NORTH CYPRUS VISITOR INFORMATION

PASSPORT & VISAS
All visitors except Turkish citizens need a valid national passport for entry to North Cyprus. Visas can be issued on entry at the local Airport at a fee depending on what nationality the visitor is. The maximum fee is 30 US dollars. British passport holders do not need a visa for entry into North Cyprus.

For further information you may consult TRNC foreign representative offices.

Please note:
Visitors who do not wish to have their passports stamped by the authorities on arrival in North Cyprus may request a stamped visa form which is loosely inserted into the passport and removed on departure. If the passport is stamped this will not prevent access to other countries.

VACCINATION
No compulsory vaccination is required for North Cyprus . However, as health regulations are subject to change, you should check with your own doctor before departure.
 

LANGUAGE
The official language of North Cyprus is Turkish. English is also widely spoken and understood due to historical ties. The English language is now used and promoted in several Local Universities, which offer international higher education.

TIME
North Cyprus operates on Eastern European time, which is two hours ahead of GMT.

POST
To send Letters and Parcels to North Cyprus from anywhere in the world, the post code of `MERSIN 10, TURKEY` must follow the local address.

Letters and Parcels can be send out of North Cyprus in the normal way. There are Post offices and post boxes in all towns and larger villages. (see local opening times below). Some interesting local stamps issued by the local post office are good examples for collectors.

TELEPHONING NORTH CYPRUS
The International code is 00 90 392 followed by the local area code and the number you are calling.

The local area codes for the main districts are as follows:

While in North Cyprus you may call out by dialing

00 / Country Code / Local area code / your number.

CURRENCY & CREDIT CARDS
The unit of currency is the Turkish Lira. The exchange rate is liable to fluctuate. Visitors will find it advantageous if they take their Currency in Sterling , US Dollars Deutsch Marks or any other hard currency, which many local businesses will happily accept.

Most major international credit cards and Traveler cheques are only accepted by the larger Hotels, restaurants and shops. Credit card transactions are subject to higher than usual interest charges. Although there is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into North Cyprus, Large amounts should be declared on entry and departing visitors are only allowed to take up to 10.000 US Dollars or cash equivalent in other currencies, except by special permission.

MEDIA
"North Cyprus"s official radio and television station `BAYRAK`(BRT) broadcasts daily in English and Turkish from Lefkosa. The programme content is a mixture of news; current affairs and music. BRT at its 35th anniversary in summer 1998 has started worldwide satellite broadcasts. The British Forces Radio broadcasts in English from the local British Base. English Language publications of interest to the visitor are the weekly newspaper `Cyprus Today, and the monthly magazine `Pan` European daily newspapers are usually available at selected newspaper shops. There are about half a dozen local papers printed in the Turkish Language with many Turkish newspapers and publications arriving daily from Turkey. The biggest local daily is `Kibris`

LOCAL TRANSPORT
There are frequent bus and shared taxi (Dolmus) services between the major towns during the day, but times are not fixed or are fixed at different times each day. All Local transport is operated by private companies and it becomes scarce after 5 pm. Transport companies have offices in each town where vehicles are stationed and travel tickets are issued. Taxis are to be found at taxi stands only. The taxi charges are reasonable, although there are no meters to display the fares. It is advisable to agree upon the fare with the driver; before setting off.

CAR RENTAL
Renting a car in North Cyprus is easy and relatively cheap between $20 to $35 a day depending on the car hired. Car rental services are widely available in the main towns. A current Driving License ( not an international one) is all that is needed. Some car hire companies are reluctant to hire to young drivers (under the age 25). Traffic drives on the left . The speed limit in urban areas and villages is 65kmph.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Culture and Festivals The traditional forms of culture are to be found in music, dancing and various crafts such as embroidery and lace making. Folk music and dancing are normally performed in North Cyprus's many festivals and fairs, the most important of which are the orange festival, water melon festival, grape festival, 20th July celebrations and the folklore festival. The Ataturk Cultural centre opposite Girne Gate in Nicosia, houses a concert hall an art gallery a lecture theatre and a library holding over 50,000 books, including English French and German books. It provides varied shows, plays, concerts and seminars, sometimes aimed at foreign visitors. During the summer months open air concerts are also held in the ancient amphitheater of Salamis.

