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Hidden Secrets of Northern Cyprus - Two Week Stay

Name: Hidden Secrets of Northern Cyprus - Two Week Stay
Brand: Newmarket Holidays
SKU: 98939

Savour rest and relaxation, and step back in time, as you explore the beautiful, unspoilt north of Aphrodite’s Isle.

Discover a historic region of this idyllic island in the sun – inhabited since earliest times, dotted with the relics of ancient civilisations, and uniquely shaped by the changing tides of history. From your base in delightful Kyrenia, one of the Mediterranean’s most alluring locations, set against a backdrop of rugged hills and fringed by deep blue waters, you'll enjoy included visits to Lawrence Durrell’s beloved Bellapais, to divided Nicosia, ruined Famagusta and the scenic Karpaz peninsula on this wonderful tour of Northern Cyprus.

Low angle shot of the rows of seating in an ampitheatre, curving to the left, with a person sat on one of the rows on the far side. Above, a clear blue sky

Tour the Roman ruins at Salamis

View of a marina from a restaurant, with a laid table in the forefront behind a wooden barrier dividing the boats on the water and the land. Other buildings and restaurants can be seen on the other side, with blue umbrellas and outdoor seating. The sun is poking over the buildings, with beams shining into the camera

Exploring Kyrenia's harbour and monumental castle

Stone ruins to the right, with a grassy area in the middle with three tall slim trees. Opposite, to the left is more grassy area with a palm tree and bushes. Behind this is a distant view of a town and the ocean, and a blue sky above.

Visits to idyllic Bellapais, and its Gothic abbey

A stone Greek Orthodox monastery with arched walkways, a domed roof, and a bell tower. A well-kept garden with flowers and shrubs lines the foreground under a sunny sky

See the ghost city of Varosha, a poignant reminder of the recent past

Explore the delightful port town of Kyrenia, in the company of your tour manager. Here, the natural, horseshoe-shaped harbour looks out over pristine azure waters, flanked by shops and cafés and all watched over by an imposing medieval castle. It's a picture-perfect scene mostly unchanged down the years despite the trappings of modernity. Within the massive castle walls you'll find a fascinating shipwreck museum, and a gallery of archaeological finds from the surrounding area.

This afternoon, return to your hotel to relax, or explore the town under your own steam. Why not visit a museum or gallery, or take a seat in one of the harbour’s delightful fish restaurants - perfect places in which to pass the hours?

A fascinating day awaits, today, as you journey to the island’s east. Your first call is at the monastery of St Barnabas, where the side chapel of the twin-domed church is said to hold the tomb of the early Christian martyr. This is followed by a visit to the extraordinary Roman ruins of the ancient coastal city of Salamis. The remains, which include colonnades, a magnificent theatre and a bathhouse, were part of a much larger settlement that still lies submerged beneath the blue waters and sand dunes.

You’ll then head to the fascinating city of Famagusta, once one of the world’s richest, and today a living museum. Here ruined churches, the Lala Mustapha Pasha mosque (once the city cathedral) and Venetian Palace rise in amongst the city's modern cafes and shops, as described in Victoria Hislop’s novel, The Sunrise. Most unforgettable is the Ghost City of Varosha, left abandoned since 1974, and a poignant reminder of the island’s past troubles.

The highlight of today’s fascinating included excursion will be your visit to historic Nicosia, capital of Cyprus for more than 12 centuries, and separated into a Turkish north and Greek south since the Green Line was first drawn, in 1963.

Enjoy a guided tour of Lefkosa, the northern territory, where highlights include the ancient Buyuk Han, once the largest caravanserai (roadside inn) on Cyprus, the colourful covered bazaar and the cathedral/mosque of Selimiye/St Sophia. After crossing into the southern territory, Lefkosia, you'll have free time to explore the narrow streets that shelter within the Venetian walls of the old town. Why not visit tiny St John's Cathedral or one of the various museums of Cypriot history and culture before we return to Kyrenia?

Today you're free to enjoy the hotel and its surroundings, or to head into Kyrenia once again. Many, however, will want to join our optional excursion to the green, citrus-grove surrounded town of Guzelyurt. The town's name means "beautiful place" in Turkish, and you'll have time to see its archaeology museum and church of Agios Mamas. The enjoyable day will also include visits to the fascinating excavated city of Soli, with its Roman and Byzantine remains, and to the Green Line border town of Lefke, with its former copper mines and citrus groves.

Today’s included tour heads first towards the magnificent mountain-top castle of St Hilarion, with its preserved fortifications and spectacular views of the coastline and the surrounding Five Finger Mountains. In the foothills below lies the beautiful village of Bellapais. Set beneath the preserved ruins of its Gothic abbey, this idyllic spot was celebrated writer Lawrence Durrell's home for three years to, and he chronicled his stay here in his novel Bitter Lemons. Wander the ruins of the Abbey, stepping back in time as you soak up its unique atmosphere, then return to Kyrenia for the rest of the day.

