Bellapais Monastery
Bellapais Monastery
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Restaurants
125 within 5 kms
Attractions
27 within 10 kms
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- Stu151Wickford, United Kingdom1,826 contributionsInteresting, but small siteBellapais Abbey is one of the main attractions of Northern Cyprus. It's interesting and well worth visiting (after all the entry fee is around £2), just don't expect a massive site to explore for hours ! Several nice cafes nearby in the small town nearby.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 6, 2023
- Jeremy CHinckley, United Kingdom1,113 contributionsCompact Historical RuinSmall monastery ruin perched on the side the hill. Easy to navigate with some interesting nooks and crannies and spectacular views down into Kyrenia. Do take a moment for contemplation in the church and admire the gothic architecture. Surprisingly un-touristy and well worth a visit along with the surrounding village.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 25, 2023
- Catherine WChippenham, United Kingdom271 contributionsVisit to Bellapais AbbeyWe walked here from Girne in just over an hour. As you approach the village you get a wonderful view of the abbey showing the height of its walls. The village is pretty and was loved by Lawrence Durrell who bought a house here. When we came , mid morning on a Saturday it was wonderfully quiet and peaceful. It’s very atmospheric with beautiful views of the coast line and surrounding mountains. The signage in the abbey is fairly minimal but luckily our guide book gave us more information.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten February 25, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,539 reviews
Excellent
1,592
Very good
782
Average
146
Poor
15
Terrible
4
FTMDave
Adria, Italy7,638 contributions
Jul 2021
I took a taxi from Kyrenia/Girne as no public transport goes to the monastery. The taxi driver wanted a ludicrously-cheap 40 TL for a 6km drive uphill, so I gave him 50TL. I later walked back as downhill was no problem!
Entrance is 15 TL, which includes a little guide sheet which I found invaluable. I was the only one there. The monastery is very well preserved and there are marvellous views from the mountains.
Entrance is 15 TL, which includes a little guide sheet which I found invaluable. I was the only one there. The monastery is very well preserved and there are marvellous views from the mountains.
Written July 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Horse91dancer
Horsham, UK226 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
What a great. We arrived early (around 9am) to find the Monastery almost deserted. It is charming. You can wander around unhindered, up along the balcony area, there are amazing views. The church is really lovely and well kept. The town is quaint, and there are some nice coffee shops. Well worth a visit.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nsander219
Chelmsford, UK642 contributions
Apr 2022
We visited with few people there which was perfect. Except there was a classical pianist rehearsing in the Refectory, where they hold concerts, so we had lovely music as a backdrop to our visit. With the gardens green and in bloom this is a lovely spot. Hot but with a mountain breeze - perfect.
Fully recommended as a must visit and if you can coincide with one of the many concerts all the more worthwhile.
Fully recommended as a must visit and if you can coincide with one of the many concerts all the more worthwhile.
Written May 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine W
Chippenham, UK271 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We walked here from Girne in just over an hour. As you approach the village you get a wonderful view of the abbey showing the height of its walls. The village is pretty and was loved by Lawrence Durrell who bought a house here. When we came , mid morning on a Saturday it was wonderfully quiet and peaceful. It’s very atmospheric with beautiful views of the coast line and surrounding mountains. The signage in the abbey is fairly minimal but luckily our guide book gave us more information.
Written February 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Cobbold
Nicosia, Cyprus2 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
The views are outstanding, excellent selection of restaurants and cafes, plus a number of gift shops and galleries. Musical evenings are often held in the abbey, these are well worth attending. Close to the abbey is the ex home of Laurence Durrell which is sometimes open to the public, the area around the abbey has numerous paths and trails for those wishing to explore
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dieuwertje v
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands19 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Beautiful, authentic location. Nice views and very cheap entrance. The restaurant near the monastery is a beautiful location: in the shades we had some coffee/tea. Parking nearby. For entrance and parking we were not able to pay with card (cash only for entrance and car park didn’t accept the card). A lot of stairs, so disabled people are only able to watch ground floor.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet G
24 contributions
Aug 2022
We took out 11 year old grandson here and we all found it very interesting and worth the visit, especially at 75p for adults and free for children. The views from the monastery are wonderful. The local town is small and interesting.
