Bellapais is a tradition village in the beautiful countryside of Northern Cyprus. Unspoilt and tranquil, the village is named after the 12th century Bellapais Monastery. Located in the hills at the foot of the Five Finger Mountain Range near the town of Kyrenia and about an hour from Larnaca, Bellapais offers amazing coastal views across the Mediterranean Sea.

Bellapais became famous as the setting for Lawrence Durrell’s 1957 autobiography ‘Bitter Lemons of Cyprus’ which describes the three years he spent on the island and has been popular ever since with visitors looking for a traditional, peaceful atmosphere.

Full of narrow streets which lead off the towns main square, Bellapais has a good selection of restaurants, cafes and bars. Accommodation ranges from villas and apartments to luxury hotels which are located in the beautiful countryside around the village.

Kyrenia

Located about 5 miles from the coast, the village is conveniently positioned for the beautiful sandy beaches of Bellapais and Kyrenia. The beautiful clear blue sea here is perfect for the many water sports on offer including wind-surfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing and parascending. There also lots of dive centres and dive sites in the area for scuba diving fans. Experience the coral, ship wrecks and wonderful marine life in the warm mediterranean sea. If you enjoy an adrenaline rush then try paragliding from St Hilarion and take in the spectacular views of the mountains, countryside and sea.

There are lots of places to visit in and around Bellapais including the imposing partly ruined Gothic Bellapais Monastery, the castle’s of St Hilarion, Kantara and Buffavento, the settlements of Ozankoy and Catalkoy, and of course a holiday to Cyprus is not complete without a visit to the historic town of Kyrenia. Here you will find the harbour which is dominated by Kyrenia Castle, the Shipwreck Museum which is home to a shipwrecked boat dating back to 300BC, shops, casinos, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes

'The Tree of Idleness'

and bars. Don’t forget to take a leisurely break at the real ‘Tree of Idleness’ in Bellapais. It is said that anyone who sits beneath this mulberry tree which was made famous by Durrell will be made lazy and lethargic!

If you enjoy walking, horse riding or bird watching then plan your package holidays for the spring when the countryside bursts into life and is a mass of colour and the weather is just perfect with temperatures of between 18C and 23C. Bellapais also hosts the International Bellapais Music Festival in May.

Looking for a quiet traditional place for the whole family to enjoy then take up one of the many late deals on offer to the amazing island of Cyprus.

Cyprus Scuba Diving is popular because of the sea temperatures, clear seas and warm waters surrounding the island. The underwater coastal reefs team with a variety of colorful fish, sponges, coral, sea anemones, octopus, mussels and the ubiquitous sea urchin.

Sea Turtles can be spotted regularly, thanks to a turtle conservation project that has increased their numbers considerably. Spectacular underwater caves and tunnels and a number of interesting reefs are just waiting to be explored.

There is a complete range of PADI certification courses, instructor courses, beginners novice courses, scuba internships and open water PADI instructor development courses. There are diving schools that teach their courses in english, french, german, green and all scandanavian languages.

CYPRUS SCUBA DIVING SITES AND REEFS

 
Amphitheatre Diving Site
Open water (OW) qualification required. Access is from the shore just past the headland at Coral Bay, a short walk down the rocks.

This is a particularly popular dive, ranging from 4 metres to 12 metres. It takes its name from the natural formation resembling an amphitheatre that was cut out of the rock by sea currents.

Besides the magnificent rock formations, there is an abundance of marine life to admire, including groupers, eels and cuttlefish.

amphora cave

Amphorae Caves Diving Site
Open water (OW) qualification required. There are a number of caves, including one with an amphorae encrusted roof, and gullies to explore at a depth of 5 to 12 metres.

Green Bay Diving Site
Open water (OW) qualification required. Access to the water is by land.

There are fragments of ancient amphorae on the seabed 12 metres underwater to be explored. There is also a variety of fish and abundant opportunities for photography. The depth is 12 metres and visibility is 45 metres.

Zenobia

Shipwreck Zenobia, Larnaca
Swedish ferry is one of the best, most interesting shipwrecks in the world. The ferry is 172 metres long and 23.4 metres wide. The ferry sank with all cargo (108 trucks) on the 7th June 1980 in the Bay of Larnaca, during it’s first voyage to Syria. Zenobio is located at an ideal depth for recreational diving, 17 – 42 metres.

Zenobio is an artificial reef and is ideal for those who wish to swim from the outside, and for those who prefer to get into the bridge, restaurant, top loading deck, mess-room and much more.

Akrotiri

 Akrotiri Fish Reserve Diving Site
Open water (OW) qualification required. Access is by boat.

This fish reserve near Akrotiri offers a fascinating opportunity to interact with local marine life. This Cyprus Scuba Diving site is at 9 metres and is suitable for all divers who can hand feed groupers, moray eels, bream and bass and admire the octopus. Visibility is some 30 metres.