Sightseeing
Northern Cyprus packs an extraordinary amount of history into a small area — ancient ruins, medieval castles and timeless villages sit just a short drive from Sun Valley, and the resort can arrange guided tours or custom itineraries to explore them.
Kyrenia Castle guards the entrance to the town's horseshoe harbour and rewards a visit with sweeping views over the Mediterranean, plus a Shipwreck Museum housing a 4th-century BC vessel recovered from these very waters.
Further along the coast, the ruins of ancient Salamis near Famagusta rank among the island's most significant archaeological sites — its Roman and Byzantine-era temples, theatres and bathhouses are a striking record of ancient architectural skill.
In the hills above, the 13th-century Bellapais Abbey offers a beautifully preserved Gothic cloister and church, still used today for concerts and cultural events, with panoramic Mediterranean views to match.
For a wilder side of the island, the undeveloped Karpaz Peninsula is home to wild donkeys, migratory birds, and some of Cyprus's most pristine beaches, including Golden Beach — as well as the pilgrimage site of Apostolos Andreas Monastery.
