POPULAR NORTH CYPRUS VILLAGES & AREAS, HEADING EAST FROM KYRENIA

• DOGANKOY
  A small old village on the outskirts of Girne which is bordered by the main road running to the capital city of Nicosia in Northern Cyprus. This delightful area is an unusual mix of high and low North Cyprus lands with small village properties, large old Northern Cyprus villas and some stunning new developments. Easily missed, this little known village (pronounced ‘dough-an-koy’) is slowly merging with the large tourism capital in Northern Cyprus.
  
  
• BELLAPAIS
  Heading inland from Dogankoy up towards the mountains is the beautiful and most prestigeous North Cyprus village of Bellapais dominated by the ancient Bellapais Abbey which is a ‘must-see’ tourist attraction and also host to various concerts and festivals. Properties in the village often commands a higher value than in other areas, especially if in North Cyprus are the expansive views that this area is famed for and even more value when that view includes the abbey! In the mountain skirts around and below the village there are various new Northern Cyprus developments, many of which have fantastic views over Ozankoy village below and the Mediterranean sea to the North.
  
  
• KARAKUM
  To the immediate East of the new Girne shipping harbour is the busy little North Cyprus village of Karakum. There is a small sandy bay, a large supermarket and various Northern Cyprus restaurants dotted around the area which is on the main Girne bus (dolmush) route with easy access to the town centre or to the popular North Cyprus beaches further East.
  
  
• OZANKOY
  ‘The poets village’ named in honour of a famed Turkish Cypriot poet who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This popular district which encompasses a large area between the sea and mountains boasts some stunning Northern Cyprus sea views from the hills behind the village and views up to the Bellapais abbey which is beautifully illuminated at night. There are some excellent restaurants and cafes in North Cyprus with plenty of small shops, services and local trades and craftsmen throughout the village. Although widely settled over the past years with many new North Cyprus properties in the residential ‘flatlands’, Ozankoy still has a large Cypriot population and has retained its old charm with narrow village lanes and traditional architecture throughout.
  
  
• ÇATALKOY
  This large North Cyprus district is centred around a huge old village nestled in the mountain skirts which reaches west and meets with Ozankoy, far towards the open eastern Northern Cyprus lands and down to the Mediterranean sea. The village is noticeably slow paced with a genuine friendly atmosphere and two prominent coffee shops where the local men while away the hours. You can usually find all kinds of North Cyprus properties available in the Çatalkoy area from modern new developments to traditional village bungalows and Cypriot mansions. There are some fabulous beaches, established Northern Cyprus restaurants and new businesses throughout the area and some large ravines and hills below the mountains from where you can admire some brilliant views.
  
  
• ARAPKOY
  An area set back from the sea amongst the low mountains and valleys that run up to the magical Besparmak (five finger) mountain range in North Cyprus. A great area for those who really want to ‘be away from it all’ but still only a 20 minute drive to Girne and the nearest supermarkets. The Northern Cyprus mountain views from most spots in this region are breathtaking and there is a small rural style village with a few shops and services within it.
  
  
• ESENTEPE, BAHÇELI & TATLISU
  These three beautiful areas in North Cyprus which are the furthest eastern districts that we cover (Tatlisu which translates as ‘sweet water’ being furthest) are large coastal areas all spread out over miles of beautiful coastline. There are some of the best sandy beaches within a short drive from Girne and various little sandy or rocky coves where you can explore in North Cyprus and enjoy a real ‘desert island’ feeling. In Esentepe there is a new 18 hole golf course which has attracted interest from some excellent international developers with many sea fronted Northern Cyprus holiday villas available to suit all budgets. Each of these areas has its own village with various services and shops where you can often buy locally grown produce at unbeatable prices in North Cyprus. There are also plenty of local cafes and restaurants serving traditional Cypriot cuisine and of course, some tasty freshly caught fish.