Recent news of banking system problems in Cyprus had affected several industries in the country – and as far as tourism is concerned, things are less than positive. Considering what travel means for the overall Cyprus economy, this is maybe the worst sort of news.
But on the same Island, Northern Cyprus seems to be thriving. The county, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is a separate system.
Media focus on the Cyprus bailout, and banking problems that ensued, these and other fearful components have placed an even bigger burden on the people of Cyprus. As for Northern Cyprus, the country has nothing whatsoever to do with the aforementioned economic issues with the EU. Essentially, Northern Cyprus has remained unaffected throughout the situation, even though most media has failed to differentiate the two regions, and the facts. Northern Cyprus, obviously at the North of the Island of Cyprus, is a separate country, and uses the Turkish Lira rather than the Euro as currency. Northern Cyprus is not part of the Eurozone and is not wrapped up in the EU-IMF situation.
Cyprus-Northern Cyprus - Courtesy © polesnoy - Fotolia.com
For travelers who still want to enjoy some aspects of the Island of Cyprus, Northern Cyprus is an excellent alternative. Interestingly, looking at GoNorthCyprus, a website and mobile app are already in place to reveal and book hospitality and other services in the country. I find it pretty amazing actually that services such as these allow for even taxi transfers in between the airport and particular points along a person’s stay. For those interested in what’s within the boundaries of Northern Cyprus, here’s a brief rundown of some of the most visited cities and attractions.
North Nicosia
Nicosia is actually one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, it dates back to the early Bronze Age, roughly 4500 years ago. Within the city visitors will find vestiges of the ancient city such as the Venetian Walls and particularly the Kyrenia Gate there. Besides remnants of antiquity though, visitors are treated to a thoroughly fascinating city. Outside the ancient walled aspect of Nicosia, Atatürk Square and places like Mehmet Akif Avenue with its modern nightlife and entertainment venues.
Local mosque - courtesy Gerhard Haubold
Famagusta
Also possessed of an ancient walled city popular with tourists, this former fishing village in now budding as something of a metropolis in Northern Cypress. The town founded back in 1192, is today bears little resemblance to the city once frequented by the crusaders headed to Jerusalem. Travelers here will find the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (above) interesting, as well as the local nightlife. And for those lucky enough to travel here during the International Famagusta Art and Culture Festival, a rare look at the culture of these wonderful people.
Famagusta courtesy Wikipedia
Kyrenia
About the time the Trojan War ended, this Cypriot city emerged as an Achaean stronghold. The names inherent in the history of this fabulous city resound through the ages, quite literally. Cepheus, Ramesses III of Egypt, even Alexander the Great’s rule emerges from the pages of history to mention Kyrenia as a place, always at the forefront of human history in the region. For the modern traveler though; the harbor, Kyrenia Castle (below), Bellapais Abbey, and other monuments in time are great attractions.
Kyrenia Castle - Courtesy © Debu55y - Fotolia.com
Morphou
Founded by none other than the legendary Spartans, Morphou took to worshipping Aphrodite just because of these warrior Greeks. Today the town is as famous for its wonderful crops of apples, vegetables, grapefruit and melons, as it ever was for the legendary beauty of Aphrodite. Points of interest here for the fan of antiquity might include; the prehistoric archaeological site of Chrysiliou, the ancient Basilica of Soli, and the literal archaological site of the Santuary of Aphoridite a couple of kilometers outside town.
The Beaches
Of all the reasons to visit this fabulous Island maybe the most convincing is to dig your toes into the golden sands on the Mediterranean Sea here. Northern Cyprus’ Karpas Beach (seen above), Glapsides Beach outside Famagusta, or any of the beach resorts such as the Escape Beach Club (below) where beach parties are a thing continually.
Cyprus Past the Problems
When all is said and done the unfortunate situation where the EU and Cyprus are concerned continues to take a toll on the people there. Through no real fault of their own, hoteliers to simple farmers are continually affected by the disastrous economic events having taken place. This bit if good news about alternative banking systems and currencies, if nothing else, provides a doorway into Cyrus as a destination. In short, visitors to North Cyprus can very easily use this designated place as a base of operations for the whole of the Island. Moving from one to the other, Cyprus to Northern Cyprus, is a matter of simply filling out a form and possessing a current visa.
View Comments (17)
I discovered this gem of a holiday desination a few years ago and find myself being drawn back every year as nowhere else offers what it does + It's out of the Eurozone.
Great article about North Cyprus!
Like you wrote, when the mainstream media only covers news about Cyprus bailout, nobody mentions that North Cyprus is unaffected. Thank you Phillip.
I remember my first trip to North Cyprus - everything seemed to be so unknown that my husband and I have been a bit scared of what will our holiday in so-called "unrecognized" territory will turn into. But so far it turned to falling in love with the country and coming back every year, sometimes even several times within a year. We can see the improvements done to infrastructure and services and a great increase in tourists coming from all over the world. North Cyprus is definitely becoming popular within the next few years...!
