining experience.
Tree of Idleness - Girne
Address: Address: Bellapais - Girne, N. Cyprus
Web:
http://www.treeofidleness.com
Family owned traditional Cypriot restaurant in Bellapais,
near Girne (Kyrenia). Located in the heart of enchanting and nostalgic
historical village of Bellapais, facing the sparkling waters or
Mediterranean Sea.
The Ambiance - Girne Address: Parasut Sokak No. 20 Karaoglanoglu, Girne (Kyrenia)
Web:
http://www.ambiancecyprus.com
Restaurant and beach club in Karaoglanoglu quarter of Girne,
open 7 days of the week for lunch and evening dining. It is situated
by the sea front between Girne and Lapta off the Girne-Lapta
Road. They have a very rich menu including beef dishes, fish,
lamb, chicken and vegetarian menus.
Send your feedbacks or report a new place
BLUE MOVIE & CINEMAS
Gay Friendly Cinemas in Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic:
There is no considerable information we obtained so far
which is worth listing under this category.
Please remember that in most porno/erotic movie cinemas it is
very possible to meet gay or bisexual men. If you try any, it is
highly recommended to make a very careful observation before you
contact with somebody in such venues, because you might receive
a very aggressive response in return if you "touch" the wrong
person. You can see many of the Turkish soldiers posted in
Northern Cyprus as a part of UN peacekeeping forces in these
porn/erotic movie cinemas, especially during the weekends.
Send your feedbacks or report a new place
SAUNA AND BATHS
Gay Friendly Saunas and Bath Houses in Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic: Please remember
that bath houses and saunas are usually not explicitly
confirmed as gay or gay-friendly venues by their
owners/managers. Therefore, we are listing here only the ones which are
being visited by the local gay men frequently.
Girne (Kyrenia) Caste,
Northern Cyprus
TURK HAMAMI (BUYUK HAMAM)
Address: Surlarici (old city) Lefkosa, Northern Cyprus.
It is very likly to see some gay men in Turk Hamami (Turkish
Bath) also know as Buyuk Hamam (Grand Bath) in the city of in
Northern Cyprus.
This bath was built over the ruins of a Latin Church (St George)
in the 14th century. Today, the churchs marvelous front door actually
lies several feet below street level, so you can really
appreciate the ornate carvings of the original doorway.
Visitor feedbacks: "You can see fairies (feminine gays) and
butch bisexuals. a place that you will feel comfortable, cheap but
good quality" (June 2006)
Send your feedbacks or report a new place
Other
Recommended Non Gay Sauna or Bath Houses in Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic: There is no considerable information obtained so far
which is worth listing under this category.
Gay Cruising in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus :
In general, the cruising areas - especially parks and secluded
beaches are where gay men should be more selective with the
people they meet. It is always possible to bump into some
bad guys who want to trap the gay men in such places.
Especially, be careful at night time and do not carry very
valuable things and a lot of money on you, just in case.
These are the possible cruising places in Northern Cyprus:
*The neighborhood of Girne harbour and the water front. There may also be some rent-boys
around.
There are not any gay-exclusive beaches in Northern Cyprus
Turkish Republic, but there are several beaches which are more
suitable for the cruising gay men.
Salamis Beach
is the
popular beach for gay men in Northern Cyprus, some 10 km away
from Gazi Magosa (Famagusta) - The part of the beach 1 km after Park hotel
is said to be where gay men usually hang out and wait under the
bushes for cruising. Gazi Magusa is the second most popular
vacation district in Northern Cyprus after Girne. The ruins of Salamis
antic city is one of the most famous historical attraction on the
island.
In Girne (Kyrenia) - Kale arkasi (the area behind the
castle) is a popular swimming and cruising place for gay men. Girne can be
considered the most gay friendly city in Northern Cyprus, and
gay action is more possible.
Other Beaches in North Cyprus:
North Cyprus has a varied coastline and offers many amenities for swimmers
including
luxurious beaches of big hotels and many public beaches. The Northern and eastern shores of North Cyprus are
lapped by the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. All along
the coastline there are bays and beaches where swimming and sunbathing
is possible almost the whole year round.
