A harmony of colour and taste… Lefke, the city of flavors in Northern Cyprus. We prepared a pleasant guide of the Lefke Region at Cyprus Real Estate Center for you.
Lefke is a small town touching a stretch of picturesque coastline, the magnificent foothills of the Troodos Mountains, lakes and reservoirs.
The water of the mountain springs reaches to the coastal plain with its rich soil and lovely climate. No wonder that the area is known as ‘The Fruit Basket of Cyprus’. The region offers a wide variety of fruit and nuts, along with plentiful citrus groves.
Should you visit in the summer months be sure to check out the annual Orange Festival at nearby Güzelyurt in June and the Walnut Festival in July as well as the Strawberry festival in Yeşilırmak.
Lefke was once a thriving copper and gold mining town from Roman times until recently. There are still remains of this period with three mosques from the Ottoman period and houses in the centre that reflect the town’s colonial past.
Lefke is the youngest district of Northern Cyprus. It was a part of Nicosia until 1998 and then became a part of Güzelyurt. In December 2016 it was declared the 6th district of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The population was recorded as 11,091 in the 2011 census.
Mayor of Lefke : Aziz Kaya.
Lefke Municipality Telephone Number 0 392 728 73 47
For years Lefke was a town that introduced itself through mentioning the Lefke European University but it has become more assertive for itself. In recent years it became one of the stopovers for those visiting Northern Cyprus for its natural beauties.
In terms of architecture, Lefke bears the traces of the Roman, Venetian, Ottoman and British era.
The district is rich in historical monuments.
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Content Guide:
- Where is Lefke?
- Lefke Districts
- Lefke Shopping
- Lefke Beaches
- Places to Visit in Lefke
- Cengiz Topel Monument
- Soli Ancient City
- Vouni Palace
- Petra Dou Limnidian Cliff
- Lefke Ottoman Mansions
- Şeyh Nazım Kıbrısi Lodge and Şeyh Nazım Kıbrısi Tomb
- Yeşilırmak Strawberry Gardens
- European University of Lefke
- European University of Lefke Scholarship Opportunities
Lefke Municipality was founded in 1900, is interestingly the oldest Turkish Municipality in Cyprus.
Lefke does not have 5-star hotels and casinos, and has so much more to offer. It is surrounded with the green covered mountains with its cool climate in summer and rather cold in the winter due to being on the foothills of the high range Troodos mountains.
The growing popularity of the European University of Lefke and the number of students add a lot of dynamics to the area.
Should you visit in the summer months be sure to check out the annual Orange Festival at nearby Güzelyurt in June and the Walnut Festival in July. The city draws attention with its festivals and culture and art events.
There is an increase in the number of construction companies investing in Lefke and Lefke housing projects.
In addition, there is a great interest in land and agricultural investments.
Lefke is surrounded by various small villages such as Gemikonagi in the north, Camlikoy in its east and Baglikoy and Yesilirmak in the west. It has borders with Southern Cyprus in the south and there is a check point named Apliç where you can cross to the south.
Lefke is situated in the north west of the island and is 74 km away from Nicosia.
The trip from Lefke to Nicosia takes about 45 minutes. From Kyrenia to Lefke it takes approximately 1 hour to drive. Of course, the timing might vary depending on the transportation method you use, traffic density and weather conditions.
A quite comfortable dual carriage way will bring you from Nicosia to Lefke bypassing Güzelyurt.
For those travelling from Kyrenia to Lefke, the only way is via the mountain road. You will have to drive through Güzelyurt first to arrive in Lefke. When calculating the time to be spent on the road, be careful to not get fooled by the mileage signs. It is not that easy to navigate on winding roads.
Kıbhas buses are in service when going to Lefke from Ercan Airport and return.
Lefke Kıbhas Telephone Number 0 533 870 78 49
You can travel with Turf Dolmuş to go to Nicosia or Kyrenia from Lefke by public transport.
Grass Lefke phone number 0 533 833 37 37
Another option is to rent a car. Cyprus rent a car companies at Ercan Airport are easily notable and there are plenty of them to choose from. Alternatively, you can look at car rental companies in Lefke and rent a car with your driver’s license and passport from there. When renting a car, make sure to investigate about the company. Check the vehicles thoroughly before you take on the delivery and record the company’s emergency phone numbers. Do not forget to have the rental agreement with you. It will be one of the first things the police will check during a control.
- Doğancı
- Gaziveren
- Gemikonağı
- Lefke
- Yedidalga
- Yeşilırmak
- Yeşilyurt
There are some in other cities, but Lefke has no shopping malls. You can find many things you are looking for at a small town scale. There are many markets and newly opened stores around the university campus. The ground floors of many housing projects and Lefke student dormitory buildings are rented out as stores / business. Recently opened stores, cafes and restaurants contribute dynamism to the region.
