Set against the stunning backdrop of the Besparmak (Five Finger) mountains, Kyrenia (Girne) is regarded as one of the Mediterranean's most picturesque towns, and is now North Cyprus' most popular resort.

Kyrenia has always been popular with artists and writers. It was in the peaceful setting of the beautiful twelfth century Bellapais Abbey that Lawrence Durrell wrote his "Bitter Lemons", and the stunning fairy-tale castle of St. Hilarion, perched atop the rocks of the Besparmak Mountains, over 2,000 feet above Kyrenia. It is rumoured to have been the inspiration for Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.

In the heart of Kyrenia is the charming Venetian Harbour, the ideal place to slow down to Cypriot pace in one of the numerous restaurants and watch the world go by . On warm Summer evenings it really comes into its own as the place to be seen!

To one side of the harbour is the imposing seventh century Kyrenia Castle, which now houses the fascinating ship wreck museum. Its beautiful scenery, its tranquil waters, rocky coves, sandy beaches and amazing hospitality makes North Cyprus the place you'll want to visit again and again.

 Places of interest