Kantara Castle in Northern Cyprus — history, panoramic views, and how to get there

Kantara Castle is one of the three most famous castles of the Kyrenia mountain range and the easternmost of them. If you have already visited St. Hilarion Castle and climbed Buffavento, Kantara will be a logical and very impressive continuation of this route.

The castle is already located on the Karpas Peninsula, famous for its wild donkeys — making it convenient to combine the trip here with a visit to them. In terms of panoramas and atmosphere, Kantara is in no way inferior to the more popular fortresses.

• General information about Kantara Castle
• History of the castle
• Panoramas and views
• How to get to the castle
• Useful tips for visiting

General information about Kantara Castle

Kantara Castle is located at an altitude of about 630 m above sea level and controlled the eastern part of the Kyrenia range. In the Middle Ages, it played an important role in the island’s defense system, allowing signals to be sent between fortresses.

Unlike Buffavento, Kantara is less extreme to climb, but it remains one of the most spectacular spots to view the Karpas Peninsula.

History of the castle

Like St. Hilarion Castle, Kantara grew out of a monastery. A small chapel has survived to this day, reminding visitors of the early religious purpose of this place.

At various times, the castle was owned by Byzantines, Crusaders, Lombards, and Venetians. During constant wars and changes of power, the fortress was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, leaving picturesque ruins today.

Panoramas and views

The main reason to visit Kantara is the views. From the fortress height, the Karpas Peninsula literally unfolds like a map in your hands.

On a clear day, you can see both sides of the island and even the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. For panorama lovers and photographers, this is one of the best spots in Northern Cyprus.

How to get to the castle

You can reach Kantara Castle only by car or as part of a tour. Public transport does not go here.

If you have a car, the road is not particularly difficult and noticeably easier than the approach to Buffavento Castle. The asphalt road leads almost to the very entrance.

• If you do not have a car, you can rent one via the online aggregator GetRentacar or directly from one of the car rental companies in Northern Cyprus.

Useful tips for visiting

The best time to visit is in the morning or closer to sunset, when the sun is softer, and the views become particularly expressive.

Choose comfortable footwear, as the castle has many stones and uneven surfaces inside.

If you plan a trip to Karpas, it makes sense to combine Kantara with a visit to the wild donkeys of Karpas — they are very close by.