Sports
Although sports- centre complexes are new to North Cyprus, the sporting enthusiast will find a host of opportunities throughout the year.

Football is followed passionately with 36 league teams competing in 1st, 2nd and 3rd divisions. Matches are held in many towns and villages usually at weekends.

Water sports: The superb climate and its warm seas make North Cyprus an ideal place for water sports. Many of the island's main resort Hotels have amenities which include wind surfing, dinghy sailing, water skiing, Jet skiing, para-scending, Motor boating scuba diving and snorkeling.

There are at least two good scuba diving schools in the Kyrenia resort, offering PADI and BSAC diving courses as well as professional diving facilities by qualified diving instructors.

Yachting: The only organized yacht harbor with adequate facilities is in Kyrenia in the Old Harbour. The harbour dues are very reasonable but incoming yacht visitors have to attend immigration formalities at the new commercial Harbor. Golf: There is no official golf course in North Cyprus however, visitors will be welcomed at CMC Golf Club at Yesilyurt, a coastal village a short distance west of Guzelyurt. This is a 7 hole course originally laid out by the Cyprus Mines Corporation in 1920's, later re modeled in 1949.

Although it is open daily the members gather only certain days of the week which include Sunday mornings. There are a few sets of clubs available for visitors to borrow. Beer and sandwiches are served in an informal atmosphere.

Racket Sports: There are floodlit tennis courts available in many Hotels as well as table tennis and squash. All larger hotels also offer facilities for volleyball , basketball and mini golf. Other sports such as cycling, pony trekking , hiking and mountain walking are available throughout the year. There are at least 4 horse riding establishments charging the equivalent of approximately 7 to 12 dollars per hour.

Walking:
In North Cyprus a walker can freely pass anywhere in the country except for the clearly marked military areas. There are many foot paths and forestry tracks, however, marked and mapped walking trails are very few. Except for the hot summer months (June, July and August) It is always pleasant to walk in Northern Cyprus especially between the villages of the northern coastline.

Night Life: Night life in North Cyprus is generally restricted to a small number of Discotheques and night clubs with a good selection of Restaurants. There are good opportunities for eating out from major Hotel restaurants serving international dishes to small Bistro like restaurants which offer typical Turkish-Cypriot cuisine . Eating out is relatively cheap as compared with Southern Cyprus or Europe. Kyrenia Harbour is an ideal place to dine in a picturesque surrounding. Many Hotels and larger restaurants will stage live music and/or local shows during the summer season. Many hotels also run Gambling Casinos open throughout the night, and all year round.

Cuisine

The cuisine of north Cyprus owes its heritage to a mixture of Mediterranean and oriental influences. Local dishes are good and made from natural fresh produce. The `Meze` is a specialty of Cyprus and consists of a large number of cold and hot hors d`oeuvres such as different salads, meats, vegetables and sea food. It is either taken as an appetizer or as a main course. Other typical dishes of the region are Shish kebab( marinated lamb skewered and grilled over charcoal) , Yalanci Dolma ( wine leaves stuffed with rice onions and tomatoes. Sheftali kebab (spicy minced lamb wrapped in skin and cooked on charcoal) Musakka ( Layers of mince,potato aubergines and courgettes baked in oven with cheese topping). Typical sweet deserts are Lokum (Turkish Delight, Baklava (made from mille feuille pastry, nuts honey and syrup), Halva (sweet made of flour, sugar, and ground sesame seeds).


Beverages
North Cyprus produces a variety of local brandies and the aniseed based "raki" which is famous in the region. These are the perfect accompaniment to the local dishes. European beer is also produced locally under licence. Gold Fassl and Altinada Pills are good local beers. Look in the local directory) In addition to the local produce restaurants and hotels offer a wide range of wines beers and spirits imported from the Turkish mainland and Europe. Soft drinks are widely produced and consumed locally. One traditional way to finish your meal is a small cup of Turkish coffee.

