Discover Northern Cyprus for solo travellers
Once the crossroads of civilizations - and the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite - Cyprus is an enchanting island with sun-soaked beaches, rich heritage, and captivating ruins.
Cyprus was a cradle of Mycenaean Greeks, over its history Assyrian, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian rule has also left its mark on the island creating a fascinating culture. Although the country gained its independence in 1960, the Green Line continues to divide it, fostering a unique dual identity.
Explore the harbour town of Kyrenia and its medieval castle, nestled by the rugged Kyrenia Mountains, and medieval castle. Visit Güzelyurt’s ancient wonders, Soli and the Palace of Vouni, and marvel at St. Hilarion Castle, an inspiration for fairytales. Discover Nicosia, the world’s last divided capital, and the historic treasures of Famagusta, ancient Salamis to the ruins of Varosha.
This holiday is ideal for solo travellers looking to explore a vibrant culture shaped by its extraordinary past.
At a glance
Highlights
- Enjoy guided walking tours of Kyrenia’s old town and harbour - plus a visit to the striking castle and its museum, and Famagusta, where modern life goes on amongst medieval ruins.
- Spend a full day touring including Güzelyurt and the Palace of Vouni, plus stops at Lefke and the ancient city of Soli - offering a detailed look at life in late Roman and early Byzantine times and where St Mark was baptized.’
- Explore the old town of Nicosia, the last divided capital in the world, on a guided walking tour seeing the Turkish north with an opportunity to cross the border to the Greek south.
- Visit the famous St Hilarion Castle with breathtaking views, and lovely Bellapais village, made famous by author Lawrence Durrell in his book Bitter Lemons, and see the remains of its beautiful Gothic abbey.
- See the ancient ruins of Salamis by the sea, one of the island’s most impressive and significant archaeological sites with buildings commissioned by Hadrian.
Offers
Whether you’re an organised club, a society or even just a group of friends, arranging your group holiday or cruise has never been easier than with Riviera Travel.
Any group of 8 or more people travelling together can book through our dedicated Groups Department. If you’re a larger group we can look at operating your preferred holiday as a private one for just your members only. Smaller groups can travel together on any of our regular tours with other like-minded Riviera guests.
Win big with Riviera!
Simply book any 2026 Riviera holiday by 31 July 2025 and you’ll be automatically entered into THE BIG RIVIERA GIVEAWAY – with over £1 million in gifts waiting to be won! From an all-expenses paid river cruise for two, to Riviera vouchers worth up to an incredible £500.
Your itinerary

Arrival in Cyprus
Take a direct flight to Larnaca or Paphos, depending on your departure airport.

Stay at Arkin Colony Hotel
Fly to Larnaca or Paphos, depending on your departure airport, where you will be met on arrival. Crossing over the United Nations Buffer Zone, we’ll transfer to Kyrenia and our hotel for the next seven nights.
This evening, join your fellow explorers for welcome drinks and dinner.

Kyrenia
Explore Kyrenia on a guided tour, visit the impressive castle and museum then enjoy time at leisure.

This morning, we’ll have a guided orientation of Kyrenia, blessed with the most beautiful harbour in Cyprus - which has recently undergone extensive renovation - and set against surrounding mountains that bring cooler air and encourage greener landscapes. Kyrenia underwent a renaissance during British rule, as roads were built and the harbour was developed, turning it into a bustling port town.
Our experienced local guide will take you on a walking orientation tour, visiting the charming old town, harbour and Belediye Meydani, the town hall square. We’ll visit the 8th-century castle, first built by the Byzantines, possibly on the site of an earlier Roman fort and later strengthened by the Lusignans and the Venetians. You’ll also be able to explore its maze of fortifications, as well as the castle museum, housing a range of archaeological finds and an impressive 3,000-year-old shipwreck.
Free afternoon in Kyrenia
The afternoon is free for you to relax or further explore Kyrenia’s serpentine alleys, where delights await at every turn. Why not visit the main mosque, the Ağa Cafer Paşa Camii? Remarkably, the distinctive minaret of this 16th-century structure is visible from wherever you are in the harbour area.

Güzelyurt, Soli & the Palace of Vouni
Visit the ‘fruit basket of Cyprus’, then uncover the ancient city of Soli and the ruins of the Palace of Vouni.

