Where to Buy an Apartment in Northern Cyprus - a Complete Overview of The Areas

Many people want to buy an apartment in Northern Cyprus. However, when choosing, the question often arises in which city and in which area it is better to buy a property. For a person who has never been to this country, but wants to buy a property in order to earn an additional income, the name of the city says nothing. That is why we decided to do a complete overview of the cities and districts of Northern Cyprus so that you can understand where it is best to buy real estate today.

Where To Buy Real Estate In Northern Cyprus

Most international investors are focused on buying real estate in the following 5 cities of Northern Cyprus:

1. Lefkosha (Nicosia).
2. Famagusta (Gazymagusa).
3. Girne (Kyrenia).
4. Güzelyurt (Morphou).
5. Iskele (Tricomo).

Areas may vary in atmosphere, lifestyle, level of infrastructure development and investment attractiveness of real estate. Some areas are better suited only for leisure, others are more suitable for living and doing business, while others can bring a good profit from renting or selling houses.

It is worth considering each of them in a similar way so that you can understand where it is best to buy real estate in Northern Cyprus.

Girne (Kyrenia)

Girne is a port city on the coast of Northern Cyprus, which has existed since the time of Ancient Egypt and is mentioned in the Ramsesic manuscripts as an important point on the route from Greece to Asia Minor. Life and commerce in Girne never ceased, and today it remains a lively port.

One of the main attractions of Girne is its ancient harbor and well-preserved medieval castle. The modern tourist port offers cruise ships and ferries to Turkey.

Furthermore, Kyrenia is a great place for tourists who want to enjoy beach holidays, water sports, outdoor picnics, mountain trails, climbing and even gastronomic excursions in the numerous restaurants and cafes on the shore.

The city is also famous for its paved streets and shops with local handicrafts. Among the sights of Kyrenia, it is worth noting the Abbey of Bellapais and the monastery of the 14th century.

The benefits of living here include the following:

• relatively low real estate prices compared to other areas;
• beautiful city with many parks and beaches;
• well-developed infrastructure.

The only drawbacks include the need to obtain Mukhtar's permission to buy the property.

The price of 1+1 apartments is from 160,000 euros. Villa 3+1 will cost from 400,000 euros. Now it is worth considering in which areas of Kyrenia it is better to buy real estate.

Best Areas of Kyrenia (Girne) to Buy Real Estate

If you want to buy an apartment in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, here are some of the most promising areas:

1. Bellapais is one of the most quiet and comfortable areas of Kyrenia, which is preferred by many foreigners and wealthy Cypriots. This resort village is only 5 kilometers from the center of Kyrenia and it can be reached by car in 10 minutes, given that in 2022 the municipal authorities decided to build a cable road that connects Bellapais and the center of Girne. The area is located on a hill, at the foot of the mountains, which opens a stunning view of the sea from almost every house and residential complex. Close to developed urban infrastructure is also an advantage. The property in Bellapais is mainly represented by luxurious villas of various sizes, with their own gardens and swimming pools or more modest amenities. Buyers can buy housing in both the primary and secondary markets.
2. Essentepe is a small resort town, which is a 15-minute drive from Girne and attracts tourists and real estate buyers with its advantages, such as a sandy beach, a quiet lifestyle, no traffic jams, and beautiful nature. The central beach of Essentepe is the most popular with tourists due to its clean sand, smooth entrance into the water, and the absence of a large number of people. Near it is the Alagadi beach, which is famous among foreign tourists for being home to huge sea turtles. In Essentepe, new residential complexes and villas are being actively constructed, which allows you to choose real estate for investment or permanent residence.
3. Alsanjak is popular with foreigners in the suburbs of Kyrenia, located 9 km from its center. It is a resort village with a traditional Cypriot atmosphere, housing is purchased by European investors for a comfortable wintering and profitable investment.
4. Chatalkoy is a picturesque area of Kyrenia, the ideal place for those who want to lead a quiet life in the warm climate by the sea. It is located 10 km from the center of Girne, has stunning nature, an ideal climate and well-kept beaches.
5. Karshyakoy is another coastal resort, which is located 20 km from the historic part of Kyrenia. It is surrounded by citrus gardens and olive groves, it is a quiet place, suitable for buying quality housing and moving. Residential complexes and cottages are built here.
6. Karaoglaglu is a picturesque resort near Kyrenia, where you can enjoy familiarity with local cultural traditions and values, where modern forms are harmoniously combined with elements of ancient architecture.
7. Lapta is a popular neighborhood in Girne, a 10-minute drive from the city center. Buying real estate here guarantees profitable investment and comfortable living.
8. Ozanko is a small district located 5 km from the central part of Kyrenia. It is a quiet and picturesque area, ideal for permanent residence and relaxation. It has long been a place of attraction for foreigners from different countries, forming a multicultural community here.
9. Tatlysu is a small village located 45 km from the center of Kyrenia. Its main advantages for real estate buyers are beautiful sea views, favourable climate and affordable housing prices.

