Fflying visit - what's the best things to do/see in 2 days?

[judyvin]

I have a friend coming to Paphos next week and will be coming to stay with me in the North for 2 nights. She has never been to Cyprus before and want to show her the best of what I can in the limited time. I live in Ozankoy so therefore Kyrenia harbour & Bellapais will be on the list for one day but where else is a must see on a first visit?
My friend is also planning to come via coach from Paphos to Nicosia and I will drive to the coach station to collect her. Has anyone done that trip and been to the Nicosia terminal? Is it easier to drive over rather than use the Ledra Palace crossing?
Many thanks

[tomsteel]

----but where else is a must see on a first visit? St Hilarion Castle, Peanuts for lunch - good quality food/service and the view. Azra Claire's restaurant has also been given great reviews.

Your friend might consider getting a taxi from the terminus to Ledra Palace crossing. You can park easily in the north and walk across to meet her, saving the hassle of Nicosia driving/heat/smoke etc.

[Reyntj]

Depends if you are prepared to do driving . But id suggest a trio to famagusta the dead city the old town and mosque then salamis ruins and st barnabus then a drive to golden beach in the karpaz then home .

[mrsgee]

Definitely St Hilarion for the fabulous views. When we had friends stay for a couple of days, they got to the bus station and then walked across Ledra Street, where we met them, and we then drove them back with us from there, it was an easy way to do things. That way they could experience Lefkosa too. Agree Azra Clare's in Tin Pan Alley is excellent. Good place to go for lunch if you are doing the harbour area.

[judyvin]

Thank you for your replies. Mrsgee, how far is the terminus from Ledra Street? If I walk over to meet her that would be easier for her.

[PoshinDevon]

Two day visit.....morning drive to Bellapais village, have a coffee, tour the abbey. Into Girne town, park up and wander down the shopping street, go to Azra Claire’s for lunch. Then down to the old harbour and if they were interested a wander around the castle. Make time for a drink in a harbourside taverna.......people watching is great. That would likely be enough for the first day. Day 2, early visit to St Hilarion before it gets to hot......explore the castle if everyone is fit and able. Castle done, drive back to the t junction and head along the mountain road westwards (Not back down to the dual carriage way that takes you to Girne or Lefkosia). Follow this windy road along the mountain with fantastic views to the north coast. Stop off at the tank memorial along this road. Continue westwards with lovely views to the south and north. At t junction you could turn right and head downhill all the way to Karsiyaka then turn right back along the main coast road to Girne. Or cross straight over and stop for coffee/lunch at the Kozan taverna.......nice spot with cooling breeze then head back. Select a favourite taverna for an evening meal.

My thoughts only but I think to drive to Gazimagusa, St Barnabus and Karpas might be a bit much in the hot weather. Save for another time. If you decide to go to the Karpas then it has to be an overnight stay to really appreciate plus not be shattered!

Whatever you decide they will love it I am sure.

If your friend is getting a coach from Paphos to Nicosia, is it arriving at the coach station just on the outskirts of Nicosia?

We have and relatives have travelled by coach from Larnaca airport to the Kapnos coach station and on arrival got a taxi (Plenty available at coach station) to take us to the Ledra Palace crossing. From their we have walked the 100yards thro no mans land, past the Ledra Palace Hotel to the TRNC border post.

Easy parking on the north side where you can either sit and wait for your friend to walk across, or you can show your passport and cross to the south and wait for them to arrive. There are small cafes on each side selling coffee, cold drinks etc.

Whatever you do both the above options are easy.

Remember if you take a car across to the south you would need to purchase insurance etc. So if you don’t want this expense, plus the drive to coach station etc don’t take the car.

[artistabroad]

If your friend is staying in Paphos and getting an intercity bus rather than the airport bus , it’ll take them to the bus station, it’s called Dionisiou Solomou Square on the timetables, at the bottom gate of the walled city rather than Kapnos. It’s a15 minute or so walk from there to Ledra Palace just by walking round the outside of the wall heading west. Maybe a bit hot though at this time of year. If you walk over at Ledra Palace there are always taxis so maybe you could get a taxi and pick your friend up and drive back to Ledra if you can co-ordinate your times.

[terry2366]

Get the intercity bus it ends at the holiday in and then a short walk to Ledra crossing. Second day surely famagusta or Lefkosia both sides.

[snd1966]

My brother did the same stayed in paphos and popped up to see me

He came by bus/coach to solomus square, arrived 11:30 catching the 9am Saturday bus and walked down Ledra street where I met him, it took him about 10 minutes once he had found the Macdonalds to reach the crossing!
I took him to peanuts for lunch as they are gluten and dairy free, up to Bellapais to see the family home 1987 - 2008, and around the village
In the evening he was entertained by Gavin at the grease monkey after a walk around the harbour / girne and evening meal at Alesta.
In the morning I showed him st Hilarion, buffvento and 5 finger after a very early walk / swim at Alagadi, he caught the 13:00 back to paphos on the sunday
We are all very active therefore enjoyed the whole weekend, he though wishing he saw Famagusta