Güzelyurt
Heading northwest, we’ll pass sleepy villages and unspoilt countryside on our way to the ‘fruit basket of Cyprus’ - Güzelyurt. It is nestled in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, the massive block of igneous rock that rose 90 million years ago like Aphrodite from the sea, following a volcanic eruption. Here, a wide variety of trees bearing soft fruits, citrus and nuts grow in abundance. There are well-preserved ancient churches, such as the Agios Mamas Church and Monastery which was built on the site of a temple dedicated to Aphrodite. Important artefacts can be found in the Museum of Archaeology and Nature, including ones from the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age.
Soli
Next, we’ll visit the ancient city of Soli, one of the most impressive sites on the island. The quality of information provided gives us great insights into life here during late Roman and early Byzantine times. Originally settled in early 11 BC, Soli was one of the most important Greek capitals of Cyprus and a vital location for Christianity, being the place where St Mark was baptised. Only a part of the site has been excavated but already there is so much to discover – the ruins of the Roman theatre, a nymphaeum, the temple of Athena, a palace, a necropolis, and a great basilica with marvellous 4th-century mosaics. Gold jewellery was recently unearthed from the tombs here and can be seen in the archaeological museum in Güzelyurt.
The Palace of Vouni
We’ll then take a short drive and stop to see the remains of the Palace of Vouni, set in an idyllic location facing the Mediterranean with splendid views. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but archaeologists have deduced that it was built in early 500 BC. Its historical significance simply cannot be overstated, as it was constructed during a time when the West was ruled by the Greeks, and the east by the Phoenicians with Vouni being their only stronghold in the area.
Lefke
Our last stop for the day will be historic Lefke, located next to the Green Line. First inhabited during the Neolithic period, the legacy of previous rulers can be seen in its buildings, some of which date back to the 7th century. The delightful town is known for its university, copper mines, and Jaffa orange groves.

St Hilarion & Bellapais
Succumb to the romance of two storybook highlights – St Hilarion Castle and the beautiful village of Bellapais.

St Hilarion Castle
You’ll be tempted to succumb to the romance of two storybook highlights. First, we’ll visit St Hilarion Castle that many say is allegedly the inspiration for two fairytale castles – Bavarian King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle and Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disneyland. If you’re fairly mobile, you can enjoy time to explore inside, otherwise, you can simply take in the views from the easily accessible viewpoint at the entrance or from the castle’s café.
Bellapais
Then we’ll visit the beautiful village of Bellapais. You can wander through the tangle of narrow lanes past flower-bedecked buildings up the hill, where you’ll find outstanding views of Kyrenia harbour and the cerulean sea. The crown jewel of the village is its medieval ‘Abbey of Peace’, the ruins of a monastery that once offered shelter to Augustinian monks who were expelled when Jerusalem fell to Saladin. The site also houses a museum, and the abbey’s Gothic refectory serves as a unique venue for concerts and lectures.
After a lovely day of sightseeing, we’ll return to Kyrenia in the mid-afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Nicosia
Explore the world’s last divided capital, Nicosia, on a guided tour. This evening, enjoy an authentic meal with your fellow guests.

Today we’ll explore the world’s last divided capital, Nicosia, once a small town established by the Ptolemaic dynasty in 300 BC. On our guided tour of the old town, we'll see the impressive Venetian city walls – Nicosia was a walled city for centuries – and the superbly preserved Kyrenia gate, adorned with inscriptions left by past rulers, including the British. Discover the main square, the Bandabuliya covered bazaar, and the staggering Venetian column, transported from the ruins of Salamis. We'll marvel at the mammoth Selimnye Mosque, which is visible from both sides of the capital and its most historically significant mosque. If it looks remarkably like a church, it’s because it was formerly St Sophia, a 13th-century Roman Catholic cathedral, before the Ottoman invasion introduced the twin minarets that tower above.
During time at leisure after our tour, you can choose to explore more of the north – perhaps visit Büyük Han, the great 16th-century inn that was once used by the British as a prison and now houses a vibrant collection of shops and cafés.
Should you wish, you can cross the Green Line into south Nicosia with your passport on hand and experience the difference between the two sides. Visit the world-class Cyprus Museum; it’s by far the best on the island and a real trove of archaeological treasures. Or head to the 11-storey Shacolas Tower, the tallest building in south Nicosia, once used to peer over the Buffer Zone into the north but today serves as an observatory for enjoying spectacular views of the city.
A taste of Cyprus
This evening we’ll dine at a local restaurant that specialises in Cypriot dishes, all made with locally grown and produced foods. We’ll enjoy an authentic ‘taste of Cyprus’ with dishes placed in the middle of the table to share as you like with your fellow travellers.

Free Day
Relax with a full day at leisure in Kyrenia or take the opportunity to explore further.

You have a full day at leisure, and Kyrenia is the perfect place for further discovery. Why not take a stroll through town or a boat ride from the harbour? Perhaps go shopping at the Bandabuliya for a good selection of souvenirs and gifts, from textiles to pottery and jewellery. If you prefer to relax, take a refreshing swim in the rooftop pool or indulge in some pampering at the hotel spa.

