Northern Cyprus. Miles of rugged natural coastline, secluded sandy coves and beautiful unspoilt beaches, lapped by the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Framed by the peaks of the magnificent ‘Five Finger’ mountain range, towards the central plains that stretch between Famagusta and Nicosia, it is truly one of the last unspoiled destinations in the Mediterranean. A paradise of natural beauty, with pine-clad hills and miles of sandy beaches that make it the one-of-a-kind destination that most people believe no longer exists. The North Cyprus coast offers some of the best and safest bathing in the Mediterranean. The crystal clear waters are wonderful for swimming, snorkeling, sailing and skiing.
An ancient island, inhabited since the Stone Age, it is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. Previous inhabitants have included Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Venetians, Ottomans, and British. The heritage and culture of these civilizations are evident throughout the island, but especially in the north, where sites of historical interest abound. St. Hilarion’s Castle and the ruins of Bellapais Abbey are just two of the wonderful relics of these bygone times, and they still ooze atmosphere.
However, the identity of the island is very Cypriot. The warm and welcoming nature of the people is one of the first things you notice when you visit for the first time. Walk into any of the local villages and taverns and you’ll experience first-hand the friendly atmosphere that makes you feel immediately at ease. Many of the locals speak and understand English and encourage visitors in their attempts to learn the language. There are several places where you can learn to speak Turkish in a relaxed atmosphere, perhaps something to keep you busy during the colder winter months!
A foodie’s paradise, you don’t have to go far for delicious freshly prepared dishes with plenty of local vegetables and local fish. With over 300 restaurants and taverns to choose from, it would be impossible not to find a place that doesn’t satisfy the most diverse palates. Local Cypriot food is, of course, influenced by Turkish cuisine, although there are many excellent restaurants specializing in European and international cuisine. An evening stroll into Kyrenia Harbor will find visitors spoiled for choice with numerous bars and restaurants where they can sit and hang out while enjoying a leisurely meal. Going out to eat is still relatively inexpensive and always a great pleasure. There are several nightclubs in and around Girne (Kyrenia) for those who wish to have a more active nightlife!
The cost of living in North Cyprus is noticeably lower than in the UK, but standards are on par, with the added bonus of fantastic scenery and weather! The number of permanent British residents is growing every year and are integrated with local communities, rather than outside of them, as has been the case in other countries favored by expats. A legacy of British colonial times means traffic drives on the left and, as car hire is cheap and easy, travel is not a problem.
In the last two years, North Cyprus has experienced a real property boom. Property prices have doubled in the last year, with even more potential for capital growth. There are many different types of properties to be found, from large and small villas to city center apartments. Popular among these are the gated apartment complexes being built by SeaTerra, one of the largest developers in Northern Cyprus. Towards the east side of Girne, their projects are located next to the town of Esentepe and further along the coastal highway towards Tatlisu.
The fact that so many people are now taking notice of North Cyprus shows that there is huge potential for more tourists to start visiting the area. This seems to be a European and even world consciousness. With some 215,000 people living there permanently, this number more than doubles in the summer months. With a new golf course due to open shortly and plans for a 400 berth marina right next to Esentepe, this will no doubt prove to be a huge draw for those yet to discover this wonderful place. There are currently some 60 hotels in the region, with another 11,000 beds planned and under construction. Over 60 flights a week arrive at Ercan airport during the summer, this is steadily growing and countless other flights bring people to Northern Cyprus via Larnaca in the south. The winter tourist is also increasing in number, which greatly proves that the secret of North Cyprus is well discovered.
This article has been provided by Karen Arter, Marketing Manager at Cyprus SeaTerra, a property developer specializing in North Cyprus. For more information visit north-cyprus-properties-sale.co.uk or cyprus-seaterra.com.