Holiday in Lapta

Beaches, etc. Around the Lapta....

Friends Beach (small - 10 mins walk opposite the turning on the main coastal road ) - food
LA – Opposite the LA hotel (10 mins walk) right at the main road (10 YLT for adults and 5 YLT for children) – food
Silver Rocks – Pool and sea (Snorkling) no beach – Fantastic food -4 minute drive turn head West on Coast Road on the right after a mile.
Sunset resort – Jet ski’s, etc.. 10 YLT entrance for Adults (Kids free)
Escape (10 min drive) turn left at the main road
‘Guzelyali Club’ - large beach with restaurants (turn left on the main road about a 10 min drive).
Karafaki, opposite Stone Grill restaurant – good when there is a Easterly wind (15 mins drive)
Horse shoe beach (pebble beach – lovely restaurant) - Food
Turtle Beach 20 to 30 min drive depending on traffic – East of Kyrenia on the Esentepe road- Food
Acapulko hotel complex (pools/beach/slide, etc.) just on the East side of Kyrenia on the road to Ensetepe (before turtle beach) food (10ylt for adults and 5 ylt children). This is a recommended trip.
Vogue beach complex - very near Acapulko
Golden Beach - 2 Hour + Karpas/Pan handle – see the wild donkey’s – well worth the drive – if you have plenty of time go via the Esentepe route otherwise go via Nicosia using the main roads (tip. When you see signs for Ercan airport come off, but go in the opposite direction to the airport. This is a very good road and will cut out Famagusta.
Salimis beaches – Near ruins (1+ hour) – See the ruins and then go for a swim

LA Beach and other beaches are run by a hotel/restaurant and as such they can ask a fee to use their equipment (no different than paying for a deck chair at Blackpool, etc.). However, if you go to the far left, in front of the Villas, there should be no problem. This is a common theme if you don’t use their sun beds, etc. there is no cost.

Turtle beach is well worth the journey. Try the second beach, i.e. go up the hill past the first turning and take the tarmac road on the left. This is generally more secluded.

In July/August/Sept you can visit the turtle project and see the release of baby turtles in late August/Sept.

If you find any other beaches, etc. then please let us know.

There are as mentioned 6 beach towels in the master bedroom wardrobes.

Trips

Just a few suggestions:-

Kyrenia –Harbour, Castle and shopping.
Bellapais Abbey – Beautiful ruin, restaurants and a few shops. Belly Dancer display and meal on a Sat night in the main restaurant.
Hilarion Castle. Not for the feint hearted. (There are another 2 castles)
A drive over the mountains (This is not for the feint hearted, but well worth the trip). There is a lovely restaurant called ‘Kazons’ at the Western end of the mountains.
A days boat trip going from bay to bay – The hotel will have details of a good boat.
Lefkosa/Nicosia – Ancient walled city and shops.
Trip to the South side - Nicosia
Salamis Ruins – miles and miles of ancient ruined city only partially excavated (You can really touch and feel history here) Day trip or more if you like history. There are numerous other historical sites.
Pan Handle – Day trip to the tip of Cyprus, wild donkeys and stunning views.
Famagusta – shops and sightseeing. (Go via the mountain road East of Kyrenia/Girne – very spectacular views)

There are a number of site seeing books in the left hand draw with details of other possible trips and things to do.

Activities

Fishing – There are a number of boats in Kyrenia Harbour (£40 per person for about 4 hours)
Scuba Diving – Contact Mehmet at the Hotel
Water sports (Sunset Club – 5 minute drive) In the summer there are a number of places that provide various water sports (if you try them please tell us about your experience)
Horse Riding (details in tourist brochures/paper)
Walking (there are a number of people who organise at a cost walks in the mountains / woods). This is very much a winter stroke spring activity. There are a number of walks in the Mountains from Kozan’s restaurant (They are reasonable but wear good shoes/walking boots).
The wild flowers (April/May) are very spectacular. Apparently there are over 30 types of wild orchids that are not found anywhere else. There are a number people who organise trips to see them.
Golf – An 18 hole golf course near Ensentepe – (East of Kyrenia) – very impressive and apparently you can rent clubs.
Casino’s - You can (so we are told) go to the bigger ones along the coastal road, put a few coins in the machines and get free food, drink and entertainment.
Barber shop – go and try a hair cut / shave it is an amazing experience but tell them not to yank your head at the end!! I’m serious

Restaurants

Manolya hotel – Lapta – Walkable and has different events
Archway – Temlos Zeytinlik (Wonderful, reasonable and you will need to book)
Siver Rocks (West on Coast road and on the right after a few mins) Try the meze and a main meal.
The Saffron (Turn right (West) at the Coast Road 4 min drive on the Right)
Haci Ali – almost opposite the Saffron
Jasmine Hotel/Casino has an amazing meal and folk dance/belly dancer evening on Thursdays (45YLT for Adults half price for kids)
Ambience - Karaoglanoglu
Serenada Court – Lapta (Friendly)
The Corner - Alsancak
Chicken Kebab House - Girne not far from the main car park in a group of restaurants (Fantastic kebabs, very cheap) say Hi to Hazim for us.
Café de Paris (as above)
Patio – Girne/Kyrenia
Pegasos – Karaoglanoglu
Californian – Lefkosa /Nicosia (Very good quality)
Ezic Chicken – Girne – Try the new one near the new road. Drive along the main road and take the bypass to Lefkosa (Nicosia) the restaurant is on the left.
Severn – Karaoglanoglu

We have eaten at all the above and would recommend them all. Some are very reasonable and some more pricey. There is a comprehensive list in the Cyprus Times. There are numerous restaurants within a short drive or walk. If you find a good place to eat then please tells us about it. Finally, some Restaurants do change hands quickly here so the above is just a guide no more no less.

Hotels
Manolya Hotel www.manolyahotel.com
Club Alda
Club Asena
Club Sotira
Villa Mulberry

We hope this information has been useful.

Enjoy your stay.

''A sanctuary of unspoilt beauty''

Cyprus is a paradise island of incomparable natural beauty, full of unique historical treasures.
''A sanctuary of unspoilt beauty''
It lies in the clear blue waters of the Eastern Mediterranean, just 40 miles off the coast of Turkey, 60 miles from Syria and 250 miles from Egypt. After Sicily and Sardinia, it is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. North Cyprus provides a most hospitable welcome, with is friendly people, and its beautiful netural attractions, unspoilt, unpolluted, and uncrowded with miles of coastline and golden sands bathed in sunshine almost every day of the year. There is much of historical interst to reflect nine thousand years of history. Gothic churches rub shoulders with crusader castles, and ruined temples with British Colonial architecture in a fascinating blend of styles. The all pervading sense of the past adds to the enchantment ofthe present to make an unforgettable holiday.
We try to give you more detials about Northern Cyprus. If you need more detials please do not hesitate to contact with us.