Northern Cyprus. You will find miles and miles of unspoiled natural coastline. There are also beautiful coves, hidden beaches, and the Mediterranean Sea is just a few steps away. The peaks of the spectacular ‘Five Fingers mountain range are framed by it. It stretches between Famagusta to Nicosia in the middle plains. It is a haven of natural beauty with its pine-clad hillsides, miles of sandy beaches and stunning scenery. North Cyprus has some of the most beautiful and secure beaches in the Mediterranean. It is a great place to swim, snorkel, sail, and ski.
It is an ancient island that has been inhabited since Stone Age. This legendary location was the birthplace for Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. The past inhabitants include British, Persians., Romans., Venetians. Ottomans. These civilizations’ heritage and culture are visible all across the island. However, the North is where the most historical sites can be found. Bellapais Abbey ruins and St Hilarion castle are only two outstanding relics from these times.
However, the identity of this island is very Cypriot. When you visit the island for the first-time, the warm and friendly nature of its people will be one of your first impressions. You will feel at home in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of any local town or taverna. Local people are able to speak English fluently and will encourage you to learn the language. You can find many places to learn Turkish in relaxed surroundings. This will keep you entertained even during the colder winter months.
It’s a paradise for food lovers. You won’t even need to go far to taste delicious local cuisine made with fresh ingredients and caught locally. It’s impossible to find a place that doesn’t please everyone. There are more than 300 restaurants and tapas. While the Cypriot culinary scene is heavily influenced Turkish cuisine, many restaurants offer European or international cuisine. You can spend an evening walking down the harbor in Kyrenia and you will be spoiled for choice with the many bars and restaurants that offer a relaxing atmosphere and a delicious meal. It is still very affordable to eat out, which makes it a wonderful experience! If you are looking to live a more energetic nightlife there is a lot of nightclubs available in Girne, Kyrenia.
Although the cost of living is significantly lower than in the UK in Northern Cyprus, standards of living are comparable. Every year the number of British permanent residents increases. They integrate with local communities rather than living outside, as is the case in many other countries. Because traffic is on the left, a legacy of British colonial times means that it is easy to travel around.
Northern Cyprus’ property market has seen a real boom in the last two years. The last year has seen a double-digit increase in property prices, and there is still potential for capital growth. You can find many types of property, including large villas and apartments in the city centre. One of North Cyprus’ largest developers, SeaTerra has built a number of gated apartments complexes. Their projects can be found on the East coast of Girne near the village Esentepe or further down the coast towards Tatlisu.
The awareness of Northern Cyprus by so many people is a sign that there are huge opportunities for tourists to visit the region. This awareness seems to have spread across Europe, and perhaps even the globe. It is home to around 215,000 permanent residents, which more than doubles over the summer. This will be an attractive place for anyone who has not yet visited this beautiful area. There is a brand new golf course opening soon, as well as plans to build a 400-berth marina for yachts. There are currently 60 hotels within the area, and another 11,000 is in construction. Ercan Airport sees over 60 flights per week during the summer. The number of flights to Northern Cyprus via Larnaca, the South, is growing steadily. It is clear that Northern Cyprus’ secret is being discovered by winter tourists, as well.
Karen Arter (marketing manager, Cyprus SeaTerra), a Northern Cyprus-based property developer and specialist, contributed this article. For further information visit north-cyprus-properties-sale.co.uk or cyprus-seaterra.com.