FAQ
NORTHERN CYPRUS PROPERTIES
FAQ
Northern Cyprus is attractive for its sunny beaches, mountains and luxurious lifestyle. Below you can find a few tips and interesting information that can help you decide whether to own a property in Cyprus.
Property Investment in Northern Cyprus and the Profit you can make
In the past few years the property prices in Northern Cyprus have increased by nearly 80%. Such investment appreciation rate is unparalleled in Europe. So it comes as no surprise that property development projects in Northern Cyprus were ranked first in the Forbes survey in the “Best buy on the beach” category.
How to travel to Northern Cyprus?
Northern Cyprus, official named as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a fascinating destination, attractive for its rich history, beautiful countryside, long sandy beaches and friendly atmosphere.
When you travel you will need a passport that is valid 6 months after your return to the Czech Republic. Czech Republic citizens do not need any visas for a trip not longer than one month. A maximum length of a tourist stay in one year cannot exceed 90 days.
You can choose from a few ways to travel
• Flights to the Northern Cyprus airport of Ercan have a compulsory stopover in Turkey.
• Direct flights from Prague to Larnaca, which is an EU territory. There are also direct flights from Vienna and Poland.
An average flight takes 3,5 hours, so no jet lag expected.
There is a winter time and summer time change in Cyprus, just like in the Czech Republic, so there is a constant time zone difference minus 1 hour compared to the Czech Republic.
The flight tickets, travel insurance, car rental as well as accommodation can be booked via airlines applications.
Car Rental: If you like to move freely while discovering the beauty of Northern Cyprus, we recommend renting a car directly at the Larnaca or Ercan Airport. The roads are in good conditions and driving around is comfortable. Be careful: in Cyprus they drive on the left-hand side.
Public Transport: To move about more economically you can use the public buses connecting major cities and tourists spots.
• To tune into a romantic vibe you can use a ferry.
There are ferries from the Turkish cities of Mersin and Tarsus going to Kyrenia and Famagusta. The ferries are comfortable and offer transport of people and vehicles, so you can drive your own car to Northern Cyprus.
Travelling to Northern Cyprus is easier than it seems. No matter whether you choose a stopover, direct flight, or a romantic ferry transport, you will have an unforgettable holiday full of lovely beaches, rich history and welcoming people. Plan your trip today and discover all the treasures Northern Cyprus has to offer!
How to pay in Northern Cyprus?
• The currency is Turkish Lira (TRY)
• You can also pay with Euro (EUR), American Dollars (USD or British Pounds (GBP), as well as with crypto-currency, which you can also use to buy properties and cars.
Private banks respect strict confidentiality and privacy of their client by not scrutinizing financial transaction under 1 million British Pounds. So you do not have to worry about Anti Money Laundering Law in this case.
You can pay by cards at shops as well as markets.
What is the weather like in Northern Cyprus?
There are hot summers and mild winters in Northern Cyprus.
Between May and October the days are long, warm and sunny. In July and August the temperatures can be as high as 40°C.
Between December and February, the weather is wet, but mild, ideal for exploring the sights and countryside.
An island with miles of sandy beaches, indented coastline, high mountains, and 320 sunny days a year sounds like a dream but in Northern Cyprus it is a reality. The summer beach season usually lasts about 8 months. The Northern Cyprus beaches and coastline has been awarded for the cleanest sand and sea water. Strict government rules for preserving nature is valid generally, not only for project developers.
Beaches / Destinations
Beaches
There are beaches ranked in the list of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
At most beaches there are no hotels or tourists.
At Karpas peninsula, for instance, there is a large number of beautiful hidden beaches.
Famagusta
It is situated at the east coast of the Northern Cyprus, boasting rich historical events to explore.
Famagusta is an important historic port known for the famous Othello’s Tower fortress.
This is where the story of Shakespeare’s Othello took place.
The beaches here are golden-coloured and the sea cerulean.
