World by City

Temples & religious sites

Bellapais Abbey

Open in Maps
Bellapais Abbey

Bellapais Abbey

Bellapais Abbey is a 13th-century monastic ruin located on a hill 220 meters above sea level. Visitors go here to explore the Gothic architecture of the remaining structures and to view the surrounding landscape of Kyrenia and the Mediterranean Sea.

Getting There

The abbey is located north of Kyrenia city centre. It is accessible via a short drive to Bellapais village, followed by a brief climb on foot to reach the ruins. The journey from the city centre typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes by car.

Visit Duration

Allow approximately 1 to 2 hours to walk through the ruins and explore the grounds.

When to Visit

The site is open to the elements, so visiting during the spring or autumn avoids the peak summer heat. Early morning or late afternoon visits provide softer light for viewing the stone structures. The site can become crowded during peak tourist seasons.

Nearby Attractions

The abbey can be combined with other sites in the Kyrenia region:

  • Kyrenia Mountains: 2.2km
  • Kyrenia Castle: 4.8km
  • Buffavento Castle: 5.4km
  • Kyrenia Lighthouse: 5.1km

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Bellapais Abbey

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Bellapais Abbey Nearby stays

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Pick your dates — we'll search Kyrenia hotels for you

Choose dates and guests, and the buttons below will open search results with your criteria. Prices differ between sites, so compare before you book.

View on Compare sites 부킹닷컴 View on Booking.com 호텔스닷컴 View on Hotels.com

Hotel membership

Staying at Accor hotels often? ALL Accor+ Explorer

A paid annual membership. It includes two free nights a year across Asia-Pacific, 30% off dining and 15% off drinks, and 15% off stays at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide.

Explore the membership

Itineraries including this place

Day trip

Kyrenia 1-Day Itinerary (0 Nights)

A 1-day route through Kyrenia grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

1 nights, 2 days

Kyrenia 2-Day Itinerary (1 Nights)

A 2-day route through Kyrenia grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Kyrenia Mountains

Nature

Kyrenia Mountains

The Kyrenia Mountains stretch along the coast near Kyrenia, with old fortresses still standing along the ridgeline. It's a great place to go trekking and take in sweeping views of the Mediterranean.

2.2 km away
Kyrenia Castle

Castles & palaces

Kyrenia Castle

Kyrenia Castle is a 16th-century castle in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, built by the Venetians on the site of a Crusader-era fortress. Within its walls stand a 12th-century chapel and a shipwreck museum, both worth visiting together.

4.8 km away
Kyrenia lighthouse (1907)

Views & landmarks

Kyrenia lighthouse (1907)

This lighthouse stands at the mouth of Kyrenia's old harbor, fitting in with the cozy scene of yachts and small boats that fill the port today. Built alongside the breakwater, it has outlived its original function and now remains as a landmark of the harbor.

5.1 km away
Buffavento Castle

Castles & palaces

Buffavento Castle

An old castle in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, whose exact construction date is unknown but is believed to date to the Byzantine era. It blends Byzantine and Frankish architectural styles and has been unused since the 14th century.

5.4 km away
Saint Hilarion Castle

Castles & palaces

Saint Hilarion Castle

A castle set in the Kyrenia Mountains of Northern Cyprus, once a fortress guarding the mountain pass between Kyrenia and Nicosia. It's considered the best preserved of the range's three historic fortresses.

6.8 km away
Karaoğlanoğlu Şehitliği

Heritage & monuments

Karaoğlanoğlu Şehitliği

This war memorial sits on the coast near Kyrenia, commemorating the 1974 landing operation. Alongside the memorial stands a museum displaying related exhibits.

11.0 km away