Afik Group is a global construction and property development company based in Northern Cyprus. Leveraging its vast experience and international connections, the company has successfully completed landmark development projects across Turkey and Cyprus. This article will take a closer look at Northern Cyprus, a semi-presidential democratic republic that stretches across the northeastern part of the island.
Boasting spectacular scenery, multiple historic sites and a year-round temperate climate, Northern Cyprus attracts visitors from all over the world, with the Mediterranean island offering tourists an idyllic refuge. With temperatures ranging between the high teens and low twenties from November to March, Northern Cyprus is particularly popular with the British, providing an ideal escape from the inclement UK winter weather.
Dotted throughout the spectacular mountain scenery are quaint villages waiting to be discovered. Here, visitors can while away afternoons and evenings, sampling local delicacies such as Cypriot cake and thick, dark Turkish coffee. After the hustle and bustle of summer, the crowds start to dissipate, while the days remain sun dappled. During winter, almond trees blossom and the citrus harvest reaches full swing.
In the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, visitors experience an authentic taste of Cypriot life, breathing in the pine-scented air as they immerse themselves in the region’s unusual architecture. In the villages of Kalopanagiotis and Kakopetria, winding streets are lined with quaint homes featuring wooden balconies and sloping roofs. These mountain villages are the ideal location to enjoy some of the island’s traditional rustic fare, including kleftiko, a slow-roasted dish of lamb or goat that is cooked in a wood-fired clay oven.
Cyprus is home to a staggering array of historical sites that visitors can explore at their leisure during the winter months, making the most of the cooler temperatures and low influx of visitor numbers. Paphos Archaeological Park is a must-see, with this sprawling UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the famous Tombs the Kings, a vast necropolis boasting impressive sea views. Here, visitors can peek into chambers carved into the rock face that date back to the 4th century BC. Nearby, Paphos harbour is an ideal location to enjoy an al fresco lunch watching the fishermen haul in their catch.
Popular with hikers, Northern Cyprus is home to an impressive array of hiking routes, presenting adventures for hikers of all experience levels. With breathtaking views across the forests and shoreline, coastal trails and mountain paths are strewn with wildflowers. In the west, Paphos forest is an untouched wilderness of streams and cypress trees, presenting a prime opportunity to disconnect from the pressures of daily life, whether taking an easy stroll or tackling a more challenging hike. Although wild swimming may not appeal to everyone during the winter months, this coastal expanse has plenty to offer nature lovers, bringing them up close to the island’s stunning wildlife, including birds and butterflies, as well as the endangered Mediterranean monk seal.
To the ancient Greeks, Cyprus was an island paradise whose allure was not lost on the gods. During the wintertime, the island’s beauty truly comes into its own. From moderate weather and crowd-free attractions to festivals and celebrations of annual local produce, Cyprus is the ideal location for a winter getaway. Although winter does bring some rain, chiefly in December and January, showers are usually quick, alternating with sunshine, providing ample opportunities to explore the island’s attractions. Many tourists opt to rent a car during their winter stay, enabling them to explore the island at their own pace. Winter offers a calmer, less hectic glimpse of Cyprus, making it easier to secure tables at popular restaurants and enjoy all the worldclass sites without the crowds.