Kyrenia
It is Northern Cyprus limestone mountain range.
The highest peak Mount Kyparissovouno (1024 metres) is also the highest mountain of the TRNC.
The most famous part of this mountain range is the Western one called Pentadaktylos.
What is the cuisine like in Northern Cyprus?
It is a combination of Turkish and Greek cuisine with hints of the Mediterranean and British gastronomy. A classic menu consists of many cold starters and hot main courses. Among the favourites are also flavoured kinds of yoghurt, tzatziki, humus, olives, fresh cheeses, stuffed wine leaves, olive oil, citruses, etc. Grilled Halloumi cheese is the national dish.
Even though the TRNC is a Muslim country and eating pork is forbidden here, the hotels and restaurant respect the wishes of their customers.
Alcohol is also widely available. Tap water is Cyprus is drinking, but you can also buy bottled water if you wish to. People is Cyprus love to drink tea and coffee, the summer favourite is called “Nescafé Frappé”.
Safety Situation
The situation is similar to the one in the Southern part.
People do not usually lock the cars and mostly not even houses.
The local citizens are used to tourists and are welcoming.
The streets and restaurants are usually busy until late hours and you do not have to be afraid to go out in the evenings.
The are general safety rules like elsewhere.
The police officers usually speak English well.
History and Culture
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has features of an independent republic but has not been officially recognized. The Ancient heroes created an island full of beauty and peace that was admired by the Venetians, Byzantines as well as the Romans.
The Northern Cyprus coastline is not only famous for its beaches, but there is also a number of significant Medieval and Ancient sight worth visiting. The historical events and myths date back to 1000 BC. One of the most important sights is Saint Hilarion Castle in Kyrenia mountains dating back to 13th century, or a well-preserved ancient city-state of Salamis, dating back to 1100 BC.
Native people are descendants of the conquerors, be it Phoenicians or Ottoman Turks. The British have also impacted the culture here. For instance people here drive on the left hand side. Cyprus Turks are proud of their statehood and honour symbols like national flag and memorials remembering the dead during the Civil Wars. When you leave the tourist places behind than you really get to know the locals. We also recommend going to a traditional café. In Nicosia there are the last two preserved traditional Hammam Turkish baths. Large hotels offer their modern alternatives. If businesspeople are happy with the business you made with them, they may give you a traditional eye-shaped charm to protect you from enemies and envious people.
Geography
Northern Cyprus lies on the north-eastern third of the Island of Cyprus. It borders with the Southern Cyprus and with Turkey across the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 3,355 sqm, ranking 165 in the world in terms of size. The capital and also the largest city of the TRNC is Northern Nicosia, also called Lefkosia. It lies on the border with Southern Cyprus, so it is divided into Northern and Southern, just like the island.
What else should you know?
Voltage Electric sockets have 240 V and 50 Hz frequency.
All Cyprus uses type-G sockets, just like in the UK.
For Czech appliances you will need a power adaptor available in any electrical goods store.
Official language in Northern Cyprus is Turkish, but people also speak English, German or Russian.
Council tax for tourist stays is not collected.
Northern Cyprus does not have its international internet domain (.cz, .sk, etc.), but .tr or .cc domains are often used.
When you rent a car, drive carefully, as in Cyprus you must drive on the left.
Negotiating about the price is not common here (unlike in Turkey).
The local citizens are Muslims, but there is a state and religion separation and tolerance, just like in other European countries.
CYPRUS PROPERTIES
Contact information
If you are interested in any projects, get in touch with me or I will arrange a video call with a colleague from Cyprus so you can find out what you need to know.
Real estate agent
+420 725 293 246
E-mail Address
Legislation
The website operator is DVB Komerční nemovitosti s.r.o., ID No: 10732349, with registered office: Česká 235/36, Kutná Hora 284 01. The legal person is registered with the Commercial Register. File Number: C 346772 filed with the Municipal Court in Prague. Data mailbox: w68h56v
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