Kantara Castle: visiting, history and the mountain drive
Last verified 19 October 2026
Kantara Castle (Kastro tis Kantaras, Kantara Kalesi) is the most easterly of the three medieval castles strung along the Kyrenia mountains, with St Hilarion and Buffavento further west. It sits on a rocky crest above the pine forest where the range runs out towards the Karpas Peninsula (Karpasia, Karpaz). It is smaller and quieter than St Hilarion, but the view is the reason to come: on a clear day you look down on the north coast, along the Karpas, across the Mesaoria plain (Mesarya) and over Famagusta Bay to the south coast.
A short history
Nobody knows exactly when Kantara was built. The most likely period is Byzantine, with dates from the 10th to the late 11th century suggested, and a local tradition links it to defence against Arab raids. It first appears in written records in 1191, when Richard the Lionheart took Cyprus from Isaac Komnenos.
Under the Lusignan kings who ruled Cyprus from 1192, Kantara became a royal stronghold. In the civil war over the regency it was besieged with trebuchets in 1229 and 1230, and the garrison gave up only after its commander was killed by a crossbow bolt. Its best known moment came in 1373, when the Genoese invaded. Prince John of Antioch escaped from Famagusta disguised as a cook’s servant, made for Kantara, and organised the fight back from here. The Genoese never took the castle. Much of what you see dates from rebuilding in the late 14th century.
Venice took over Cyprus in 1489 and put its money into the big coastal fortresses instead. Italian engineers declared Kantara obsolete in 1519, the last garrison left in 1525, and the castle was dismantled in 1560. It was listed as a heritage site in 1905 and restored by the British authorities in 1914.
What to see
The approach and outer towers. The way in is from the east, where the ground narrows into a small valley. Two outer towers guarded this approach, and from here you pass through a barrel vaulted barbican and a steep zigzag passage to the main gate, which once had a portcullis.
The horseshoe tower and keep. Just north of the gate is a rounded horseshoe shaped tower. South of the gate a rectangular vaulted building served first as a prison and later as a cistern.
The garrison rooms. Along the inside of the walls are vaulted rooms that housed the soldiers, probably from the late 14th century, with a latrine joined to them. Bread ovens survive, and six cisterns caught rainwater from the flat roofs. Inside, the thick walls keep things cool even in summer.
The summit. The path carries on up to the highest point, where the ruin traditionally called the Queen’s Chamber stands, probably a fortified chapel. This is the spot for the full view: the north coast and the white mosque at Kaplıca (Davlos) below, the long ridge of the Karpas to the east, the plain to the south and, on clear days, the south coast towards Cape Greco. Buffavento is in sight to the west, and the castles once passed signals along the range.
The drive and the village
The mountain road. Kantara is reached by a narrow, winding road that climbs through pine forest. One approach comes up about seven kilometres from Kaplıca on the north coast. Drive slowly and allow extra time. Some visitors find the satnav directions confusing on the way back down, so it helps to note your route on the way up.
Kantara village. Just south west of the castle, the small village of Kantara sits in the forest on the ridge, with only a handful of people living there year round. It makes a good start for walks: a route of around seven and a half kilometres leads through the pines from the village to the castle, and a longer circular walk of nearly ten kilometres goes around the peak, past old chapels and monastery ruins. In spring look out for cyclamen and orchids.
For more in the area, see our İskele area guide and the Karpas area guide. The sandy beaches at Kaplıca, below the castle, are in our İskele beaches guide.
Visiting
Getting there. You need a car. The castle is in the İskele (Trikomo) district, and many people combine it with a day on the Karpas. If you are driving a hire car from the south, read about taking a hire car across the border first.
Parking. There is a free car park below the castle.
How long to allow. The castle itself is a fairly quick visit, around an hour. Add time for the drive, which is slow, and for a walk in the forest.
Steps and footwear. Expect steep, uneven stone steps and paths that can be slippery, though many have railings. Wear proper shoes. The climb is not suitable for wheelchairs, and people with limited mobility may find it hard.
Best time of day. Late afternoon and sunset are the favourite times for the view. In summer, avoid the middle of the day: the walk up is exposed even if the rooms inside are cool. Bring water and snacks, as there are no shops close by.
Fees and hours. Entry is a small fee, paid in Turkish lira. Bring cash, as cards may not be accepted. Hours are not well published and the ticket office is not always staffed, so check before you go.