Kyrenia Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Kyrenia, Cyprus)

The various Cypriot tourist attractions on offer in Kyrenia tend to relate to its prominent coastal situation. Apart from the beaches, the attractions of Kyrenia include a myriad of popular water sports, such as scuba diving, paragliding and sailing, which take full advantage of this stunning Mediterranean setting.

What better way to see the sights and plentiful tourist attractions along the coastline of North Cyprus, than to enjoy a relaxing sunny cruise. The shores of Kyrenia and the Karpas (Karpaz) Peninsula are especially beautiful and pleasure cruises here are so popular that the Old Harbour almost has the appearance of a market, with all of the boats eagerly vying for your business.

Boat Cruises / Cruising

Address: Kyrenia, Cyprus
There are a number of different boat-trip packages available, although many favour the day cruises, which generally depart at around 10:30 and return at 16:30 or thereabouts, offering music, swimming and snorkelling, a BBQ-style lunch and other similar attractions. For something a little more intimate, then do consider the Aphrodite Boat Tours, which provide scuba diving, deep-sea diving and fishing.
Open hours: daily - seasonal variations
Admission: charge

Scuba Diving

Address: Kyrenia, Cyprus
One of the most notable of all the outdoor attractions in Cyprus, the Mediterranean scuba diving on offer around the northerly coastline is excellent, and very well organised. BSAC and PADI dive courses are operated by Scuba Cyprus, which is based just 2 km / 1.5 miles to the west, in the Santoria Holiday Village. Also of note is the Blue Dolphin Scuba Diving centre, which operates from the Jasmine Court Hotel (on the Naci Talat Caddesi), but also features a convenient tourist kiosk at the Old Harbour. Based at the Sempati Hotel (on the Ali Ocak Sokak), the Turtle Bay Dive Centre is also suitable for holiday makers and takes you to some of the top dive sites in North Cyprus and further afield, where you may well encounter turtles, giant moray eels, octopus, tuna and rays of all description.
Open hours: daily - seasonal variations
Admission: charge

Hiking

Address: Kyrenia, Cyprus
The mountainous scenery outlying the resort is worthy of exploration and boasts a selection of scenic hiking trails. Both half-day and full-day hiking excursions are available and take you around the Kyrenia (Girne) Range, being led by experienced local mountain guides from Cyprus Mountaineering. Bear in mind that along the way, you will likely have to hike through a fairly rugged terrain and climb some rather rocky peaks, although the resultant views will always be worth any effort. More challenging and longer treks are also on offer, taking hikers from Cape Kormakitis (west) to Cape Apostolos Andrea (far north-east) over a ten-day period.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge for guide

Turtle Watching

Address: Kyrenia, Cyprus
Something a little different and truly memorable is the seasonal turtle watching on hand at certain beaches around both Kyrenia and the Karpas Peninsula. Turtle watching is certainly an unusual attraction and during the months of both July and August, huge loggerhead and green turtles can often be observed arriving at the aptly named easterly Alagadi Turtle Beach in great numbers. However, turtle watching in this part of Cyprus should always be in conjunction with the Society for the Protection of Turtles (SPOT) Turtle HQ, who will happily advise the best times and most likely places for sightings.
Open hours: July and August, daily - hours vary
Admission: free

Laphetos Grand Aqua Park

Address: Maresal Favzi Cakmak Avenue, Lapta, Kyrenia, Cyprus
Tel: +90 392 821 8961
Water parks are quite commonplace all over Cyprus and nearby Kyrenia, Lapithos has its own version - the Laphetos Grand Aqua Park. This attraction is very much aimed at families and although it doesn't quite compete with some of the larger water parks of Cyprus, such as WaterWorld Waterpark in Ayia Napa, it really is perfect for those looking to cool down and have fun, all at the same time. The Aqua Park is part of the Laphetos Resort Hotel and Casino and has plenty of sun loungers for parents who prefer to watch the watery antics, rather than zoom down the slides.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge