Ambelia Village
Ambelia is a beautiful holiday village nestling in the mountains a couple of kilometres East of Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus. Situated just outside the famous old village of Bellapais, the complex comprises 30 privately-owned villas and 20 studio apartments surrounded by lush greenery.
Facilities available to our guests include the swimming pool (with cocktail area), the sunbathing terrace with sun-loungers and natural shade, the restaurant and the bar.
Number 9
Villa number 9 is located just up the hill from the bar/restaurant area. Its balcony is shaded from the heat of the sun for most of the day and sheltered from sight of the other villas.
Number 9 boasts a superb view of Bellapais village, with its beautiful Gothic abbey and Lawrence Durrells house (made famous in his book Bitter Lemons). The view from the balcony is framed by olive, cypress and carob trees, in the distance the Mediterranean shimmers, and on a clear day the Taurus mountains of Turkey are visible.
What to do
For many people, the perfect holiday means lounging on the private balcony, or around the pool, with a cocktail in one hand and a good book in the other.
Ambelia is perfect for that: being at the end of the road halfway up the mountains it is wonderfully peaceful and relaxing.
For others, heres a list of some of the things you can enjoy in the area around Ambelia:
- The seaside. Within an hours drive are dozens of beaches, ranging from exclusive rocky coves to swathes of sandy expanses. The larger ones offer water sports and bars/restaurants. Youll often find you have the further, smaller ones to yourself.
- The castles. Within a short drive are two of the best preserved Byzantine castles in the world. St Hilarion (20 mins) and Bufavento (40 mins) are wonderful attractions for children of all ages. Exuding history, each demands a visit.
- The towns. Both Kyrenia (10 mins) and Nicosia (45 mins) are well worth visiting. In Nicosia in particular are museums, coffee shops, bazaars, mosques, restaurants - most of it not changed much since the "Peace Operation" of 1974. Kyrenia is packed with shops, bars and restaurants, as well as hosting the famous Kyrenia Castle.
- The turtles. On the sandiest beaches to the East of Kyrenia, turtles lay their eggs in May. These hatch in July, and on some of the beaches you are permitted to sit and watch as the hatchlings are encouraged towards the sea.
- The landscape. Pine-covered mountains run the length of the Northern coast, providing great walks. Bird-watchers and botanists will also love the variety of fauna and flora, both resident and migratory.
- The history. Quite apart from the castles mentioned earlier, Northern Cyprus also boasts pre-Roman ruins (Soli and Vouni), the huge Roman port of Salamis, the fortified walls of Nicosia and Famagusta, and countless other gems that will delight the historian.