Discover North Cyprus in all its variety – a journey that connects history, daily life, and the island’s most beautiful hiking landscapes. This trip combines cultural highlights with authentic encounters and hand-picked walks along the legendary Beşparmak Trail.
Trip highlights:
Explore the walled city of Nicosia, the only divided capital in the world
Visit the harbour and castle of Kyrenia and the famous Shipwreck Museum
Wander through the Gothic Bellapais Abbey with breathtaking coastal views
Hike to the Crusader Castle of St. Hilarion, high above Kyrenia
Experience diverse landscapes – from pine forests and rocky ridges to coastal plains and wildflower fields
Walk several scenic sections of the 250 km Beşparmak Trail
Gain genuine insights into local village life and the island’s living traditions
Stay in small, characterful accommodations, many of them run by inspiring Cypriot women
A perfect blend of culture, nature and everyday life – for travellers who value authenticity, quality and the quiet rhythm of discovery.
Behind all 3 accommodations stand remarkable women who combine hospitality, creativity and tradition. Their work gives each place its soul and turns a stay into a personal encounter.
Birgül Beyatlı – Eagle Eye Boutique Hotel, Nicosia:
Visionary architect and owner who transformed a medieval building near Kyrenia Gate into one of the city’s most elegant boutique hotels.
Angeliki Frantzi – Hanna Koumi Boutique Hotel, Kormacit:
A warm-hearted host preserving Maronite culture and cuisine in the heart of her ancestral village.
Gülten Aşık Aytac & Dervişe Aşık – Almond Holiday Village, Alsancak:
Two generations of women leading one of the region’s most charming family-run hotels, surrounded by gardens, fruit trees and beehives.
Each of these women represents the strength and creativity shaping the future of sustainable tourism in North Cyprus. Staying with them means experiencing hospitality with heart, heritage and a true sense of place.
Depending on your arrival airport (ECN, LCA or PFO), we are happy to assist you with private transfer options. You can book them directly during the checkout process of your booking.
There are also public transport options from all airports. Please ask us for advice!
Located near the Kyrenia Gate in the old town of North Nicosia, the Eagle Eye Boutique Hotel is just a ten‑minute walk from the Ledra/Lokmacı checkpoint. Designed by owner Birgül, the small hotel blends medieval architecture with modern design. Rooms are set around a peaceful courtyard. Inside, traditional stonework meets contemporary style. The Eagle Eye is perfect for those who want to stay in the heart of the old town while enjoying quiet comfort. Major sights like the Büyük Han and the Selimiye Mosque are within easy reach.
This guided tour starts and ends at your accommodation and takes you through the most fascinating parts of both sides of Nicosia, the world’s last divided capital.
You begin in the northern part of the old town with visits to the newly restored Selimiye Mosque, formerly the Cathedral of St. Sophia, and the lively Bandabulya Market Hall. A short walk brings you to the beautifully restored Büyük Han, once an Ottoman caravanserai and today filled with small cafés and artisan workshops. You’ll also explore the quiet lanes of the Arabahmet Quarter, lined with traditional houses and shady courtyards.
Crossing the Lokmacı / Ledra Street checkpoint, you continue into the southern part of the city. Here, your guide shows you the Ledra Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the impressive Eleftheria Square, a modern architectural landmark designed by Zaha Hadid.
Throughout the day, your guide shares stories that bring the city’s layered history to life—from medieval cathedrals to modern street art—making this tour both insightful and deeply personal.
Duration 40 minutes.
Your luggage will be transferred directly to your accommodation.
This stage is quite diverse, combining sandy beaches, village roads and dirt tracks through peaceful countryside. After leaving the small coastal village of Akdeniz, you can make a short stop to visit the Royal Tombs of Agia Irini, an archaeological site dating back to the 6th century BC.
The trail then follows the coastline, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the bay before turning inland. From here, the path leads through fields, pine groves and farmland, offering a variety of landscapes and wide views towards the hills of the Beşparmak range.
In spring (February to April), the area bursts into colour – carpets of wildflowers line the tracks and fill the air with fragrance. The hike ends in the Maronite village of Kormacit, a quiet and welcoming place that feels far removed from modern life.
The hike ends directly at the accommodation.
Follow your route easily on MHIKES
In the Maronite village of Kormakitis, this lovingly restored guesthouse offers authentic Cypriot charm. Hosts Angeliki and Marios welcome you warmly and serve traditional homemade dishes. Rooms feature a rustic Cypriot style with wood and warm colours, and small terraces invite you to relax outdoors. Hanna Koumi is more than accommodation – it’s a window into Maronite village life: authentic, peaceful and full of hospitality.
This circular hike starts and ends at your accommodation in the Maronite village of Kormacit. The route begins along village roads leading out towards the coast, then continues on forest paths and dirt tracks surrounded by low pine trees and open countryside.
