Springtime, or anytime after February, is special in North Cyprus with many plants and trees bursting into bloom, and you can often walk through carpets of anemones, rock roses and other colourful flowers such as iris and narcissi.  North Cyprus is also well known for its tulips, and a Tulip Festival is held yearly in Tepebası which is a village located between Kyrenia and Güzelyurt on the north west of the island.

Olive trees are another feature of North Cyprus, and olive oil was once a major export, but due to trade embargoes and development, tracts of land previously home to these monumental giants of trees have been sold on and felling has occurred – even though the destruction of these ancient trees is completely illegal.  However, some olive harvesting does still occur amongst the Turkish Cypriot population, and in the autumn you will often see families out on their land, shaking the olives from the trees! From there the olives are generally pressed for their oil.

North Cyprus is home to around 30 different kinds orchids, all of which are protected species, with the Ophrys Kotscdhyi variety only growing in Cyprus, and you can join walking tours specifically tailored for those who wish to see some of the varieties growing on the island.  Mixed in with the orchids you will see brilliant splashes of colour after the rainy season, with poppies and cyclamen mixed with crocus and cyntius.

There are also a wide variety of trees found in North Cyprus, such as the jacaranda with its beautifully coloured bark, the wonderfully scented frangipani and jasmine, the purple flowering Judas tree, delicate pepper trees, and the staples of almond and carob trees which litter the gardens of many who live here.  Fig and mulberry trees are also common, and are a treat for those who see their fruits as an expensive commodity in their home countries.

Citrus trees are also an important feature in some areas such as Güzelyurt, and around November time you will regularly see orange, lemon and grapefruit trees bursting with fruit.  There are three types of oranges grown in North Cyprus, and each has a specific purpose.  There is not much demand for fruit exports since trade embargoes make it difficult though, and the citrus trade is not what it once was, but many people still have them growing in their gardens.  Pomegranates are also grown, although not in great numbers, but again these are something that visitors can enjoy at less expensive prices than in their native countries.

If you’re planning to visit North Cyprus and a big part of your trip is aimed at incorporating looking at the orchids and other wild flowers of the island, then the best time to visit is from February through to May.  This is because once the sun starts to dry out the land, the colour fades for the long hot summer months, and the lush green land soon disappears and is given over to a dustier landscape.

Another place to see fine specimens of flora at any time of year is at the Herbarium at the Alevkaya Forest Reserve station, this is located between Esentepe and Değirmenlik.  It  was opened in 1989 in conjunction with the work of botanist Dr. Deryck Viney and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.  The Herbarium now houses some 800 pressed examples, some very rare, of the flora found in North Cyprus.

If you wish to find out more information on certain topics touched upon in this article, then please click on any of the links provided within it.

The current Herbarium has been open to the public since 1989, and it was the culmination of efforts by one Dr. Deryck Viney, a one-time British resident who lived in the village of Karaman.  He worked with other foreign experts and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to develop the project.  Dr. Viney, a qualified botanist and a true English gentleman, (to those of us who have had the pleasure of knowing him), spent many years studying and documenting the flora of North Cyprus and publishing his findings in various books such as ‘An Illustrated Flora of North Cyprus.’  He also had the benefit of help from personnel at Kew Gardens.

The Herbarium now houses around 800 species, which are all found in various locations across North Cyprus, and it features a wonderful collection of pressed flowers, all with their descriptions – both Latin and common – and the locations where they were found. There is also what is known as the Spirit Collection, which forms the findings of rare orchids, stored and contained in bottles with chemicals added to preserve them.

There are also various line drawings by Dr. Viney, produced over a long period of time, with 750 being finished by the time the Herbarium officially opened, and these are shown in a calendar order fashion to enable viewers to see at what time of year they can be found.

You can get to the project either by the scenic mountain road via Catalkoy and Arapkoy, following the main coastal road, driving past the five finger mountain range (Besparmak), and once past this you will see a turning on the left signposted for Alevkaya.  From here it is another 5 or so miles along a decent track road.

Alternatively there is a shorter rout, via the Esentepe/Karaagac end of the coast road, where you can follow the road right up to Alevkaya.

At the time of writing the Herbarium is open between 8am and 4pm weekdays and weekends, and should be on your list of places to see if you are a budding botanist or someone who loves the outdoors, as the surrounding forest area is a superb place to walk too.

Please also refer to our tags below for other related articles on other nature and wildlife.

Before we start it’s definitely important to note that the Rustem Bookshop in Lefkosa also has many guides and pictorial books on offer, and they publish their own volumes about Cyprus too.  You will often find pamphlets and booklets produced by Dr. William Dreghorn there too, he’s a superb geological writer who produced some wonderful short guides on the beaches and castles in North Cyprus, all illustrated with his own fair hand.  This writer is worth a mention here because of his knowledge about North Cyprus!  Unfortunately though, it would seem that many of his works are now out of print, so it may require some hunting to find his books!

Guide Books

North Cyprus Country Guide by Diana Clarke – Bradt Travel Guides

This is one of the most popular guidebooks around, and it was recently reprinted in 2008; Diana Clarke’s first edition was published in 1993 so it has needed updating by travel writers considerably since that time!  A seasoned and excellent travel writer, Diana has written many travel guides for countries in the Middle Eastern region including Oman and Syria, and her book on North Cyprus is jam packed full of background and practical information, as well as comprehensive regional guides each giving the low down on what to do, where to eat and stay, how to get there, and where to see the many historical and modern sights of North Cyprus.  Thoroughly recommended!

