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Arriving in Kyrenia
The flight over was easy and before we knew it we were touching down at Ercan airport. We got a taxi into Kyrenia which only took about half an hour. Pulling up into the old town was awesome, with the castle towering above the red rooftops. Our apartment was just a short walk from the harbour too. We dumped our bags and decided to head down and explore.
The harbour area was buzzing, with restaurants, bars and boats. It had such a nice relaxed atmosphere. We stopped for a coffee and people watched for a bit, taking it all in. The clear blue water looked so inviting too. It was the perfect spot to unwind after a long journey and really kicked off our holiday in Kyrenia in style.
Checking Out the Castles
The next day we wanted to do some sightseeing before it got too hot. First up was Kyrenia Castle right in the centre of town. It was amazing climbing all the way to the top for incredible views. You could see right along the coastline. We learned lots of history about the area which was really interesting.
After grabbing a quick lunch in town, we headed to the more remote Buffavento Castle. The drive up the mountain was stunning and the castle ruins had an epic location. It was more of a trek to explore but the scenery made it worth it. We even spotted some wild goats in the hills! Both castles gave us a real taste of Kyrenia's past, which added to our holiday in Kyrenia experience.
Relaxing on the Beaches
With sightseeing out the way, we were ready to relax on the beaches for the rest of the week. A short drive took us to Alagadi Turtle Beach, which lived up to its name. We spent a few hours swimming and sunbaking, keeping an eye out for any turtles. The clear blue water was just gorgeous.
We also checked out Escape Beach near Kyrenia, which was a lively spot with beach clubs and water sports. It was fun watching people parasailing and jetskiing. We even tried a banana boat ride which was hilarious! Both beaches were stunning and the perfect places to unwind during our holiday in Kyrenia.
Exploring the Countryside
As well as the beaches, we wanted to see more of the North Cyprus countryside. One day we hired bikes and cycled along the coastal road, taking in breathtaking views of the sea. We stopped for lunch in a cute village inland, trying tasty local specialities.
Another highlight was visiting Saint Hilarion Castle high up in the mountains. The drive was an adventure in itself! But the views from the ruins were absolutely incredible, stretching for miles. We even spotted wild goats and eagles soaring below. Getting active and exploring more of the scenery really enriched our holiday in Kyrenia experience.
Relaxing Evenings
After busy days sightseeing and beaching, we looked forward to relaxing evenings. The harbour area was always buzzing at night, with many restaurants and bars to choose from. Some nights we'd wander around checking them all out, other times we'd find a nice spot and people watch with a glass of wine.
The food everywhere was so fresh and delicious. We tried meze plates, grilled seafood and homemade baklava - it was all mouthwatering! Live music in some bars added to the great atmosphere. Wandering the harbour at sunset, taking it all in, was the perfect way to unwind after fun days exploring. Nights in Kyrenia really rounded off our holiday in Kyrenia perfectly.
Final Thought
All too soon, our week-long holiday in Kyrenia was over. We packed our bags with lots of happy memories and snapshots from our time in this beautiful town. From castles and beaches, to cycling in the hills and relaxing in the harbour - we experienced so much. Kyrenia totally delivered with its stunning scenery, culture and laidback vibe.
We fell in love with Northern Cyprus and will definitely be back to this coastal town again. Next time we might venture further to visit places like Salamis and Famagusta too. But Kyrenia will always have a special place in our hearts as the setting for our best holiday in Kyrenia yet. We can't wait to return and make more memories in this little slice of paradise!