Famagusta, Salamis & St Barnabas
Explore the east coast, visiting the Monastery of St Barnabas, Salamis, Famagusta and Varosha.

Monastery of St Barnabus
This morning, we’ll travel to the east coast, first visiting the Monastery of St Barnabas, once one of the most prominent Christian sites on the island. Today, it houses a religious icon and archaeological museum, including a mausoleum said to house the tomb of St Barnabas himself, one of the great figures of early Christianity and the founder of the Cypriot Church.
Salamis
We’ll continue our journey, passing numerous relics from the past including the 7th-century Royal Tombs of the Kings, before arriving at one of the most thrilling highlights of our tour – ancient Salamis. This spectacular site is one of the Mediterranean’s most significant archaeological sites, bolstered by its scenic beachside setting. During Classical Greek and Roman times, Salamis was a chief cultural centre, as well as the richest and most important city on the island for 1,700 years. You can still see the original amphitheatre, the gymnasium built by Emperor Hadrian, the Greek and Roman baths, and wonderful mosaics. Even after a century of careful excavation, the site has yet to be fully excavated.
Famagusta
Next, we’ll visit the town of Famagusta and enjoy a guided walking tour, seeing the massive Othello’s Tower, the ruins of the Venetian palace, and the impressive city walls where British officers in the 1930s played golf along the tops. Possibly the most dominant landmark of the town is the 14th-century Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque, originally a church modelled on the French cathedral at Reims. Threading between the photogenic remains of ruined churches are plenty of shops and restaurants.
Varosha
Lastly, we’ll visit nearby Varosha, once a lively resort dubbed the ‘Monte Carlo of the Middle East’, frequented by celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, but it was abandoned during the war in 1974. Though abandoned since the war in 1974, the haunting beauty of its 'modern' ruins serves as a poignant reminder of the island's rich history and legacy.
After a fantastic day of sightseeing, we’ll return to the hotel.

Return home
Today you take your direct flight home after a truly memorable tour.
Hand-picked hotels

Extras & upgrades
From £32 per person for 2 nights
From £48 per person for 3 nights
We offer dining choices on this tour, so you can dine independently to sample the local cuisine or stay in and have dinner at your hotel. Stays at the Arkin Colony Hotel include daily breakfast and four dinners, so you have the flexibility to enjoy the local cuisine at the town’s fine restaurants for the remaining meals. If you wish to dine in at the hotel, you may pre-book dinner for the price specified above.
For hotel information please see the accommodation section or contact us for more information and to add the above upgrade to your booking.
Opt for a convenient door-to-door service with transport from your home to your choice of regional airport or train station, available as an added optional with every holiday. This can be added to your booking after you've booked online by giving our reservations team a call, or when you're booking over the phone.
Travel connections
All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependent on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us.
Arrival airport | Hotel location | Transfer time |
---|---|---|
Larnaca Airport | Kyrenia | 1 hr 30 mins plus time for border crossing |
Paphos Airport | Kyrenia | 2 hrs 15 mins plus time for border crossing |
FAQs
The price of this holiday is per person, based on one person in a double/twin room for sole occupancy. The price includes:
- Return flights
- Seven nights’ accommodation in four-star accommodation
- Daily breakfast and four dinners
- Return transfers
- All touring as mentioned
- All local accommodation taxes
- Hotel porterage
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Cyprus however must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cyprus/entry-requirements
We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to call us to discuss these concerns. General information on mobility in connection with our tours can be found on our Passengers with Reduced Mobility FAQs page.
Fact File
- Currency: Turkish Lira
- Flight time: Approx. 4 hrs 30 mins
- Language: Turkish
- Time zone: GMT+2
- Country: Cyprus (Northern)
Availability
Selecting price display and sort by options will update the results displayed below automatically.
We've found you 10 holidays
Choose your date, departure point and the type of tour. Accommodation options will be shown at the next step.
-
Classic Tours available
Tour style | Date | Departs | Departing from | Accommodation | Price from | Call to action |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Classic Tour
|
25 02 2026 | 08:30 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,499 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
25 02 2026 | 11:30 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,499 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
15 04 2026 | 09:30 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,579 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
15 04 2026 | 10:00 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,579 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
13 05 2026 | 09:05 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,579 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
13 05 2026 | 09:00 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,579 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
09 09 2026 | 09:05 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,599 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
09 09 2026 | 07:25 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,599 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
14 10 2026 | 10:30 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,579 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
14 10 2026 | 08:00 |
|
The Arkin Colony Hotel 4* Superior | £2,579 pp | Book now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|