Divided Cyprus TRNC National Day Tour 2027

5 nights, 6 days 14 Nov, 2027 – 19 Nov, 2027

Start Date

14 Nov, 2027

End Date

19 Nov, 2027

Duration

5 nights, 6 days

Price

1245

Whilst it is largely known for being a vacation resort for British and European holidaymakers, following the Turkish invasion of 1974, the Mediterranean island of Cyprus was ravaged by war before being cut in half with a UN-designated buffer zone in the middle. This zone incorporated towns, cities, airports making them abandoned ghost settlements to this day.

Our journey begins on the south side of the island and is easily reachable with a variety of budget airlines. We then cross the border into Northern Cyprus and thoroughly explore this section of the island. We’ll be sleeping in hotels and on the island’s gorgeous beaches as we explore the dark and fascinating history of this country.

We will explore the Turkish-controlled side of the island that few people see. Ghost cities, military standoffs, scandalous real-estate property, stunning beaches, and world-class ancient sites with next to no other tourists.

This tour also falls over one of the most important holidays in Northern Cyprus which is TRNC Republic Day. On 15 November 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) declared its independence but so far has only gained recognition from Turkey. The independence of TRNC has not been formally recognised by any other countries. You can expect a dazzling airshow put on by military fighter jets, an impressive military parade and an incredibly festive atmosphere throughout the streets, bars and restaurants of Kyrenia. This is truly the best day of the year to be in Northern Cyprus!

We will also be exploring the recently reopened area of Varosha: The Famagusta Ghost Town.

In the 1970s, the new town of Famagusta was one of the most visited tourist destinations in the whole world. With its extravagant high-rise hotels lined up along the sandy beaches on the east coast of Cyprus, tourists were lured by the turquoise seas, balmy sunshine and an idyllic lifestyle. However, since the 1974 invasion when the inhabitants of the city fled, the zone has sat as an abandoned buffer zone between the Greek and Turkish parts of the island and a time capsule from a bygone era. Very recently reopened to tourists, it has remained bullet-riddled and abandoned ever since.

Tour Highlight

Experience the epic TRNC National Day celebrations involving jaw-dropping air displays and an extraordinary military parade!
Indulge in Urbex in various ghost towns caused by both the 1974 war and more recently by British gangsters.
Explore the abandoned city of Varosha that was abandoned in 1974 during the Turkish invasion.

Included

Twin-share accommodation & breakfasts
All transportation to complete the itinerary
Entrance fees (unless otherwise stated)
YPT guide and local guides

Excluded

International flights
Single Supplement €250
Visa fee if applicable
Lunches, dinners & drinks
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips for local guide & driver

Group	Start date	End date	Duration	Price	Single Supplement

Print Itinerary

Full Itinerary

Sunday 14th November – Nicosia

Arrival in Cypriot-controlled Cyprus at your own leisure. The Mediterranean island is well served by various budget airlines.
Check into our comfortable hotel in Nicosia, the only divided capital city on earth.
Meet up with your YPT guide and the rest of the tour group in the evening before heading out for a welcome meal and drinks.
Overnight in Nicosia.

Monday 15th November – Kyrenia – TRNC National Day!

Morning

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll board our private transport and cross into Northern Cyprus on foot via the famous Ledra Palace crossing, for decades a symbol of the division of the country but now a symbol of progress.
We’ll head to the stadium where the military parade will happen along the main road, and take our seats opposite the invited guests including the President of the TRNC and hopefully the vice-president of Turkey.
Tour Highlight – TRNC National Day Celebrations which may include a military flyover and a military parade with tanks, APCs, and anti aircraft vehicles.

Afternoon

We’ll head to the port town of Kyrenia (20 mins drive) on the north coast of the island, where we’ll get some lunch
We’ll find our spot to watch the second part of the celebrations – an air show over the stunning harbour.
Check into our hotel for the night.
We will hit the town with our optional pub crawl joining in with the locals to celebrate their national holiday! We will hit up a few popular spots and then head to our favourite hidden gems for a truly authentic local experience.
Overnight in Kyrenia.