Lefke, where the green nature meets the deep blue sea, is also rich in beaches. You can enjoy the sea at Mardin Beach, Lefke Municipality Beach, Aspava Beach, Karabetça Beach and Yeşilırmak Beach.
Aspava Beach belongs to a restaurant with the same name, Aspava Restaurant, and is the most famous of the region. It’s a restaurant with delicious food and stylish appearance that we recommend you to visit.
Yeşilırmak Beach is located in the Dilirga area. The Cypriot folk song Dilirga is from that region and there is no wedding or celebration where this song is not performed. The largest vine of Cyprus, recorded at the Guinness Book of Records, is located on Yeşilırmak Beach. This bay with a restaurant is a good choice for those who enjoy silence.
The name of Cengiz Topel, is given to many places in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He was the first pilot martyr of the Turkish Air Force in Cyprus. On 8 August 1964, during the warning flight against the Greeks, his plane was shot down by Greek anti-aircraft guns, taken hostage and died as a result of the torture he suffered. There is a monument in Lefke for Cengiz Topel. There are also parts of the plane of the martyred pilot in this monument.
Soli was one of the ten ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus. It was built in the beginning of the sixth century BC and the foundation is attributed to Solon. Soli was built near the Xero river for economic reasons and played an important part in the history of the island during the revolt against the Persians. It was destroyed by Arab invasions in the 7th century.
Excavations have shown that settlement was made here as early as the 11th century BC probably because of the existence of good water supply, fertile soil and a protected harbour. The nearby copper deposits and timber were used to melt the copper and to be shipped easily. Soli flourished up till 648 AD and then was destroyed as one of the first ancient cities in Cyprus. The stones of the city were later removed for building purposes elsewhere. The stones of Soli were later used for the construction of Port Said in Egypt in late 19th Century.
So far a Roman Theatre, remains of an Agora an Acropolis and a church with a mosaic floor have been excavated.
Vouni Palace is 9 km west of Gemikonagi and 250 m above sea level on a cliff top.
Its origins are not known with certainty but it is assumed to have been built during the Persian occupation in the 5th century B.C. to suppress the Soli City Kingdom. The palace was burnt down by a fire in 330 B.C.
Its original name is still unknown. Sources agree that the place was destroyed by unknown agents upon the re- establishment of Persian dominance sometime after 400 BC.
The significance of Vouni Palace is that based on the available architectural and artistic data it is clear that this was a settlement typical of Cypriote life,the period roughly between 500 B.C. and 400 B.C. The palace is atypical of a Hellenic type house and has qualities connecting it with the orient.
The site is partially enclosed, and the ticket boot only sporadically attended. The view from the palace is known as the best view of Northern Cyprus.
Yeşilırmak Kayası | Petra tou Limniti is a tiny island in Yeşilırmak, about 80 m away from the shore. It is only 150 m in length 105 m wide and 120 m high, with very steep north and west sides.
This is one of the oldest places in Cyprus to be inhabited during the pre-pottery Neolithic period. It was discovered by the members of the Swedish Cyprus Expedition team (1927-1931) excavating the palace of Vouni, when the members took a swimming tour to the small rocky island. They discovered the remains of some huts from the Neolithic period, being first time to be attested in Cyprus. Apart from the huts the finds were objects of flint, stone and bone, mainly working tools, bowls and idols. The dating of the finds is to the pre-pottery Neolithic period. It must have been an island even then, although the sea level was probably lower at that time since no Neolithic remains have been found on the adjacent headland.
Lefke, the paradise corner of Northern Cyprus, also carries traces of the Ottoman Empire.
After the capital Nicosia, most Ottoman artifacts are within the borders of Lefke.
Lefke has many houses built in the Cypriot-Ottoman style.
Although they were mainly built in the 1920s and 30s, there two that have dates of 1898 and 1908 above the doors.
41 historical mansions are protected by special law in Lefke.
Lefke mansions, special to the region only add a different color to the streets. Especially the carved wooden doors and knobs of the doors are among the areas of interest of photographers reflected in social media.
Sheikh Nazım Kıbrısi Lodge and Şeyh Nazım Kıbrısi Tomb
The late Sheikh Nazım Kıbrısi( Qibrisi ) or better known as Sheikh Nazim Al-Haqqani for the English speaking was one of the most popular and disputed names in recent history.
His real name was Mehmet Nazim Adil.
Sheikh Nazim was identified with Cyprus not only in religious circles.
He was born in 1922 in Larnaca and graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Chemistry. Sheikh Nazım Kıbrısi, a member of the Naqshbandi Sect, is an influential figure especially in the UK.
