Quite often described as “Cyprus’ prettiest town”, Kyrenia (situated on the island nation’s northern coast) has the coveted combination of a genuinely fascinating history, stunning beaches, and appealing accessibility in terms of tourism. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys the classic holiday beach culture (sun, sea, sand, and everything that goes with it), but also wants to go a little “deeper” and get to grips with the heritage of Cyprus, Kyrenia could be your new favourite place! Good to know that history and a sun tan are not mutually exclusive…
Kyrenia: Where History and Pleasure Unite!
Cyprus is one of those places you rarely, if ever, hear a bad word about. Once an exotic, off-the-beaten-track island not really developed in terms of tourism, today fantastic resort towns like Protaras and Ayia Napa are firm favourites with visitors from all over the world.
The demographic Cyprus attracts covers everyone from die-hard history and culture lovers, to sun-worshipers and fun-loving young party animals. If you fall somewhere in the middle and you’re looking for the perfect base to enjoy the wonderful beaches and also delve into the past in a meaningful way – Kyrenia fits the bill to a tee!
While you probably don’t need any advice on how to enjoy the delights of the local beaches, here are some of its top historic attractions not to miss.
Be Entranced by Kyrenia Castle
Nothing spells out “ancient history” more vividly than a castle, and this impressive sixteenth-century fortification is a fantastic example. Presiding over the harbour with quiet majesty, the castle is extremely well preserved, offering an unparalleled insight into the island’s history. Its construction displays diverse Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman influences, having been rebuilt and enlarged at various periods over the centuries. The rectangular shape of the structure features a dungeon, chapel, cistern, and dramatic entry via a stone bridge over a moat.
It’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours, with the entire castle open to the public. Stroll along the ramparts and take in the views over the harbour, and encounter stunning mosaics, Corinthian columns, and two towers complete with mannequins in full armour. There’s also a dazzling array of archaeological relics dating back to the Bronze Age, taken from various sites around the island.
No visit to the castle is complete without exploring the renowned Shipwreck Museum, which contains the remains of an ancient Greek merchant ship dating back to 300BC.
Take a Stroll Through the Old Town
Any seasoned traveller or amateur historian will tell you that if you want to experience the authentic side of a destination, head straight for the Old Town. In Kyrenia, the Old Town is, again, wonderfully well-preserved, radiating from the pretty horseshoe-shaped harbour and taking in a network of charming, tangled lanes and alleyways. As you stroll around (you won’t get lost, as it’s quite small), keep an eye out for traces of the multiple cultures that have informed the region.
As with most Old Towns, simply being there is the highlight in and of itself, but there are some particular things to keep an eye out for. These include the Ottoman Agha Cafar Pasha Mosque, some Greco-Roman tombs, the remains of the Chysopolitissa Church, dating back to the sixteenth-century, the more modern St Andrew’s Church, and the Round Tower, which is all that’s left of the fortified walls that previously enclosed the town.
Once you’ve done a lap or two of the cobblestoned streets, you can settle into a small cafe or bar and immerse in the sights and sounds of the locals going about their daily life.
Pay a Visit to Bellapais Abbey
Not strictly an attraction of Kyrenia itself, Bellapais Abbey is nevertheless well worth a visit, and it’s only 5km away. This stunning abbey is tucked into a hillside affording spectacular views and has a wonderful history. While parts of the structure have been reclaimed by the ravages of over seven centuries, it is mainly relatively well-preserved, with its magnificent facade, elegant arches, vaults and cloisters proudly evoking its Gothic and Byzantine history. Decorated with intricate carvings and set within well-kept gardens, one of the abbey’s standout features is a beautiful circular stained-glass rose window, which dates back to the fourteenth-century.
There’s enough in Kyrenia to keep any discerning culture buff happy for a few days, but places like Bellapais and other neighbouring towns and villages are also worth exploring. And of course, once you come back from a fruitful few hours walking through history, the beach will always be waiting…
Where to Stay
Merit Park Hotel Casino & Spa: Set in prime beachfront location offering exceptional views and facilities, you’ll enjoy warm Cypriot hospitality in this comfortable modern hotel. Spacious rooms and suites feature quality appointments and a host of thoughtful extras, while onsite amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool, spa and wellness centre, sun terrace, fitness centre, steam room, hammam, and a fantastic restaurant serving international cuisine. Everything is at your fingertips!