SITES OF HISTORICAL INTEREST
North Cyprus is a treasure chest of mediaeval castles, abbeys, amphitheatres, and monuments offering a wealth of interest to both amateur and professional historians and archaeologists. The most important sites are:

SALAMIS: 5 miles north of Gazimagusa (Famagusta), dating back to 1100 BC, the exterior ruins of this ancient city represent North Cyprus's most impressive historical site. The best preserved remains are the gymnasium, Roman baths and the spectacular Roman Amphitheatre, which is one of the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean seating 20,000 spectators.

BELLAPAIS ABBEY: Situated in the hills overlooking the northern coastline, some 5 miles east of Girne (Kyrenia). Bellapais Abbey and Church were founded by Augustine monks around 1250 AD and represent some of the finest mediaeval gothic architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean. The sleepy village of Bellapais with its "Tree of Idleness" was home to the famous British writer Lawrence Durell for two years and its charm has been immortalized in his novel "Bitter Lemons".

St. HILARION , BUFFAVENTO and KANTARA Castles: These majestic ruined castles straddle the peaks of the Kyrenia Range Mountains and originally formed the island's main defensive line.

ST. HILARION: Perched high on a promontory four miles south of Girne, this spectacular fairy tale castle is the best preserved of all three. A wild dramatic maze of fortifications, it was built by Byzantines around 1100 AD, conquered by Richard the Lionheart in 1191 AD and dismantled by the Venetians.

BUFFAVENTO: Buffavento is the highest of the three Byzantine castles and the hardest to reach. Situated 930 metres above sea level in the mountains, it is 15 miles by road to the south-east of Girne. A system of flares linked the castle by night with St. Hilarion and Kantara.

KANTARA: Kantara Castle is the most easterly of the castles, standing at the gateway of the Karpas peninsula, some 25 miles north -east of Gazimagosa (Famagusta). Although only 700 meters above sea level, it affords marvelous panoramic views of both the northern and southern coastlines and its ruins are the epitome of romantic seclusion.

GIRNE (KYRENIA) CASTLE: Founded by the Byzantines in the 10th century , improved by the Lusignans in the 13th century and later re-fortified by the Venetians, the huge castle with its thick walls and massive bastions dominates the picturesque harbour of Girne. It also houses a museum with the remains of one of the world's oldest shipwrecks (300 BC) ever recovered, complete with its cargo.

SOLI: Some 35 miles west of Lefkosa (Nicosia) on the outskirts of Gemikonagi are the ruins of the City of Soli . Dating mainly from the Roman period, the main attractions are the 3,500 seat amphitheatre and the beautifully preserved mosaic floor of the basilica.

VOUNI PALACE: A further 5 miles beyond Soli is the ruined palace of Vouni which was built about 480 BC for one of the kings of Cyprus. Originally consisting of some 137 rooms, the palace was built on three levels on the cliffs overlooking Guzelyurt Bay. Recent excavations at the site have yielded many important historic finds.

MUSEUMS
The most important finds of the island's Antiquity are displayed in the Cyprus Museum which now remains on the south of the border, however, many interesting examples and some new finds can be found in the local museums of North Cyprus.

The LAPIDARY MUSEUM in Turkish Nicosia: Houses a fine collection of sculpture and stone monuments taken from buildings of mediaeval Nicosia. The exterior is a fine example of a Venetian merchant residence.

The SHIPWRECK MUSEUM within Girne Castle: It displays the remains of a 2300 year old ship and its cargo which was salvaged by a team from the university of Pennsylvania in 1968-69.

The cargo includes the unbroken amphorae and millstones and almonds amazingly preserved in jars. Also a replica of the ship.

The FINE ARTS MUSEUM in Girne: Displays paintings, pottery and decorative works of art.

The FOLKLORE MUSEUM In Girne: A reconstruction of a traditional Cypriot house, contains handcrafts and fabrics from the Karpas peninsula, looms, a bride's chest a wine press etc.

