North Cyprus Activities

Reasons to return to North Cyprus are written all over the landscape whit so much to do and experience - and without that tourist feeling that everybody else got there first.

North Cyprus offers excellent year-round walking on marked trials in Forestry Department land and up in the hills where you will quite literally stumble over the island's rich history. The route from Karaman village to the lovely St Hilarion Castle must not be missed. The more energetic can easily ascend to the ridge of the Besparmak Mountains (Five Finger Mountains) while a gentle stroll around the old olive groves of Ozankoy will suit a warmer, lazier day.

A day's horse-riding up to a ridge on the Besparmak Mountains will take the weight of your feet - if not other parts of your anatomy - and you can enjoy a woodland picnic amongst the ruins and rocks of this spectacular area before your journey back Also in the saddle, but without the external horsepower, cyclists find the quiet coastal roads ideal for exploring - an unusual opportunity in the rest of the more crowded Mediterranean. The coast road around Girne or the orchards east of Guzelyurt will reward pedal-pushers.

Sporting facilities have been developed for tennis, quad-biking and go-carting. But with a coastline almost 500 miles long, it's the sea that takes up much of the energy of visitors. The swimming is safe and exhilarating all around the country with clear, sparkling waters that make snorkelling a pleasure and make North Cyprus a premier diving destination for the Mediterranean.

For those who prefer to be on the water, rather than in it, sailing, kayaking and canoeing are available around the coast with some of the larger resort hotels offering the thrills of water-skiing, par ascending and jet skiing. And if many of these activities end up with a splash landing, don't worry - it's about the warmest water in the Mediterranean.