What actually differs for a visitor
Both sides share the same island, the same climate and a good deal of the same history. What differs day to day is the feel. The south is more developed for mass tourism, with larger resorts, more international chains and a busier coastline. The north is quieter and less built up, with smaller towns and long stretches of coast that stay empty even in summer.
Neither is better. They suit different holidays, and plenty of people who have done one go back for the other.
Cost and crowds
The north is generally the less expensive of the two, and noticeably quieter outside the peak weeks. If your idea of a good holiday involves a beach you do not have to arrive early to claim, that difference is the main argument for coming north.
The south has more choice at the top end and more familiar brand-name hotels. If you want a large resort with everything on site, there is more of it in the south.
Beaches and coastline
The north's coast runs from Kyrenia eastwards to the Karpaz peninsula, and the further east you go the emptier it gets. The mountains come right down to the sea along much of it, which makes for a more dramatic drive than the flatter southern coast.
The south has more organised beaches with more facilities. The north has more beaches where yours might be the only towel.
Getting between the two sides
You can cross between them, and a lot of visitors do it for a day out. There are crossing points, you show your passport, and it is a routine journey rather than an ordeal. Plenty of people staying in Kyrenia go south for a day, and plenty staying in the south come north to see the castles and the harbour.
The one thing to check in advance is your hire car. Insurance taken out in the south usually does not cover driving north — see our routing guide for the detail, because it catches people out.
Is north Cyprus a good choice for a first visit?
Yes, with one caveat: it is a slightly more independent kind of holiday. There is less of the packaged infrastructure a first-time visitor might expect, and a bit more of finding your own way around. Most people find that is the appeal rather than the drawback.
On safety, the honest answer is unremarkable: it is a quiet place with very little of the low-level tourist crime you would find in busier Mediterranean resorts, and the usual sensible travel precautions are all that is called for. Take normal care with documents and valuables, as anywhere.
If you are leaning north
We are based in Kyrenia and arrange accommodation there. Have a look at what is available, read the Kyrenia guide, or start from North Cyprus holidays from the UK if you are working out the journey. Entry requirements are covered in our entry requirements guide.
Questions and answers
Is north Cyprus cheaper than south Cyprus?
Generally yes, and it is quieter outside the peak weeks. The south has more choice at the top end and more familiar brand-name resorts.
Can you travel between north and south Cyprus?
Yes. There are crossing points, you show your passport and it is a routine journey. Many visitors staying on one side spend a day on the other.
Is north Cyprus safe for tourists?
It is a quiet destination with very little of the low-level tourist crime found in busier Mediterranean resorts. Take the same sensible precautions with documents and valuables that you would anywhere.
Which side has better beaches?
It depends what you want. The south has more organised beaches with more facilities. The north has quieter ones, particularly the further east you go towards the Karpaz peninsula.
Is north Cyprus a good first visit to the island?
Yes, though it is a slightly more independent kind of holiday with less packaged infrastructure. Most visitors find that is the appeal.
