Boğaz, North Cyprus
January 21, 2009 by Essential Ed
Filed under Famagusta, Regions
The pretty coastal harbour town of Boğaz in North Cyprus is located on the south east coastal road next to the main town of Iskele. It can be reached from Kyrenia for example by the Geçitkale road via Lefkoşa, you turn left at the coastal junction and then just a few miles afterwards you will find the town as the road narrows as you’re passing through it.
Alternatively, for a more scenic journey take the north west coast road from Kyrenia via Esentepe, turning inland at Mersinlik or Kaplıca, and following the signs for Iskele and Boğaz.
Boğaz, whilst a small town, is a bustling place and is home to a pretty harbour, some small hotels and b&bs as well as harbour restaurants, with fish obviously playing a large part in the menu on offer at any establishment! It’s a pleasant place to while away a day, and has some nice little stretches of beach either side of the town to enjoy. The quayside of the harbour is also a busy little place with pleasant well-tended gardens that are a joy to visit.
In the evenings Boğaz comes alive with local music and entertainment to keep visitors occupied, and locals often come down to walk along the harbour to discuss the day’s happenings and meet with family and friends.
As a tourism area it can cater for most people’s appetites – whether it be water sports, boat tours, hiring a car or going on a walking or island tour that you’re after – so it’s a nice place to stay if you want to be a little out of the way of the main larger towns and cities, but within reach of plenty to keep you busy in the way of water sports in North Cyprus. Boğaz is also a great place to have a base if you’re interested in exploring the far eastern Karpaz Peninsula, as well as going south to visit Famagusta.
The nearby town of Mehmetcik, located further along the coastal road, is also a great place to visit with its popular yearly Grape Festival which is usually held in August. Another find on the road from Mehmetcik to the village of Sazlıköy is the tiny Byzantine church of Panayia Kyra which was built around the 6th century; the surrounding area is home to the ruins of an ancient Roman city. Our article on sightseeing in North Cyprus around this area provides plenty of ideas.
Another area of importance, due to its designation as the Tourism Area of North Cyprus for future years, is Bafra. The coastline has been decreed a tourism area and already one huge hotel, the 5 star Kaya Artemis has been finished and is open for business. The coastline has been sliced into plots and these have been auctioned to investors eager to develop the area. YAGA, the Cyprus Turkish Investment Development Agency, is overseeing the projects to be chosen.
Please visit our Famagusta Region section detailing more of the towns in the area, as well as region sections on Lefkoşa, Kyrenia, Karpaz and Güzelyurt.