My wife and I have 4 days in Cyprus in April. We would appreciate any inputs on must see areas and recommendations on places to stay. We have thought about Kyrenia, Nicosia, Famagusta, Troodos Mountain and Salamis but are open for suggestions from someone who has been there.
Thanks for any inputs!
Replies
Welcome Back. I am glad you had a good time and visited most of the highlights on the island. Your Hotel Choice was great as well. Visiting the Museum was a good idea, it gives you overall history of the island and the artifacts and the building it self is beautiful. Metropolitan Museum has an excellent collection on Cyprus.
All the Best.
Herb Debban said:
Thanks for your recommendations Hifziye! We have returned from our trip and thankfully we did spend a great deal of time in Northern Cyprus. We stayed in the Kyrenia area at Bella View Boutique Hotel. It was a comfortable hotel with great service. It was a short distance to the Monastery. We did visit many of your excellent recommendations in Nicosia, Famagusta, St Barnabas, Salamis. We had excellent meals and enjoyed the hospitality of North Cyprus.
In all we visited all three "territories" of Cyprus. We are happy that we visited in the "off" season as nothing was crowded. The Archeological Museum in Nicosia was really worth a visit as it covered a time frame from 10,000BC. and all displayed were from Cyprus.
Hifziye Zincir said:
I have just seen your mail. You do have good recommendations when visiting the South side of the island.
Do not leave the island without visiting North Cyprus, crossing the border will as well add to your list of countries visited, as North Cyprus now is on TCC list. Nicosia old city is changing cross over the border if you are staying in the South from Letra Street, if you do not have a car, you will be inside the old town where it is a treasure within the fortress you will find old ottoman kervansaray restored with shops and restaurants, old ottoman houses, Ayasofya mosque with its bedesden, old bazaar is worth a trip, take your time and walk around the side narrow streets you will be amazed what you will discover, do not hesitate, in the city square you will find the British architecture Old Post Office, and Court House and lovely homes within narrow streets. For lunch in Nicosia I recommend Kemal Rustem Book Store on the upper level fix menu typical Cyprus dishes is prepared everyday fresh by the owners wife. Home cook every day open for lunch only.
Kyrenia harbor and a visit to Famagusta old town is worth while as well. It is Roman, Ottoman, Byzentian History is all within your reach St. Barnabas Church Museum ruins of Salamis is worth the trip if you have a car and can cross the boarder with no hustle and drive I even suggest stay in the North for two to three nights to cover that area. ONAR VILLAGE which sits up on a hill outskirts of Kyrenia is a family run hotel and bungalow very typical old charm you need a car to stay there, it is simple bed and breakfast rooms are adequate, it has beautiful views of Kayrenia from above and lovely swimming pool as well. if you have questions send me an email.
hzincir@hotmail.com. Enjoy your trip
Wow! That is really documentation that you were there! Thanks
There are areas outside the bases where you can take your photo with the markers and also there is the little town of Akrotiri. I knew these signs existed from the photos others had posted and it was fun to go search for them.
Thank you JoAnn! I'll have to check out Akotiri and Dhekelia! Wouldn't want to miss the British Sovereign base! Were you able to enter or did you pass through on the motorway?
Don't forget Akrotiri and/or Dhekelia!
I was in Cyprus in November and really enjoyed it. Famagusta was interesting including Salamis, as was Varosha, the ghost town there. Paphos Archaeological Park was really good and large - allow time for walking around. In the Troodos region the painted churches were interesting and kind of a treasure hunt searching them out. Also went to Kykkos monastery which is well worth a visit. In Larnaca you might like to visit the Church of Saint Lazarus - Lazarus' empty tomb (this is from the second time he died) is in the basement. If you mail post cards, the post office is across the street from the church.
You'll enjoy your visit no matter what you decide to do there!