Written September 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stu151
Wickford, UK1,826 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Bellapais Abbey is one of the main attractions of Northern Cyprus.
It's interesting and well worth visiting (after all the entry fee is around £2), just don't expect a massive site to explore for hours !
Several nice cafes nearby in the small town nearby.
It's interesting and well worth visiting (after all the entry fee is around £2), just don't expect a massive site to explore for hours !
Several nice cafes nearby in the small town nearby.
Written October 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth V
Bognor Regis, UK738 contributions
Feb 2020
A remarkably preserved monastery given its history. We visited in the winter and it was very quiet, which meant our guide could give us the full history. If you are not guided, in order to fully appreciate the place, get a guide book. This is not far from Kyrenia (Girne) and, if you are staying in the area, you should visit. Views over the water are lovely. 13th Century.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hazeljogger
Oxford102 contributions
Mar 2022
It is everything people say.
We were lucky to visit with no one else there in the afternoon Spring Sunshine.
It was magical, we had walked into the village from the hills above with the birds singing.
An experience not to be forgotten and immortalised by Lawrence Durrell in Bitter Lemons and the Tree of Idleness
We were lucky to visit with no one else there in the afternoon Spring Sunshine.
It was magical, we had walked into the village from the hills above with the birds singing.
An experience not to be forgotten and immortalised by Lawrence Durrell in Bitter Lemons and the Tree of Idleness
Written March 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wha are the opening & closing hours for the summer period ?
Written September 4, 2024
Hi, does anyone know, where in Kyrenia can I get an affordable taxi to Bellapais and back? Is it around Ramadan Cemil Square? And, how much is the taxi fare is one way/return? Thanks!
Written March 9, 2024
Not sure what you regard as "affordable"
There are several taxi ranks around the town, often near big hotels. I would suggest you check the fare in advance with the driver - we paid around 12 Euros each way. (most will take Turkish Lira, Euros or USD - just check the rates they offer you !!)
Written March 9, 2024
Hi does anyone know if the whirling dervish is back on at the abbey?
Written September 12, 2022
merhabalar. girne merkezden manastıra ulaşım nasıldır?
Written April 10, 2019
Grup olarak gittiğimiz için biz taksi tutup gittik, ama ücret olarak neredeyse aynı, rahatlık olarak daha iyi. Dönerken oradaki taksilerle döndük
Written April 11, 2019
Can anybody tell me how much the entrance fee is please.
And would it be suitable for pushchairs?
Thanks
Written March 29, 2019
Think the entrance fee was about 18-20 lira as we were getting around 8 lira to the pound this was good value.Yes pushchairs would be o k to visit remember to go into the old church as there is sometimes singers performing especially at the weekend
Written March 29, 2019
J'y suis allée. Le site est très beau et le village a beaucoup de charme.
Written December 4, 2018
.Where can I catch a local Dolma to Bellapais Monastery from Kyrenia
Written July 5, 2017
We used a local taxi to visit Bellapais, and return to Kyrenia for very little. After being dropped off at the famous tree in the square, the same taxi returned, by appointment, around 4 hours later, which allowed us to visit Monastery, have lunch and explore the pretty hillside village.aAbout a fiver each way.
Written July 7, 2017
Hi, We are bringing a group of historians, mainly retired. What are the opening times in May please?
Written February 21, 2015
wikipedia Bellapais Abbey - Google search term 'belapaise abbey opening times'
The site is also a museum, which hosts a restaurant and a cafe. The Abbey's refectory now serves as a venue for concerts and lectures. In early summer it is also a venue for a local music festival.
Opening hours from June to mid-September are 9am to 7pm; the winter hours are 9am to 1 pm and 2pm to 4:45pmopening hours from mid-September to May are 9am to 5pm. There is an admission charge of 5YTL.
Written March 5, 2015
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