Tuesday 16th November – Kyrenia

Morning

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll make our way to the historic Saint Hilarion Castle which was built by the Byzantines in the 11th Century to defend the coast from Arab pirate raids. Today it offers stunning views over the Mediterranean and the mountains of Cyprus.
We’ll continue along the winding route following the crest of the Kyrenian mountain range until we get to the remains of a Turkish tank perched perilously at the side of the road. No YPT tour is complete without posing for pictures on top of a tank, but this one has possibly the best view of any YPT trip!
Visit to the ship which was used in the Turkish invasion / liberation of Northern Cyprus – it’s now been converted into a museum at a dry dock. Nearby a collection of tanks used by the Turkish and enemy tanks from the south captured during the war. A lot of North Korean vibes here!
Our journey will then take us to the 13th century Bellapais Monastery where, after exploring this historical site, we’ll sit down for a traditional kebab lunch overlooking beautiful views.

Afternoon

We’ll pay a brief visit to the small village where Lawrence Durrell wrote Bitter Lemons
Visit to Amaranta. A vast empty housing development that is now a concrete ghost town. This notorious development was started by a Geordie drug dealer and fraudster, Gary Robb. He sold the properties off-plan, sometimes several times over, ultimately the customers/investors were left with only concrete foundations they didn’t even own.
Amaranta is perfect for a spot of urbex!
Return to Kyrenia for some free time before heading out for an evening meal.
Overnight in Kyrenia.

Wednesday 17th November – Kantara

Morning

After breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and head to our first stop of the day: Kantara Castle which is a Byzantine-era fortress that offers stunning views over Cyprus and the chance to see both coastlines converge into the panhandle.
We’ll then continue North-East along the coast road stopping for lunch with an ocean view on the way.

Afternoon

Arriving at the Karpaz Peninsula we’ll first feed the donkeys which roam freely along the road! It’s surprisingly hilarious to watch them dribble their favourite treat of cucumbers all over the place…
Our next stop will be an active Greek Orthodox Monastery where we may be lucky enough to catch a service in session and meet the bearded Orthodox priests who run the place. The monastery was abandoned when the ottomans took over in 1570s but continued as the local Greek Orthodox church until Turkish invasion in 1974. The British used parts of it as military garrison when they took over Cyprus.
We’ll then hit some rough and off-the-beaten-track roads as we head to the northernmost tip of Cyprus. Here there is a solitary military outpost and a gigantic flag, you are only 100km from the coast of Syria.
We’ll head to our Exotic hotel by the beach for the night.

Thursday 18th November – Larnaca

Morning

Optional dawn swim for those brave enough to enjoy the November waves!
We’ll head to the epic ruins of Salamis, an ancient Greek city-state at the mouth of the River Pedieos. According to tradition, the founder of Salamis was Teucer, son of Telamon, who could not return home after the Trojan war because he had failed to avenge his brother Ajax.
There is even a well preserved Roman amphitheatre here and you’ll be surprised to find it mostly to yourself due to the small numbers of tourists in Northern Cyprus.

Afternoon

Head to Famagusta for lunch and the chance to buy genuine Turkish delight and baklava
Tour Highlight – Explore the recently re-opened Varosha ghost city. Empty since the 1974 Turkish invasion, what used to be the hotspot of international tourism, is now a vast area of abandoned, ruined buildings serving as a time capsule from 1974. It has remained bullet-riddled and abandoned ever since.
As we near the end of our tour, we’ll cross the border back into Cypriot-controlled Cyprus where we will have a treat for country collectors!
After the border, we’ll visit the British Sovereign military base of Dhekelia which is one of two British Sovereign Base Areas on the island of Cyprus. Home to British police, fire brigade, fish and chip shops, and other familiar British features, they don’t have checkpoints or passport control to enter but are a must-visit for country collectors!
At the military base area, we’ll finish off our tour with a stop at an authentic British Pub for a cold pint and fish and chips.
Check into our hotel in Larnaca and enjoy a farewell dinner and drinks with the group.
Overnight in Larnaca.

Friday 19th November

Breakfast at the hotel and the chance to enjoy a morning swim at the pool or the nearby beach.
End of tour, airport transfers, and onward travel can be arranged,

additional tours