These areas of Kyrenia are considered optimal for foreign investors. Housing prices are steadily rising here, and there is everything you need for a comfortable life in the immediate vicinity.

Famagusta (Gazimagusa)

Famagusta (Greek: Αμμόχωστος, Turkish: Gazimagusa) is a Mediterranean town on the south-east of Cyprus, in a cozy harbor. The city is 62 kilometers from the capital of Nicosia.

Cyprus has a well-developed transportation system, so getting to Famagusta is quite easy. There are buses from Nicosia every 30 minutes, and the journey takes about an hour. Transfers are also available.

There are buses and buses (dolmushi) running around the city of Famagusta, which do not have a strict schedule of traffic, but during the day transportation is enough to reach any point of the city. They work until 20:00 every day.

The city's commercial and social infrastructure includes pharmacies, banks, educational institutions, clothing stores, shoes, household goods, souvenir and gift shops. Most shopping points are located on Salamis Road, also in the old quarters of the city, there are colorful souvenir shops with quality Cypriot handmade products. The city is home to the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), one of the largest universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The benefits of living here include:

• affordable prices for apartments and villas;
• well-developed infrastructure;
• lower cost of living than in neighboring regions;
• excellent combination of attractions, natural beauty and infrastructure.

Note. Despite sufficient infrastructure, it lags behind neighboring regions in development.

You can buy an apartment 1+1 in Famagusta, Northern Cyprus for 80,000 euros. For properties near the sea, the price starts at 200,000 euros. There are many premium class villas, the cost of which starts from 800,000 euros.

Near Famagusta is the town of Bogaz, which is also popular with foreign investors. It is a small settlement where the majority of the local population is engaged in fishing. It is here that fresh fished delicious fish is served in restaurants. And you can also find a lot of seafood on the market.

Bogaz, located in Cyprus, is an attractive destination for real estate buyers from abroad due to its convenient location and plain landscape, which allows to build high-rise buildings.

Iskele (Tricomo)

Iskele, which was once an old Greek village, has now become a real pearl and attracts tourists with its clean sandy beaches, unique historical monuments, and quiet atmosphere. This area is also known for the Carpas Peninsula, where untouched nature is adjacent to ancient Christian sanctuaries.

The development and improvement of Iskele is going at a rapid pace. There is a beach, new roads and recreation areas are laid, and landscape design projects are carried out.

One of the most popular places both among tourists and foreigners living on the beach is the beach area “Long Beach”. It has all the necessary infrastructure for recreation and life: modern five-star hotels, noisy nightclubs, and casinos, as well as all public facilities.

Iskele attracts not only tourists, but also visionary investors. For foreign investors, the region is one of the most promising and developing.

There are no major shopping centers in Iskele, but many modern residential complexes have their own shops, cafes, restaurants, gyms, and recreation areas. There are kindergartens and schools for children. In order to dive into the city's hustle, residents go to Famagusta - it is only 10 minutes from Iskele.