Not a word that the so called Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus is a break away illegal state recognized by Turkey only and that the hotels tourists may stay in, are Greek Cypriot properties illegally held after the turkish invasion of 1974
@Alexious and Robbie,
The article also does not mention the extent of Alexander the Great's conquests, nor Ghengis Khan, the Romans, or Nazi transgressions during WWII. I do not know exactly why I failed to mention even the millions who starved when Brittain force migrated all of Pakistan from India, and likewise I am unsure how I misssed Stalin's starving 20 million or so of his own people to death too. Missing in this story about beach vacations and antiquity too, are the transgressions of the Conquestadors against millions on millions of Aztecs, Inca, and other indigenous populations.
Finally, not to leave off my fellow Americans, I also failed to point out the plight of the American Indian. Lord knows how many of those would have visited Cyprus (north, south, east, and west) had they lived to tell. Oh, and would you have me mention the Atom Bombs vaporizing little Japanese children we dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? How about the fire boming of Dresden? Those pesky Irish and their IRA bombings? Genocide in deep dark Equatorial Africa?
I can do on you know. How about the merciless killing of whales, dolphins, penguins, all manner of trees and exotic plants, the melting of the polar ice caps, even NASA debris left on the Moon?
What really amazes me is that people will take any opportunity to get a jab in, to bitch about ANYTHING, rather than applaud even a tiny win for another human being. This, all because we can all be so evil, such back biters, and pettylittle creatures - if given the atmosphere and opportunity for it.
Governments and jaded leaders so oft confused with ordinary people, in the fields, on the small fishing boats, tending their shops - just so we can classify one another BAD - all the while professing that WE are GOOD.
The simplest measure you or I can take, to LOOK better than our neighbor, is to just BITCH IT SO.
Sorry for the French lesson here, but I have about had enough of squabbling over bits of dirt while the real evil totes off our legacy.
How about focusing on how, FOR INSTANCE, one tourist entering Northern Cyprus (maybe just because of this article) might sightsee there, get a pass to go South, and spend some money all over Cyprus, put food in the mouth of some shopkeeper who LOST EVERYTHING when the IMF sanctioned bank funds get sequestered? Follow a path from one currency, through the natural movements to discover your wonderful home, and reap a benefit.
OR
Imagine Solomon having to deal with your pettiness. Splitting the baby of Caprus so that a greedy mother does not prevail. Put without the use of metaphor, I think you should come together and create a better Cyprus for Turkish and Greek decendants, rather than fight to the death there in paradise (or here on MY news site). And finally let me ask you this question. "Given that this attempt to help Cyprus has been thwarted because it did not meet the requirements, can either of you blame a tourist and his family for not showing up on your shores?"
Maybe I made a good point. If not squabble away, Phil out.
Alexios Alexiou
The article also does not make reference to the genocide carried out by the Greeks or the death of 250+ British service men again by Greek terrorists
It is about time both sides of the divide give up the bitching and got a life! What with the on-going oil and gas exploration going on, it would make much sense if the two sides got together and buried the past for good. I know it is a BIG ask but if it did ever happen, the problems of the south would eventually be solved. As things stand, the financial problems of the south will be an ever-increasing circle.
The first time I visited South Cyprus was in 2001 to spend time with my best friend and his wife who retired there in 2000. They bought some land and had a bungalow built. They got ripped off from start to finish (Most of the ripping off came in the form of government taxes and fees in one form or another) To be totally fair in that respect, it is no different in North Cyprus. If anything, the officials there are more corrupt than in the south.
During my visit in 2001, I went for a day-trip to a delightful place called Kyrenia in North Cyprus. The day changed my life in more ways than one and my perception about the north and south opened my eyes to reality. I realised I had been brainwashed by the ‘teachings’ of the western world. Since then all my trips started and ended in the north. In 2010, after two years of careful planning and detailed research, I moved to North Cyprus. Taking all of the negative aspects into consideration (And there are many) there is no other place I would rather be that is more tranquil, relaxing or beautiful than North Cyprus.
Robbie,
for someone who appears to be historically informed, i was disappointed on your last message on "genocide" and death of British service men by "terrorists" I was about to enter into a hopefully contructive discussion with you about everything else but your last post put me off. It simply proved to me that you are extremely biased actually.
Phil,
I know exactly what you mean. But memories are too short unfortunately. Imagine having to get a permit to visit your own property, in your own country.
This is I know, a blatantly obvious statement but needs to be pointed out. The past transgressions/history in Cyprus can never be changed but its future can. All parties have to look to the future of Cyprus as a whole.
Food for thought: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/business/global/for-cyprus-a-sudden-need-to-play-nice-with-turkey.html