The British Community is growing very fast as more and more British couples (retired and families with children) buy a property in Northern Cyprus and come to permanently live on the northern side of the island. The main attraction of this area is that it is unspoilt by commercial tourism and has a slow pace of life, safe environment (the area is virtually crime free), the best value for money property and low cost of living in Northern Cyprus than in other Mediterranean countries.

UK visitors and residents receive a very warm welcome from the local population. English is widely spoken and there are some unmistakable influences of the British colonial era on the island.

Families with children will have a choice of several English speaking schools. In Girne (Kyrenia) there is an English-run nursery. Also there are two English-language primary schools attached to the universities. English language secondary education can be received at the International American College (Lefkosa), Girne American University and University in Lefkosa. There are several societies on the island, to name a few: Kyrenia Amateur Dramatic Society (KADS), Northern Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds and Nature, Kyrenia Animal Rescue, The Red Cross and others.

The rules and processes occasionally change and it is very important to have up to date information when buying a property in Northern Cyprus. We can provide you with free information about medical care, education, domestic services, finance, etc on the island and advise you on how to apply for a residence permit, start a new business or export register and maintain your car. The cost of living in North Cyprus is not as expensive as in UK.
There is local English newspaper which will help you to know what's going on the island and get your messages through to the community. Most of the supermarkets and local corner shops sell the weekly English paper “Cyprus Today”, which is published every Saturday. All forthcoming events – concerts, charity events, evening and day entertainment, as well as useful information and advertisements from different business, restaurants and bars are advertised here. North Cyprus living could be as exciting and eventful as you would like it to be.

The British Residents Society also provides a comprehensive telephone list of its members which is updated every six months. It could be a good help to the local telephone directory.

Buying a property in Northern Cyprus as well as anywhere overseas is big step and you need to have your eyes wide open and have as much information as possible. We are here to answer your queries.

Beaches are a principal attraction in North Cyprus , and vary widely in character from the busy hotel beaches, which offer many facilities, to the secluded stretches of sand in the Karpas , where the visitor may have an e ntire beach to himself. Some of the beaches are unfortunately spoilt by accumulations of garbage: visitors are urged to take their rubbish away with them. A tip: tar may be removed from clothes or the skin by rubbing gently with olive oil. Take a small bottle with you to the beach. Do not forget to use sun-screen lotion after 20 minutes under the summer sun, you will begin to burn.

Water sports are available on some beaches, in particular at Deniz Kizi, some 5 miles west of Kyrenia, where Dolphin Sailing, which is recognized by the Royal Yacht Club, offers a wide range of water sports with professional tuition and supervision. In general, the beaches associated with hotels are kept clean1 and provide facilities such as toilets, deck chairs, parasols, bars and restaurants. Entrance tees vary. The visitor is encouraged to explore for himself, but as a guide, a few beaches are listed below.

Acapulco Beach lies about 6 miles to the east of Kyrenia. At the point where the coast road to the east sweeps up towards the mountains, a large sign advertising this beach will be seen. Here the road branches off to the left, passing through an army camp before leading to the entrance of this holiday complex. This is a popular tourist beach, offering most facilities, but supervision of children swimming is recommended as there is an undertow. Windsurfing is available.

Lara Beach may be found a couple of miles further on - a sign indicates where to turn off from the new by-pass road. Toi lets, showers, and beach chairs are available, and there is also a reasonable open air restaurant.
Alakadi Beach is still further east, about 10 miles from Kyrenia. A hundred yards or so past St. Kathleen's restaurant is a small bridge. Immediately after the bridge, a rough track bears left, leading past a farm and through the dunes to a large, sweeping double bay. Please avoid leaving litter.

Sunset Beach now called Escape Beach is located about 5 miles to the west of Kyrenia, past the sloping concrete monument beyond Karaoglanoglu. It is adjacent to the Altinkaya fish restaurant. The sandy beach is well protected and ideal for tiny tots. Toilets and showers are available, and there is a bar and restaurant.

Deniz Kizi is situated about seven miles west of Kyrenia. This sheltered bay is kept clean, and offers a variety of water sports (see Dolphin Sailing above) including windsurfing, parascending, water skiing, and inflatable fun rafts for smaller children. Deck chairs are available for hire, and there are also toilet and shower facilities.

Traditional forms of Cypriot culture are to be found in music, folk-dancing, and various crafts as embroidery, lace-making, potteries, and kilim weaving. Folk music and dancing are to be found at North Cyprus' many festivals and fairs throughout the year. The most important of these festivals are:

• International Northern Cyprus Film Festival
• International Bellapais Music Festival
• Famagusta International Festival
• Güzelyurt Arts-Culture Festival
• Güzelyurt (Morphou) Orange Festival
• Iskele Festival
• Karpas Grape & Wine Festival
• 23rd April Children's Day festival
• 19th May Youth Festival
• 20th July Freedom Festival

Traditional forms of Cypriot culture are to be found in music, folk-dancing, and various crafts as embroidery, lace-making, potteries, and kilim weaving.
Typical handicrafts of interest in Northern Cyprus are:

• Lefkara lace-work
This is a truely Cypriot (both Turkish and Greek) lace-work, which is meticulously done by the ladies at Cypriot villages.
Lefkara lace is used to interesting effect in bordering small mirrors on the tables, or as dainty accessories for any room.

• To preserve this cultural and traditional hand-made lace-works, government of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus actively encourages the continuation of this tradition through a cooperative.

• Sheep-skin rugs,

• Genuine leather jackets,

• Traditional Cypriot handicrafts at display

• Hand-woven kilims: Beautiful and interesting kilim weaving is done in the villages in the Karpas peninsula. Besides the boldly patterned kilim rugs, and carpets, there are embroidered rugs called `cicim' and rugs of Angora goat hair.

• Hand-painted pottery,

• Mediterranean-type village basketry,

• Coffee pots, candlesticks,

• Plaiting : In Northern Cyprus the plaiting of wheat, corn, and reeds into interesting shapes and designs is very common.
The plaiting of reeds in Serdarli village is especially famous, and the designs show the sensitivity, ability, talent and the humanity of the weaver.

• Copper and brass-ware,

• Tavla: for a famous Cypriot pastime game of backgamon.

• Blue Beads (Nazar Boncugu): A traditional Turkish talisman to keep away the 'evil eye'.

• Silver jewellery, and many more.