Rocks Hotel & Casino: Delivering world class accommodation in an unbeatable waterfront location, the Rocks gives you the celebrity treatment with all the bells and whistles! Situated just 850m from the famous Kyrenia Castle and 250m from the marina, you’ll feel completely pampered in the spacious, beautifully appointed rooms, with a choice of land or sea facing views. Along with an onsite casino for your entertainment, you can make use of the pool, massage room, elegant bar, and multiple places to dine. The ultimate in enjoyment and relaxation.
Kyrenia Palace Hotel: Oozing charm and history, this boutique hotel puts you in an ideal position from which to explore everything Kyrenia has to offer. The air-conditioned rooms offer a lovely blend of traditional decor and furnishings and contemporary appointments. You can choose from either garden or pool views, and rooms feature a balcony to relax and take in the tranquil surroundings. Take advantage of the onsite pool, sun terrace, coffee shop, bar and fitness centre. Relaxation is your top priority at the Kyrenia Palace Hotel.
How to Get There
Once you’ve decided on Kyrenia as your holiday destination, organising your travel plans is easy. You’ll need to fly into Larnaca Airport, which entails a flight of around 4 hours and 40 minutes from the UK to Cyprus. Numerous operators fly the route, with flights at good times from easyJet, British Airways, and TUI.
After you’ve landed, the most convenient and hassle-free way to get the last part of the journey to Kyrenia is with Shuttle Direct. Our pre-booked services cover both private and shared rides to get you from Larnaca Airport to Kyrenia without delay and for a cost-effective price.
Overview
UK to LCA Flight Time: 4 hours, 40 mins
LCA to Kyrenia: 79 kilometres approx.
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 1 hour 20 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Pre-book your Kyrenia transfers with Shuttle Direct and we’ll make your life easy! Because we have a great range of options, from shared shuttles right up to luxury private airport transfers, you can choose the one that suits your budget and needs perfectly.
Shuttle Bus: The most economical way of getting from Larnaca Airport to Kyrenia is on one of our popular shared shuttle buses. After landing at the airport, you’ll meet your friendly driver at a pre-arranged spot, then travel with other passengers to a central drop-off at your final destination. Even though it isn’t door-to-door, the cost savings are considerable and you can choose from multiple stops to get close to your accommodation.
Taxi: If you prefer the convenience of being dropped right to the door of your accommodation, a pre-booked local taxi is a great option. It gives you the flexibility of a private Larnaca transfer without the luxury price. Your friendly local driver will be there as soon as your flight lands – no standing in line and no waiting around!
Private Transfer: If you like to arrive in style and enjoy a high-end service, book one of Shuttle Direct’s private transfers from Larnaca Airport to Kyrenia and enjoy a touch of luxury. Your driver will meet you in the terminal when you land, then whisk you right to the door of your accommodation. You’ll pay a little extra for this service, but it’s well worth it.
Minibus Transfer: Travelling with a group of family or friends can often be stressful when you try to organise the logistics of airport transfers. We offer the perfect solution with our pre-booked minibus service from Larnaca to Kyrenia. The larger capacity vehicle has room for multiple passengers and all their luggage, and it’s a direct, door-to-door service so nobody risks getting lost or left behind.
Choosing the Right Transfer
When you travel with Shuttle Direct, getting from Larnaca Airport to Kyrenia is a breeze. With both shared and private services at your disposal, only you can make the final decision as to what’s best for you, but it will come down to two factors: cost and convenience.
Cost: If making the most of your holiday budget is a top priority, our popular shared shuttle bus services from Larnaca to Kyrenia will make you very happy. Reliable, safe, and extremely affordable, it’s the most economical way we offer to get you where you need to go. While it isn’t a door-to-door service, there are multiple stops so you can get as close as possible to your accommodation.
Convenience: If you don’t mind paying a little more, you can have convenient door-to-door service at your fingertips. So if that’s an important factor for you, choose one of our pre-booked local taxis or a private luxury Larnaca transfer.
About Shuttle Direct
When you need a ride to and from the airport, Shuttle Direct is proud to be among the most trusted, affordable, and friendly companies on the market. Operating in a vast range of destinations, no matter what your budget and needs, we can provide a fast, reliable service to suit you. From cost-effective shared shuttles to high-end luxury private airport transfers, with our great communication and easy-to-navigate booking system, we’ve got exactly what you’re looking for. Book today and we’ll take care of the rest.
