A 13th-century Gothic abbey sits on a hilltop in northern Cyprus, amid olive groves and Mediterranean gardens. The stone monastery walls house medieval artifacts and a restaurant.
Bellapais perches in the foothills of the Kyrenia Mountain Range in northern Cyprus. You'll find children playing near the massive stone walls of the 13th-century abbey, while cats doze in sunny corners of café terraces. The village's narrow streets wind past stone houses where residents tend to their gardens, and you might spot the Mediterranean Sea glinting in the distance. This is where author Lawrence Durrell lived and wrote "Bitter Lemons of Cyprus" in the 1950s.
Getting to Bellapais
You can reach the village in 15 minutes by car from Kyrenia town, located 4 miles away. From Ercan Airport, drive 40 minutes along the ring road around Kyrenia. Public buses run every hour between Kyrenia and Bellapais from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Exploring Bellapais Abbey
The abbey's architecture includes intricate stone carvings of religious figures and a 14th-century rose window containing fragments of original stained glass. Walk through the central cloister where 18 arches frame a courtyard garden. In the northern section, you'll see two Roman sarcophagi that monks once used as wash basins. The refectory now serves as a concert hall, while the church contains its original carved wooden pulpit and bishop's throne.
Walking Through the Village
Stone houses line the ascending streets, with their windows facing toward the Mediterranean. The buildings remain low-rise, allowing each home to maintain its sea view. Walk up the steep path from the abbey to find Lawrence Durrell's former home, marked by a bronze plaque describing his time in the village.
Music and Cultural Events
The Bellapais Music Festival brings classical musicians to the abbey each June. Throughout the year, you can attend concerts and art exhibitions in the restored abbey rooms. The thick stone walls enhance sound quality during performances.
Mountain Walks and Nature
Walking trails connect the village to the Five Finger Mountains. In spring, yellow rockroses and purple iris dot the slopes. Follow the coastal view trail through pine forests, but start before 8:00 AM to avoid hiking in the midday heat. The main trail to Buffavento Castle takes about three hours round trip.
