NORTH CYPRUS PRIVATE TOURS with CEMALIYE

NICOSIA & KYRENIA FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR


Here I will bring you to the most amazing sites on our five finger mountains.

Bellapais Abbey, St. Hillarion Castle & Kyrenia Castle.

     

Two cities of Kyrenia and Nicosia will be visited together on the same day. We’ll start the day passing through Arasta whicis surrounded by small shops selling  Turkish delight, material, jewelry etc.Nicosia is the Foreign name, Lefkosa is the Turkish name and Lefkosia is the Greek name given to the same place which is the capital of the island. In the old days  ‘Ledra ‘was one of the names given to this city.  The old city is surrounded by high walls and ‘Kyrenia Gate’ is where we enter the old city which has been the capital since the 11th Century. The best way to visit the old part of the city is on foot.

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St.Sophia Cathedral: It was built in 1208-1326 by Lusignans then Ottomans came in 1570 added minarets and converted in to a Mosque. 

St.Nicholas Church(Bedesten): Constructed on the 14th century Byzantine church. It was built as a cathedral Church by Lusignans and used as St. Nicholas Church and Archbishop building by Venetians. During the Ottoman period, it was used as Bedesten which was the textile and food market.

Bandabuliya: It's mainly a vegetable market wherein the old days' people who lived in the city would come and do their shopping. Today it’s a tourist attraction.

 

After visiting Nicosia on foot, we will drive up to Five Finger Mountain where St Hilarion Castle will be visited. St Hilarion castle is built up asa watch tower during Byzantine period against the Arap pirates.

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We’ll hop in the car and drive to the city center to visit 'Kyrenia Castle'. There are many rooms that we’ll visit while you get to learn about its history but the most important is the 'Shipwreck Museum'. ​Kyrenia Castle: It’s on the harbor of Kyrenia Castle. Which was built by Byzantines and many additions were made thru the centuries by Lusignans, Venetians, Ottomans, and English.

Ship Wreck Museum: A shipwreck that dates from 300BC was discovered by the Cypriot sponge diver called Andreas in 1965. In the museum, you can see the shipwreck, amphoras, and almonds, olive seeds which are been exhibited from that time. You will be given free time to walk around the harbor and have a lunch.

 

Then we will continue of the day will be at ‘Bellapais Monastery’. We’ll have a short walk on the beautiful narrow village roads, pass through the house to visit Abbey the monastery dating back to 13th Century. Bellapais Abbey Monastery is a beautiful gothic type which was built by Augustinians who ran away from Jerusalem after they fell to Salahaddin Eyyubi in 1187. It was in use until the 16th century when ottomans came to the island.Laurence Durell: He is the writer of ‘Bitter Lemon’ book who lived in the village in the 1950s.

 

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Included

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Professional guidance (punctual, friendly, knowledgeable & licensed local guide)
Private transportation

Entrance tickets for historical sites
Parking tickets
A small bottle of water

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Excluded

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Lunch
Personal purchases