Hidden Secrets of Northern Cyprus
8days from
£945*per person
Overview
Newmarket Holidays is offering 10% off all award-winning tours until Friday, 30 May.
Itinerary
- Fly to Cyprus - Fly from the UK to Larnaca or Paphos and transfer north to Kyrenia and your chosen hotel.
- Included tour of Kyrenia - Explore the delightful port town of Kyrenia, in the company of your tour manager. Here, the natural, horseshoe-shaped harbour looks out over pristine azure waters, flanked by shops and cafés and all watched over by an imposing medieval castle. It's a picture-perfect scene mostly unchanged down the years despite the trappings of modernity. Within the massive castle walls you'll find a fascinating shipwreck museum, and a gallery of archaeological finds from the surrounding area. This afternoon, return to your hotel to relax, or explore the town under your own steam. Why not visit a museum or gallery, or take a seat in one of the harbour’s delightful fish restaurants - perfect places in which to pass the hours?
- Included Famagusta tour - A fascinating day awaits, today, as you journey to the island’s east. Your first call is at the monastery of St Barnabas, where the side chapel of the twin-domed church is said to hold the tomb of the early Christian martyr. This is followed by a visit to the extraordinary Roman ruins of the ancient coastal city of Salamis. The remains, which include colonnades, a magnificent theatre and a bathhouse, were part of a much larger settlement that still lies submerged beneath the blue waters and sand dunes. You’ll then head to the fascinating city of Famagusta, once one of the world’s richest, and today a living museum. Here ruined churches, the Lala Mustapha Pasha mosque (once the city cathedral) and Venetian Palace rise in amongst the city's modern cafes and shops, as described in Victoria Hislop’s novel, The Sunrise. Most unforgettable is the Ghost City of Varosha, left abandoned since 1974, and a poignant reminder of the island’s past troubles.
- Included Nicosia city tour - The highlight of today’s fascinating included excursion will be your visit to historic Nicosia, capital of Cyprus for more than 12 centuries, and separated into a Turkish north and Greek south since the Green Line was first drawn, in 1963. Enjoy a guided tour of Lefkosa, the northern territory, where highlights include the ancient Buyuk Han, once the largest caravanserai (roadside inn) on Cyprus, the colourful covered bazaar and the cathedral/mosque of Selimiye/St Sophia. After crossing into the southern territory, Lefkosia, you'll have free time to explore the narrow streets that shelter within the Venetian walls of the old town. Why not visit tiny St John's Cathedral or one of the various museums of Cypriot history and culture before we return to Kyrenia?
- Optional Guzelyurt and Lefke excursion - Today you're free to enjoy the hotel and its surroundings, or to head into Kyrenia once again. Many, however, will want to join our optional excursion to the green, citrus-grove surrounded town of Guzelyurt. The town's name means "beautiful place" in Turkish, and you'll have time to see its archaeology museum and church of Agios Mamas. The enjoyable day will also include visits to the fascinating excavated city of Soli, with its Roman and Byzantine remains, and to the Green Line border town of Lefke, with its former copper mines and citrus groves.
- Included St Hilarion and Bellapais excursion - Today’s included tour heads first towards the magnificent mountain-top castle of St Hilarion, with its preserved fortifications and spectacular views of the coastline and the surrounding Five Finger Mountains. In the foothills below lies the beautiful village of Bellapais. Set beneath the preserved ruins of its Gothic abbey, this idyllic spot was celebrated writer Lawrence Durrell's home for three years to, and he chronicled his stay here in his novel Bitter Lemons. Wander the ruins of the Abbey, stepping back in time as you soak up its unique atmosphere, then return to Kyrenia for the rest of the day.
- Optional Karpaz Peninsula tour - Today's optional excursion is to the unspoilt Karpaz, or Karpasia, Peninsula, a rugged spit of land fringed by some of the island’s most stunning beaches and bluest waters. Dotted with ancient villages and home to herds of wild donkeys, the peninsula is also where the remote monastery and shrine of Apostos Andreas boasts a famous ‘holy well’. As well as a visit to an ancient olive press, today will include a chance to enjoy a dip (weather permitting) in the sea at one of the island’s finest bathing spots. You’ll return to Kyrenia at the end of a wonderful day, to enjoy a final dinner at the hotel.
