Cyprus is divided into two unconventional parts. The northern part of the country is considered unrecognized by the Turkish Republic, while Turkey, on the other hand, does not acknowledge Cyprus as a separate state. Fortunately, tourists are not significantly affected by these political tensions. You only need to know your destination and purpose. Since the northern part of the country also values tourists, you'll be safe.
There are areas of the country that belong to Britain, but they are military bases, so you won't find tourism in those places. Travel between the two parts of the island is generally free or unrestricted for tourists.
The northern regions of Cyprus belong to Turkey:
Kyrenia is a region completely controlled by Turkey. The city is located at the foot of the mountains of the same name, near the sea. It is forbidden to build high-rise buildings in Kirinia, and the tallest building in the city has 5 floors. Tourism is well-developed here.
Famagusta is a land with a complex history. There is a ghost town called Varosha, which attracts many tourists, but the fine for visiting it is 500 EUR. You can still admire it from across the bay on the Greek side of the island. In this region, you'll also find the beautiful beaches of Aia Napa and Protaras, although they are on the Greek side.
The southern regions of Cyprus are home to the main seaside resorts and tourist centers, wine villages, and towns. Each of these regions has a town with the same name:
Pafos - located in the west and southwest of the country. This region boasts some of the best seaports and beaches on the island.
Limassol is situated in the south of the island and is the largest seaside resort. The picturesque Troodos range stretches for ten miles along the coast here.
Larnaca is in the southeastern region of Cyprus. The city and the entire ancient region are famous for their uninterrupted history spanning 4000 years.
The central regions of Cyprus include Nicosia, the capital of the entire island, serving both parts. The Turks refer to this city by its own name, Levkosha. Parts of the city are separated by a physical border known as the "Green Line," which is generally not advisable for residents of both halves to cross but is accessible to tourists. The entire Green Line stretches 180 km from the western part of the island near Pyrgos Kato to the east, south of Famagusta. The width of the line varies, ranging from 3.3 meters in central Nicosia to 7.4 kilometers in the village of Afienou. There are 4 towns located along the line: Pyla, Afienou, Trulli, and Denia.
Northern Cyprus is divided into the regions of Levkosha, Gazimagusa, Girne, Güzelyurt, and Iskele. Flights to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are operated through Ercan Airport. An airplane traveling to Northern Cyprus must first land at one of the airports in Turkey. There is a visa-free regime for all citizens of the world (except Nigeria and Armenia).
The tourist towns of Cyprus' regions are scattered all over the island. You can find interesting sites to explore, whether on the coast, in the mountains, or in the valleys of the central part of the country.
The names of the regions of Cyprus, therefore, can have two variations. Tourists who travel to Northern Cyprus to explore its attractions prefer to learn both versions. This makes it easier to navigate.