Here are the main reasons to buy an apartment in Iskele:

• pleasant atmosphere;
• high level of security;
• adequate prices for real estate.

Apartments 1+1 on the front line can be bought from 100 000 euros. Premium-class apartments with sea views will cost 400,000 euros or more.

Nicosia (Lefkosha)

The capital of Northern Cyprus, Nicosia, impresses with its authentic atmosphere, ancient buildings and streets, medieval architecture, and a unique blend of Greek and Turkish culture. The city is divided into two parts by a demarcation line and a buffer zone and, in essence, serves as the capital of two states - the CIS and the Republic of Cyprus.

In the old town are located museums and architectural monuments, fortresses, cathedrals, churches, and mosques, which attract to Nicosia a lot of tourists. The historic districts are surrounded by a modern city with business centers, hotels, restaurants, and shops. In general, the administrative center is more suitable for business than for leisure and residence. Most Cypriots live here. The main disadvantage for tourists - the road to the nearest beach will take at least 40 minutes.

There is the airport of Erzhan - the only operating air hub connecting the island with the mainland in Nicosia. Most flights arrive in the major cities of Turkey.

Here are the reasons to buy apartments in Nicosia:

• central location allows easy access to any area of Northern Cyprus; high level of security;
• well-developed infrastructure;
• many universities;
• there is an international airport.

However, Nicosia does not have access to the sea, and the cost of living here is significantly higher than in neighboring areas. From the end of winter to the middle of spring there are dust storms. As a result, the demand for rental properties is quite low.

Apartments 1+1 can be bought from 80 000 euros. However, most developers offer quite comfortable and spacious apartments from 130,000 euros.

Güzelyurt(Morphou)

Güzelyurt is an ecologically clean area of Northern Cyprus, where most of the country's oranges and mandarins are grown thanks to fertile land. The main sectors of the economy are agriculture and farming.

It is located in the northwestern part of the island, in the Gulf of Morfu, near the Troodos Mountains.

Here are a few reasons to buy an apartment in Güzelyurt, Northern Cyprus:

• the area is only beginning to develop, so the prices of real estate are quite low, but are growing actively, providing a high return on investment;
• quiet and quiet life;
• excellent environmental conditions.

But it must be understood that the state of the infrastructure here is far from the highest level. It's just evolving. Thus, buying real estate here is a contribution to the future.

You can buy an apartment 2+1 in Güzelyurt from 80 000 euros. Three-room apartments with good decoration can be bought from 110 000 euros.

Lefke (Lefka)

Lefke is the newest district in Northern Cyprus, which was granted separate administrative status only a few years ago. It used to be part of Güzelyurt. It borders the Green Line, which has divided the island of Cyprus into two parts since 1974, and is 74 km from Nicosia.

Lefke was a silent witness to the change of ages and the lord. At different times these lands were under the rule of the Romans, the British, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, and the Greeks. It is thanks to this that the city has still managed to retain its uniqueness and charm.

The city's infrastructure is poorly developed - there are no major shopping and entertainment centers. Important attractions in Lefka are the road to Southern Cyprus and the freshwater reservoir. Due to the abundance of mountain rivers this area is very fertile - here are grown strawberries, citrus, nuts and other crops.

Near Lefka is one of the famous Cypriot universities - European University, which is accredited by the Supreme Council of Turkey. There are a huge number of students studying here.

Here are the benefits of living in Lefke:  

• excellent environmental conditions;
• living in silence away from large and noisy cities;
• dynamically developing area, which provides a high return on investment;
• cheap apartments.

Lefke, like Güzelyurt, is an opportunity to buy real estate to make a profit in the future.

You can buy an apartment 1+1 in Lefka from 60 000 euros from the developer. The villa is for sale from 400,000 euros.

If you are interested in real estate in Northern Cyprus, you should contact the site manager in any convenient way. He is ready to provide full informational support, help in finding a suitable object and making the transaction in accordance with the requirements of the applicable legislation.