- Fly back to the UK - Bid farewell to your Cypriot hosts, and return to the airport to check in for your flight home.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Explore Kyrenia's harbour and monumental castle
- Enjoy visits to idyllic Bellapais and its Gothic abbey
- Visit the spectacular Greek and Roman ruins at Salamis and Soli
- Uncover the fascinating, divided Nicosia and walled Famagusta
- Travel to the imposing hill-top ruins of St Hilarion Castle
- Discover Guzelyurt (literally "beautiful place") and ancient Soli on an optional excursion
- See the ghost city of Varosha, a poignant reminder of the recent past
- Traverse the unspoilt landscape of the Karpaz Peninsula on an optional excursion
Our Price Includes
- Seven nights' half-board accommodation at your chosen hotel (upgrade hotel available)
- Tours of Kyrenia, Nicosia, Salamis and Famagusta
- Trips to St Hilarion and Bellapais
- Return flights to Cyprus
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
- The services of a friendly, experienced tour manager
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Altinkaya Hotel, Kyrenia -
Nestled amid olive groves just 2.5km from Kyrenia Harbour, this family-owned three-star hotel offers the warmest of welcomes.
Facilities & Amenities
The hotel has two outdoor swimming pools, a terrace restaurant, a comfortable lounge, a pool-side barbecue and a bar. There is free Wi-Fi in the hotel reception, and the hotel runs a seasonal shuttle bus into the centre of Kyrenia. The hotel does not have a lift.Pia Bella Hotel, Kyrenia -
This welcoming four-star hotel is about 1.5km from Kyrenia's historic harbour and set amid pretty gardens. The local shops, bars and restaurants are within walking distance.
Facilities & Amenities
The hotel has two outdoor swimming pools and several terraces, a bar, restaurant and free Wi-Fi in public areas.The Ship Inn, Kyrenia -
Boasting both the name and familiar warmth of an English-style hotel, The Ship Inn stands in a tranquil setting with splendid views of the surrounding hills. The hotel can be booked on a Bed & Breakfast or Half Board basis. HALF-BOARD UPGRADE AVAILABLE - PLEASE CALL TO BOOK.
Facilities & Amenities
The Ship Inn has accommodation in the main hotel and in garden blocks clustered round the hotels outdoor swimming pool. The hotel also has a tennis court, an indoor swimming pool and a fitness suite, as well as a British-style bar, a pool-bar and a restaurant. There is free Wi-Fi in the public areas, and the local bus stop for Kyrenia town centre is just across the road.Other Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from Larnaca airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes, and from Paphos airport is two hours and 40 minutes.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Seasonal hotel facilities
Please note that some hotel facilities are operating on a seasonal basis and may not always be open/available. Examples might include shuttle buses to the town centre and beach, swimming pools and selected bars/restaurants (eg beachside restaurants).
Passport information
European Union citizens travelling across the border from Southern Cyprus to Northern Cyprus must have passports valid for at least two months beyond the date of their crossing. Visitors from outside the EU must have passports valid for at least six months beyond the date of their crossing.
Foreign office travel advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions: 10% maximum discount applies to short and long haul tours in 2025 and 2026. All other holidays and tours will have up to 10% discount applied. This May campaign applies to new bookings only made between 1 and 30 May 2025, and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. This offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes Tour & Cruise, Festive, Ocean Cruise, River Cruise, Lapland, Andre Rieu events, Wimbledon and the Edinburgh Tattoo. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other promotion, concession or discount. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the discount applied. The discount applies to the original tour price (excluding any discounts already applied, holiday insurance and any extras) at the time of booking. This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn. Holidays booked with Newmarket Holidays are financially protected in accordance with ABTA, ATOL & ABTOT regulations. Newmarket Holidays Limited is a company registered in England & Wales. Registered number: 02238316.
Holiday code
N1557Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.