During the time when the call to prayer in Arabic was prohibited, he came to Cyprus and recited the adhan in Arabic from the minaret of the Nicosia Selimiye Mosque and was imprisoned for a week.
Sheikh Nazım Kıbrısi’s lodge is in Lefke, Cyprus. He had followers from many countries of the world especially from Western Europe and North America, many of whom converted to Islam after encountering his teaching. After 1980, his lectures on Islam and Sufism were published in English and other European languages.
Nazım’s transnational appeal was facilitated by his ability to speak English, Turkish, Arabic, and Greek.
Nazım was involved in politics. He had close ties with several politicians, notably the late president of Turkey, Turgut Ozal and the late founder President of The TRNC, Rauf Denktaş. He praised Ottoman history and civilization, contrasting its culture to the modern-day Republic of Turkey.
Whenever Sheikh Nazım would visit Lebanon, the governor and the prime minister of Lebanon would sit in the Sheikh’s association. Up until today, their families and many of the Lebanese people are his followers.
Sheikh Nazim can be seen addressing multitudes of Turkish people in a stadium whose audience includes the likes of Abdullah Gul and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He was known to have close ties to Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Pope Benedict XVI, had a meeting with Sheikh Nazim when he visited Cyprus.
In his later years, Nazım was regularly recognized among the world’s fifty most influential Muslims.
The tomb of Sheikh Nazım Kıbrısi, who died on May 7, 2014, is located in Lefke Dervish Lodge.
Picking strawberries from the fields has never been more enjoyable.
Just fill the bucket given to you and eat as much as you can whilst harvesting.
The strawberry gardens of Lefke, Northern Cyprus, are very welcoming and are in high demand during strawberry season from April to June. Towards the end of the season they are selling the strawberries very cheaply so that many people buy them to make jams.
Strawberry fields are an important source of income for the people of the region.
A strawberry festival is also held in Yeşilırmak where visitors from all over the island coming to buy the red summer delights. Many gather at the festival area to have lunch, enjoy live music performances, have a look at exhibitions, and shop for locally grown produce from the area.
The university is actually one of oldest universities of Cyprus. It has been 1970 by the Cyprus Science Foundation and operates as a state foundation university.
From the date of establishment of the European University of Lefke, all units were recognized by Turkey’s Higher Education – Higher Education Accreditation institution.
EUL has a European atmosphere like its name suggests with its campus, lectures and quality.
Its lush campus, adjacent to the sea and surrounded by nature, leaves positive impression from the start.
European University of Lefke Telephone Number 0 392 660 20 00
Rector of the European University of Lefke Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Yukselen
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Yukselen is an important name for EUL, Lefke and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Even a great chance. His touches to the university reflect positively on both the region and the island. European University of Lefke has been one of the most preferred universities in recent years. The European University of Lefke proved its success through its graduates and is strengthening its brand value every day.
Departments of the European University of Lefke
The faculties are listed under four categories under Postgraduate Education, Teaching and Research Institute, English Preparatory School and Colleges. European University of Lefke Faculties.
European University of Lefke Faculties
- Engineering Faculty
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Units
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences
- Faculty of Communication Sciences
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Fazıl Küçük Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Architecture
- Faculity of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Dentistry
Postgraduate Education, Teaching and Research Institute
- Doctorate Programs
- Graduate Programs
English Preparatory School
Colleges
- School of Tourism and Hotel Management
- School of Applied Sciences
- School of Health
- High school of Physical Education and Sports
- Vocational High School
- School of Health Services
- Justice Vocational School
European University of Lefke Fees
EUL has put a very practical calculation tool on its website for candidates asking for tuition fees. Here you can calculate the tuition fees step by step. As a first step you choose your nationality among the categories of the TRNC, Turkey or one of the other countries.
Then you mark the type of education you will receive, the faculty / department you want.
Followed by the selection of preferences of the dormitory room, you see the amount you will pay.
There is a discount on cash payments. Should you wish to pay in installments, it the university fee is split up to 9 installments.
European University of Lefke Scholarship Opportunities
There are many types of scholarships available for students at EUL University:
OSYM Scholarship, preference order scholarship, teachers ‘children scholarship, sibling – job discount scholarship, martyr and disabled veterans’ children scholarship, sports, culture and arts scholarship, scholarship for top high school students, Tsk and Police Staff Scholarship, DGS scholarship, Academic performance award and other opportunities summarized under incentive scholarships.
Of course, the Lefke European University Student Dormitory fee is also included in scholarships. Alternatively, you can also apply at the Lefke KYK Dormitory or Güzelyurt KYK Dormitory in the neighboring city.
NOTE: We would like to thank Lefke Municipality for providing us beautiful photos of Lefke.
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