Kyrenia Shopping and Districts

(Kyrenia, Cyprus)

When it comes to shopping in Kyrenia, you won't be disappointed. Together with Nicosia, Kyrenia features the best choice of shops in the whole of North Cyprus, with inexpensive souvenirs and plenty of Cypriot handicrafts.

Shopping in North Cyprus is a completely different experience than in the south, where the stores tend to be bigger and more geared to the thriving tourist market.

You will struggle to find department stores, tacky gift outlets and familiar chain stores at Kyrenia, which to most holiday makers is a refreshing change. In North Cyprus, shops tend to be run by locals or by the Turkish, and cater for fairly sophisticated tastes.

When to Shop and Opening Hours

Between October and April, the shopping hours of Kyrenia are reduced, and most shops choose to close at 17:00 or thereabouts. However, come the busier summer months, the shopping hours are extended to 19:00 or 20:00, or even later. Do note that on Wednesdays shops often close in the afternoon, and again on Saturdays. Sundays tends to be a much quieter affair and is not classed as a business day on Cyprus.

Since North Cyprus is still occupied by the Turkish, the official currency is Turkish Lira (TRY). Many shops in Kyrenia will also happily accept Euros (EUR), and even sometimes GBP (£) or USD ($) currencies.

Where to Shop

There is a very popular, albeit small, shopping mall in central Kyrenia, which is located off the Ziya Rizki Caddesi and features an array of boutiques and other shops.

This mall is also a good place to find beachwear, leather goods and snorkelling equipment. For something a little more local, check out the neighbouring Round Tower (dating from the Lisignan era) and its tasteful selection of rugs, art works and ceramics.