Kyrenia Mountains Mountains
Northern Cypriot mountains with rugged cliffs and forests
The Kyrenia Mountains on northern Cyprus combine limestone ridges, olive groves and coastal views; visitors hike trails, explore small villages and visit nearby Byzantine castles and ancient sites.
Kyrenia Mountains at a Glance#
Address: Kyrenia Mountains (Beşparmak Mountains), Kyrenia District, Northern Cyprus
About Kyrenia Mountains#
The Kyrenia Mountains (also historically called Pentadaktylos) form a limestone ridge along northern Cyprus with a distinctive jagged profile and peaks rising to just over 1,000 metres. The range is a prominent coastal backbone in the island’s north.
The area offers a mix of rugged hiking terrain and cultural highlights; the ridge provides coastal views and contains several well known medieval castles and ruins. Hikers use marked and informal trails to reach viewpoints and historic sites scattered along the ridge.
These mountains have a long strategic history and contain fortifications erected and used in Byzantine, Lusignan and later medieval periods; the castles and chapels visible today date from medieval centuries and were adapted over time. The landscape has also supported rural village life for centuries.
The range runs close to the northern coast of Cyprus, overlooking the Mediterranean and the city of Kyrenia (Girne). The slopes fall toward coastal plains on the north side and more agricultural interior on the south side.
- Viewpoints: Best panoramic views are from the northern slopes overlooking the Mediterranean coast near the town of Kyrenia (Girne).
- Trails and castles: Several medieval castles and chapels are accessible by marked trails, making the range a popular day-trip for hiking and history combined.
What to See#
- Mount Selvili (highest peak): A steep ridge whose five-finger profile gives the range its traditional Greek name; the highest point is Mount Selvili, just over 1,000 metres.
- St. Hilarion, Buffavento, Kantara castles: A group of medieval fortifications on the range built and used in Byzantine, Lusignan and later periods, including the well known ruins of the castles at St. Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara.
How to Get to Kyrenia Mountains#
Nearest major town is Kyrenia (Girne). The mountains are accessible by road from Kyrenia and Nicosia; local transport, car hire or guided hikes are the simplest ways to explore the range.
Tips for Visiting Kyrenia Mountains#
- Hiking trails vary; hire a local guide to navigate paths that cross private pasture and to learn about endemic flora.
- Bring binoculars for raptor and chough spotting-spring migration is particularly good for birdwatching.
- Visit the Kyrenia coastline villages afterward for seafood and sea views that contrast with the mountains.
Best Time to Visit Kyrenia Mountains#
Spring and autumn are best for hiking and comfortable weather; summer can be hot on exposed ridges.
Weather & Climate near Kyrenia Mountains#
Kyrenia Mountains's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 34°C. Moderate rainfall (592 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 4° - 13° | 6° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 3.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| February | Acceptable | 4° - 13° | 6° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 3.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Very Good | 5° - 15° | 10° | 75 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 3.4 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 9° - 20° | 14° | 34 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.9 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.0h |
| May | Excellent | 12° - 25° | 19° | 27 mm | some cloud | 75% | 2.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.9h |
| June | Ideal | 17° - 30° | 23° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 3.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.4h |
| July | Ideal | 20° - 33° | 26° | 4 mm | clear | 73% | 3.1 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.1h |
| August | Excellent | 20° - 34° | 27° | 3 mm | clear | 73% | 2.8 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.3h |
| September | Ideal | 17° - 31° | 24° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 70% | 2.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 14° - 26° | 20° | 39 mm | some cloud | 66% | 2.4 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 2.5 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.2h |
| December | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 127 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 2.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