Girne (Kyrenia) Beaches
Kyrenia is home to some fabulous intact beaches including
Acapulco Beach, Escape Beach, and Alagadi Beach. Acapulco beach
is a very popular tourist beach and provides most facilities
including sun loungers and a bar. Windsurfing is also very
popular at Acapulco Beach. Escape beach is located just
5km from Kyrenia city and is one of the most beautiful beaches
in Northern Cyprus with fine golden sand and clear waters, where
there
are a number of different water sports including deep sea
diving, jet-ski, banana boats, canoeing, and pedal boating.
Escape Beach Club is privately owned and sponsored
and has turned the entire beach area into a desirable
destination for holiday makers with a large and sophisticated
restaurant, open air dance club, sun beds, massage centre and
scuba school. Most of the boat trips from the harbour in Kyrenia
sail out to Escape Beach and drop anchor there. Alagadi Beach,
also known as turtle beach is located approximately 10 miles
east of Kyrenia. This sandy beach is full of large sweeping
dunes and the clear water is also shallow.
Gazi Magosa (Famagusta) Beaches
Famagusta has long been famous for its miles of sandy beaches.
Some beaches are owned by hotels and have an entrance fee. Bafra
Public Beach is 9.7 km from Bogaz in the village of Çayirova.
Bediz Public Beach is situated on the east coast of Cyprus,
north of Famagusta and well signposted from whichever direction
you approach. Glapsides Beach is only 200m away from the Bediz
Beach. Silver Beach is situated at the far south of the Salamis
ruins, which is a great spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Karpaz Beaches
The Karpaz Peninsula or panhandle as the British called the
north-east part of Cyprus is a land where time stands still.
There are miles of sandy beaches in Karpaz with not a single person in
sight. Ancient towns, basilicas, ruins and tombs scatter the area
waiting to be explored.
Malibu Beach Club provides crystal clear water for good swimming.
There is a snack bar and sun shades there. There is a
stretch of coast known as the Golden Sands which has 5 miles of
un-spoilt beach and a magnificent scenery. The turtles use this beach in the
summer for nesting.
Shopping in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Girne -
Kyrenia and Lefkosa - North Nicosia have the best selection of shops
and are popular for tourists during their holidays in North
Cyprus. Unlike in Turkey bargaining or haggling is not something that most
shopkeepers get involved with. If your offer is refused that is the
final word and the owner will not run after you. Fake designer clothes is an excellent buy. The quality
and price tends to differ from shop to shop so have a good look
around. Alcohol and cigarettes can be bought cheaply, but
remember to check the customs limits. Popular cigarette
brands can also be find in duty free shops at Ercan Airport in
Lefkosa. Gold and silver covers most
of the shops in the centre of the major towns.
The prices are reasonable and the designs are unusual. The
pieces of gold and silver items are usually weighed before being sold.
If you need to find a pharmacy (Eczane in Turkish), they are
located on the high streets. Shops in Northern Cyprus are open
from 08.00 to 18.00 and most are closed on Sundays. Most of the
shops accepted credit cards, GBP, USD, and Euro but it can
sometimes be better to exchange your money into Turkish Lira
before going out for shopping. The open air - markets in North
Cyprus are found in major cities and local people call them,
bazaars. (Pazar in Turkish, which also means Sunday)
The white Dove's statue marks the beginning of Girne height
street. You will find everything from grocers to jewelers and boutiques. Kyrenia municipal market is right
behind the bus terminal or inside, open every Wednesday. The
main shopping area of Kyrenia is just behind the old harbour. A
series of narrow twisting streets will keep you busy for
hours. Popular souvenirs include handicrafts, ceramics, basketry,
wood carvings, silver and copper products. Local spirits include
raki, brandy, and wine.
Lefkosa (Nicosia) has a large out
door market area where you can pick up fashionable clothing,
lace, and beautiful textiles. If you follow Girne Caddesi (street) from Sarayonu towards the Green Line, you come across the
pedestrianized Arasta Sokagi street which is the heart of north
Nicosia's main shopping district. The Belediye Pazari, or municipal's covered market is popularly known as "Bandabulya". It
was the main marketplace of the city during the Ottomans and
still remains a pleasant local market for fresh vegetable and
meat, as well as Turkish delights and variety of souvenirs.
