Experience the best of Kyrenia

Kyrenia, known in Turkish as Girne, lies on the north coast of Cyprus beneath the long ridge of the Kyrenia Mountains. Its horseshoe harbour, lined with cafés and restaurants, is overlooked by Kyrenia Castle, a fortress of Byzantine origin that the Venetians strengthened with round corner towers. Inside, a museum shows the remains of a merchant ship wrecked just outside the harbour more than two thousand years ago, raised in the 1960s with its cargo of amphorae.

In the mountains behind, St Hilarion Castle, which began as a monastery, stands on a peak visible for many kilometres along the coast, with Buffavento and Kantara castles on other summits. Bellapais Abbey, a Gothic abbey begun around 1200 by French Augustinian monks, stands in a village on the slopes above the sea, with a refectory and cloister that survive.

Grilled halloumi, meze plates and fresh fish from the harbour are the standard meals, with olives and carob from the hills and strong Cypriot coffee afterwards. The north coast is greener than much of the island, with cool winters that bring most of the rain.