İskele

İskele covers the east coast north of Famagusta, where the island begins to narrow towards the Karpaz peninsula. It is the part of the north that has changed fastest, with new resorts along the sand, but the villages inland and the hills behind them are as quiet as ever.

Long Beach and Boğaz

Long Beach runs for several kilometres of fine sand and shallow water, with beach bars and plenty of space. A little north, the small fishing harbour of Boğaz is lined with fish restaurants; order whatever came in that morning.

Kantara Castle

Kantara is the easternmost of the three castles of the Kyrenia mountains, set on a peak at around 600 metres. From its walls you can see both coasts of the island at once, and the drive up through pine forest is part of the trip.

The old town

In İskele itself, the Church of Panagia Theotokos is now an icon museum, with wall paintings from the 12th century. The Bafra coast to the north-east has large hotels and casinos; head inland for village bakeries and carob groves.