Park Rest Journal — July 2026 · Places
Kantara and Buffavento are two of the three mountain castles of the Beşparmak (Five Finger) range in Northern Cyprus, quieter than St Hilarion and very different in effort. Kantara suits almost everyone; Buffavento is only for those ready for 600 steps uphill. In July both close early, so go in the morning.
Which suits whom
Kantara stands at about 630 m on the eastern end of the range, above Iskele and the start of the Karpaz: the tarmac runs almost to the gate, it is a few minutes' walk from the car park to the entrance, and you should allow about an hour to walk the walls and towers. Buffavento, at 960 m above the village of Arapköy, is the highest castle on the island: a steep path of roughly 600 steps leads from the car park to the walls, and the climb takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on your fitness. With small children, or in the heat, choose Kantara.
Getting there
Kantara is about an hour from either Kyrenia (Girne) or Famagusta (Gazimağusa): first to the villages of Ardahan or Kaplıca in the Iskele area, then follow the signs up the hairpins. Buffavento is signed as Buffavento Kalesi from the Beşparmak pass on the Kyrenia–Nicosia road; from the turn-off it is about 15 minutes along a narrow mountain road to the car park below the castle.
Hours and tickets
As of early 2025, Kantara is open 08:00–15:30 but you must be in by 15:00; adults 50 TL, students 20 TL, children free, and the ticket seller takes cash only. Buffavento is open 08:00–15:30 on weekdays, entry free, and closed at weekends and on public holidays; the timetable there changes, so check the day with your concierge the evening before. There are no facilities, apart from a toilet at the Kantara entrance.
In July the upper platform at Buffavento is an oven by midday: the steps are exposed and the only shade is inside the walls. From both castles the view takes in the whole north coast and, on a clear day, the Karpaz peninsula.
For either castle, set off before nine: entry closes around three.
- Wear closed trainers with proper soles: Buffavento's steps are worn and slippery even when dry.
- Bring cash in lira for the Kantara ticket and at least a litre of water each.
- Make sure it is not a weekend: Buffavento is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Pair Kantara with Kaplıca: after the castle, drop down to the sea and have lunch by the water.