Today's optional excursion is to the unspoilt Karpaz, or Karpasia, Peninsula, a rugged spit of land fringed by some of the island’s most stunning beaches and bluest waters. Dotted with ancient villages and home to herds of wild donkeys, the peninsula is also where the remote monastery and shrine of Apostos Andreas boasts a famous ‘holy well’. As well as a visit to an ancient olive press, today will include a chance to enjoy a dip (weather permitting) in the sea at one of the island’s finest bathing spots.

You’ll return to Kyrenia at the end of a wonderful day, to enjoy a final dinner at the hotel.

Boats docked at a harbour with bright blue water, buildings on the other side, and ruins of a castle to the left. Mountains in the distance in front of a blue sky.

The spectacular Greek and Roman ruins at Salamis and Soli

The imposing hill-top ruins of St Hilarion Castle

Excursion to the unspoilt landscape of the Karpaz Peninsula on an optional excursion

Fascinating, divided Nicosia and walled Famagusta

Discover Guzelyurt (literally "beautiful place") and ancient Soli on an optional excursion

14 nights' half-board accommodation at your chosen hotel (upgrade hotel available)
Tours of Kyrenia, Nicosia, Salamis and Famagusta
Trips to St Hilarion and Bellapais
Return flights to Cyprus
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager on Days 1 to 7. Our local representatives will transfer and assist you on Days 8 to 15.

Departure point	Departure date	Price (per person)	Availability
Birmingham	April 2026 - October 2027	from £1,768 pp	18 dates available
Bristol	May 2026 - October 2027	from £1,892 pp	15 dates available
East Midlands	April 2026 - October 2027	from £1,853 pp	18 dates available
Edinburgh	April 2026 - October 2027	from £1,674 pp	18 dates available
Glasgow	April 2026 - October 2027	from £1,734 pp	18 dates available
Leeds Bradford	April 2026 - October 2027	from £1,985 pp	16 dates available
London Gatwick	February 2026 - November 2027	from £1,649 pp	20 dates available
London Heathrow	February 2026 - November 2027	from £1,683 pp	20 dates available
London Luton	June 2026 - November 2027	from £1,946 pp	16 dates available
London Stansted	April 2026 - October 2027	from £1,768 pp	18 dates available
Manchester	April 2026 - October 2027	from £1,883 pp	18 dates available
Newcastle	April 2026 - October 2027	from £1,785 pp	17 dates available

Altinkaya Cyprus Img 2152 Pool Ex 179X134 H

Altinkaya Hotel, Kyrenia Kyrenia, CyprusNestled amid olive groves just 2.5km from Kyrenia Harbour, this family-owned three-star hotel offers the warmest of welcomes.

Pia Bella Hotel, Kyrenia Kyrenia, CyprusThis welcoming four-star hotel is about 1.5km from Kyrenia's historic harbour and set amid pretty gardens. The local shops, bars and restaurants are within walking distance.

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.

Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.

Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you arrive (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").

Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

The EES scheme commenced on the 12th October 2025, and the phased implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, EES will be fully operational at all EU borders. - the latest information can be found at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr

EES is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of most European countries. Once introduced, when you go through passport control on arrival, as well as producing your passport for checking, you will also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.

For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/upcoming-changes-travel-europe here.

Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded.

Following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, changes have been planned which affect the eligibility of citizens of the United Kingdom to have visa free travel to the EU. ETIAS travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the European Union and Schengen counties.

The ETIAS system is not live yet - the latest information can be found at www.etias.com. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live (and if applicable to you), apply for your ETIAS in good time prior to travel.

Newmarket Holidays will not be able to undertake ETIAS applications on your behalf, so have instead instructed the services of the Travel Visa Company to provide help, should you need it. You can find more information about this service here.

Please note: ETIAS will not be required for UK citizens travelling on our UK and Ireland tours.

15% discount applies to new bookings for 'Tour Plus' holidays made between 16 and 28 February 2026 and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. This offer does not apply to child pricing or departure dates with late availability pricing.

This discount is only valid on select holidays in our 'Tour Plus' category and does not apply to any Premier Collection, Festive, Events and River cruise tours. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the discount applied. The discount applies to the original tour price (excluding any discounts already applied, extras and holiday insurance) at the time of booking.

This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Newmarket Holidays reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any tour. Holidays booked with Newmarket Holidays, are financially protected in accordance with ABTA, ATOL & ABTOT regulations. Newmarket Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02238316.

Hidden Secrets of Northern Cyprus - Two Week Stay

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