The PEACE AND FREEDOM MUSEUM: Set up near the Landing Beach in Girne after the 1974 landing of the Turkish troops, it displays, mainly in the open air, remains of the fighting and a display of guns, tanks and other armaments both Greek and Turkish.

The ARCHAEOLOGICAL and NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM in Guzelyurt: Contains mainly archaeological artefacts from the bronze age as well as a section concerned with geology, birds, reptiles insects and some of the wildlife of the island.

The ICON MUSEUMS are in Archangelos church (Girne) and in St. Barnabas (Famagusta), where collected icons of various periods are preserved.

The CAMBULAT BASTION and MUSEUM in Famagusta: Where Cambulat the hero of the Ottoman siege of Famagusta in 1571, is buried. This small museum is devoted to Old Turkish costumes, arms ,Venetian and Ottoman Pottery.

SHOPPING
For typical souvenirs of North Cyprus shop for embroidery, lacework, sheepskin rugs, and hand painted pottery. Leather ware and carpets imported from Turkey are also good value. Spectacles made locally are exceptional value as well as tailor made garments. Philatelists will also find a number of shops specializing in the postal history of North Cyprus.

PHOTOGRAPHY
The scenic beauty and the constant sunshine of North Cyprus makes it a photographers paradise. Exposed film can be processed within 24 hours. Both new film and developing is cheap. In certain areas however, particularly in military zones and demarcation lines photography is not allowed. These areas are clearly sign posted.

LOCAL OPENING TIMES & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Banks:

Summer 8.00-12.00  (Mon. to Fri.)

Winter 8.00-12.00 / 14.00 - 16.00  (Mon. to Fri.)

Each major town has over 10 Banks and several Exchange Bureaus.


Other shops:
Summer 8.00-13.00 / 16-19.00

Winter 9.00-13.00 / 14-18.00

Many Shops extend opening hours during summer months. One chemist in each town will stay open late hours, by turn.

Government Offices and The Post Office:
Summer (June-Sept, 3 Months)

Mondays 07.30-14.00 / 15.30-18.00

Tue - Fri. 07.30-14.00

Winter: (Sept-June, 9 months)

Mon - Fri. 08.00-13.00 / 14.00-17.00


Museums:
Summer (June-Sept)

9.00 - 13.30 / 16.30-18.30

Winter

8.00 - 13.00 / 14.30-17.00

Museums are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Public Holidays

1 January : New years day

23 April: National Sovereignty & Children's day

1 May: Labour day

19 May: Youth and Sports day

20 July : Peace and freedom day

1 August : Resistance day

30 August : Victory day

29 October : Turkish Republic day

15 November :Proclamation of TRNC

Religious Holidays: (Days changes each year according to Muslim calendar.)

Ramadan Bayram: 3 days annually following 30 days of fasting. ( in 2003 25, 26,27 December 2003)

Kurban Bayram: 4 days annually. (in 11,12,13,14 February 2003)

Northern Cyprus in Figures

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Official name: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (in Turkish Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti)

Capital: Nicosia (Lefkoşa - in Turkish)

Official language: Turkish.

Monetary unit: 1 Turkish lira (LT) = 100 kurush;

Population (2002): 200,000

Ethnic composition (2000): Turkish 98.6%; other 1.4%.

Budget (1995). Revenue: U.S.$293,300,000 (domestic sources 62.0%, loans 28.5%, aid from Turkey 9.5%).

Expenditures: U.S.$293,300,000 (current expenditures 88.3%).

Imports (1995): U.S.$366,100,000 (machinery and transport equipment 16.5%, food 10.9%).

Major import sources: Turkey 53.2%; U.K. 13.5%.

Exports (1995): U.S.$67,300,000 (ready-made garments 35.4%, citrus fruits 32.8%).

Major export destinations: U.K. 35.4%; Turkey 30.0%.

Health (1995): physicians 272 (1 per 667 persons); hospital beds 902 (1 per 201 persons); infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births 4.9.

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