The Northwest

Introducing The Northwest

The flat and parched landscape stretching east and west of North Nicosia is called the Mesarya, derived from the Greek word mesaoria, meaning ‘between the mountains’. In its summer guise, it’s less than inviting with the shimmer of the roasting soil radiating from the ground, but in winter the area metamorphoses when it comes alive with greenery and wildflowers. It is easy to navigate in a car, since it’s quite flat, and the area’s western side is more interesting than the east. If you want to get away from the coast and look for something a bit more alternative, the Mesarya can entertain you for a day or two.

The northwestern quadrant of Northern Cyprus loosely covers the territory south of the Kyrenia Range and westwards to the agricultural town of Morfou, Morfou Bay (Güzelyurt Körfezi), the one-time mining port of Gemikonağı (Karavostasi), the pretty hill village of Lefke (Lefka) and the two obscure but worthwhile archaeological sites of Ancient Soloi and Ancient Vouni in the far west.

Distances are relatively short and the whole excursion can be made into a loop, returning to North Nicosia via the Koruçam Peninsula and Kyrenia, or vice versa. You can now also cross into the South at the Zodhia crossing, near Morfou.

Last updated: Mar 24, 2009