Gazimagusa Acik Cuma Pazari (Famagusta's open-air Friday market ) is located
between
bus terminal and Lemar store, open every Friday. As a new
pedestrian area has recently been made in front of Lala Mustafa
Pasa mosque, with benches to sit and watch the world go by. Just
in front of the mosque is the main road with the usual selection
of traditional shops. If you cannot find the shop that you are
looking for inside the old city, then you will probably find it
along the Salamis Road. Good quality brand name clothes from
Turkey can be found in the various shops along the Salamis Road.
Gay Groups and Gay lesbian
Organizations in Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic: INITIATIVE AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, NORTHERN CYPRUS
Initiative Against Homophobia aims to stop homophobia and
transphobia within the society, prevent the discrimination
through sexual orientation and sexual identities. Accordingly,
Initiative Against Homophobia is a civil society organization
which intend to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of
LGBT people and to increase the acknowledgement of people toward
LGBT people.
Initiative Against Homophobia, currently deal with amendment of
the Chapter 154 criminal law which regulate homosexuality as
`Crimes against nature`. Thus, Initiative Against Homophobia
demand a quick amendment of articles 171,172 and 173 which
forbids sexuality, fundamental rights, of LGBT people.
Accordingly, Initiative Against Homophobia which organized since
September 2007, present a proposal for amendments of Chapter 154
Gay & lesbian Internet Sources for
Northern Cyprus:
Yahoo Group For Turkish Lesbians A Yahoo Group to meet Turkish Lesbians from
all over Turkey. You can leave a message to meet Turkish
lesbians and lesbian tourists living in or visiting Northern
Cyprus in this group.
Yahoo Group for Turkish Gays A Yahoo Group to meet Turkish gay men from
all over Turkey. You can leave a message to meet Turkish gays
and gay tourists living in or visiting Northern Cyprus in this
group
Gay-owned
Turkish travel agency is organizing daily city tours, budget
package tours, tailor made tours, boat cruises, hotel
reservations all around Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
If you want to contact them for possible tours, hotels, flight reservations
etc for Northern Cyprus please
click here
GAY & LESBIAN
FRIENDLY HOTELS IN NORTHERN CYPRUS
There are no gay exclusive hotels or explicitly gay/lesbian
friendly hotels in Northern Cyprus Turkish.
Please Click Here
if You Want to Recommend any Hotel in Northern Cyprus to Gay &
Lesbian Visitors Make your hotel reservation by gay-owned
Turkish travel agency and support gay business in Turkey. Gay-owned
Turkish travel agency is organizing daily city tours, budget
package tours, tailor made tours, boat cruises, hotel
reservations all around Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Ruins of Bellepais
Monastery
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Cyprus
Island is located in the east of Mediterranean Sea, off the
south coast of Turkey and west coast of Syria. Cyprus Island
was within the territories of Turkish (Ottoman) Empire since
1570, until the British Empire first took the administrative
control of the Island in 1878 and then annexed it completely during WWI. It stayed as a British colony until it
declared independent in 1960, when the administration was
justly divided between the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots.
There has been clashes between two societies afterwards,
which became unbearable for the Turkish part when the
nationalist Greek Cypriots and the military dicta regime in
Greece took serious steps to unite the Island with their
motherland Greece. As a result Turkey made military
intervention to Cyprus in 1974, based on its rights
originating from treaties as a guarantor state and took the control of one-third of
the island.
Until then there has been a de facto independent Turkish
state in Northern Cyprus. The Turkish - controlled North
took the name of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after
declaring independence in 1983, though only recognized by
Turkey officially. A final attempt of uniting the Island was
unsuccessful because the Greek Cypriots refused the United
Nation referendum known as "Annan Plan" in the
year 2004.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is divided into five
districts which are Lefkosa (Nicosia), Magusa (Famagusta),
Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou) and Iskele (Trikomo).
Kyrenia Harbour (Flickr
Picture)
Click on to Enlarge
Girne is the major tourism district of North Cyprus.
Once upon a time, Girne harbour was lined with warehouses in
which the fruits of the countryside were stored
waiting to be exported. The harbour is currently used
largely for pleasure craft, and the buildings are now mostly
all restaurants, with outdoor tables along the water. The
castle at the east end of the old harbour is a very
spectacular site and within its walls there is a twelfth
century chapel showing reused late Roman capitals. Bellapais
Abbey monastery in the village of Bellapais is also very
significant historical monument near Girne. A larger harbour
is located a few miles east of the town centre, used by
commercial shipping and ferries from the Turkish mainland.
