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Kyrenia (Girne)

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Girne

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Overview

Kyrenia (Girne) has always been governed by the sea. Its natural harbour, once coveted by anyone with dreams of empire and bustling with traders and exporters, is today just as popular with visitors whose only desire is to stroll the seaside strand and hop on a boat cruise around the bay.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • North Cyprus, Kyrenia, Kyrenia Castle and Harbour

    Kyrenia Castle

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    If the grand fortifications of Kyrenia Castle could talk, they could sure tell some tales. The castle was first built by the Byzantines – possibly over…

  • Old Town

    Old Town

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    Wrapping around the Old Harbour, the diminutive Old Town is an atmospheric area for a wander. Its winding alleyways hold a jumble of abandoned stone…

  • Archangelos Michael Icon Museum

    Archangelos Michael Icon Museum

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    The 19th-century Archangelos Michael Church, with its white bell tower rising up above the surrounding harbourside buildings, displays icons dating from…

  • Cyprus House

    Cyprus House

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    This lovingly restored old carob warehouse on the harbour contains interesting ethnographic exhibits of traditional clothing, furniture and Cypriot…

  • Chysopolitissa Church

    Chysopolitissa Church

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    This small roofless ruin is Kyrenia's oldest church, dating back to the 1500s. It's usually kept open so you can check out the two intricately carved wood…

  • Greco-Roman Tombs

    Greco-Roman Tombs

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    These ancient tombs, carved into the rock face, and usually partially obscured by parked vehicles, are thought to have been used in the Hellenistic and…

  • St Andrew's Anglican Church

    St Andrew's Anglican Church

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    Built in 1913, this unassuming, whitewashed church still holds Sunday services for Kyrenia's small Anglican community of foreign residents.

  • Ağa Cafer Pașa Mosque

    Ağa Cafer Pașa Mosque

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    This mosque was built in the 16th century by Cyprus governor Ağa Cafer Paşa.

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