An Area Guide for North Cyprus

About North Cyprus

Northern Cyprus is an amazing island in the Mediterranean. The third-largest Mediterranean island, Cyprus, is around 70 kilometres from Turkey's coast. The spectacular sea and mountain views from all over the island make it highly desirable to reside there. 

Due to its unique geography, the North Coast is one of the world's most beautiful holiday destinations. In some parts the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea are only 800 meters apart, therefore almost everywhere in North Cyprus has a "room with a view”.

North Cyprus is also home to some of the world's oldest sites. For those who are interested in history, geology, or architecture, North Cyprus is a gold mine of attractions, including the Salamis Amphitheatre, Kyrenia Castle, St. Hilarion Castle, Soli Ruins, and Vouni Palace. 

Cyprus enjoys consistently pleasant temperatures all year long. The North Cyprus golfing season typically begins in April and can last until November, making it ideal for players who prefer the cooler months of November through February. If January and February receive enough much-needed rain, the spring season will be marked by lush mountains and valleys. The warmest months, from June through August, are when you'll find the most people on the beaches sunning and participating in water sports at top-notch Beach Clubs. 

Fortunately, compared to most Mediterranean islands, North Cyprus is still relatively unspoilt which is why so many people refer to it as the ‘hidden jewel of the Mediterranean’. If you want a calm, secluded cove for swimming and sunbathing, you’ve come to the right place!

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)

North Cyprus is situated beneath Turkey on the map and is referred to as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) or KKTC in Turkish. North Cyprus does not belong to the EU and uses the Turkish Lira as its main currency. Although English is also commonly spoken in North Cyprus, Turkish is the main language here. North Cyprus, which occupies approximately 36% of the island of Cyprus, is 1357 square miles in size overall, measuring around 100 miles long and 40 miles wide at its widest point.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a developing market where various new businesses are thriving following the recent loosening of border barriers. The property market is a very lucrative industry to to invest in, and with property values rising by approximately 50% in the previous three years, you can anticipate continued growth for the foreseeable future. 

Although North Cyprus's most important source of income has traditionally been through the tourist industry, it has recently been easily eclipsed by the sector's many other aspects. The healthcare industry has seen tremendous growth offering cosmetic surgeries, dentistry and IVF treatments at a fraction of the cost compared to other European destinations.  Another strong industry in North Cyprus is Education with its numerous internationally recognised Universities, which attracts thousands of international students from the Middle East and Africa.  These students often come from wealthy or middle class families and provides a healthy boost to the property rental market as they often rent long term in the private sector.

 

How to Get There 

To go to North Cyprus, there are several options. 

International Airport of Ercan 

Daily scheduled flights from major Turkish and European cities arrive at Ercan Airport. 

The available airlines are as follows: 

  • Turkish Airlines
  • Pegasus Airlines
  • Anadolu Jet

International Airport of Larnaca 

The Larnaca airport, which is in Southern Cyprus, is a major hub with many of direct flights from the UK and Europe and is regularly utilised by travellers heading to North Cyprus. Sixt Car Rental is one of the several car rental businesses available after arriving in Larnaca. Another option is to take a taxi to North Cyprus. The drive takes roughly 45 minutes and crossing the border to the North is a simple and fast process. 

Gatwick Airport 

There are direct flights from the UK to Paphos Airport in South Cyprus. From there, it takes a car about 45 minutes to get to North Cyprus.

Visa Requirements

The following nationalities may enter North Cyprus without a visa: 

  • European Union Citizens
  • Turkey
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Singapore
  • Switzerland
  • Iceland
  • Norway
  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Car Hire

Due to the abundance of car rental providers in North Cyprus, finding a decent deal should be simple. When planning to rent a vehicle in Northern Cyprus, keep the following things in mind: 

Driving is done in left-hand lanes in Northern Cyprus which is the same as the United Kingdom. You must have a current driver's license from your home country. 

After entering Northern Cyprus, foreign driver's licenses can only be used for three months. Highway speed restrictions range from 65 to 60 to 100 km/h.  Radar and video technology are used to enforce speed limits.

 

 

Main Cities 

The last divided capital in the world is Lefkosa (Nicosia), which both serves as the capital of South Cyprus and North Cyprus. Guzelyurt, Girne (Kyrenia), and Famagusta are the other important cities. 

Climate 

Cyprus is one of the healthiest and most pleasant places to live because of its frequent long, hot summers and short, warm winters. The 320 or so bright days each year help to keep the sea temperatures over 60 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time.

Time Zone 

North Cyprus' local time is GMT + 2

Language 

Turkish, English, Russian, and Swedish are just a few of the languages you might hear on a night out given how many various ethnicities and cultures the island is drawing. Additionally, a sizeable population of Russians, Romanians and Scandinavians have relocated here to take advantage of the island's beautiful climate.

Currency 

The Turkish Lira, also referred to as the New Turkish Lira, is the primary currency in North Cyprus (YTL). Though the majority of establishments also accept USD, EUR, GBP and even Crypto currency. It's always a good idea to hold off on changing your money until you get here.  There are various commission-free exchange locations available in and around the towns.

Banking 

This region's local banks provide accounts in several currencies, and generally speaking, the interest rates on savings tend to be greater than those offered globally. 

Low Crime Rates

Women, children, and the elderly frequently go alone or late at night in North Cyprus because there is virtually no crime there at all.

Living expenses 

Living costs in Northern Cyprus are still significantly lower than in the UK or most of Europe. Many expenses like water charges and council tax are far lower here than they are elsewhere in the world. Water is readily available and fairly priced in supermarkets, despite the fact that drinking water directly from the mains is not recommended.

Education 

There are many internationally recognised universities offering a wide variety of courses and are increasingly attracting students from all over the world. 

Retirement 

It is true that retired people and families who move to North Cyprus from other nations can live a much better lifestyle than those offered in their home countries, thanks to a higher purchasing power and the reassuring knowledge that they are residing in an environment that is significantly safer than many other places on the planet. In addition, the weather in North Cyprus is almost always ideal for residents, making it possible for them to retire there.

Property Investment 

Property investment in North Cyprus property is on the rise and now attracts investors from all over the world.  The main reason is there are few destinations in the world that offer so much at such affordable price points.  Most developers have their own rental management department and can even offer investors as much as 8% rental guarantees for up to 3 or 4 years.  Also, investors who get in early on off-plan developments achieve, one average, 50% capital appreciation by the time they get the keys.  The interest free payment plans on offer make these type of investments a ‘no-brainer’.

 

When visiting North Cyprus, many visitors fall hopelessly in love with the place and dream of living there. It's true that owning and living in North Cyprus is simple and affordable, making it more realistic than you might think. 

View our properties to start your exciting journey toward finding the ideal property in North Cyprus for investment or your relocation.