Famagusta contains spectacular ruins, including a
magnificent amphitheatre, Roman baths, a gymnasium and royal
tombs. The mosaics are particularly beautiful. Just inland
from Famagusta are the church and monastery dedicated to St.
Barnabas, the founder of the apostolic Cypriot Orthodox
Church in 45 AD. Barnabas, a Cypriot from Salamis who
visited the island, accompanied by St. Paul and St. Mark and
was later martyred in Salamis in 52 AD. The church of St.
Barnabas is preserved exactly as it was since abandoned in
1976. Famagusta harbour is dominated by a great
citadel sometimes known as Othello's Tower in reference to
the (fictional) play by Shakespeare. It contains a splendid
14th century Gothic Hall. The Venetian Palace was used,
after its destruction in 1571, as
a prison during the Ottoman Empire, and among the prisoners was Namik Kemal, the
National poet of the Ottoman Empire, who was held there
between 1873 and 1876, after having been exiled to Cyprus by
the Sultan.
Please visit the Website of Gazimagusa (Famagusta)
Municipality
The capital Lefkosa situated almost in the centre of the
island was divided by the "green line" between the island's two communities in
the south and north respectively. It is the seat of
government as well as the main business centre.
Click here for Official Website of Municipality of Lefkosa (North Nicosia)
Güzelyurt is a market town in the north-west of the island.
It contains one of the many churches in the country
dedicated to St. Mamas, popularly believed to have lived as
a hermit in a cave near Guzelyurt. Guzelyurt (Morphou) is
home to one of the islands crossing points, which was opened
in 2003 by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Administrative district of Iskele is encompassing the
northeastern portions of the Gazimagusa district including
the whole of the Karpasia Peninsula (Karpaz Yarimadasi).
Arrival to Northern Cyprus. Direct flights to Northern Cyprus are
forbidden by the government of the Greek Cypriots in the south. The airports
of Gecitkale and Ercan are only recognized as legal ports of
entry by Azerbaijan and Turkey, so all flights to Northern
Cyprus must currently be routed via those countries. The
Republic of Cyprus also allows passage across the Green Line
from the part of Nicosia that it controls (as well as a few
other selected crossing points), since the TRNC does not
require a visa or leave entry stamps for such visits. Cyprus
Turkish Airlines (CTA) operate direct* flights to Ercan, the
airport in North Cyprus, from the UK but flights stop at
Turkey for an hour en-route. Turkish Airlines operate daily
services to North Cyprus from Stansted, Manchester, Heathrow
and twice a week from Dublin. A change of aircraft is
necessary at Istanbul. An alternative to flying to North
Cyprus is to fly to Larnaca in South Cyprus and ask a friend
or take a taxi to North Cyprus. The extra driving time on
the ground (45 mins) is saved by using a non-stop flight.
Both car and passenger ferries run daily between Turkey's
Mediterranean coast and the port of Girne (Kyrenia) in
northern (Turkish) Cyprus. Most service is to and from
Tasucu, the small port near Silifke (a district of Mersin
Province of Turkey) east of Alanya and west of Adana on the
Turkish Mediterranean coast. Fast catamaran passenger
ferries ("sea bus") depart Girne for Tasucu every morning at
09:30 am, and depart Tasucu for Girne at 11:00 am. The
voyage takes about two hours and costs about 40 Euro
one-way, or 50-60 Euro for a round-trip.. Slower car ferries
depart Girne at 12:00 noon daily except Sunday, and depart
Tasucu at 24:00 midnight daily except Friday. The voyage
takes four or five hours. Passengers pay somewhat less than
on the fast catamaran passenger ferry. Cars cost around 60
Euro. In summer, there may also be fast catamaran passenger
service between Girne (Kyrenia) and Alanya (3.5 hours).
Cyprus Map
Internal
Transportation.
Busses, mini-busses, and service taxis ply the
routes between all the towns and many of the larger
villages. Regular taxis are also available. Bus fares are
cheap, and taxis are very reasonable. Whilst public
transport will enable the visitor to enjoy `rubbing
shoulders` wit the locals, those with limited time are
advised to hire a car. Rent-a-car prices are affordable in
North Cyprus.
A good inexpensive network of buses and mini-buses operates
between all the main towns, in addition there are Dolmush
(shared taxis) operating on the same routes. Taxis are
widely available but do not carry a meter. However, there
are standard journey charges.