Diana Clark – North Cyprus Brandt Travel Guide

Northern Cyprus (Landmark Visitors Guide) by Kristina Gursoy and Lavinia Neville-Smith

This gives an excellent insight into Northern Cyprus and is written by two authors who, being long-term residents of the island, make them both very qualified to write about their subject matter!  It is very well represented pictorially too, and has plenty of information on history, flora and fauna, things to see and where to go, as well as including recommendations for restaurants and shops.

Kristina Gursoy & Lavinia Neville-Smith – Northern Cyprus (Landmark Visitors Guide)

Northern Cyprus – A Travellers Guide by Eileen Davey

Although not having been reprinted for some time, this is still a valuable volume to have if you are interested in the historical landmarks of North Cyprus, which obviously don’t really change that much!  There are some excellent, in-depth and very detailed sections on the various ruins and sites in North Cyprus, and the book offers a wealth of knowledge on archaeology and the periods of history that has given Cyprus such a rich history.  A really good book to have if you want to see the island from an historical point of view.

Eileen Davey – Northern Cyprus, A Travellers Guide

Novels and Reading

Bitter Lemons of Cyprus by Lawrence Durrell

 First published in 1957, this is one of the most popular novel’s for those interested in reading an individual’s experiences of life in North Cyprus during the troubled times in Cyprus’ recent history.  Durrell’s account of his time in Cyprus starts purely from his wish to find peace in the sun and an old house to live in, but gradually the novel takes the reader through some often hilarious events and gives fascinating insight into the turmoil and frustration he experiences in dealing with the tragedy that unfolds between the warring factions.  A must read in our opinion.

Lawrence Durrell – Bitter Lemons of Cyprus

Getting a Life in North Cyprus by Adrian Fleetwood

For those who are thinking of moving to live in North Cyprus, this is a very interesting read all about the Fleetwood’s personal account of their life – from their first visit to the island and to their subsequent decision to move here and build their own home.  Published in 2006, it’s filled with anecdotes, tales and personal experiences of moving to a foreign land, and it’s a good book for first introductions to North Cyprus from someone’s personal perspective!

Adrian Fleetwood – Getting a Life in North Cyprus

Historical & Political

The Genocide Files by Harry Scott-Gibbons

A generally commended book by those who read it, The Genocide Files delves into the history of the ‘Cyprus problem’ and captures the futile and horrendous times that have existed in its recent history.

Harry Scott-Gibbons – The Genocide Files

Burdened with Cyprus – The British Connection by John Reddaway

This book is a detailed account of the British Colonial rule of Cyprus since the 1800s, and one which examines the negotiations, decisions and problems that arose from Britain’s decision to depart the island as well as an insight into the ENOSIS movement and its effect on the British rule at the time.

John Redway – Burdened with Cyprus

The Cyprus Conspiracy – America, Espionage and the Turkish Invasion by Brendan O’Mally and Ian Craig

This book makes a crucial contribution to people’s understanding of super power politics, international intelligence gathering and helps to shed light on Cyprus’s strategic importance to the world’s major players, and their part in the lasting divide of the island.

Brendan O’Mally & Ian Craig – The Cyprus Conspiracy

Nature & Wildlife

Collins Complete Mediterranean Wildlife (Photoguide) by Paul Sterry

If you want to know everything there is to know about every type of wildlife that you may happen to come across whilst in North Cyprus, then this is the book for you!  It is packed with photographs and descriptions of birds, reptiles, moths, butterflies, insects, marine life and fish, mammals, amphibians, flowers and plants as well as local habitat information.

Paul Sterry – Collins Complete Mediterranean Wildlife

Birds of the Mediterranean – A Photographic Guide by Paul Sterry

Another excellent book by Sterry who has produced this wonderfully illustrated guide to birds found in the Mediterranean.  You will be able to find out information on habitat, migration information and be able to determine one bird from another from sound and plumage if you read this book.  A good guide for those who are interested in the birds found in North Cyprus and for those who are already enthusiastic bird watchers!

Paul Sterry – Birds of the Mediterranean

An Illustrated Flora of North Cyprus by Deryck Viney

One of North Cyprus’ favourite expats, Viney spent many years and field trips gathering information on every possible type of flora found here in North Cyprus.  Instrumental in the opening of the Herbarium, Viney has produced many other volumes of work on fungi and flora in the Mediterranean, and his work is testament to the man’s love of the island. This is a fascinating book, and invaluable to those who love everything about plants and the landscape!

Deryck Viney – Illustrated Flora of North Cyprus

Cuisine

Cypriot Barbecue Delights & Side Dishes by Melek Cella

This book is great if you want to partake of traditional Cypriot cuisine because the trusty barbecue is a must if you’re looking to sample the culinary delights of North Cyprus!  Whether you are living here or visiting the island, this book is a great way to learn how to dish up tasty food with easy to follow recipes, and you will have no trouble in sourcing local ingredients either!

Melek Cella – Cypriot Barbecue Delights & Side Dishes