One interesting spot is the chapel of St. George of the Seeds, one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Maronite community. From here, the trail follows narrow single tracks back towards the village, with beautiful views of the sea and the rolling hills of the Kormacit plain.
It’s a peaceful, varied walk that captures the quiet rhythm of rural life—a perfect combination of nature, culture, and gentle movement right at your doorstep.
This hike is part of the 250km Besparmak-Trail
Follow your route easily on MHIKES
In March and April, we add another 2km to the trail to see the famous endemic tulip of Cyprus, the Tulipa Cypria!
20 minutes transfer to the starting point of your trail. We will drop your luggage at your next accommodation.
This stage begins with narrow forest trails winding through fresh pine woods and offering long views over the Kyrenia Mountains. The air is filled with the scent of resin and herbs, and the forest's silence makes this one of the most peaceful parts of the Beşparmak Trail.
Further along the route, you reach the ruins of the Sinaya Monastery, standing openly on a rocky slope above the valley. Once a Byzantine monastery, it later served as a hermitage; today, only walls and arches remain, but the atmosphere is calm and timeless.
The descent continues on village roads through Lapta and Alsancak, past gardens, stone houses and citrus trees. This combination of forest, history and everyday village life makes this stage a perfect snapshot of North Cyprus.
The trail ends directly at your accommodation.
Follow your route easily on MHIKES
Hiking distance can be shortened with an additional transfer. Just let us know!
Almond Holiday Village in Alsancak is set amid lush gardens at the foot of the Beşparmak Mountains.
This family‑run hotel offers comfortable bungalows, a spacious pool area and peaceful corners surrounded by greenery. Host Gülten looks after her guests with care, and breakfast often features produce from the hotel’s own garden.
A warm, relaxed atmosphere – ideal for unwinding after adventurous hiking days.
This stage starts right at your accommodation and follows an ancient Roman road towards the village of Malatya. The path climbs gently through orchards and stone terraces before joining quiet forest roads that lead higher into the Kyrenia Mountains.
You’ll pass through the villages of Malatya and Ilgaz, both offering beautiful views over the coast. A real highlight is the village of Karmi — one of the most picturesque in North Cyprus — where you can enjoy a coffee break among its restored stone houses and flower-filled lanes.
From there, the trail continues on a single forest trail winding steadily uphill to the fortress of St. Hilarion. The final ascent is rewarded with magnificent panoramic views over Kyrenia, the sea, and the central plains. A stage that combines culture, scenery, and the spirit of adventure in equal measure.
Follow your route easily on MHIKES
Hiking distance can be shortened with an additional transfer. Just let us know!
30 minutes transfer back to your accommodation.
Transfer to the starting point of your hike with a 1 1/2 hours layover in Kyrenia to visit the famous harbour and the Kyrenia Castle.
The day begins with a short visit to Kyrenia Harbour and Kyrenia Castle – your driver allows about 1½ hours to explore the fortress and the Shipwreck Museum before continuing to the starting point at Bogaz Picnic Area.
The hike follows dirt roads along the southern slopes of the Beşparmak Mountains, offering stunning views over the Mesaoria plain, the city of Nicosia and, on clear days, even the Troodos range in the south.
After a gentle ascent, the trail crosses the mountain ridge on narrow single paths and gradually descends towards the village of Bellapais. Along the way, you pass the house of Lawrence Durrell, author of Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, before reaching the village and its magnificent Gothic abbey.
This hike combines history, literature and scenery — a perfect final stage that links the mountains to the coast and culture of Kyrenia.
Follow your route easily on MHIKES
Hiking distance can be shortened with an additional transfer. Just let us know!
Pick-up time according to your agreement with the driver. You are welcome to have your dinner in Bellapais after your hike, and we will pick you up later.
You can add some more days to relax at the Almond Holiday village. We are happy to provide you with a shuttle service to some of Kyrenia's nicest beaches.
We offer many more self-guided hiking options - some more in the Kyrenia Region, on the Karpaz Peninsula, in the South of Cyprus, in the Troodos Mountains, and in the Akamas Peninsula.
Or you can continue your cultural discoveries in Nicosia, Famagusta, Larnaca, Limassol or Paphos. We are happy to provide you with all the information you need about public transport and accommodations.
Accommodation: 7 nights with breakfast according to the program
Hiking Transfers: Transfers to and from the starting and finishing points of your hikes
MHIKES Route Information: Detailed hiking route information on your mobile via the MHIKES app – works also offline!
Guided Tour: 1-day guided tour in the Walled City of Nicosia
Lunch Boxes: Lunch boxes are provided on your hiking days
Water Refill: Free water refills for your hiking bottles at the accommodation
Airport Transfers: You can book your private airport transfer during the checkout process
Meals: Meals are not included except breakfast and the lunch boxes provided for your hikes