Above is a very crude map of Cyprus!
We’ve put on the map the main airports (there is one smaller one not labelled), the main cities, and where we are having our wedding (Korineum Golf Resort).
As you may already know, Cyprus is an island divided into two: the North part is where Turkish-speaking Cypriots live, and the South is where Greek-speaking Cypriots live. Our wedding, where we are staying, and where all of Dide’s family are from is the North side!
Travelling between the two sides is super easy, it is just like any other border; show your passport and you’re through. No visas required. Driving through is also just as easy, you just need to pay a small insurance fee once when crossing (€25-50 depending on the size of your rental car).
Flying to Cyprus
There are three airports in Cyprus, two in the South, and one in the North.
The main airport on the island is in the South, and is Larnaca airport. From there it is about a 45min drive to the capital Nicosia (the fastest place to cross the border), and a further 30min drive to Kyrenia. This is the airport we heavily recommend flying to and from!
The other airport in the South is Paphos. The flights to here are generally a little cheaper, but the drive to Nicosia is nearly 2hrs long. If staying in Cyprus longer and exploring the beautiful South coast, then flying from here could be an option.
The airport in the North is called Ercan (pronounced Er-Jan), but you can only fly to this airport via Turkey, which means getting two connecting flights. It also means you can only fly out from this airport also, as you are not permitted to fly in via Ercan, and out via one of the South airports. We have found the flights to be more expensive, and not as convenient from this airport.
Getting around Cyprus
By far the best way to get around Cyprus is to rent a car.
Compared to most of Europe it is fairly cheap, and gives you the freedom to travel everywhere around the island.
Unfortunately there are no trains to get around. There are buses, but they are not reliable, are very stuffy, and take ages. Wouldn’t recommend.
Rent a small car at the airport, cross the border with a small insurance fee, and then have the freedom to roam the island at your leisure.
Staying in Cyprus
The wedding will be in Korineum Golf Resort, which is a short drive (15mins roughly) away from Kyrenia.
The Golf Resort itself has a wonderful hotel, which you can stay at for a special discount as our wedding guests (see “The Venue” page for more details), we will be staying there for a night or two, and then moving on to another spot for a week’s holiday. Staying here the night of the wedding means no driving in the dark in the early hours of the morning!
We highly recommend staying in Kyrenia if you plan on staying for a little holiday. It has some of the best beaches, great food, and is perfectly set up for a holiday. Most of the hotels, AirBnBs and other spots are in Kyrenia, as this is where most of the tourist action is.
Nicosia is a great central place, has the old walled city and other cool stuff to see, but is further from the beaches.
Famagusta is a gorgeous small town, with some quiet beaches, but is a fair drive away from everything else.
Karpaz is the group of small villages in the North, small bumpy roads will get you there after some good driving, but the best beaches are there once you make it. Good for a day trip, but not to stay there.
Of course any place in the South will also be lovely, but will be much further from us, from the wedding, and where all the fun will be!
The Festivities
Our wedding is on Sunday, the 7th of July, it will start in the late afternoon and go on till late.
We are planning a few other bits and pieces for the days afterwards as well; if you are making a holiday out of it, stay for the week following the wedding so you can come to those bits too!